Unclaimed (Xianwang)

Whispers in the Night

Liu Xichen

"Ouch..." 

I was just walking into the club when someone bumped into my chest.

Rubbing his head, he placed a hand on my chest as if to feel it. "I thought I bumped into the wall," he muttered, slowly looking up. Our eyes met, and my breath caught in my throat. The omega who stood in front of me, pouting and holding his head, looked so beautiful. His soft features, flushed cheeks, and wide eyes made him appear even more delicate under the dim club lights. 

He was clearly drunk and could barely hold himself up. He looked at me, his eyes slightly unfocused, and muttered, "Move out of the way," while weakly trying to push me aside. The effort was laughable, and I had to suppress a grin at how adorable he was acting.

"What's your name?" I asked, curious.

"Meng... Wait, why would I tell you my name?" he replied, still tipsy, blinking as though trying to remember where he was. Suddenly, his eyes widened, and he frantically glanced around. "Wangji... Oh no, where is my Wangji?"

Wangji? Who is that? I thought, scanning the area for anyone who might be with him. This omega didn't seem claimed, no mark, no bond. So I asked, "Is Wangji your alpha?"

He shook his head with a lazy smile, dimples appearing on his flushed cheeks. "He's my omega."

"Omega?" I was confused. Was he searching for a friend? His pheromones were thick in the air, sweet and intoxicating, telling me that he was close to going into heat. That, combined with the alcohol, made for a dangerous situation. He was careless. "I think you should go home now," I suggested, realizing how much trouble he could attract.

"Who are you to tell me that?" he slurred, swaying slightly. "Where is Wangji? I can't go home without him... LAN WANGJI!" he yelled, his voice carrying over the loud club music.

His pheromones were drawing attention, heads turning in our direction, mostly alphas eyeing him with growing interest. It was only a matter of time before one of them made a move. The omega was leaning heavily on me now, struggling to stand. I placed a firm but gentle hand on his shoulder, a warning to the other alphas around us. That seemed to be enough to make them lose interest.

I checked my watch, 7:30. I had 30 minutes before my meeting. 

"Hmm..." The omega suddenly clamped his hands over his mouth, looking panicked as though he was about to puke. 

"I'll take you outside," I offered, but he shook his head.

"My side bag... Get my side bag," he mumbled, waving in the direction of the bar.

"What color is it?" I asked.

"Biscuit color..."

"Biscuit color? Which biscuit?" I repeated, confused.

"How dumb are you?" he retorted, narrowing his eyes at me. "Milk biscuit... or is it cream biscuit? Milk cake? No... sponge cake yellow," he finished, giggling at his own words.

Unbelievable. But I decided to humor him. "Stay here and don't go anywhere," I said, then hurried to the bar counter in search of the bag.

Sure enough, I found a small, beige bag lying on a stool where he had probably been sitting earlier. When I handed it back to him, he immediately rummaged through it suspiciously.

"Did you steal anything?" he asked, his eyes narrowing again as though I were some kind of thief.

"What is there to steal?" I asked, amused.

"Many things," he mumbled, nodding as if that explained everything.

Rolling my eyes, I helped him outside and guided him to a bench. He sat down with a relieved sigh, hugging the side bag to his chest like it was a lifeline.