bound by instinct

Chapter 1

The cold air bit at Chen Xin's skin, but he barely registered it. He stood tall at the edge of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's courtyard, his breath forming soft clouds in the early morning light. The distant hills were shrouded in mist, their peaks barely visible. For most, it would have been a serene scene—a rare moment of tranquility before the day's demands. But for Chen Xin, serenity was a luxury he did not allow himself.

His mind was razor-sharp, focused on the mission ahead. A diplomatic journey to the Tian Dou Empire, accompanying Ning Fengzhi, their clan leader. The responsibility weighed on his shoulders, but he carried it with ease, as he always had. His role was clear—silent, deadly, unwavering. Nothing, no one, could distract him from his duty.

Except for the growing heat inside him.

It had started a few days ago—a faint warmth curling in his belly, easy to dismiss at first. But now, it was becoming harder to ignore. His instincts told him that his heat was coming earlier than expected, but he shoved that thought aside. He would deal with it when the time came. For now, there was no room for weakness.

Footsteps approached from behind. Chen Xin's senses, already heightened, immediately identified the intruder without looking. The heavy, deliberate steps belonged to Gu Rong—his closest friend, rival, and the only man in the clan who dared approach him so casually.

Gu Rong's presence was unmistakable. His footsteps, once heavy and deliberate, grew lighter as he neared, as though the earth itself shifted under his command. Chen Xin didn't move, his expression set in stone, but the faintest flicker of irritation sparked in his chest. Gu Rong always had a way of appearing at the most inopportune moments, as though sensing the cracks in Chen Xin's armor and prodding at them with an easy smile.

"Standing out here like a statue again, I see," Gu Rong's voice, deep and smooth, rolled through the morning air, disrupting the silence. His tone was light, teasing, and it grated against Chen Xin's nerves like sandpaper. "I swear, one day you're going to turn to stone with that serious face of yours."

Chen Xin clenched his jaw, keeping his gaze fixed on the mist-covered hills. The wind tugged at his long, silver hair, and he could feel Gu Rong's eyes on him—too close, too observant. He didn't turn around.

"Someone has to take things seriously," Chen Xin replied, his voice sharp and clipped. "Unlike you, I don't have the luxury of strolling through life without a care in the world."
Gu Rong chuckled, stepping up beside him. His proximity was unwelcome, but Chen Xin couldn't bring himself to move away. There was something about Gu Rong's presence that felt too warm, too solid, too close, and today it was harder to ignore than usual. Maybe it was the heat simmering under his skin, or maybe it was just Gu Rong's natural ability to get under his skin.

"Strolling through life, huh?" Gu Rong's lips curled into a grin, his breath misting in the cool air. "You really do have a high opinion of me, don't you?"
Chen Xin finally glanced at him, his silver eyes narrowing. Gu Rong stood tall, broad-shouldered and relaxed, his posture the exact opposite of Chen Xin's stiff, vigilant stance.

The contrast between them was always stark—Gu Rong, the easygoing Alpha with a quiet strength, and Chen Xin, the cold, unyielding blade. But today, there was something else there, something more tangible. His senses were sharper, more attuned to Gu Rong's presence than usual. He could smell the faint scent of earth and steel clinging to Gu Rong's clothes, the warmth radiating from his body in a way that made Chen Xin's skin prickle.
Damn it. He was noticing too much.

"You should be preparing for the journey, not bothering me with your nonsense," Chen Xin snapped, turning his gaze back to the path ahead. The words came out harsher than he intended, but he didn't care. He couldn't afford distractions, not now, not when his heat was lurking just beneath the surface, threatening to expose everything he had worked so hard to hide.
"Relax, Chen Xin. You're wound up tighter than usual," Gu Rong said, his tone still annoyingly casual. He leaned against the stone wall beside Chen Xin, arms crossed over his chest. "Is it the trip to Tian Dou, or is something else bothering you?"

Chen Xin stiffened. He could feel Gu Rong's eyes on him, studying him too closely. Gu Rong was always too perceptive, always able to sense when something was off, even if Chen Xin kept his face impassive. It was part of the reason he kept Gu Rong at arm's length—too much closeness, too much familiarity, and the truth might slip out.
"I'm fine," Chen Xin replied, his voice a cold, hard blade. "Focus on your own duties, and let me focus on mine."

Before Gu Rong could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps interrupted them. Both men turned as Ning Fengzhi, the leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, emerged from the main hall. His presence immediately commanded respect, though his expression was as warm and fatherly as ever.

"Ah, there you two are," Ning Fengzhi said, a smile tugging at his lips as he approached. "Already at each other's throats this early in the morning?"
"Not at all, Sect Leader," Gu Rong said with a grin, pushing off the wall and giving a casual bow. "I'm just trying to get our resident statue here to lighten up."
Chen Xin resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "We should be discussing the preparations for the journey, not wasting time on pointless banter."

Ning Fengzhi chuckled softly, his gaze shifting between the two of them. "You two really are like brothers. Always bickering, yet I couldn't imagine one without the other."
Chen Xin's expression softened, if only slightly. Ning Fengzhi was the only person who could speak so freely to him, the only one he allowed to see past the cold exterior. The Sect Leader was more than just a leader—he was family, someone Chen Xin trusted above all others.

"As much as I enjoy your rivalry, uncle sowrd is right," Ning Fengzhi continued. "We should review our plans. The Tian Dou Empire is not known for its stability, and we must be cautious. Uncle sword , you'll be at my side as usual. Uncle bone, I trust you'll be keeping watch from the rear?"

Gu Rong nodded, his playful demeanor slipping slightly as the conversation turned serious. "Of course. Nothing will get past me."
Chen Xin nodded as well, his thoughts already turning to the logistics of the trip. But even as Ning Fengzhi laid out the details, Chen Xin couldn't shake the awareness of Gu Rong's presence beside him. The warmth, the scent of earth and steel, the subtle strength that radiated from him—it was all too much today. Too close, too real.

And the heat inside him, though faint, was growing stronger.

As Ning Fengzhi continued to speak, Chen Xin's jaw tightened. He couldn't afford to lose control. Not now. Not in front of Gu Rong.
Not ever.