Hating His Scent

The lobby of HS Group gleamed with glass and steel, a place Gao Tu had never imagined himself entering except as a delivery boy. He clutched the strap of his worn messenger bag as Shen Wenlang strode ahead, tall and impossibly self-assured.

"From now on, you'll be here," Shen Wenlang said simply, as if it were natural to pluck a classmate from behind the counter of a café and drop him into the empire of HS Group.

Gao Tu blinked. "I-Shen Wenlang, I'm not qualified. I don't even-"

"You'll learn." Shen Wenlang cut him off, turning back just enough that his sharp gaze pinned Gao Tu in place. "You're reliable. That's enough."

Reliable. Gao Tu's heart thudded. It was nothing like the compliments he'd heard whispered about omegas in his old life-soft, fragrant, delicate. He hated those words. But reliable... Shen Wenlang made it sound like strength.

"Why me?" Gao Tu asked quietly, unable to stop himself.

Shen Wenlang's expression didn't change. He reached out, plucked at the cuff of Gao Tu's sleeve where it had frayed, and smoothed it down with surprising gentleness. "Because you're not like them."

Them. Omegas. Gao Tu's breath caught, the ghost of his suppressed pheromones prickling at his skin. Shen Wenlang's touch burned, even though the man's voice was cool, detached, as if he didn't realize how intimate the gesture was.

Gao Tu forced a smile. "Then... I'll work hard."

Shen Wenlang didn't reply, only gave a faint nod. But when they walked into the building, his stride slowed, just enough that Gao Tu could walk beside him instead of trailing behind.