The lights were beautiful, and the night was just as beautiful. When everything around you reaches a certain kind of beauty, it always seems to stir something deep inside, waking up desires you didn’t even notice before.
Ji Chenxi pulled Chi Zhuo closer and brushed a soft kiss against his lips.
He liked things slow and gentle, liked a kind of soft beauty—even when it came to kissing, he felt it should have a sense of elegance. But Chi Zhuo’s kisses had always been the complete opposite—aggressive, overwhelming, like he wanted to devour him whole, like a wolf starved for too long.
Aggression. Control. Turning the tables.
Ji Chenxi went through the whole process—shifting from taking the lead, to yielding, and then taking control again. The sharp, burning scent of alcohol tangled with the rose fragrance that seemed light and clean at first but actually pushed in strongly, taking over the senses. The two scents clashed and twisted together, forming something so rich it made any alpha feel a hint of danger and discomfort.
The intensity of their pheromones colliding made Ji Chenxi frown slightly—but at the same time, it only made him more excited.
As an alpha, it wasn’t like he didn’t reject another alpha’s pheromones. That kind of instinctive dislike was something you were born with, something hard to change. His double S rank just meant he could stay calmer when facing another alpha’s scent.
He didn’t like it. Deep down, he even resisted it.
But maybe… because he liked Chi Zhuo right now, even that sharp, biting scent had turned into something different—something strangely appealing.
Human senses really were a curious thing.
If Ji Chenxi’s reaction to Chi Zhuo’s pheromones could be described as going from dislike to acceptance, then Chi Zhuo’s change was far more extreme—from disgust to something close to craving.
His fingers pressed a little harder as they brushed over Ji Chenxi’s fragile neck. In the brief pause between kisses, a thought surfaced in Ji Chenxi’s mind—something he had considered before, but never really examined.
Was Chi Zhuo’s obsession with him actually just a craving for his pheromones?
Just like with alphas and omegas—two complete strangers wouldn’t have something like “liking” at first. But if their pheromones matched well enough, they would start to crave each other, drawn in without realizing it, chasing that feeling… and mistaking it for love.
Ji Chenxi had always been extremely confident. He shouldn’t doubt his own charm.
But the more confident and proud someone is, the easier it is for them to become suspicious when they start to like someone. They end up overthinking, unconsciously magnifying every little detail.
A faint sting spread across his lips—that was the trace left by teeth grazing over them.
Ji Chenxi let out a soft laugh. Chi Zhuo’s gaze darkened, and he bit him again lightly, this time with a hint of punishment, reminding him not to drift off.
The deep, captivating blue light cast over everything, making the scene feel both dangerous and hazy. There was a strong sense of restraint in Chi Zhuo’s actions—even when his marking fangs appeared, he only gently nipped at Ji Chenxi’s lips.
“Chi Zhuo, I’m a little unhappy right now.” Ji Chenxi’s voice was soft as ever, his hand gently stroking over Chi Zhuo. His long, well-defined fingers moved from the neck up to the back of his head, light as a feather—but if he wanted to, crushing someone’s skull would be effortless.
“Did I bite you too hard?”
Chi Zhuo hadn’t even used much force just now. There wasn’t any broken skin—barely even a mark, and that would fade soon enough.
Ji Chenxi shook his head. “No.”
He said he was unhappy, but the smile on his lips was even more alluring than when he claimed to be in a good mood. Like a whisper between lovers, he asked softly, “Do you like my pheromones? Do you want to mark me?”
Want to mark him? Of course he did. There wasn’t an alpha alive who didn’t want to mark their partner. Chi Zhuo was just forcing himself to hold back that instinct, suppressing the urge rooted deep in his body. When it got too hard to bear, he would only press close to Ji Chenxi, breathing heavily against him.
By now, after spending so much time together, Chi Zhuo understood one thing clearly—Ji Chenxi might look gentle and easygoing, but in truth, the little prince had quite the temper.
Faced with such a sudden question, Chi Zhuo thought it over—both on the surface and beneath it—before frowning slightly and asking in a low voice, “Do you want to mark me?”
Ji Chenxi blinked lightly, then smiled again. His fingers moved with a kind of tender care as they brushed over Chi Zhuo’s head, sliding through his hair. Around his wrist, the small black snake coiled and tightened faintly.
At that moment, Ji Chenxi looked like someone toying with a cold-blooded venomous snake. The snake twisted in his grasp, craving something, as if everything was under control—but the moment he slipped, it could just as easily bite back.
Some people were addicted to that feeling—dancing on the edge of danger, wrapped in something sharp and deadly. Ji Chenxi was the same. That was why he had approached a snake… and was now trying to tame it.
His fingers slid down, half teasing, half gentle, brushing over the gland as Ji Chenxi said, “Marking and possession are an alpha’s instinct.” And rejecting another alpha’s pheromones was an instinct too.
Chi Zhuo’s current state wasn’t normal.
So how long could this “not normal” last?
Chi Zhuo caught a hint of something deeper hidden in those words.
He thought it over, then lifted his hand, catching Ji Chenxi’s wandering fingers and firmly lacing their fingers together. Following his line of thought, he asked, “So you want to mark me?”
“Mm-hmm.” Ji Chenxi’s tone lifted slightly at the end—neither confirming nor denying.
Chi Zhuo lowered his head, resting it against Ji Chenxi’s shoulder, deliberately exposing his long, clean neck.
He didn’t say a word, but Ji Chenxi, clearly in a mischievous mood, leaned in and blew lightly against that spot. “An invitation?”
“Or maybe… an invitation into a trap.”
This time, Ji Chenxi really laughed. The doubt and unease buried deep in his heart faded in that instant, unable to hold on any longer. Leaning close to Chi Zhuo’s ear, he murmured, “Is that really how you use ‘walking into a trap’? If I bite you, do you think you can bite me back? Why not say you’re bowing down to me instead?”
“Your Highness is the partner I’ve chosen. In this kind of thing, giving in to you is only natural.”
Ji Chenxi smiled again—but this time, it was completely different from before.
‘Partner?’
Good. Very good.
At first, he had only planned to give a light bite—just enough to leave a trace of his pheromones, and maybe let Chi Zhuo return the favor. But now, he showed no mercy. He bit down without holding back, forcefully pushing a large amount of his pheromones into the other alpha’s body.
As for letting the other man bite him back? Not a chance.
After marking him, Ji Chenxi gently licked away the faint trace of blood at the gland. His tongue swept over it, leaving behind nothing but a lingering, suggestive mark.
And he didn’t forget to add, in a voice sweet as if dipped in honey, “Then, don’t forget to go easy on me in bed too… after all, I’m your partner, aren’t I?”
Ji Chenxi had expected that Chi Zhuo—who had been holding back this whole time—would at least snap back with a “not a chance.”
But instead, Chi Zhuo kissed him even more fiercely, clearly stirred by that self-given title, as if Ji Chenxi’s words hadn’t threatened him at all.
Ji Chenxi let out a cold laugh, thinking the man’s arrogance matched his own—but he didn’t push things any further.
The taste of tequila spread through their mouths—sharp, burning, carrying a faint sting that only made everything more intense.
Grabbing hold of Chi Zhuo’s collar, Ji Chenxi made him think he was about to be shoved hard against the wall—
—but instead, he lowered his head and gently licked over the bitten gland again.
Soft. Lingering.
Like a cat acting spoiled, brushing close in quiet affection.
Chi Zhuo’s body trembled slightly as he stated a simple fact, “You’re trying to break down my will.”
“You could also say I’m doing my best to smooth over the little problem between us.”
“That’s not a small problem at all.”
Even after being contradicted, Ji Chenxi’s tone still carried a trace of amusement. “Someone has to give in eventually. Either you… or me.”
The two of them stayed like that, locked in an embrace that wasn’t exactly comfortable, for quite a while.
The light brain on his wrist began to vibrate softly, signaling an incoming call. Ji Chenxi had ignored it at first—this was his personal time, and he had no interest in dealing with anyone else. But the caller was persistent. The device kept buzzing, so much so that even Chi Zhuo could feel the faint vibration through Ji Chenxi’s wrist.
“Your Highness, maybe you should check?” Chi Zhuo suggested when it vibrated for the third time.
Ji Chenxi had already been considering it. He lifted his wrist and opened the virtual screen, ready to switch it to do-not-disturb mode at any moment.
Normally, the virtual screen was set to privacy mode—unless the owner allowed it, no one else could see what was displayed. At first, Chi Zhuo didn’t pay much attention, assuming it was just a friend or classmate. His fingers idly played with Ji Chenxi’s earring for the day—a small black snake, vivid and lifelike, holding a silver cross in its mouth. Evil and holiness twisted together in one piece.
Before he could touch it a second time, he sensed the sudden drop in Ji Chenxi’s mood.
“Someone you don’t like?” Chi Zhuo asked in a low voice.
Ji Chenxi smiled, though there was a faint chill hidden beneath it. He pressed a finger lightly against Chi Zhuo’s lips, signaling him to stay quiet. Then, as the call came in again, he finally answered.
A polite smile spread across his face, and a hint of warmth colored his voice. “Second Sister, what made you think of contacting me all of a sudden?”
He didn’t bother switching to a private audio mode. Even if he did, Chi Zhuo would still catch it with his mental strength—so he might as well be open about it.
“So you still remember I’m your second sister?” The woman’s voice was sharp, carrying the natural dominance of an alpha.
Ji Chenxi almost laughed—a teasing, almost mocking kind of laugh—but he held it back, careful not to let it slip through. Keeping his tone steady, he replied, “What are you saying, Second Sister? You’re my own sister. Of course I remember you.”
“So this time, it was you setting a trap for me? Seems I’ve underestimated you for years.”
Ji Chenxi knew his second sister wasn’t the reckless type. For her to call him this directly, she had either noticed something… or she was testing him.
He frowned slightly, putting on a puzzled look. “I don’t understand what you mean, Second Sister. I’ve been busy with academy matters lately—when would I even have the time to ‘set a trap’ for you?”
The young woman let out a soft scoff, her voice full of suspicion. “Still pretending at a time like this? That’s no fun, my dear brother.”
Faced with such sharp words, Ji Chenxi’s tone cooled as well. “So it seems Second Sister didn’t suddenly think of me out of concern—you came looking for trouble. If you’ve already made up your mind, then there’s nothing for me to say.”
With that, he cut off the call in one swift motion.
Clean. Decisive.
Ji Chenxi’s finger was still resting against Chi Zhuo’s lips. He leaned in and lightly kissed his own fingertip. “Sorry… looks like my game is starting earlier than expected.”
He gave Chi Zhuo an apologetic smile. Leaving now felt unfair—especially after Chi Zhuo had clearly put effort into preparing this date—but if he stayed any longer, it would be too easy for his second sister to track him down.
Chi Zhuo let out a quiet “mm,” then tightened his grip around Ji Chenxi’s hand, pressing a kiss to his finger. “Good luck. If you need help, just say the word.”
Watching Ji Chenxi’s figure fade into the distance, Chi Zhuo opened his own light brain. On the screen was an image sent hours earlier from an anonymous virtual account.
In the picture, under bright golden sunlight, Ji Chenxi stood with his gaze lowered toward a young omega girl. His expression, softened by the light, looked unexpectedly gentle—
—and the girl, face flushed, looked back at him shyly.
Hello, everyone ヾ(＾∇＾). I hope you enjoyed the story! If you’re feeling generous, please buy me a coffee, share/comment on my translated works! Check out the link below for early chapters. (๑>ᴗ<๑)
