The small bathroom was silent except the sound of the water drop hitting the bathtub. The darkness earlier was replaced by steam as the temperature inside is contrast to the outside coldness.
Amidst the ambiguous atmosphere, one person could be seen holding another in his lap. No one said anything for a long while as they looked at each other, trying to process their own thoughts. Light hazel eyes looking into black ones, feeling the grip of the big hands on his bare, wet waist.
Light hazel eyes were the first to look away, straightening their posture, trying hard to hide their wet, exposed body under the white shirt which barely covers anything with how soaked it's now.
"Don't move around!", a deep voice sounded as the grip around his waist tightened.
Liu Zhong looked up at Wu Xinglong once again. Wu Xinglong couldn't help himself from leaning forward to smell the sweet osmanthus aroma, still emitting from his scent gland. Liu Zhong's body stiffened as his sensitive spot got sniffed.
Wu Xinglong quickly backed away, noticing his reaction, saying, "Mr. Liu, I'm sorry! I couldn't help it myself."
Liu Zhong covered his neck, distancing himself from Wu Xinglong. His face is still flustered as his rut has subsided for now but not completely over. He awkwardly looked around to find his clothes, saying, "It's alright! But don't do it anymore"
Liu Zhong's clothes were soaked so he had no choice but to wear the oversized white shirt, which was enough to cover his vital part. Wu Xinglong couldn't tear his eyes off Liu Zhong, noticing his each movement with dark eyes, the emotions behind can't be comprehended.
Wu Xinglong slowly walked towards Liu Zhong, his hands wrapped around Liu Zhong's waist from behind, helping him button up his shirt. Liu Zhong was startled, "Mr. Wu, what are you doing? Please, let go, I can do it myself."
Wu Xinglong didn't stop as he back hugged him once again nuzzling into his neck as his cold, metallic blue puya scent wrapped around them like a cocoon. Liu Zhong couldn't protest against the scent as his back melted, supporting himself against his broad bare chest.
"Mr. Liu, you smell so sweet for being an alpha. If I hadn't seen your true form earlier, I would have thought you're a sweet petite omega." Wu Xinglong's husky voice sounded into Liu Zhong's ears, making a shiver run through his spine.
Wu Xinglong licked against his scent gland, making Liu Zhong grip on his dark locks of hair, his low voice came out with a heavy breath, "Do….. Don't... Don't do it!"
Liu Zhong felt himself cooperating with Wu Xinglong without any protest, a fear sparking inside him as he felt a tooth graze against his nape. Liu Zhong's eyes widened just as Wu Xinglong was about to bite into his nape.
"knock…knock..knock"
Wu Xinglong's closed eyes burst open, revealing its silver underneath. A low growl of dissatisfaction sounded as he let go of Liu Zhong, hearing the loud, continuous knocking against the door of the bathroom.
Liu Zhong heaved a sigh of relief as he fixed his appearance, looking at Wu Xinglong for a moment before going towards the door.
"Wait!" Wu Xinglong said. Liu Zhong paused in his tracks as Wu Xinglong walked towards him with a towel he got out of nowhere.
Liu Zhong looked confused as Wu Xinglong threw the towel at him, saying, "Wrap it around yourself. I believe you don't want to walk in front of your CEO with such violent reaction down there"
Liu Zhong followed Wu Xinglong's gaze and noticed the obvious reaction he's having right now which is barely hidden by the oversized shirt. Liu Zhong's face reddened even more with embarrassment as he quickly wrapped the towel around himself.
Wu Xinglong opened the door, walking out of the bathroom followed by a flustered Liu Zhong. Yan Jiuheng was fuming in anger while glaring at Wu Xinglong as Long Yuzhou calmly waited for them to settle.
Yan Jiuheng quickly pulled Liu Zhong to his side, assessing him for any injury, whispering to him, "Did that bastard do anything to you?"
Liu Zhong chuckled a little as he glanced towards Wu Xinglong for a moment saying, "He didn't do anything. You don't need to worry so much about me."
Yan Jiuheng was speechless at his response, accusing him, "You sure have grown up, now that you have presented, Liu Zhong!"
Liu Zhong rolled his eyes at him, saying, "Stop with that act. Being a drama queen doesn't fit you."
Long Yuzhou couldn't help but smile at his words but quickly hid it as he turned his attention to Wu Xinglong, who's looking at Liu Zhong intensely.
"Found your mate?" Long Yuzhou softly asked Wu Xinglong, startling him. Wu Xinglong neither admitted nor denied it.
Yan Jiuheng who got scolded by Liu Zhong, finally became serious as his amber eyes turned cold as his sharp face turned stoic. His cold gaze fell on Wu Xinglong, who's beside Long Yuzhou.
"You! I don't care who you are as I will never forgive you for triggering Zhong to present even though it's unintentional." Yan Jiuheng's voice turned cold, "Whatever be the situation that happened doesn't permit you to use your scent openly outside our place. The situation just now was barely under control, almost risking Zhong's life"
Wu Xinglong was about to defend himself when Long Yuzhou stopped him, stepping up, "Don't dwell on what had already happened. We can't change anything because of your anger. Let's focus on what needs to be done now that the situation has happened."
Yan Jiuheng glared at Long Yuzhou, taking a deep breath to calm himself as he knew he had few things to clear up. Long Yuzhou waited for a moment, looking between the three present in the room before asking Yan Jiuheng.
"Jiuheng, you already knew about Liu Zhong as he served you for a long while, right?"
Yan Jiuheng nodded as he glanced at Liu Zhong saying, "I knew about him from the start when I took him under me when he was barely a child."
Long Yuzhou nodded as well as he noticed the complex emotion in Yan Jiuheng's eyes. He could somehow understand him so he didn't press further into this matter anymore. He turned towards Wu Xinglong, questioning him.
"Can you guess why it happened, right?" Wu Xinglong nodded.
"Wu Xinglong, do you think you can handle Liu Zhong and keep him under control, without going berserk?" Long Yuzhou asked sternly.
Wu Xinglong hesitated for a moment, glanced at Liu Zhong and Yan Jiuheng for a moment, clearing his throat, saying with determination, "To be honest, I don't know if I can do what you're asking but I can promise you that I won't let him be in such situation anymore. I'll try my level best."
Liu Zhong felt his heart itch at his words as he looked at the determined look in Wu Xinglong's face. Yan Jiuheng was about to say something but stopped when he saw the look in Liu Zhong's face while looking at Wu Xinglong.
Yan Jiuheng sighed and muttered to himself, "He's grown up now. It's about time for him to know about himself completely and start a new life."
Long Yuzhou had a calm look as he walked towards Yan Jiuheng urging him, "It's your time to make a decision."
Yan Jiuheng was silent for a moment before walking towards Liu Zhong, standing in front of him. His cold facade melted into a warm concern as he started, "Zhong, you are with me for centuries, following me like a shadow, pestering me in your childhood and protecting me till now after you grew up. It's not the life you're destined to, you have so much to achieve and know." His voice broke, Liu Zhong's eyes teared up as he hugged Yan Jiuheng.
Yan Jiuheng chuckled ruffling his hair, saying, "Remember, you always asked about your origin in your childhood? Now is the time you know about it." He pulled back just enough to look into the light hazel eyes of Liu Zhong which is misty right now, he wiped the tears away asking, "Silly! Why are you crying now? You want to know your origin right?"
Liu Zhong nodded despite his tears. Yan Jiuheng revealed, "Zhong, you belong to a powerful demonic wolf race which were ruling over the Northern part of the country centuries ago but a sudden war pushed them to the brink of extinction and that's the time I rescued you from there." He paused as his hand gently pressed against his scent gland, "I used my power to suppress your nature and power till now but looks like it won't work anymore. You have grown up, Zhong"
A single tear rolled down his eyes as Liu Zhong buried his face into his chest crying, denying, "Jiuheng, don't talk like that. You're scaring me. I'm not grown up. I'm still that little boy you brought back that night."
Yan Jiuheng's heart clutched at his words, he wiped away tears from his eyes, his voice gentle as he gently patted on his head, saying, "Zhong's don't be stubborn and make it hard for us. I know you could already feel the call of your home, don't deny it and follow it. It's not safe for you to stay here anymore as my power has worn out." He pulled back from his hug, cupping his cheek, persuading him, "Follow your call home and reach North, you might find your family there and learn to control your new found powers."
Liu Zhong shook his head, denying it, "No! My home is where you are and you are my family. I don't have any family beside you."
Yan Jiuheng's voice softened as he said, "Don't be stubborn! If you're worrying about leaving me alone, don't worry I can take good care of myself. Don't worry about me! Follow your heart from now onwards." His gaze swept over Wu Xinglong for a moment before saying, "I want to see you find your own family and start a new one with your loved one. If you really think, I'll be lonely for a long time without you then give me a few nephews or nieces to play with when you come back so that I won't be lonely anymore."
Liu Zhong's face reddened as sulked, "Who worries you will be lonely? Fine! I'll follow my call back home and soon be back to you."
Yan Jiuheng smiled as he ruffled his hair playfully as he warned Wu Xinglong, "If you fail to protect him, then I'll have your soul ripped apart, shattering it after devouring your heart and liver alive."
Wu Xinglong nodded obediently, still gazing at Liu Zhong. Long Yuzhou who was silent for a long while said to Liu Zhong and Wu Xinglong, "As it's already decided, then I wish you both a safe journey. The northern part will be dangerous so be cautious during your travel. I could help arrange your travel but I suggest it's dangerous if you wander around with your rut still going on so I think it's better if you could get a temporary mark, Liu Zhong." He turned towards Yan Jiuheng asking, "What do you think, Jiuheng?"
Yan Jiuheng who was warm and soft a moment ago suddenly turned cold as his amber eyes pierced Wu Xinglong silently challenging him to do what Long Yuzhou suggested.
Long Yuzhou noticed it and said, "Jiuheng's it's for Liu Zhong's safety. Do you want him to transform once again and go berserk?"
Yan Jiuheng didn't say anything as he walked out of the small room, with a gentle words to Liu Zhong and a glare towards Wu Xinglong.
Long Yuzhou shook his head, walked towards both Liu Zhong and Wu Xinglong saying, "It's just a suggestion. It's your final decision to make and don't worry about Jiuheng. He's a bit overprotective of Liu Zhong."
He walked towards the door but stopped in his tracks saying, "Let me know once you have made a decision so that I could plan your travel towards the North."
Long Yuzhou too left the room, closing the door, leaving them both alone inside.