Liang Shaowen was still processing what his brother had said when he finally asked, “Brother, what are your plans for this Omega next?”

Liang Xianzhang subconsciously glanced toward the half-open door. “Whether he stays or leaves depends entirely on his wishes.”

“That’s impossible!” Liang Shaowen’s tone became more serious. “The fact that you can smell and release pheromones after contact with this Omega shows just how much influence he has on you. If you keep him around to help with your treatment, there might still be a chance for you to recover to a normal Alpha state. How can you just let him go so easily? Brother, you should try your best to keep him here and not let him walk out that door.”

Liang Xianzhang raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a half-smile. “Illegal detention and deprivation of personal freedom are crimes. Do you want me to make the headlines tomorrow?”

Liang Shaowen was caught off guard. Seeing his brother’s slight smirk but cold eyes, he realized he’d gone too far. He scratched his head awkwardly. “I… I didn’t mean that. I just meant that he’s definitely going to leave. After all, you two are just a one-night stand.”

His words sounded increasingly frantic. “It’s not easy to find such an Omega who has a positive influence on you. You might actually have a chance to recover your health. How can I just watch you let him go?”

“I know you’re worried about me,” Liang Xianzhang replied, his tone still calm and even, “but that’s not a reason to disregard someone else’s wishes. It’s also not in line with the principles of the Liang family. Don’t bring this up again.”

Liang Shaowen quickly nodded, then glanced at his brother’s face, still unwilling to let the matter go. “Then, at least explain the situation to him and ask for his help with the treatment. There must be some kind of compensation…”

“Don’t make trouble for him.” Liang Xianzhang’s eyes turned cold as he glanced at his brother, who wilted under his gaze. With a softer tone, he added, “Shao Wen, go back. Don’t worry about me too much. I’ll handle this on my own.”

“But…” Liang Shaowen hesitated, but as he saw the unyielding look in his brother’s eyes, he realized there was no point in continuing the conversation. Liang Xianzhang had made it clear he didn’t want to discuss it further.

Liang Shaowen sighed in frustration. “At least promise me you’ll come to the hospital for a check-up when you have time.” He reluctantly left the apartment.

After Liang Xianzhang saw his brother out, he removed the bite guard from his face and returned to the bedroom. The Omega, still deeply asleep, lay undisturbed on the bed.

Liang Xianzhang sat down on the edge of the bed, breathing deeply. His gaze lingered on Zhou Yi’s exposed arms, marked with clear impressions from their previous encounter. He frowned, feeling a strange unease.

He opened the ointment his brother had given him and applied it gently to the marks on Zhou Yi’s arms. He leaned over to adjust the quilt, remembering that the marks weren’t confined to just his arms. His eyes traced the path of the marks that spread across Zhou Yi’s neck, chest, waist, abdomen, and thighs. The sight was almost shocking.

Liang Xianzhang pressed his lips together tightly, unable to deny the strange mix of guilt and satisfaction he felt. The marks on Zhou Yi’s body—marks he had left—gave him a twisted sense of possession, as though he had claimed the Omega as his own. He couldn’t shake the thought that he had enclosed Zhou Yi within his own territory, marking every inch of him.

The realization made him uneasy. Zhou Yi was still lying naked on the bed, and the faint scent of mint pheromones lingered in the air, stirring something inside Liang Xianzhang.

He had never been particularly impulsive, but now he found himself easily aroused. His body reacted automatically, his pheromones flaring up despite their usual blandness.

His hand lingered over the area where the most marks were left, the skin still shining with the fresh application of cream. The contrast between the red marks and the pale skin was striking, and Liang Xianzhang’s Adam’s apple moved as he subconsciously pressed down harder.

He couldn’t stop thinking about how his pheromones had surged when he touched Zhou Yi, his body trembling in response. Looking at the sleeping Omega, he felt a gnawing hunger in his chest. He reached out, his hand brushing gently over Zhou Yi’s face, and as he bent closer, he heard the Omega mumble softly in his sleep.

Liang Xianzhang suddenly snapped back to reality, realizing how far gone he was. He quickly pulled away, his pulse quickening as he hurriedly applied the ointment to the remaining wounds on Zhou Yi’s body. He dressed him in pajamas, buttoned them up to the top, and carefully tucked him under the quilt.

With everything done, Liang Xianzhang realized he couldn’t bring himself to leave the room. But he couldn’t stay too close, either. He moved a chair three steps away from the bed, placing it where he could still see Zhou Yi while keeping a safe distance.

The dim light from the night lamp cast soft shadows across the room, and Liang Xianzhang settled into the chair, watching Zhou Yi intently. The Omega’s presence had affected him in ways he hadn’t anticipated. Just the scent of his pheromones had sent him spiraling into an uncontrollable desire.

Was this good or bad? As an inferior Alpha, Liang Xianzhang had never felt such an overwhelming need to claim an Omega before. The hunger inside him was fierce and unfamiliar.

He couldn’t take his eyes off Zhou Yi, whose face was obscured by shadows, making it difficult to see him clearly. But the pull he felt was undeniable.

Unable to resist, Liang Xianzhang moved the chair closer to the bed, now able to see Zhou Yi’s face with perfect clarity. Just as he was about to lean in, the vibration of a cell phone interrupted his thoughts. He reached over to pick it up—it was Zhou Yi’s phone.

The phone was locked, but a message was visible on the screen. It was from someone labeled “Stupid man with a lot of money and a big sponsor”: “Business trip postponed, return home two days later.”

Liang Xianzhang stared at the screen for a moment, his gaze unreadable. He turned the phone off, set it back on the bedside table, and flipped it over, making sure the screen faced down.

His expression remained neutral as he looked back at Zhou Yi. The dim light only heightened the shadows on his face, making his eyes seem deep and mysterious, as though something was lurking within them.