Chapter 33: "It’s not over yet"
Ash froze mid-step, his body stiffening as if the word had struck him. He turned slowly, disbelief flickering across his face. "What did you say?"
Martin blinked, surprised by Ash’s reaction, and remained quiet, unsure how to respond.
Naomi, leaning in with keen interest, answered calmly, "His name is Aster."
Ash’s curiosity immediately spiked. "Where did you meet him?"
Martin swallowed, shifting slightly. "During the health care program in the village...he came in for a checkup."
Ash’s eyes narrowed, leaning a little closer. "Did he flirt with you?"
Martin shook his head quickly. "No, he didn’t...it’s just..."
Ash let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Naomi leaned forward, intrigued. "Do you know him?"
Ash’s jaw tightened. "Yes. He’s the worst person in the village, with a bad reputation."
Martin frowned. "How...?"
Ash’s voice grew firmer. "Just don’t think about him."
Before either of them could ask more, Ash had already turned and walked toward class, leaving Naomi and Martin exchanging glances as they hurried after him.
Ash knew Aster well enough when it came to matters of love. He was never serious about anyone; always charming, breaking hearts, and moving on. His good looks were what people admire him, almost as if his face alone demanded attention and affection.
Martin, who had been Ash’s friend since junior high, didn’t want him to get caught up in Aster’s charm or have his heart hurt by someone so careless with emotion.
...
That evening, Lucien sat behind the wheel, his grip firm, the silence stretching between them. Ash sat quietly beside him, the hum of the car filling the space.
Lucien cleared his throat. "You said you want us to know each other better first...before making our relationship public."
Ash gave a small nod.
Lucien’s gaze stayed forward. "But most of the time, we only see each other at school. It doesn’t give us enough time...just the two of us." He hesitated, his voice lowering. "So...tonight, I want you to spend the night at my place."
Ash’s head turned sharply, eyes wide. "But...?"
Lucien cut him, steady but tense. "Don’t worry about Adrian. I already asked your mother for permission, told her it was to help you with school work."
Ash opened his mouth to protest, but stopped. His mother had already given permission; there was no way out.
He gripped his bag tighter, turning his gaze to the window, the streetlights blurring past.
Lucien’s voice was steady. "Just one night. I want you to feel comfortable with me."
Ash’s chest tightened, After a long pause, he whispered, "...Fine."
Lucien’s lips curved faintly as he focused back on the road, while Ash sat in silence, unease twisting in his stomach.
...
Bravin was driving at a distance when he noticed Lucien’s car veer off the usual route. He slowed, frowning, then reached for his phone.
"Sir," he said carefully, eyes still on the road, "Lucien has taken another route...he’s not heading home."
...
At Lucien’s place, Ash sat on the couch, now dressed in Lucien’s pajamas. They hung loosely on his smaller frame, but with no clothes of his own, he had little choice.
From the kitchen came the sound and smell of food being prepared. Soon, Lucien set the table, serving a simple but well-made supper. Ash tasted the first bite, his eyes lifting in quiet surprise.
"This is so good," he said, unable to hide a small smile. "You should’ve opened a restaurant instead of teaching. I’d call this Golden Rice."
Lucien only gave a faint chuckle before returning from the kitchen with two glasses of juice. He placed one in front of Ash, then sat down beside him, sliding the other glass across the table.
...
Adrian arrived at the house, his steps quick as he went straight to Ash’s room. Pushing the door open, he found it empty. His brows furrowed, and he turned back downstairs.
In the living room, Ash’s mother sat comfortably on the couch, a tablet in her hands. On the screen, two leads from a boy’s love series were tangled together, the volume low. She clutched a pillow against herself, her eyes glued to the scene.
Adrian paused, puzzled by her absorbed reaction. Stepping closer, his presence finally made her aware. She flinched, quickly turning off the tablet and setting it aside.
An awkward silence settled before she cleared her throat. "I didn’t notice your arrival. When did you get here?"
"Just now," Adrian replied evenly.
"Oh," She forced a small smile. "You’ve come home earlier than usual today. Sit down; I’ll serve you supper."
Adrian shook his head slightly. "Wait. I didn’t see Ash in his room. Where is he?"
She folded her hands together. "Oh...he’s spending the night at Lucien’s place. He said he’s helping him with his assignment."
...
After finishing the juice, Ash shifted uneasily. Heat crept through his body, his skin dampening with sweat. He tried to stand, but his legs faltered, sending him stumbling forward; straight into Lucien’s waiting arms.
Ash’s gaze lifted, his breath shaky. Lucien’s eyes had already deepened into that unmistakable purple hue. Realization struck hard, and Ash’s voice came out as a trembling murmur. "Why...?"
Lucien’s arms tightened around him. "Because I want to make you mine."
Ash’s body weakened further under the drug, no strength left to resist. Lucien lifted him gently and laid him onto the bed. Tears rolled down Ash’s cheeks, his lips quivering as he whispered, "Please...I don’t want this..."
Lucien leaned over him, the air heavy with his lust-thick pheromones, pressing down like an invisible weight. His hand brushed softly against Ash’s skin, his voice low, almost pained.
"Forgive me, Ash. But if I don’t make you mine...someone else will."
Lucien’s fingers moved to unbutton Ash’s pajama top, slipping the fabric from his shoulders. Ash turned his face away, tears streaking down his cheeks. "Please...stop..." he whispered.
But Lucien’s hands didn’t halt; they slid lower, tugging at the waistband of Ash’s pants.
Then;
BOOM.
The door flung open with a violent crash.
"Lucien!" a voice thundered.
Adrian stood in the doorway, his entire body trembling with fury. The room instantly thickened with his presence; his pheromones burst out, sharp and suffocating, like blades slicing through the air. An Alpha’s wrath, raw and unrestrained.
Lucien’s head jerked toward the sound, but he barely had time to react before Adrian charged forward.
Adrian’s body slammed into him with brutal force, knocking him back from the bed. The two Alphas crashed against the wall, the air vibrating with their clashing pheromones; Lucien’s lust-driven scent against Adrian’s rage-soaked dominance.
"You bastard!" Adrian roared, fist connecting with Lucien’s jaw. "You dare touch him?"
Lucien snarled, shoving him back, eyes burning with violet. "He’s mine!"
Ash curled on the bed, trembling, watching the two collide; violence exploding in the small room, every strike shaking the walls as their pheromones tore at each other like wild beasts.
Ash trembled on the bed, his breath ragged, cheeks flushed a deep crimson from the forced heat. His hands clutched at the sheets as he whispered, voice breaking, "Adrian...p-please...help me..."
Adrian froze mid-swing. His furious eyes snapped to Ash, and in an instant, his rage twisted into alarm. He saw the unnatural red flush on Ash’s skin, the glazed looked in his eyes, the trembling body barely holding on.
"You..." Adrian’s voice cracked with fury as he glared back at Lucien. "You drugged him. You disgusting bastard."
Lucien wiped the blood from his lip, a crooked smirk spreading despite the bruise forming. "He’s in heat, Adrian. You should let me fulfil him. I can give him what his body is begging for."
Adrian’s face darkened with rage. "Fulfill him? You call this fulfillment? You’re nothing but a predator."
He turned away from Lucien and went straight to Ash, gathering him into his arms. Ash instinctively buried his face against Adrian’s chest, clutching weakly at his shirt.
Adrian’s pheromones shifted, no longer violet but grounding, wrapping around Ash like a protective shield.
Lucien’s voice cut through the air, sharp and desperate. "Put him down. You can’t soothe him; Only I..."
"Shut your filthy mouth," Adrian snarled, his eyes blazing as he tightened his hold on Ash. "You don’t deserve to even breathe the same air as him."
Without another glance, Adrian carried Ash out of the room, his steps heavy but unyielding, leaving Lucien in the suffocating silence.
Lucien stood frozen for a moment, his jaw clenched, the taste of blood sharp on his tongue. Irritation burned through him, hotter than the bruise swelling on his cheek. His hands curled into fists; then slowly relaxed as a sly smirk tugged at his lips.
"It’s not over yet," he muttered under his breath.
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number. The line clicked, and his voice dropped into a silky, mocking tone.
"Dear sister," Lucien drawled, his violet eyes narrowing. "I’ve just realized something...if you want Adrian so badly, I can help you get him."