As the conversation reached this point, Lu Yunian couldn’t believe Gu Zeyu still wanted to run away. His little Alpha was so frightened that his gaze became vacant, lips slightly parted without response for a long while. Lu Yunian lowered his head and captured those pink lips, circling his tongue around them as if savoring an ice cream cone.

The Alpha stammered for a long time, trying to slide down Lu Yunian’s thigh, but was grabbed by the collar and tossed onto the bed. Gu Zeyu crossed his arms over his chest, eyes wide as saucers, and said in a trembling voice, “Lu Yunian, clear your head and think this through. I… I’m afraid… you’ll regret it.”

An Omega can only be marked by one Alpha in their lifetime. After a permanent bond, the Omega will be eternally devoted to their Alpha. Gu Zeyu found it hard to imagine Lu Yunian being submissive to him. He felt certain that Lu Yunian must have lost his senses after having his power taken away, to make such an absurd request.

Lu Yunian frowned slightly, raising his hand to give Gu Zeyu’s bottom a light pat. He flipped the Alpha over, making Gu Zeyu lie on top of him.

“If your mouth can’t speak properly, it might as well do something else,” he said, one hand gripping the back of the Alpha’s neck, his rough palm pressed against the delicate gland. But Gu Zeyu trusted his Omega completely, even nuzzling his head against Lu Yunian’s palm like an obedient cat.

The Omega could no longer contain himself. He pressed down on Gu Zeyu’s nape, bringing their heads together. His tongue parted the Alpha’s teeth, flooding Gu Zeyu’s mouth with the intense scent of rum. The kiss left Gu Zeyu weak all over, clinging tightly to Lu Yunian as the sound of their passionate exchange filled the room.

As the kiss deepened, Lu Yunian suddenly tilted Gu Zeyu’s chin up and asked seriously, “You won’t switch personalities halfway through, will you?”

Gu Zeyu’s cheeks were flushed, a thin trail of saliva at the corner of his mouth from Lu Yunian’s kisses. His dazed eyes gazed lovingly at his Omega. Realizing Lu Yunian’s concern, he shook his head vigorously, “No, no, I won’t.”

Lu Yunian’s hand brushed over Gu Zeyu’s bottom, giving it a light pat in reward. He sat up straight, letting Gu Zeyu straddle him, and tilted his head slightly to expose his gland. “Bite,” he commanded.

Such blunt language made Gu Zeyu’s temperature rise, his whole body as hot as a baked sweet potato. His lips pressed against Lu Yunian’s cool skin, causing even the prepared Omega to shiver.

“Hurry up, don’t dawdle,” Lu Yunian urged, fearing a change of heart. He held Gu Zeyu’s waist, pressing their bodies tightly together. “It’s like a temporary mark, just lasts longer. It might hurt a lot, but don’t stop no matter what.”

Hearing “hurt a lot” made Gu Zeyu lift his head, instinctively backing away, but Lu Yunian held him firmly. The Omega whispered enticingly in his ear, “It’s only like this the first time. It’ll feel good after.”

Seeing the reluctance in Gu Zeyu’s eyes, Lu Yunian coaxed, “Baby, help me. I want to feel good quickly.”

Such provocative words burned away the last of their reason. The Alpha’s rut was triggered by the flood of Omega pheromones. Gu Zeyu’s eyes turned crimson, neither their usual coffee brown nor the deep blue of his Kun form.

He lowered his head sharply, canines piercing the Omega’s skin. The gland pulsed at the intrusion, quickly enveloping the teeth in warm pheromones. Gu Zeyu’s scent began to turn salty, though the rich milk aroma still dominated.

As the powerful pheromones poured in, Lu Yunian’s eyes glazed over with pain, but he clenched his jaw, refusing to let out even a whimper. He endured the agony of the bonding, fearing Gu Zeyu might stop if he reacted.

Sweat streamed down Lu Yunian’s body. The red-eyed Alpha held him tightly. The permanent bonding lasted a long time, finally ending when a small, light blue fish mark appeared on the Omega’s nape.

Satisfied, Lu Yunian lay on the bed embracing Gu Zeyu, constantly touching the mark on his neck and asking the Alpha to describe its appearance. Gu Zeyu nestled in his arms, eyes half-closed in contentment, gesturing animatedly.

“Have you seen a baby Kun? Light blue, with a tail this long…” Gu Zeyu took Lu Yunian’s hand, spreading his thumb and forefinger to show the length. Suddenly changing topics, he asked, “Come to think of it, why isn’t Gu Lulu a baby Kun?”

Lu Yunian pulled the blanket up to cover Gu Zeyu, leaving only his eyes exposed. He listened to the vivid description, his fingers tracing circles around the mark. Hearing Gu Zeyu’s question, he kissed his forehead and replied, “Maybe because only half his bloodline is Kun. He’s too small now and can only maintain human form. Honestly, if I’d given birth to an actual Kun in the delivery room, the three of us would probably have been taken away long ago.”

“The three of us…” Gu Zeyu loved that phrase, repeating it several times before adding loudly, “But if I don’t grow up, and you’ve given your power to Hai Yu, who will protect our family of three?”

Lu Yunian stretched lazily, his newly bonded body still tired. He covered Gu Zeyu’s mouth and held him close, saying casually, “Sleep now. If the sky falls, the sea clan will hold it up.”

Pei Xiuran came alone. Standing on the shore, his white shirt billowed in the sea breeze, his austere presence like a statue of a Western god. Hai Mu’er went to greet him personally, managing with some effort to shake off Hai Yu. He approached along the beach, not daring to stand on higher ground to speak with Pei Xiuran, and heard his cold words.

“Using my friend’s injury to coerce me here, isn’t that a bit too despicable?”

The Alpha’s cool gaze fell on him, devoid of any past warmth.

Hai Mu’er wanted to argue but remembered the many misunderstandings between them. He shrugged dismissively, spreading his hands with an imposing air, “Lu Yunian and I are leaders on opposing sides. That he’s in my hands and I still allow you to come treat him is already more than generous.”

Pei Xiuran replied coldly, “Take me to see him.”

Hai Mu’er pressed his tongue against his lower jaw, forcing himself not to show any pain. He said grimly, “Once you enter the sea palace, you’re in my domain. I hope you’ll be obedient, considering your friend’s life is in my hands.”

“In this life, is threatening me the only trick you know?” The sea breeze lifted the hem of the white shirt, revealing a glimpse of a pale waist and a clear inch-long scar on his back. Pei Xiuran looked away and leapt into the sea. Hai Mu’er sighed deeply before following.

Lu Yunian held Gu Zeyu as they slept sweetly. The Alpha, now feeling completely secure, even ground his teeth in his sleep. Woken by this, Lu Yunian fondly ruffled Gu Zeyu’s hair, held him closer, and drifted back to sleep.

Author’s Note: A sweet romance story, reducing elements of angst.