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Two red lines, a clear fracture in the careful life he had tried so hard to maintain.
Gao Tu’s hands shake as he holds the two pregnancy tests. His mind races at the thought of Shen Wenlang and his disgust towards Omegas, of the visits he’d need to make to his doctor. He’d need to stop taking suppressants. He’d need to request medical leave, a long leave of absence that would certainly draw even more unwanted attention.
He could already hear his coworkers gossiping. Why would a Beta spend so much time with a pregnant Omega? The Alpha should care for his Omega!
No, the only path forward is to resign – he had already signed the document earlier. All he would need to do is deliver it to Shen Wenlang. He could do that tomorrow morning.
A knock on the door takes that choice away from him. His stomach plummets as a familiar face appears behind his window’s bars.
“Shen Wenlang, what are you doing here?”
The Alpha scoffs. “You’ve been taking too much time off. I wanted to visit you.”
Automatically, he rises from the table. “Apologies, but my place isn’t - ”
“Your place is tidy enough,” Shen Wenlang interrupts. “You said the same thing last time.”
“I don’t always have unwanted visitors dropping by,” Gao Tu snaps before he catches himself. He takes a deep breath. “Apologies…I didn’t mean to sound rude.”
“It’s fine.” The Alpha leans closer to the window, sniffing loudly. “Let me in. My hand is getting tired.”
Gao Tu sighs and unlocks the door. The faster Shen Wenlang says his piece, the sooner the Alpha would leave, just like all those other times before. He knows his Alpha’s temperament – it does not take too much to provoke the man.
Wait…his Alpha?
Shen Wenlang steps past the door, surprisingly holding a bag. The Alpha turns to the table, and, too late, Gao Tu realizes that he’d left the two tests sitting there.
“It’s not…”
“Gao Tu, I can piece things together.” Shen Wenlang removes two cold drinks and places them next to the damning evidence. “You constantly talk of an Omega, but I have yet to see signs of one living here. No other clothes in your closet, no separate toothbrush in the bathroom. And I’m sure your refrigerator only holds enough food for yourself, not for an Omega who's supposedly constantly in heat.”
“That is…my Omega is still moving in…” he stammers. “When did you have a chance to look through my home?”
“You react so violently to an S-class Alpha’s pheromones, even though a Beta should not be so sensitive. An asthma attack is possible, but honestly, it is simply bizarre that you are so sensitive.” Shen Wenlang continues, ignoring Gao Tu’s question, gesturing to the two tests. “Those are yours.”
Gao Tu frantically tries to think of an excuse. Unconsciously, he presses his hand against his stomach.
“I may not have been in control of my senses, but I do remember that sage scent. It’s the same one I’ve smelt here, in your apartment and at work, only around you.” The Alpha approaches, gently touching his cheek, smiling. “I don’t need Hua Yong’s picture when I’m so certain now. You’re the Omega from that night, aren’t you?”
Words tumble past Gao Tu’s lips before he has a chance to think. “There was no trickery, sir. I swear. I never wanted to trap you – I wouldn’t dream of doing that, given how much you already like Hua Yong.”
“There’s nothing between me and Hua Yong,” the Alpha whispers, abruptly wrapping his arms around him, gently massaging the back of his neck. “It’s always been you, Gao Tu. Only you.”
“But…I’m an Omega.”
“Then show me.”
Gao Tu clenches his hands and closes his eyes. How could he possibly do that? He had only stopped his suppressants last night after buying those tests. He’s clean this morning, but his body couldn’t recover that quickly after a lifetime of abuse.
His knees nearly buckle when he smells iris. His body sings with relief, his true Omegan nature already soaring from the cage he built since childhood. The scent of sage slowly responds to his Alpha. It seeps from his skin and thickens the air, twining around iris. An intoxicating floral blend, a quiet symphony promising happiness and safety. Shen Wenlang huffs against his skin, a smile pressing into his neck.
“I could never hate you,” the Alpha whispers, tightening his hold around Gao Tu. “We’ll raise the child together, just you and me. I’ll make this right, for all of us.”