Shen Yuqing’s waist was tightly restrained by a powerful arm, as if the other person wanted to crush him into their very being.
Due to their height difference, he was even forced to stand slightly on his tiptoes.
Lips brushed against the scent gland at the nape of his neck. Though Shen Yuqing was a beta, the touch still sent a tingling numbness through him, making his limbs go weak.
“Pei Yiyan, calm down,” he said.
He raised a hand to cover his scent gland, only for the kiss to land on the back of his hand instead.
Pei Yiyan seemed displeased that he had blocked access to his gland. Just as he was about to protest, Shen Yuqing spoke again, “You must be feeling terrible right now. Can I turn on the light to check on you? Would that be okay?”
Pei Yiyan hunched slightly, resting his chin on Shen Yuqing’s shoulder. “No,” he replied coldly, though his arms remained locked around him like iron bands.
Shen Yuqing asked patiently, “Then can you tell me why you suddenly got angry? Who upset you?”
“You.” Pei Yiyan’s breath fanned over him as he spoke before suddenly sinking his teeth into Shen Yuqing’s shoulder, grinding his fangs against the flesh.
It was a clear warning if Shen Yuqing didn’t answer properly, those fangs would pierce straight through his skin.
Shen Yuqing felt like prey caught in the gaze of a predator. One wrong move, and his neck might be snapped in the next second. “I’m sorry. I did promise you’d see me as soon as you woke up. But the doctor needed to discuss your condition with me I couldn’t just ignore that, could I?”
He lowered the hand covering his scent gland and instead pushed lightly at Pei Yiyan’s head. The man’s entire body was burning up, clearly pushed to his limit.
Pei Yiyan released his shoulder but remained close. “You could’ve sent someone else.”
Shen Yuqing sighed. “The doctor asked who your family was, so I went without thinking too much about it. See? I came back right after we finished talking.”
A soft, dissatisfied huff came from behind him, signaling that Pei Yiyan still wasn’t appeased. His arms tightened again as he buried his face into the crook of Shen Yuqing’s neck, inhaling deeply.
After a long moment, he suddenly asked, “Where’s your pheromones?”
Ah. He was definitely losing his grip on reality now.
Still, despite the delirium, he was at least coherent enough to hold a conversation Shen Yuqing counted that as a small victory. “I’m a beta, remember?”
Had Shen Yuqing turned around, he would’ve seen the confusion and bewilderment on Pei Yiyan’s face.
Just moments ago, when his lips had brushed against Shen Yuqing’s scent gland, he had detected the faint trace of pheromones.
But how could a beta have pheromones?
Pei Yiyan’s understanding of the world was starting to fracture.
Shen Yuqing patted his arm. “Didn’t you want to go home? Let’s take some suppressants, call the doctor to stabilize your pheromones, and then head back, okay?”
The word “home” resurfaced, cutting through the haze.
For now, Pei Yiyan pushed aside the mystery of Shen Yuqing’s missing pheromones. Going home was far more urgent.
He needed to return to a familiar environment otherwise, the last shred of his self-control would shatter. He was on the verge of losing his mind.
“Home,” he rasped.
Shen Yuqing nodded. “Then let me turn on the light so I can give you the suppressants. Are your eyes still bothering you? The doctor said your vision should be back can you see me now?”
The light in the room was completely blocked, leaving Pei Yiyan unable to see Shen Yuqing.
“Turn on the lights,” he said, eager to see Shen Yuqing openly and without restraint.
Shen Yuqing patted his hand again, signaling him to let go.
Only then did Pei Yiyan reluctantly loosen his grip, though he immediately switched to holding onto Shen Yuqing’s arm instead.
Finally able to set his heels back on the ground, Shen Yuqing allowed himself to be pulled along as he reached to switch on the lights.
As the room brightened, Shen Yuqing turned to look at the man beside him only to realize Pei Yiyan was in an extremely poor state. His eyes were bloodshot, veins bulging, as if he was desperately suppressing something. “You…” Shen Yuqing began hesitantly.
Pei Yiyan’s gaze lingered on his face for a moment before extending his other hand. “Suppressants. Home.”
Taking a deep breath, Shen Yuqing looked at Pei Yiyan’s tense arm, then lowered his head and opened the cap of the oral suppressant he’d been clutching in his palm before handing it over.
Without blinking, Pei Yiyan downed it in one gulp.
This was the strongest suppressant available, specifically designed for alphas experiencing hormonal surges, laced with sedatives.
Almost immediately, Pei Yiyan felt his head grow heavy, an overwhelming drowsiness pulling at him.
Realization dawned quickly. “You liar!” he roared, gripping Shen Yuqing’s arm tightly in genuine anger. But after taking just one unsteady step forward, his legs gave way, sending him collapsing toward Shen Yuqing.
Shen Yuqing caught him, though the impact forced him back a step until his back hit the wall. Half-holding, half-supporting Pei Yiyan, he murmured softly, “I’m not lying. Once you wake up, we’ll be home.”
But the drugs had already taken effect, and Pei Yiyan slipped into a deep, groggy sleep.
Shen Yuqing exhaled in relief as the room’s shrill alarm finally ceased.
“Everyone can come in now,” he called out.
The hospital door swung open, and fully geared medical staff entered cautiously. Not daring to disturb Pei Yiyan, they administered an additional suppressant shot while he remained in Shen Yuqing’s arms.
Wu Yi brought a wheelchair, and together, they managed to transfer Pei Yiyan into it. By the end of the ordeal, Shen Yuqing was sweating.
After a brief examination, the doctor advised, “Given his condition, it’s best for him to be in a familiar environment. We don’t recommend keeping him hospitalized.”
Shen Yuqing nodded. “I plan to take him home. It’s about a thirty-minute drive from the hospital he won’t wake up during that time, will he?”
The doctor hesitated. “For a regular alpha, that would be fine. But he’s double-S class it’s hard to say.” He glanced at Shen Yuqing. “Though having his mate nearby should help keep him calm. I’ll prepare some suppressants for you to take home.”
Staying any longer would only worsen things for both Pei Yiyan and his scent glands. Without delay, Xiao Zhao stayed behind to handle formalities while Wu Yi went to the pharmacy for the suppressants. Within ten minutes of coordinated efforts, they were downstairs.
As an alpha himself, Wu Yi opted not to ride in the car despite the partition, prioritizing everyone’s safety.
Drugged into slumber, Pei Yiyan remained restless even in sleep, his grip on Shen Yuqing’s hand unyielding, refusing to let go for even a second.
Fortunately, there were still no signs of him waking up.
When they reached the parking lot, the three of them worked together to move him from the car to the wheelchair. After getting him home, Wu Yi and Xiao Zhao had to leave.
Wu Yi said, “Young Master, we’ll be downstairs. If anything happens, just call us we’ll come up as quickly as possible.”
Shen Yuqing nodded. “It’s fine, don’t worry. We just need to get through today.”
Hearing this, Wu Yi hesitated, as if wanting to say something.
Pei Yiyan’s rut probably wouldn’t end today.
