Chapter 33

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After being told he was an Alpha, Shen Yu didn’t want anything else except going home.

Even when the doctor begged him to stay for deeper tests—because his purple eyes were fascinating... and rare—Shen Yu refused.

The thought of being treated like a science experiment wasn’t something he enjoyed.

Now fully dressed, he stood silently, staring at Doctor Norman, who was once again trying to persuade him to stay—something Shen Yu had already declined multiple times.

Seeing that the man wouldn’t budge, the doctor sighed softly and glanced down at his documents before looking back up at Shen Yu.

"Mr. Shen, it seems like you can’t control your pheromones," he said.

When Shen Yu frowned, the doctor quickly continued.

"That’s absolutely normal. When the gland is still new, it takes a lot of effort and time to control your pheromones... but in most cases, that usually occurs with omegas."

At the doctor’s last words, Shen Yu let out a low, humorless chuckle, turning his gaze to the side.

His hands were deep in his coat pockets, his posture relaxed—but the sound of that laugh made the room fall into an awkward silence.

"What are you implying, doc? Am I an omega now?" Shen Yu asked, raising a brow.

His tone was sharp.

Annoyed.

Maybe he was taking out all his stress on the doctor—but everything was too much.

His manifestation.

And most importantly...

Jiang Li.

When it came to the omega, Shen Yu didn’t know what to do. He felt disgusted with himself—so much that he wished he could turn back time.

"I’m serious, Mr. Shen," Doctor Norman said.

Shen Yu lowered his gaze to meet the older man’s blue eyes.

"This isn’t a joke or a way to make you stay. Walking around with a sensitive gland can cause serious problems. Even now, you’re releasing pheromones as if you’re in deep rut because you can’t control them."

The doctor hesitated before continuing.

"I once treated an omega who had a sensitive gland—not because he manifested late, but because he was born with it. He did the same as you... left without precautions... and was almost assaulted by an older Alpha."

The doctor’s voice lowered.

"And now his gland is permanently damaged."

Realizing he had said too much, Doctor Norman sighed.

"Just be reasonable and—"

"But I’m not an omega... am I?"

Shen Yu cut him off.

His voice was quieter now, but colder.

He pulled out a cigarette lighter from his coat pocket, turning it in his hand as he spoke.

The doctor paused, then walked to his desk, opened a small container, and handed it to Shen Yu.

"Then take this," he said. "It will suppress your pheromones so you won’t trigger an omega’s pressured heat."

Shen Yu took it and nodded once.

...

Now standing by the bridge, Shen Yu stared down at the flowing river below. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Rain poured heavily, soaking through his clothes, but he didn’t move.

Even though his car was parked nearby... he wanted the rain to drench him.

Maybe it would wash something away.

The wind picked up, pushing his coat aside. He turned slightly, almost expecting to see those familiar honey-brown eyes behind him.

But there was nothing.

Only passing cars.

A hollow chuckle escaped him as he pushed his wet hair back.

He didn’t know what to do anymore.

Everything was slipping through his fingers like sand.

The sharp vibration of his phone in his pocket pulled him out of his thoughts.

He took it out and glanced at the screen.

Shen Mei.

Why?

It was already close to ten.

Why was Mei calling now?

Sighing softly, he answered, the rain still echoing faintly around him.

"Yu-er..."

Her voice was slurred.

Unsteady.

Like she had been crying.

Shen Yu’s eyes widened as he straightened immediately.

"What’s wrong, Mei?" he asked.

Shen Mei let out a weak chuckle, followed by a sniffle.

"I haven’t even said anything, and you’re already fussing," she muttered.

Shen Yu rolled his eyes.

"I’m hanging up then."

But the worry in his voice didn’t disappear, and that only made Shen Mei laugh again—soft, fragile.

"Fine... fine... can you come pick me up?" she asked quietly, her voice almost drowned by the rain.

Shen Yu frowned, tightening his grip on his phone.

He knew Shen Mei.

She would never ask for help like this.

And she wouldn’t cry for no reason.

She always smiled.

Always joked.

Even when she was hurting.

And he hated that.

"Where are you?" he asked, his voice softening unconsciously.

"I’m near Jade Lantern Café... please be quick. I’m cold."

Before she could say anything else, Shen Yu ended the call and rushed to his car, not caring about how soaked he already was.

The drive wasn’t long.

He arrived quickly.

Stepping out of the car, he slammed the door shut and looked around, searching for her.

Then—

An unfamiliar scent.

Soft.

Warm.

Lavender... and chamomile.

It wasn’t just a scent.

It was pheromones.

"Mei..."

He spotted her sitting on the pavement, knees drawn to her chest.

He rushed over and crouched down in front of her.

"What the hell are you—"

He froze.

The pheromones were too strong.

Had Shen Mei always smelled like this?

Shen Mei looked up at him, frowning slightly.

The whisky... and rosewood scent.

It was faint at first—but as Shen Yu got closer, kneeling in front of her, it became stronger.

Shen Mei quickly wiped her eyes.

Then, as if nothing had happened—

"Yu-ah... are you cheating on Jiang Li with an Alpha?" she asked, blinking.

Her eyes were red from crying.

"Shut it," Shen Yu muttered.

He picked up her broken glasses from the ground and helped her stand up without asking what had happened.

Shen Mei pouted slightly—but then smiled, leaning closer to him.

"I’ll tell Jiang Li... and then steal that secret boyfriend of yours. He smells nice," she teased lightly.

Shen Yu looked down at her.

She was smiling.

Joking.

As if nothing had happened.

As if she hadn’t been crying just moments ago.

Acting like everything was okay...