A Scummy Alpha and An Award-Winning Omega Actress Fell in Love After an Arranged Marriage - Chapter 8

Waiting makes time stretch endlessly, each minute ticking away in the heart.

The late night amplifies one’s senses, stirring fear of the impending mark.

Lu Xueyin dared not turn over, afraid of waking Jiang Ling.

For the Nth time, she opened her eyes to find it was only half past twelve.

Still thirty minutes to go.

She texted Sheng Lan to ask if she had arrived.

Sheng Lan was in the underground garage, finishing her second box of yogurt. Her fingers lightly tapped out a reply: “You’re in quite a hurry, aren’t you, sister?”

She had arrived early but chose not to go upstairs immediately.

No longer the eager-to-please “simp” Alpha, she had transformed into a hunter in control of the situation.

It seemed like an innate talent of Alphas.

For now, Lu Xueyin hadn’t experienced the darker side of Sheng Lan’s personality. All she felt was her own unease deepening with that teasing “in quite a hurry.”

She remembered Sheng Lan’s scent was tequila.

Lu Xueyin had tasted tequila before.

The memory of its flavor came back easily.

Not pleasant at all.

She stepped out to pour herself a glass of water.

Then sent Sheng Lan another message: “If you don’t come soon, I’m going to sleep.”

[Mountain Wind]: I’m in the garage.

Lu Xueyin tensed instantly.

When Sheng Lan returned home, she retreated to her room, pressing her back against the door to listen for any movement outside.

Sheng Lan turned on the lights as soon as she entered.

An Alpha’s sensitivity to pheromones kicked in at that moment.

She caught the lingering warmth of roses in the living room.

Pheromones could sometimes reveal their owner’s emotions.

Coldness meant distance.

Warmth meant intimacy.

Sheng Lan’s high heels clicked softly against the floor as she walked toward her room in the quiet night.

The closer she got, the stronger the rose scent became.

She could easily picture it, Lu Xueyin cautiously stepping out in the dead of night, only to dart back into her room in a fluster the moment she heard Sheng Lan return.

Her eyes would widen slightly.

Those clear green irises would tense, veiled in a thin layer of ice, a fragile defense.

Her long, wavy hair would sway, revealing the delicate curve of her shoulder blades.

The hem of her dress would brush against porcelain ankles.

When Sheng Lan reached her door, she unlocked it with her fingerprint, then closed it again.

She left an obvious trap.

No footsteps meant she hadn’t actually entered.

If Lu Xueyin was testing her, she should be wary.

But before she could even send another message, the door across from hers opened.

She looked up to see Lu Xueyin’s deep green eyes, still holding traces of startled panic she hadn’t managed to hide.

Sheng Lan deleted the unsent message with a tap of her finger, then unlocked her door again.

The lock clicked softly.

Lu Xueyin was clearly nervous.

This was entirely different from her earlier attempts to tease and provoke Sheng Lan.

Now, she was genuinely afraid.

Sheng Lan understood.

Afraid she wouldn’t follow the rules, that she’d force a permanent mark.

She invited Lu Xueyin in. “Let’s set the mood first.”

Lu Xueyin stepped out of her room but didn’t enter Sheng Lan’s. Instead, she went to the kitchen, fetching a glass and the medicine she had stored in the fridge, then poured Sheng Lan a cup of hot water.

She asked if Sheng Lan preferred it scalding or warm.

Sheng Lan’s gaze lingered on the medicine in Lu Xueyin’s right hand.

She recalled Lu Xueyin’s earlier words, the bait that had lured her back.

“I got you some medicine.”

Sheng Lan’s expression faltered slightly.

Lu Xueyin poured warm water for her without waiting for an answer.

As she approached Sheng Lan, her steps slowed, carefully observing her reaction.

Most Alphas would struggle to accept inadequacy in this area.

She was afraid Sheng Lan might lash out.

So today, she didn’t deliberately provoke her. Instead, she stopped a step away and handed her the medicine.

“You drink first. If it takes effect, then we’ll proceed.”

Sheng Lan couldn’t help but laugh at her.

“I thought what you said to me today was a provocation.”

Lu Xueyin looked genuinely surprised, her large eyes seeming to say, “Would I really provoke you?”

Sheng Lan didn’t trust her unconditionally either.

“How would I know what this medicine specifically treats?”

Lu Xueyin pressed her lips together.

From Sheng Lan’s wariness, she picked up on something subtly different from what she had expected.

More than that hint of distrust, what caught her attention was, “You’re not a fake Alpha, are you?”

Meaning, even without medication, she could still come back to mark her.

Sheng Lan’s survival instincts kicked in again, and she took the medicine.

“I didn’t expect you to prescribe something just so I could mark you.”

Lu Xueyin didn’t want to drag this out.

The longer they delayed, the faster her heart raced.

She wanted to get it over with quickly.

Besides, even if Sheng Lan drank the medicine, there was no guarantee she’d succeed.

She didn’t want to have gone through all this tension for nothing.

To reassure Sheng Lan, she said, “I showed you the medical report. You recognize your friend’s handwriting, you can call and ask her.”

Her gaze briefly swept over Sheng Lan’s right hand. Despite her flamboyant style, Sheng Lan’s nails were clean and neat, free of any flashy manicures.

She held the medicine loosely in her palm.

Her pale fingers had an inexplicable sensuality to them.

“This was prescribed by Meng Chan. The dosage is very mild, it won’t harm your body.”

Hearing that Meng Chan had prescribed it, Sheng Lan’s expression nearly cracked.

She made one last desperate attempt.

“Did you use another Alpha’s name to get it?”

Lu Xueyin seemed to find her reaction amusing, and most of her tension faded.

She even smiled faintly. “Of course, I used your name.”

It was the most genuine smile Sheng Lan had received since their marriage.

Lu Xueyin added, “If you admit now that you’re a real Alpha, that you can mark me without the medicine, then fine.”

Sheng Lan stayed silent.

Lu Xueyin wouldn’t divorce her she had even tested her multiple times despite her distrust.

Clearly, the fact that Sheng Lan “couldn’t” mark her gave Lu Xueyin a greater sense of security.

That was better for building goodwill during their marriage.

She resigned herself to it.

She could always explain things to Meng Chan later.

Sheng Lan drank the medicine in front of Lu Xueyin.

Lu Xueyin tensed up again, waiting for a reaction.

But Sheng Lan didn’t wait, she headed straight for the bedroom.

She wanted to spit the capsule into the trash.

Lu Xueyin followed closely behind, watching her intently.

The capsule’s outer layer was thin and dissolved instantly in her mouth.

Sheng Lan held it under her tongue, but without hot water to wash it down, it turned into a bitter taste.

No way out.

She grabbed a bottle of mineral water from the bedside and took another sip.

She let Lu Xueyin choose the spot.

Lu Xueyin eyed her skeptically. “You’re really ready now?”

She didn’t want to get bitten for nothing.

Sheng Lan found Lu Xueyin’s personality fascinating.

In such a short time, she could display such a wide range of emotions.

She released a hint of pheromones.

The scent of tequila was overpowering, fiery with a metallic tang.

But just as it was about to become unpleasant, it mellowed into a rich, intoxicating warmth.

Lu Xueyin chose to be marked by the door.

She faced the wall, one hand on the doorknob.

Not that it would help.

Once the marking started, even if she called for help, Jiang Ling wouldn’t make it in time.

She was gambling on Sheng Lan’s decency.

For the first time, Lu Xueyin brought up divorce voluntarily.

“If you permanently mark me, I won’t divorce you.”

She believed Sheng Lan really wanted out.

Sheng Lan responded indifferently.

Lu Xueyin casually tied up her hair, roughly securing the loose strands at her nape with a small hairpin.

The silk nightgown was smooth and supple, draping heavily against her body.

It caught at the hollow of her shoulders, refusing to slide further down.

Sheng Lan couldn’t help but want to reach out and help.

Lu Xueyin fidgeted impatiently.

“Can you hurry up?”

Sheng Lan asked if she wanted to be carried. “I heard Omegas lose their strength when being marked.”

Of course, Lu Xueyin refused!

So Sheng Lan simply braced one hand against the wall.

The scent of tequila surged forward, overwhelming and intense.

When she said “hurry,” she meant it no mercy, no chance to react.

The moment her lips brushed the warm gland, her teeth sank in without hesitation.

Caught off guard, Lu Xueyin nearly collapsed.

Sheng Lan held her by the waist, trapping her in that confined space, steadily pouring pheromones into her.

The May rose offered no resistance, eagerly tangling with the invading scent.

Lu Xueyin was engulfed in heat.

Her mind grew hazy.

Every shred of awareness converged at the back of her neck.

This loss of control unsettled her.

Just as Sheng Lan finished marking her and began to pull away.

Lu Xueyin struggled.

Almost as if reluctant.

Her lips lightly grazed Sheng Lan’s in passing.

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