Older Brother - Chapter 12

Bai You didn’t hear Fu Yu’s final words clearly.

The Alpha’s pheromones were like sharp hooks, tugging at every inch of his sensitive nerves. He gripped the cold metal object in his hand with a death grip, using the physical sensation to suppress the instinctive urge to call the man back.

The moment Fu Yu’s silhouette vanished from his sight, he stumbled to his feet and scrambled into the bathroom. He frantically twisted the shower handle, falling to his knees as the spray hit him. He stayed there for a long time, letting the icy water drench him until the impulsive fire of the induced heat was finally extinguished.

In the days that followed, Bai You didn’t see Fu Yu again. Despite this being Fu Yu’s own bedroom, the man didn’t return. Bai You remained under strict watch, and any request to return to his own quarters was flatly denied.

In the vast, ancient estate, only the old butler sighed heavily, constantly looking as if he wanted to say something but thinking better of it.

The butler had guessed that Fu Yu would eventually move against Bai You, but he hadn’t expected.  it would be in this specific manner.

On the third day of his confinement, Bai You realized things were taking a turn for the worse.

the effects of the camouflage agents had completely worn off. The faint, elegant scent of an Omega began to drift through the room, thread by thread.

Just as he was preparing to take action, Fu Yu returned. The scent of the Omega had already intertwined with the lingering Alpha pheromones in the room. After being so harshly rejected during their last encounter, the Alpha’s pride had been stinging, but the moment he caught a whiff of the orchid fragrance, his mood noticeably brightened.

That inexplicable possessiveness deep in his heart was subtly satisfied.

Fu Yu offered a thin smile as a greeting. “Good evening. It must be getting a bit stifling staying in this room. Let’s go out for a walk tonight.”

Every exit had been sealed for days, and the shackle on his ankle remained a constant threat. Being able to leave the room was an opportunity Bai You couldn’t ignore. Despite the flicker of hope in his chest, his expression remained stoic. He went to change his clothes without saying a word.

Fu Yu had ordered all of Bai You’s belongings moved into this bedroom. Bai You didn’t actually have many clothes; most of what was in the closet now were items Fu Yu had purchased. They took up the lion’s share of the space, making it look as though Bai You were the actual master of the room.

Bai You picked out an outfit and turned around, only to find Fu Yu had quite literally pulled up a chair. He was sitting not far behind him, resting his chin on his hand with an encouraging look in his eyes. “I don’t mind.”

Bai You: “…”

The inherent threat an Alpha posed to an Omega was undeniable. Bai You remained silent for a few seconds before deciding to treat him as if he weren’t there. He briskly stripped out of his loungewear and began to dress.

His lithe, well-proportioned body glowed like pale jade in the dim light of the room. Fu Yu’s eyes darkened as he watched. He traced the armrest of his chair with his thumb for a long moment before finally, slowly, averting his gaze.

It wasn’t until they were out the door that Bai You realized they were heading to another gala.

This one was different from the last. It was a gathering centered around “reconciliation.” The other two great families had been locked in a power struggle with Fu Yu for two years, and with no clear winner in sight, someone had apparently decided it was time to play nice.

Bai You had no interest in these political maneuvers. He sat in the car, his brow furrowed as he listened to the details.

Fu Yu suddenly shifted the topic. “I don’t particularly enjoy these conflicts either.” He stared at Bai You’s handsome, refined face and added, almost jokingly, “I heard they’ve appointed a new, younger spokesperson. Apparently, he has quite the weakness for beautiful people.”

Bai You turned his head away in annoyance, only to have his chin gripped by Fu Yu’s cold fingers and forced back. “Brother, what if I gave you to him?”

To Alphas in high positions, Omegas were little more than playthings to be kept or traded as gifts.

Without the protection of his camouflage, Bai You was currently radiating an intoxicating scent. Throwing him into a room full of Alphas would be like leading a lamb into a pack of wolves.

Despite his natural composure, his face turned slightly pale. He gritted his teeth and asked coldly, “Do I even have a choice?”

Fu Yu let out a muffled laugh. “Why are you so frightened? Your face is white. It was a joke; I couldn’t bear to let you go.”

The car came to a halt. Through the window, Bai You could see people milling about. There were many Alphas present, and their pheromones were heavy in the air. Even through the car door, Bai You felt a wave of discomfort.

An unmarked Omega attending such an event usually needed at least a dose of suppressants.

But Fu Yu had confiscated all of Bai You’s medicine.

Fu Yu watched the crowd outside with a look of displeasure and sighed. “I really don’t want you taking that medicine anymore… but I truly hate the idea of others coveting what is mine.”

Bai You looked at him with a chilling gaze. “Is there really so much pleasure in playing with your own brother?”

Fu Yu had already pulled a suppressant from a small case, but upon hearing that, he burst into laughter. He put the medicine back and reeled in Bai You—who had been trying to discreetly back away and answered honestly: “Yes.”

By the time Bai You stepped out of the car, his nape bore a deep, jagged bite mark. His lips were swollen and red from being bitten, and a faint mark lingered on his earlobe.

He touched his ear and silently cursed the “dog” beside him. He watched coldly as Fu Yu was immediately surrounded by people upon entering the hall, using the distraction to quietly slip toward the edge of the crowd.

As much as he loathed being here, a crowded, chaotic event was his best chance to contact his own people and find a way to remove the shackle.

He kept a close eye on Fu Yu, backing away inch by inch, until his back suddenly collided with someone.

The stranger reacted quickly, catching him by the waist. The man’s gaze swept over the temporary mark on the back of Bai You’s neck, and he smiled. “So, you’re his Omega?”

Bai You pushed the man’s arm away and turned around. He froze when he saw a very young, handsome face.

The superficial softness on the stranger’s face vanished, replaced by sheer shock. “…You?”

Bai You had attended university on the central planet of the Second Galaxy.

The man standing before him was a junior he had met during his school days. Since they both hailed from the First Galaxy, Bai You—who was usually quite solitary had stayed in relatively close contact with him. However, after returning home to find his family in shambles, they had lost touch.

Ever since his presentation, Bai You had always presented himself as an Alpha. Naturally, this man had always believed him to be one. His gaze grew increasingly strange as he stared at the slightly swollen gland and the deep teeth marks on Bai You’s neck. Thinking he might be hallucinating, he instinctively reached out to touch it.

An Omega’s scent gland is as private and sensitive as their reproductive organs. Touching it without permission is the height of harassment. Bai You snapped out of his shock and slapped the hand away, his brow tightening. “What do you think you’re doing?”

The man realized his rudeness but didn’t let go of the interaction. His smile widened. “Long time no see, Senior. My apologies, I was just… surprised. I never imagined you were actually an… Omega.”

Thanks to Fu Yu, Bai You’s opinion of Alphas had hit rock bottom.

He gave a cold, detached hum of acknowledgement and tried to move past the man to find a way to contact his associates.

Suddenly, a hand hooked around his waist from behind and yanked him back. Having just been temporarily marked, Bai You’s body was still somewhat weak. He stumbled and fell back into the chest of the person behind him.

Fu Yu had appeared out of nowhere. He tightened his grip on Bai You’s waist with a pleasant smile. “Hmm? I thought I’d need to introduce you two, but it seems you’re already quite well-acquainted. Brother, this is the man I mentioned. Tang Xu, the youngest son of Representative Tang.”

A flash of shock crossed Bai You’s eyes.

Back then, he and Tang Xu had been a bit closer than other classmates—visiting the library and design studios together, or grabbing an occasional meal. While it was clear Tang Xu came from money, Bai You had never suspected he had this kind of political background.

Tang Xu was even more stunned than Bai You. As he processed the shock of Bai You being an Omega and looked at the two brothers, his expression became even more peculiar. However, sensing the crowd around them and seeing Bai You’s dark expression, he tactfully refrained from prying. “Ah, your brother and I hit it off immediately back then.”

Fu Yu looked at Bai You with a beaming smile.

Both in the past and the present, it was common practice to send an Omega to a rival family for a political marriage.

No matter how powerful Fu Yu was, he was young and his foundation was still shallow. He had always been at odds with the other powers on the central planet, which wasn’t doing him any favors. Between power and an Omega, most wouldn’t even have to think twice about the choice.

If Fu Yu simply nodded his head, Bai You in his current state, would be completely powerless to resist.

Bai You’s heart continued to sink, and he failed to notice the murderous chill in Fu Yu’s eyes.

When Fu Yu had seen Tang Xu reach for Bai You’s gland, the irritation in his chest and the urge to chop off that hand had expanded instantly.

It was foolish to be tied down by an Omega’s pheromones. Fu Yu knew he shouldn’t let himself be compromised, but…

His eyes darkened. He met Tang Xu’s gaze, careful not to let the other man see just how much he valued Bai You.

He was starting to regret bringing Bai You here at all.

Bai You’s spine stiffened slightly, only to feel Fu Yu’s hand give his back a light, almost tender stroke of comfort. A cool, amused breath tickled his ear. “I told you I couldn’t bear it. What are you so afraid of?”

Fu Yu stepped back and released him. “Go walk around. You must be bored being cooped up at home.”

Tang Xu winked at him with his left eye. “If you’re bored, I don’t mind if you come find me.”

Watching the two Alphas exchange fake smiles before departing, Bai You stood in place for a moment with a blank expression. He felt, quite deeply, that all Alphas were mentally unstable.

The black ring on Bai You’s ankle was the ultimate leash. With that device in place, Fu Yu wasn’t worried about how far Bai You could run—unless Bai You was truly ruthless enough to cut off his own foot.

Naturally, Bai You had no intention of hurting himself like that.

He wandered slowly through the hall, avoiding those who saw his intimacy with Fu Yu and wanted to fish for information. Once he was certain no one was watching, he slipped out the door and made his way to the deserted rear garden.

After a short wait, a man dressed as a waiter followed him out. He found Bai You sitting on a swing beneath a trellis of climbing roses. His eyes were full of concern. “You haven’t been in contact for a long time.”

These were the people Bai You’s grandmother had left for him.

Bai You rarely called upon them to avoid tipping off Fu Yu. The last time he had used them was when he went into heat at the gala; he’d had to have them disable the security cameras after his night with Fu Yu.

Bai You bit his pale lip and shook his head. He pulled up his trouser leg. “There’s been a complication. Take a photo of this. Have someone research how to unlock it. I’ll find an opportunity to meet with you all.”

Unless it was absolutely necessary, he didn’t want to rely on getting close to Fu Yu to get the key. Fu Yu wouldn’t be stupid enough to just hand it over.

The waiter nodded quickly, snapped the photos, and hurried back to the hall.

The night breeze was chilly. After being locked in Fu Yu’s bedroom for days, the fresh air was a relief. Bai You leaned against the rope of the swing and closed his eyes, rubbing his temples.

The sound of light footsteps approached. His eyelids flickered, but he feigned ignorance until he felt a weight on his shoulders an Alpha’s jacket was draped over him.

Tang Xu’s voice drifted from behind him. “So, you really are an Omega.”

Bai You opened his eyes silently.

He thought Tang Xu was going to bring up the twisted relationship between him and Fu Yu, but instead, the man simply rested a hand on his shoulder and chuckled. “Does that mean I actually have a chance now, Senior? After all, the reason you gave for rejecting me back then was that you ‘don’t like Alphas.'”

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