121: 3.61 I Reek Of Blood

3.61 I Reek Of Blood

Oliver could sense his mate nearby but no matter how hard he looked, he couldn't find him. Cold rain drenched his whole body and he shivered, arms wrapping around himself. The rooftop was devoid of any signs of living beings. The thick coat he wore could only offer so much warmth. Water splashed to his calves and chill started to creep up from the soles of his feet. Oliver took in a shuddering breath. He knew that the Alpha wouldn't show himself after the previous incident thus Oliver resorted to the scenario he had mapped out perfectly as he was climbing up here: using himself as a leverage.  1

Altair hated it the most when something happened to him. So Oliver would make sure that something indeed happened to force the Alpha to appear.

He pushed the wet strands of hair out of his forehead and sniffled. "Altair, come back to me, will you? I'm scared. The doctor said that he needed to talk to both of us about my condition but you aren't here and I am not brave enough to go alone…" 

A presence loomed in from behind and Oliver almost let out a smile. 

"What about your condition?" The Alpha's voice was hoarse. "Go inside, Oliver. You aren't well."

The cold rain dripped down Oliver's back yet somehow he could sense the heat that emanated from Lu Yizhou's body. He shivered from both the chill and anticipation. Inhaling one last breath, Oliver slowly turned to face him and the rims of his eyes promptly reddened as he caught sight of the Alpha's right broken horn and the obvious tatter on his otherwise luscious wings. God… don't cry, don't cry, Oliver. The rain dropped ceaselessly onto his face and he had no idea what kind of face he was making but Lu Yizhou withdrew his gaze, opting to train it on his soaked body instead, a frown slowly forming on his face. He let out a sigh and unfurled his wings, lifting it to cover Oliver's head. The shadow draped over him and the rain abruptly ceased but traces of cold liquid were still running down his face. Oliver could no longer ascertain whether it was rainwater from his hair or tears. His lips trembled as he raked his eyes over the Alpha's features. His face was paler than usual, lips chapped and hair messy. He was the most gorgeous being Oliver had ever seen.

"...Sorry," he whispered. "Because of me, you—"

Lu Yizhou's brows knitted deeper. "There's no need for apologies between us."

Oliver let out a bitter laugh. His breathing was clogged followed by sharp prickles on his eyes. Oh, it was tears. He knew it now; the lump that was forming on his throat, the ache that pierced his heart and set his entire body alight. Don't cry. Don't cry anymore, Oliver. Not now. He tried to measure his voice and was relieved when it came out soft and steady. "Where have you been? Everyone has been searching for you."

Of course, he didn't get an answer.

Oliver chewed his lips and eyed the distance between them with growing resentment. "I'm cold," he suddenly said.

Lu Yizhou finally dragged his eyes to him and God, Oliver really wanted to burst out into tears. He didn't know how much it hurt for someone to look at him without really seeing him until now. The light in the Alpha's silver eyes was absent, turning them almost murky. Empty. "...En, it's cold. You should go back." He said almost mechanically.

"How about you?"

"I…will go back later."

"Why don't you come with me?"

Lu Yizhou pressed his eyes shut, helplessness between his brows. "Oliver…"

Oliver took a hesitant step forward and the world almost caved in on him when the Alpha took a step back, maintaining the distance between them. Anger, which he had no idea where it came from, surged forth his chest. He inhaled, yet the air was unable to fill his lungs. The chill made his throat hurt and his voice raspy. He wanted this to be a civil and peaceful talk but he had truly underestimated himself. He couldn't. It hurt too much and the way the Alpha distanced himself became the last straw that almost broke him apart. "Why… Why won't you come with me? Why did you leave back then? Why are you avoiding me? Why…" He whimpered, arms tightening around himself as if he could curl into a ball and disappear. "Why won't you hug me…?"

The winged beastman flinched as if Oliver's words had just burned him and his already pallid complexion turned a degree paler. 

Pain, pain tore his insides apart and Oliver realized with an agonizing realization that it was the hurt that his Alpha was feeling. Something snapped in Oliver's mind and before he realized it, he was throwing himself forward. 

The next few seconds moved in slow motion. He saw the Alpha's eyes widened by a fraction and he reflexively reached out for him only to freeze halfway. And then, Oliver's feet suddenly slipped on the wet floor and he caught his breath as the world tilted on its axis. He was falling backward, fast and hard. Oh no, this is not good, was the last thought in his mind before he screwed his eyes shut and wrapped his arms around his belly. However, before his body could collide with the solid, cold surface, a pair of arms swiftly wrapped around him, flipping him over until he was positioned on top and took the brunt of the fall for him. 

Warmth enveloped him and his nose was shoved into a familiar source of scent which he loved so much. Oliver gasped, fists grabbing on the front of Lu Yizhou's shirt as his heart went hammering away in his chest. "That…" He let out a shocked wheeze. "That was close…"

Lu Yizhou grunted and only then did Oliver realize with dawning horror that he was sprawled atop of the Alpha, bearing down his whole weight on him. "Oh my God! I'm sorry. Are you okay?!" He hastily moved his body down from Lu Yizhou, eyes running all over the Alpha in search of reopened wounds. Raindrops trickled down from the drenched wings which shaded over their head faithfully and Oliver abruptly snapped at him, furious. "Are you an idiot?! How could you take the fall for me?! Think about yourself first, okay?!" He reached out for Lu Yizhou's hands and froze when the winged beastman pulled away from his touch, again. His heart sank to the pit of his stomach and he suddenly felt sick.

"Oliver…" Lu Yizhou spoke slowly, hesitantly, as if a louder voice would startle the omega. "I reek of blood."

Oliver blinked, lips parting in surprise.

Oh. He blinked again.

Oh, so that was why. It wasn't that the Alpha rejected him. Oliver almost wanted to laugh. Tension rolled away from his body and he executed his original plan: lurching straight onto Lu Yizhou and tackling him to the floor. 

"Oliver!" Lu Yizhou admonished, his arms automatically went to peel Oliver off him but the omega was like a sticky gum, clinging to the Alpha so tight as if his life depended on it. His arms tightened around Lu Yizhou's neck and he let out aggrieved whines every time Lu Yizhou tugged on his shoulder. This went back and forth until Lu Yizhou finally resigned to his fate. He let out a sigh then stood up, still with little octopus omega hanging on him, bringing them inside and shut the door to cut the rain off. 

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