Chapter 17
Shi Nuo, engrossed in his meal, was oblivious. His hunger subsided somewhat after devouring a dozen or so slices of meat, but he still wanted more.
After a brief internal struggle, he put down his chopsticks. Although he had eaten fish and shrimp before, they weren’t as rich, and with no doctor or medicine available, he should be mindful of his health and not overdo it.
He had only cooked a small portion. The remaining meat was enough for several more meals, either fried or stewed.
The meat had put him in a good mood. He drank half a glass of warm water, cleaned the kitchen, and, seeing the white wolf sleeping on the rug, felt his fear lessen slightly.
Most wild animals were protective of their food, and the white wolf clearly didn’t like being disturbed while eating.
He was grateful and wanted to thank the wolf, but it hadn’t even opened its eyes. He hesitated, deciding not to approach, and quietly went outside.
It was still early. The meat had warmed him, and he felt stronger. He would take advantage of the daylight to gather more wild vegetables.
Evening.
Rose-purple and pale grape-purple clouds filled the sky.
The western sky, painted in shades of gold and pink by the setting sun, looked like a vibrant painting.
As the sun sank below the horizon, the last rays of light disappeared.
The light gradually dimmed, and two moons, one large and one small, appeared in the sky, their clear light casting a cold, solemn glow.
Darkness hadn’t fully descended yet. A gentle breeze blew, the purple clouds drifting slowly.
There were no distracting city lights, no human noise.
Grass and trees covered the plain, the sky clear, the deep blue hues dreamlike.
A boundless silence spread.
Soon, night fell, and the stars twinkled brightly.
The faint chirping of insects filled the air.
Shi Nuo sat by the door, gazing up at the star-filled sky, the galaxy reflected in his eyes. From the corner of his eye, he saw a star fall to the ground, its faint light flickering.
Looking closer, he realized it was a group of fireflies, dancing and landing, like a celebration in the grass.
Starlight and firefly light intertwined, mirroring each other.
This was the first time he had observed the night sky. The Alpha’s presence made the outside world seem less intimidating.
The evening air grew cold. Shi Nuo stood up, picked up his small folding stool – likely left behind by the construction workers, but perfect for him – and went back inside.
The living room was bright. The white wolf was lying on the rug, having shifted its position. It flicked its tail a few times; Shi Nuo didn’t know what it meant.
The doors and windows were locked. He glanced at the white wolf, and when its blue eyes met his, he quickly looked away and quietly went to his bedroom, locking the door behind him.
He washed his face and brushed his teeth, then took a shower, the hot steam filling the bathroom.
Having a hot shower in this wild, primitive place was a comforting luxury.
Shi Nuo was in a good mood today, the usual melancholy in his eyes less pronounced.
The bedroom door opened silently, followed by the locked bathroom door.
In the steam-filled room, the sound of running water reached Shi Nuo’s ears. The space seemed to shrink as the tall man approached, bringing a sense of pressure and almost suffocating him.
Hugh Elvis’s white hair was short, as if he had casually run his fingers through it, giving him a relaxed, unkempt look.
His gaze was fixed on the Omega in the shower. Water droplets clung to his chest, forming beads that slowly slid down his smooth, pale skin. His strong physique exuded a raw, animalistic sensuality.
He was so tall, his body long and well-proportioned, his muscles firm and defined, radiating power.
Shi Nuo, slender and small, seemed even more fragile next to the imposing man.
Both were fair-skinned, but Shi Nuo’s skin was more delicate and luminous, the difference in shade noticeable up close.
“M-Mr. Elvis,” Shi Nuo stammered nervously, then saw the man untie the animal skin around his waist.
Images of the steamy bathroom and the rumpled bed flashed through his dreams.
Shi Nuo turned over in his sleep, his eyes fluttering open, then closing again. As he registered what he had seen, his eyes snapped open.
Lying on his side, he saw the man sleeping next to him.
Hugh Elvis’s profile was sharp and well-defined, his features cold and dominant, yet undeniably handsome.
Asleep, he looked peaceful and calm, almost domestic.
The room was warm, and the thin blanket had been thrown on the floor.
The memories of last night’s passionate encounter flooded back, and Shi Nuo’s eyelashes trembled. The neglected parts of his body began to ache, his stomach swollen and distended.
The bed wasn’t large, barely big enough for two, so they were lying close together.
Shi Nuo could feel the warmth of the man’s skin, the higher temperature making him slightly uncomfortable, yet the permanent bond now formed between them made him instinctively want to be close.
He couldn’t help but feel a sense of dependence.
The knotting process, although only about fifteen minutes long, had felt like an eternity of pain, his mind hazy, only the sensations within his body clear and sharp.
Hugh Elvis hadn’t stopped. After a brief rest, another wave of pleasure had followed. After the permanent bond, instinct had overridden reason. Remembering his own unrestrained responses, Shi Nuo’s ears burned.
His stomach was too full. He needed to use the bathroom. Ignoring the soreness in his limbs, he sat up as quietly as possible.
Hugh Elvis was lying on the outside of the bed, blocking his way. He could only climb out from the foot of the bed. Unable to stand, he crawled, but even so, as he reached the edge, his strength gave way, and he collapsed onto Hugh’s legs.
“What’s wrong?”
A low, slightly hoarse voice startled him. Hugh Elvis opened his eyes and sat up, supporting himself with one hand.
Shi Nuo, embarrassed, pushed himself up and sat, hugging his knees and trying to cover the marks on his body.
He was easily embarrassed, and even though they had consummated their marriage, he still felt exposed and uncomfortable.
Hugh Elvis, looking sleepy and disoriented, asked, “What are you doing?”
Shi Nuo had heard him speak last night, so he wasn’t surprised. He mumbled, “I need to use the bathroom.”
Hugh Elvis, still half-asleep, reached out, scooped up the Omega from the foot of the bed, and carried him to the bathroom.
The young, strong Alpha, holding the beautiful, pale Omega in his arms, was a picture of perfect harmony.
The sounds of ragged breathing and faint sobs came from the bathroom.
It was already afternoon.
The two sat at the dining table, eating.
The meat soup was a bit salty. Shi Nuo added water to dilute it.
He ate the meat and vegetables, filling his stomach. The warm soup brought him a sense of satisfaction.
Hugh was unfamiliar with cooking and had no idea where to start. He had followed Shi Nuo’s instructions step by step, managing to cook the food, but the taste was poor. He ate a bowl listlessly.
He was picky and didn’t enjoy the meal, his expression languid.
Shi Nuo, sitting next to him, finished eating and put down his spoon. Seeing Hugh glance at him, he hesitated, then whispered, “It was delicious, thank you.”
Delicious?
Hugh frowned, thinking it was a lie. His gaze fell on the Omega’s empty bowl.
Shi Nuo had eaten everything, even the broth, leaving nothing behind.
Hugh Elvis didn’t understand. He didn’t think the food was good, but the Omega had clearly eaten it all. His low voice, rich and magnetic, said, “You’re lying.”
His tone was certain.
Caught in his lie, Shi Nuo became flustered, not knowing how to respond.
He had never encountered this situation before. Complimenting and thanking someone for a meal was simply polite, even if it was just a formality.
He had never seen anyone call out such politeness so directly.
Hugh Elvis’s blunt personality seemed difficult to deal with.
But the Alpha’s deep, beautiful blue eyes were fixed on him, waiting for an answer.
Shi Nuo, not daring to look at him, mumbled, “It wasn’t that bad. Having warm soup and food is good enough.”
Hugh’s eyebrows twitched slightly, then relaxed. He didn’t say anything, his expression still languid.
Shi Nuo pushed himself up from the table. He was full. Seeing that Hugh Elvis’s bowl was also empty, he reached out to take it to the kitchen to wash.
Hugh looked up at him. “What are you doing?”
“Washing the dishes,” Shi Nuo whispered.
Hugh remembered that the Omega always cleaned up after meals. He didn’t stop him and followed him to the kitchen.
There was still half a pot of soup left for the next meal. That was convenient; he wouldn’t have to cook again, just reheat it.
Shi Nuo quickly washed their bowls and chopsticks, wiped the counter clean, and then carefully washed his hands.
Turning around, he saw the two-meter-tall man leaning lazily against the doorframe, his eyes lowered, looking tired.
As for the reason for his fatigue, Shi Nuo lowered his head, his ears turning slightly red.
“Finished?” Hugh asked, looking up.
Shi Nuo nodded. “Yes.”
A moment later, Shi Nuo was lifted into the air, held against the man’s firm chest.
Hugh Elvis was only wearing the animal skin. There were no clothes here that fit him, and he had grown accustomed to this after years of living primitively.
This was torture for Shi Nuo. Hugh’s presence was too strong, always in his line of sight. No matter where he looked, his peripheral vision was filled with the man’s muscular body. He didn’t dare look directly at him.
As he was carried towards the bedroom, he looked up and saw the man’s prominent Adam’s apple and sharp jawline, excellent bone structure, his face radiating an aggressive handsomeness.
Hugh kicked the bedroom door closed. Shi Nuo was placed on the bed. Even though he didn’t resist the Alpha’s touch, even felt a certain fondness for his embrace, he was still afraid.
Hugh was dominant, his sexual prowess overwhelming. They had knotted more than once, and he hadn’t been allowed to sleep until seven or eight in the morning.
Before he could find an excuse to leave, the tall man lay down beside him, pulled him into his arms, casually draped the thin blanket over them, and closed his eyes.
The Alpha’s clean, cold lotus scent filled the air, a pleasant aroma. Shi Nuo quietly breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed he wasn’t the only one who was tired.
Hugh Elvis fell into a deep sleep.
This had been his first time. Before this, he hadn’t even masturbated. He had experienced intense pleasure, but his human form wasn’t completely stable yet.
After the passionate encounter, he had fallen asleep holding the Omega. He still felt drowsy upon waking, but his adaptability was good. As he drifted off to sleep again, his body instinctively began to adjust, trying to acclimate to his human form.
Insects chirped, their sounds rising and falling, and a gentle night breeze blew across the quiet plain.
Moonlight streamed in through the slightly open window, gently swaying the sheer curtains and drapes.
The scent of grass, earth, and the night breeze filled the air. In the quiet of the night, nestled against a warm, comforting presence, Shi Nuo listened, lost in his usual quiet contemplation.
His wandering thoughts were suddenly pulled back as he remembered the conversation he had had with Hugh Elvis last night after the Alpha entered the bathroom.
He had wanted Hugh to leave, but the Alpha had looked at him and spoken his first words.
“Payment.”
Shi Nuo hadn’t understood.
After uttering the first word, the memories associated with language returned. Hugh Elvis spoke slowly, “Equivalent exchange. You ate my meat.”
Shi Nuo, stunned, asked, “Money?”
Hugh frowned. “No. Exchange. You. Give me.”
Seeing that Shi Nuo still didn’t understand, he finally found the right word: “Mating.”
Shi Nuo was shocked, but he had already eaten the meat. There was no going back. Hugh Elvis, seeing that he understood, had moved closer, claiming his payment.
