Chapter 37
Wisps of white fire escaped through the gaps between the metal plates, burning with an intense heat that distorted the air, the metal turning white and warping.
Shi Nuo, held securely in Long Xu’s hand, watched through the mecha’s fingers.
The flames grew stronger, the heat almost unbearable on his exposed skin, the moisture in the air evaporating.
“He will die,” Long Xu said, its emotionless mechanical voice echoing. “If you approach him, he will die.”
The man trapped in the pit, struggling with all his might to escape, suddenly fell silent.
The flames vanished, leaving only the lingering heat.
Shi Nuo, his face pale, huddled in Long Xu’s hand, still shaken.
The mecha’s hand lifted him to its shoulder, and after he steadied himself, a gentle nudge from one of its massive fingers directed him towards the cockpit.
As he entered, soft, calming music played, and the pilot seat automatically reclined.
He understood Long Xu’s intention. He lay down on the seat.
High above the ground, Long Xu was far safer than the bedroom. This seemed like a better option.
“If he escapes, I will take you away,” the mecha’s voice, its volume lowered, said softly.
Shi Nuo, startled, curled up on his side and, before closing his eyes, whispered, “Thank you.”
After the white flames subsided, the trapped Hugh Elvis remained silent, the only sign of his presence the potent pheromones that continued to radiate outwards, a silent warning to all creatures in the vicinity.
Three days later, at noon, Long Xu removed six of the metal plates.
Shi Nuo stood cautiously at the edge of the pit, looking down.
The man in the pit raised his hand to shield his eyes from the bright sunlight.
“Mr. Elvis, are you alright?” Shi Nuo asked, holding a glass of water, seeing that the Alpha hadn’t immediately climbed out.
After his eyes adjusted to the light, Hugh Elvis lowered his hand and looked up.
The black metal mask covered the lower half of his face, adding an air of mystery to his usual cold handsomeness.
He wore only a towel around his waist, his muscular physique still evident, his chest rising and falling as he recovered from his rut.
His eyes, still bloodshot, were intense and intimidating.
Shi Nuo, under his gaze, swallowed nervously, resisting the urge to step back, and asked in a trembling voice, “Are you…feeling better?”
Hugh Elvis didn’t reply. He quickly climbed out of the pit, ignited a burst of white flames to incinerate the dirt and dust clinging to his body, walked towards Shi Nuo, and loomed over him.
The two-meter-tall man was so close that Shi Nuo had to crane his neck to look at him. Hugh’s expressionless face seemed to indicate he was still angry.
Realizing this, Shi Nuo instinctively took half a step back.
Before his heel could touch the ground, he was pulled into the Alpha’s embrace, his face pressed against Hugh’s chest, the overwhelming scent of his pheromones making it hard to breathe.
A large hand pressed against the back of his head, forcing him to lower his head, exposing his neck.
He held the glass of water tightly, struggling slightly, opening his mouth to speak, when something cold touched his neck.
Hugh Elvis realized he was still wearing the bite inhibitor mask. Irritated, he reached for the clasp, intending to rip it off, then remembered he had made Shi Nuo lock it.
He had given Shi Nuo the mask to reassure him. Breaking it now would destroy that trust, especially with his next rut approaching.
“Unlock it,” he released Shi Nuo and bent down, lowering his head.
Shi Nuo had been about to mention the mask, but Hugh had moved too quickly.
He pressed his finger against the lock, and with a click, it opened. Hugh Elvis ripped off the mask, revealing the lower half of his handsome face.
Without a word, he pulled Shi Nuo close and bit down on his neck.
A surge of Alpha pheromones flooded Shi Nuo’s body, so sudden and intense that even though he had been expecting it, it still made his legs tremble.
After three and a half days of pheromone instability, any other Alpha would have depleted their reserves, but Hugh’s pheromones were still potent and aggressive.
Tears streamed down Shi Nuo’s face, his pants soaked. His legs gave way, and he was lifted into the Alpha’s arms and carried swiftly back to the house.
The glass of water in his hand was taken away, and Hugh Elvis, opening it, drank it in one gulp.
Shi Nuo lay on the large rug in the living room, his vision blurred by tears, his body trembling as he gasped for breath, unable to make a sound, tears escaping his eyes.
He had assumed that after his rut, the Alpha would be weakened by the prolonged period of intense pheromone activity, but Hugh seemed energized, his only apparent emotion anger, showing no signs of fatigue or weakness.
The third month of autumn arrived, a period of abundant fruit before the onset of winter.
Even though the forest was rich in resources, and Shi Nuo had seen many wild fruits and berries before, after just a week’s absence, he was surprised by the sheer abundance of fruit now visible.
The berries, previously hidden beneath green leaves, had grown larger and turned a vibrant red, their ripeness attracting many animals. He saw signs of fruit and leaves having been eaten.
Many vines were also bearing fruit, their large yellow flowers blooming and swaying gently in the wind.
Even the low, inconspicuous grass had small, purple, berry-like fruits growing on it, covering the ground in patches, impossible to avoid. With each step, he crushed several, the sound of their bursting skins filling the air.
Shi Nuo looked down and saw purple juice staining his shoes.
He could wash them later. Hugh had brought back new shoes and socks, so even if the stains didn’t come out, it wasn’t a big deal. As long as they were wearable.
He had tasted the small purple berries earlier; they were bland and unappetizing.
Further ahead lay a long, gentle slope.
From the bottom of the slope upwards, the ground, the grass, the trees, were covered in layers of fruit, a vibrant tapestry of colors.
Black, purple, yellow, red, and some unripe green berries, along with dried and rotting fruit that had fallen to the ground.
Birds of all kinds flitted among the trees and bushes, pecking at the ripe fruit.
A dozen or so of the round, plump, blue birds Shi Nuo had seen before were feasting on red berries, their beaks and feathers stained with juice.
Small animals like rabbits and squirrels were also busy eating and gathering food.
Hearing a grunting sound, Shi Nuo turned his head curiously.
He saw two creatures he had never seen before. They had short legs, thick, dark brown fur, and short tails. The larger one was so fat that its belly almost touched the ground, while the smaller one was slightly less round. Both were busily devouring the fruit, like tiny bulldozers, leaving a clear path in their wake.
All the animals were wary. As he approached, they looked up, and then, sensing he had no intention of hunting them, and perhaps intimidated by his scent, moved slightly away, though they were reluctant to abandon the feast, continuing to eat while keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings.
A small bird, having lost out to the other animals, even landed a few steps away from Shi Nuo, pecked at a purple berry on the ground, and looked up at him briefly.
Seeing how determined it was, Shi Nuo smiled, deciding not to disturb the feast, and walked away, carrying his buckets.
The white wolf wasn’t nearby. It had gone to look for fruit. The fruit it found always tasted better than the ones here.
He brushed aside a damp, fallen leaf and picked a light green mushroom.
Shi Nuo searched the forest, drawn by the alluring fragrance of the mushrooms, which were delicious no matter how they were prepared: stewed, stir-fried, fried, roasted, or even in hot pot.
He had to be careful with the yellow mushrooms because a poisonous variety looked very similar. He had to check the gills underneath the caps. He had accidentally picked one before, and fortunately, the white wolf had noticed and stopped him.
As for the light green mushrooms, he had only ever seen this one type.
At least in this part of the forest, it was unique. Neither he nor Hugh had found any similar-looking poisonous mushrooms.
The weather wasn’t good. There had been some sunshine in the morning, but now the sky was overcast.
The temperature was mild, and the wind carried a mixture of scents, mostly the sweet fragrance of fruit.
Soon, the white wolf returned, carrying two branches laden with fruit.
A gentle rain began to fall, lasting for half the day, showing no signs of stopping. The land and sky looked damp, and a misty haze enveloped the house.
Inside the dining room, shielded from the rain, it was warm and dry.
The hot pot broth bubbled and boiled, the rich aroma of bone broth filling the air.
Shi Nuo and Hugh sat at the table, each with a plate of meat, which they added to the boiling broth.
As soon as the meat was cooked, Shi Nuo picked up a slice and tasted it. It was delicious.
He had made the bone broth this morning after returning from his mushroom-gathering trip. Today’s hot pot broth was a lighter, less spicy mushroom and bone broth, considered nourishing and healthy.
The meat slices, purchased by Hugh, were thinly and evenly sliced, much better than his own clumsy attempts.
Hugh Elvis ate steadily, his expression slightly tired, his long, pale fingers deftly handling the chopsticks, his hands elegant and strong.
Seeing Shi Nuo focused on his meal, his attention solely on the food, Hugh hesitated, the words he had been about to say catching in his throat.
He felt a flicker of annoyance, a strange tightness in his chest.
But he couldn’t understand the reason for his displeasure. It was perfectly normal to focus on one’s meal, to be undisturbed.
Shi Nuo’s mouth was slightly greasy. Eating hot pot on a rainy day was indeed a comforting experience. He noticed that Hugh wasn’t eating much and asked, puzzled, “Why aren’t you eating?”
Hugh Elvis’s expression remained unchanged. He looked up, his eyelashes lifting slightly. “I was just chewing slowly. I’m still eating.”
He picked up a slice of meat.
Shi Nuo’s eyes crinkled in a smile, relieved that he had been mistaken.
Seeing the Omega’s bright smile, Hugh’s annoyance vanished, and a faint smile also touched his lips.
As for the thing he wanted to say, he could wait until after dinner. Eating was important, and mealtimes should be enjoyable.
