ZHAN SHENG WOKE UP with a start, his fingers wrapped tightly in bandages and his face throbbing with pain from the fight. He was just a small nine-year-old boy, lost and alone in a world that was harsh and unforgiving. As he opened his eyes, he found himself face to face with a man so beautiful that Zhan Sheng's heart nearly stopped. The omega's scent was like that of spring rain, fresh and invigorating. Zhan Sheng couldn't help but feel drawn to him, captivated by his beauty and the warmth he emanated.
The stranger's face was expressionless, and his eyes were cold and unfeeling. The cinnabar near his eyes served as a stark contrast to his icy demeanor, a symbol of his intensity and unwavering commitment to his duty.
Zhan Sheng opened his mouth to speak, but something in the stranger's gaze silenced him.
All of a sudden, Xing Yuerong stormed out of the house, screeching for Zhan Sheng's punishment. "Where is that little demon? I want him punished for hurting my precious prince Xing Junwei!"
Zhan Sheng huddled closer to the man, fear etched onto his face. "Please, don't let her hurt me," he whispered.
The man looked at Zhan Sheng coldly, then stood up and walked out of the room. Zhan Sheng gaped at him and then struggled to sit up, but he could barely lift his head because his wounds were too deep. "You—who are you? What are you doing in my house!" Xing Yuerong demanded.
"Forgive me," the stranger's voice was deep and alluring, like the water from a trickling stream. "My name is Lei Bo from the Burning Fire sect. I am here to collect the young master, there's been a misunderstanding you see and we'd like to have him back without any complications."
Xing Yuerong was stunned into silence. Zhan Sheng could almost picture the shock on her face because it mirrored his own. Young master? Him? Then all the stories his mother told him came rushing back and he realized that he was the young master, but he didn't know where or of which sect. All he knew was that his father was looking for him and his father had the devil's blood, so it was difficult for him to leave the devil's realm to find them.
"T-the Burning Fire sect did you say?" Xing Yuerong's voice sounded shaken. "Please forgive me for not showing courtesy, it was very odd to see a strange to my house. How come you did not send word of your visit?"
"We did." The stranger's voice was firm and confident, leaving Xing Yuerong floundering.
"Forgive me, Lei-gongzi, please. Take rest. Anything you need is at our disposal, I will have my husband rectify this immediately, any slave who dares to hide those letters will be beaten accordingly."
"No need," the man replied. "We will leave in an hour." The man came back into the room, his black robes fluttering in the close as he closed the door shut. Zhan Sheng lived in a small shed near the back of the fu while the wealthy family enjoyed their luxurious residence. The stranger moves gracefully, like a calm river flowing smoothly downstream, his hand brushing against Zhan Sheng's forehead. "We'll be gone soon."
Zhan Sheng could have wept with joy, but exhaustion nipped at his heels. His eyes blinked blurrily and he fought the waves of unconsciousness as it threatened to overtake him. "Don't leave me."
The omega held his hand, intertwining their fingers together, although he said nothing Zhan Sheng was lulled to sleep by his scent. A few hours later, Zhan Sheng awoke to raised voices as a few servants packed his things and readied him for his journey with the stranger.
"Have you heard about that disgraced omega?" One whispered. "He got kicked out of the Snake Poison for not becoming Lei Xun's concubine!"
Another servant chimed in, "And now he's the omega General for the Burning Fire sect. Can you believe it? An omega General!"
The first servant scoffed, "What's next? A chicken becoming a dragon?"
"Who knows? I've heard dragon eggs are pretty tasty."
"Shut up," the servant said. "Lei Bo—pugh! He's naught but a child, barely eighteen this year how could dare to refuse the Zhangmen, he's at the Nascent Soul stage. That damn omega can barely make it past the Qi Condensation stage."
"Mhmm…" the other servant chimed in. "Perhaps it's because Lei Xun won't be sect leader for long, I heard he's retiring and giving the position to Jia Zedong, an outsider!"
"No way!" the other servant replied, their voices fading as they walked out the door. Lei Bo? Zhan Sheng thought he heard the man say his name earlier. He chewed the name over in his mind several times, his heart beating wildly. Lei Bo which meant "thunder wave". It was beautiful. Zhan Sheng nearly jumped as the door creaked open, Lei Bo's tall frame filled the doorway his long black robes hung elegantly on his slender frame, and the black fur coat draped over his shoulders gleams like a still lake reflecting the moonlight.
Lei Bo did say a word as he helped Zhan Sheng out and bed and lifted him onto the horse. Lei Bo made sure he was secure and wrapped his fur coat around him, enveloping him in a warm, comforting embrace. Zhan Sheng preened, snuggling closer to the omega, and he couldn't help but notice the sweet omega scent emanating from Lei Bo's skin. It was a delicate mix of jasmine and lavender, with a hint of sandalwood that was both intoxicating and soothing at the same time.
Lei Bo guided the horse in a light canter, riding away from the sect. Nobody came to see him off. Nobody cared that he left and Zhan Sheng was just fine with that. Zhan Sheng felt a sense of freedom and hope wash over him. He knew that with Lei Bo by his side, he would never have to endure such cruelty and isolation again. And as he basked in the warmth of Lei Bo's embrace and his sweet omega scent, Zhan Sheng felt like his life was just beginning.
The wind howled around them as Zhan Sheng and Lei Bo rode through the snowy landscape battling the ferocious winter storm. The winter storm was picking up, and the road ahead was becoming treacherous. Zhan Sheng didn't feel any of that, the fever in his body felt like a thousand tiny needles piercing his skin, causing him to shiver and sweat at the same time.
They needed to stop and take cover. Lei Bo guided the horse toward a local inn near the edge of town and decided to stop for the night. He carried Zhan Sheng inside to a private room, where the shutters were tightly closed as if to kept them locked in tight. The inn's interior welcomed them like a warm embrace, with a crackling fireplace at the center of the common room. The walls were adorned with colorful lanterns and tapestries, and the dark wooden furniture exuded a sense of sturdiness. Zhan Sheng groaned on the bed, he tossed from side to side, his flesh on fire, his body fighting off the cold and wounds from earlier.
Lei Bo tended to him with a small medicine kit, concocting a bitter brew of herbs and water. He gently administered the medicine to Zhan Sheng, who swallowed it down like a bitter pill. No more, please! I'll die just from the taste! Zhan Sheng wanted to cry. Lei Bo placed a damp cloth on Zhan Sheng's forehead, hoping to bring down his fever, muttered softly under his breath. Zhan Sheng felt Lei Bo's warmth and sweet omega scent like a soft blanket enveloping him, giving him a sense of comfort like a baby in its mother's arms. He clutched onto Lei Bo's robes, wishing with everything in him that this omega would stay by his side forever.
"Don't leave me."
Maybe it was a trick of the light, but the omega's mouth lifted. He said nothing, but there was a softness in his gaze, a fondness that Zhan Sheng didn't understand. Eventually, he drifted off to sleep, he knew that he was safe and protected, with Lei Bo as his loyal guardian. And despite the storm raging on outside like a tempestuous sea, inside the inn, they were surrounded by warmth and care, like a peaceful oasis amid a harsh desert.
During the night Zhan Sheng's fever was like a dark cloud hanging over him, casting a shadow on his already weakened body, and making it difficult for him to think or move. Throughout the night he heard the sound of the pipa being played, the sound of the strings being plucked creating a rhythmic and soothing pattern, like the pulsing of a deep bass. He shifted and out of consciousness, his eyes fixating on everything and anything, but they mostly stayed on the stunning omega's graceful form. Lei Bo's beauty was cold and unapproachable.
His features were sharp and angular, with a chiseled jawline and piercing eyes that seemed to look right through people. The cinnabar near his eyes added to his imposing presence, a splash of bright color against his otherwise austere appearance. Zhan Sheng's little heart shuttered, he had no idea what it meant or why but he knew he had to stick to this omega like glue if he ever wanted to survive. That night Lei Bo got into bed beside him, nuzzling against him as Zhan Sheng fought against the fever inside him.
Lei Bo touched his sodden brow, trailing his hand down his chubby cheeks and gazing at him fondly.
"I won't."
The words were spoken barely above a whisper, but Zhan Sheng heard them all the same.