Chapter 51: Post Party
"Ash! Ash!"
Lucien’s voice pulled him back from the haze clouding his mind.
"Are you okay?" Lucien asked, concern in his eyes.
Ash forced a faint smile. "I’m...fine."
Lucien stretched out his arm. "Come on, I want to introduce you to my parents."
Ash hesitated but had no choice. He let Lucien guide him toward the room where Lucien’s parents were chatting with Adrian’s father and his mother, each holding a drink.
"Leclair, you’re terrible," Lucien’s father said with mock scolding as they approached. "Delaying to introduce me to your new son."
Lucien’s mother added with a warm smile, "I’m glad Lucien asked for his hand. With such overwhelming beauty, it would be a shame if someone else claimed him."
Lucien bowed slightly, and Ash followed out of respect.
"Father, Mother, here he is," Lucien said.
Ash forced a polite smile. "Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson."
"No need to be so formal," Lucien’s father said warmly. "You’re part of the family now. Feel comfortable."
Lucien’s mother beamed. "I finally have company."
Then, Lucien excused himself politely and began introducing Ash to his friends. Ash followed, glancing around the room, his eyes searching for Adrian.
He spotted Adrian standing with Celeste, talking to one of the guests. Their eyes met for a brief moment, a flicker of tension passing between them, before Adrian quickly looked away.
Ash’s attention shifted as he noticed Naomi and Martin. A small smile tugged at his lips, a spark of excitement rising as he left Lucien talking to his friends and walked toward them.
Naomi and Martin’s faces lit up as they saw him approaching.
"I never knew you would come," Ash said, smiling.
Naomi grinned. "We couldn’t miss our dearest friend being officially promised." She added teasingly, "Martin, see, my ship has sailed."
Martin rolled his eyes, taking a sip of his juice without saying a word.
Naomi turned to Ash. "If I’m not mistaken, I saw your uncle waiting outside. Why isn’t he coming in?"
Ash knew Aster was avoiding his mother, so he replied casually, trying to cover for him, "He’s allergic to crowded places."
Naomi nodded, convinced. "Ah, that explains it."
As evening fell, the announcer’s voice rang through the hall, "We ask everyone to allow the bride and bridegroom to excuse themselves with their families for the post-party celebrations.
Lucien came over to take Ash from Naomi and Martin. Ash frowned slightly. "Aren’t you coming with me?" he asked.
Naomi chuckled, winking. "And miss the expensive dishes and drinks? Not a chance."
Ash smiled faintly as Lucien led him out of the hall. Adrian and Celeste walked side by side, followed by Lucien and Ash, their parents, Naomi, Martin, and a few invited friends. As they passed through the crowd, ABOs cheered, offering blessings:
"Blessings on Alpha Adrian’s marriage!"
"Congratulations, Alpha Lucien and Ash!"
"May your engagement bring happiness!"
The group moved toward the waiting cars, where bodyguards and drivers stood ready.
Lucien’s father addressed the younger couples. "Children, go ahead and enjoy yourselves. I don’t think our presence is necessary."
Lucien’s mother, Ash’s mother, and Adrian’s father nodded in agreement. Ash’s mother smiled at Lucien. "I’ve left my son to you..."
Lucien replied calmly, "Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll take care of him."
Lucien’s mother added teasingly, "You’d better, because if anything happens to my future daughter-in-law, you’ll have trouble with me."
Lucien raised his hands in mock fear, smiling. "I can’t risk it."
Their parents laughed as they walked away toward their cars.
Adrian and Celeste climbed into their car, Bravin waiting at the wheel, while Lucien guided Ash to his vehicle, where Aster was already at the wheel.
As they entered, Aster gave a subdued congratulatory tone. "Congratulations...Master, Ash."
Ash felt a pang of guilt, unsure what to say. Lucien replied, "Thank you."
Aster added softly, "I saw your mother. She looked beautiful."
Ash’s mood shifted slightly. "You could have come in...you could have seen her beauty more closely for yourself."
Aster started to engage the engine when a voice called out. "Wait, sir."
Lucien lowered his window. A bodyguard leaned in. "If I may ask, sir, can you allow him to take a seat here? The other cars are full."
Lucien nodded. "Sure, he can sit in front."
The bodyguard smiled. "Come on, you’re lucky."
Aster opened the door, revealing Martin standing hesitantly. He blinked, surprise and disbelief crossing his face.
Lucien cut the tension with a grin. "Hurry up. Don’t keep us waiting."
They arrived at Azure Haven Hotel, Lucien’s hotel, where the post-party had been arranged. Attendants welcomed them warmly and guided them inside.
Adrian, Celeste, Lucien, and Ash were seated at the same table, served with a selection of special dishes prepared for the occasion.
As they were eating, a small smear of beef Wellington sauce lingered on Ash’s lips. Both Lucien and Adrian instinctively reached for their napkins to wipe it for him.
For a moment, their movements froze mid-air as their eyes met. A sharp tension passed between them, leaving Ash and Celeste glancing at them, confused.
Lucien broke the silence with a faint smirk. "I think you should care more about your wife. I’ll take care of my fiance."
Ash quickly grabbed his napkins, dabbing at his lips. "I already wiped myself," he murmured, cheeks slightly flushed.
The moment passed, leaving behind a faint ripple of awkward amusement around the table.
As they continued eating, Celeste’s gaze shifted toward another table. "They’re your friends?" she asked softly, then added with a teasing smile, "I didn’t know that nerd is your friend."
Ash followed her eyes and realized she was talking about Naomi. "Yes," he said, nodding lightly, "She’s my friend."
After finishing their meal, a bottle of special wine was brought to the table. Celeste poured it into their glasses herself.
As everyone took a sip, she noticed Ash hadn’t touched his yet. Her tone softened. "It would hurt if my brother’s fiance refused a drink. I chose this myself; it came from overseas, especially for today."
Ash felt a twinge of embarrassment. Reluctantly, he lifted his glass, offering a small, polite smile, though his hands were slightly stiff.
Celeste kept refilling their glasses with cheerful persistence. Thirty minutes later, all of them were visibly drunk.
Ash’s head felt heavier. A strange warmth began spreading through his body; thick and slow, like a wave rising from within. His pulse quickened, and his skin flushed with heat.
He frowned, trying to steady himself, but the sensation only deepened, crawling up his neck. His thoughts blurred in confusion. Why do I feel...aroused?
The heat made him restless, his breathing shallow. Uncomfortable, he shifted in his seat and forced a polite smile. "Excuse me...I just need a moment."
Lucien started to rise. "I’ll come with you"
But Adrian’s voice cut in sharply. "Let him go. He still needs privacy, Lucien. You’re not married , just engaged."
Lucien paused, clearly displeased, but said nothing as Ash pushed himself up from the table and made his way toward the bathroom, his steps slightly unsteady.
...
Before the wine had been brought, Celeste had quietly arranged something behind the scenes. It wasn’t ordinary wine-it had been mixed with something known to heighten warmth and desire.
Lucien was aware of it too. Their intent was simple: to draw Ash and Adrian closer that night each to their own.
...
Lucien grew restless, tapping his fingers against the table. "Why is my fiance taking long?" His voice low, uneven. "I really want to see him..."
He tried to stand, but nearly stumbled. Adrian reached out, steadying him. "Sit down," he said firmly, though his own words slurred faintly. "I’ll check on him."
Adrian pushed himself up and began walking through the hotel corridor, his steps heavy. The world swayed slightly before his eyes. He checked one door after another, confusion clouding his mind. Where could he have gone...?
By the time he reached the last bathroom at the end of the hall, a strange heat began rising through his chest. His skin tingled, and his heartbeat quickened. "What’s...happening to me?" he murmured, pressing a hand to his temple. "I’m not supposed to be rut..."
Then it hit him-soft but piercing. A wave of golden pheromones drifted from behind the half-closed door, warm and intoxicating. The scent was unmistakable.
Ash.
Adrian’s instincts snapped awake. The air seemed to thicken around him as he forced his unsteady steps forward and pushed the door open.
A rush of steam and gold met him. Ash was there, half-submerged in the bathtub, cold water running, trying to steady himself. His breaths came fast, his skin flushed, eyes hazy with confusion and need.
When he saw Adrian, his lips trembled. "You came..." His voice cracked softly. "I’m sorry I didn’t see your message earlier..."
Adrian stepped closer, struggling against the pull in his chest. The scent surrounded him, dragging every buried instinct to the surface.
"It’s unbearable," Ash whispered. "You’re married now...can you still..."
Adrian stopped him, his voice a rough whisper. "Do you think I can allow another’s man d*ck to penetrate the hole which I drilled myself."