Chapter 55: Between Life and Mark
Adrian froze, his expression tightening. He knew it wasn’t myth, he’d been bitten by such a rare omega before. His gaze flicked briefly toward Ash, whose face remained unreadable.
Ash’s mother, standing quietly behind him, wasn’t surprised either. She knew the truth-her son was born different, carrying that rare bloodline with hidden fangs. But she said nothing. Ash had kept his identity secret for years, and she wouldn’t be the one to expose it now.
Celeste suddenly snapped, breaking the silence. "There’s no need to give us false hope when it’s just a theory. It’s nothing but a myth. I’m the only A-ranked Omega alive, more capable than the rest, so stop talking nonsense. Just say the truth, that he’s going to die."
Adrian turned sharply, anger flashing in his eyes. "That’s enough."
He looked at the doctor. "Dr. Haven, may I have a word with you?"
Dr. Haven bowed slightly. "I’m at your service, Alpha Adrian."
With a respectful nod to the others, he followed Adrian down the hall.
Celeste rolled her eyes, muttering coldly, "Did I say anything wrong? Why is he giving us hope when it’s impossible? He’s going to die..."
SLAP!
The sharp sound echoed through the corridor. Celeste froze, her hand slowly reaching up to touch her cheek in disbelief."...Father?" she murmured.
Between her parents, her father had always been the one who spoiled her, defending her mistakes, covering for her, giving her everything she wanted. He had never laid a hand on her. But with Lucien, it had always been different. Endless punishments, scoldings, even cutting off his allowance. It was their mother who secretly helped Lucien with her savings, trying to fill the gap left by their father’s coldness.
Lucien had eventually moved out, tired of the tension at home, suffocated by his father’s expectations.
Now, seeing that same father trembling with fury, his pheromones heavy in the air, Celeste couldn’t believe it.
"Stop blurting nonsense!" he barked. "It’s like you want him dead!"
Celeste’s voice quivered with frustration. "Why did you slap me? I just spoke the truth..."
SLAP!
Her mother’s hand struck her this time, her tone sharp and trembling with anger. "Try to open your mouth again, Celeste."
Adrian’s father stepped in quickly, his voice firm but calm. "Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, please...calm down."
He turned to Celeste, gently taking her hand. "I think my daughter-in-law needs a breath," he said quietly, leading her toward the exit. Celeste followed without a word, still holding her cheek, her eyes downcast.
Once they left, silence lingered for a moment in the waiting area.
Ash’s mother turned to her son, noticing how he was still staring down the hallway where Adrian had disappeared with the doctor. "Darling," she said softly, touching his arm, "come on, let’s have a drink while we wait for Adrian to finish speaking with the doctor."
Ash hesitated, his gaze still fixed in that direction for a long moment. Then, with a faint nod, he followed his mother quietly.
At a nearby yoghurt cafe, Ash and his mother sat by the window.
His mother looked up at the waiter and said, "A lemon ginger yoghurt for me, and a strawberry for my son."
Ash shook his head slightly. "Make mine vanilla," he said.
His mother turned to him, surprised. "Vanilla? Since when did you start liking that flavor? You used to hate it."
Ash’s lips parted, but no words came. His thoughts drifted-back to that day when he first met Adrian, when he fell onto him and caught that faint scent of vanilla on his warm, dripping skin. Since then, the scent had clung to him, shaping his cravings-the vanilla cake he received every day at school from a known sender had become his favorite.
He muttered softly, "I just...found myself loving it."
His mother smiled faintly. "I see."
When the yoghurts arrived, they sipped quietly for a moment. Then his mother looked at him, her tone suddenly serious. "Are you going to do it?"
Ash went silent, his spoon frozen midway.
She sighed. "If you do...know that your little secret will be exposed to the world. The scientists’ so-called delusional theory will turn real."
Ash’s hands trembled slightly as he lowered his gaze. Then, slowly, his eyes lifted, glowing faintly golden. "If proving that theory real means keeping him alive," he said, voice steady, "then let it be."
His mother reached across the table, holding his hands gently. "I already knew what your answer would be."
She smiled softly. "Luckily, you’re engaged. I guess you’ve already done it..."
Ash’s eyes widened. "We haven’t..."
She cut him off lightly. "No need to be shy. It’s acceptable."
Her tone softened again. "But know this, if you bite him to neutralize the poison, you’ll mark him. He’ll be bound to you completely. Your bite isn’t like an Alpha’s to an Omega...it’s unique. Yours is a soul connection."
Ash froze, his throat tightening.
His mother continued calmly, "I’m telling you this because I know your capabilities better than anyone. And I’m not worried, because by choosing to be engaged to you, he’s already shown he’s willing to devote himself to you."
Ash sat still, his mind tangled in his mother’s words, until movement beside them caught his attention.
He turned, his breath hitching when he saw a familiar figure standing just a few steps away. His mother followed his gaze, and froze.
Her heartbeat quickened. How long has he been standing there? she thought. Did he hear everything I just said? Does he know who Ash really is?
She swallowed hard. "Adrian...how long have you been here?"
Ash turned to her quietly. "Mum...he already knows."
His mother’s eyes widened. "That you are..."
"Yes," Ash cut her off softly, "not much more...but enough."
Her shoulders relaxed slightly, relief flickering across her face.
Adrian stepped closer, his expression calm. "May I? he asked politely, gesturing to the empty seat.
Ash’s mother nodded.
"My father told me you were here," Adrian said, taking the seat beside Ash. "So I came to find you."
Ash’s mother smiled faintly. "Oh..." Then, with a gentle glance between them, she added, "I think I should go. You two need a private talk."
She stood, taking her handbag and giving them one last knowing smile before walking away.
Silence settled between them, the faint hum of the cafe filling the space.
Ash finally spoke, his voice low. "Did you...hear what my mother said?"
Adrian looked at him, unreadable. "We’ll talk about that later, at the penthouse." He glanced at Ash’s cup. "If you’re done with your yoghurt, let’s go."
Ash nodded quietly.
Outside, the moment they stepped from the cafe, the flashing lights of cameras greeted them again. Paparazzi and journalists swarmed near the entrance as security guards struggled to keep them back.
"Will the rare Omega with fangs be found?"
"Has the one who poisoned Alpha Lucien been caught?"
The questions followed them like a storm as the guards cleared a path. Adrian guided Ash toward the car, shielding him from the crowd before they slipped inside and the doors closed behind them.
The noise outside faded, leaving only silence between them once more.
Ash turned slightly, his voice low. "Has the culprit been caught?"
Adrian kept his eyes ahead, his tone steady but heavy. "Bravin found out that the delivery guy who always brought Lucien’s coffee wasn’t the one who delivered it today." He paused, jaw tightening. "He was ambushed and killed on his way."
Ash’s eyes widened in shock.
Adrian continued quietly, "Bravin is still investigating...trying to trace the real source. I already have a suspect in mind, but without proof, I can’t move yet."
Ash’s hands clenched on his knees. "But Lucien...we left him there in the hospital, what will..."
"Don’t talk too much," Adrian cut in softly, though his voice carried tension beneath the calm.
Ash fell silent, his chest tightening.
When they arrived at the penthouse and stepped inside, Ash froze. His breath caught at the sight before him.
Lucien was lying on the bed, pale as snow, faint black lines creeping along his veins. His breathing was shallow, his lips drained of color.
Ash turned to Adrian, disbelief in his voice.
"When...when did you bring him here?"
Adrian met his gaze. "Right after I spoke with the doctor," he said quietly. "I told him to hand Lucien over to me and not to tell anyone. I brought him here myself."
He exhaled deeply, his tone lowering. "It’s safer this way. Someone out there clearly wants him dead."
Adrian looked at his watch. "He’s got one hour left before he shuts down completely."
Ash’s heart pounded as his eyes fixed on Adrian. Adrian looked away, walking toward the living room. Ash quickly followed, stepping ahead of him to block his path.
"Why are you avoiding my gaze all of a sudden?" Ash asked quietly.
Adrian’s expression darkened. "I heard what your mother said."
He looked at Ash, a faint tremor in his voice.
"Once you bite him, it won’t be just a bite. You’ll mark him-bind him to you completely."
Ash lowered his gaze. "It’s not like I want to mark him...but if I don’t bite him..."
Adrian raised Ash’s face, forcing him to meet his eyes. "Tell me honestly, what do you really feel about him? Because even after everything, after he tried to force himself on you-you still can’t stay away. A day never passes before you’re both fine again."
Ash was silent for a moment. Then he whispered, "I admit, sometimes he gets on my nerves...but a day without seeing him-I feel restless."
"Spit it out," Adrian demanded.
Ash’s throat tightened. "I’m just obsessed with him."