Chapter 2 – First Encounter at Home
Ethan Li awoke to the faint light of dawn filtering through the curtains of his temporary room in the Zhou family villa. The room was elegantly furnished, all muted tones and clean lines, but it lacked warmth. Nothing about it felt like home—yet it was now his home, whether he liked it or not.
His first morning in Adrian Zhou's mansion brought with it an oppressive quiet. The servants moved silently through the halls, ensuring that the Alpha's house ran perfectly. Ethan dressed quickly, trying to ignore the lingering remnants of the nightmare that was his father's deal.
The door to the room opened suddenly, and Adrian Zhou stepped in. Ethan froze. The Alpha's presence was… suffocating. Every inch of Adrian exuded power and control. The man's tailored suit accentuated broad shoulders, while his expression remained unreadable, almost predatory.
"Good morning," Adrian said, his voice smooth, but with an undertone that commanded attention. He didn't wait for Ethan to respond. Instead, he approached, hands clasped behind his back, observing him as if analyzing a puzzle.
Ethan swallowed hard. "Morning," he managed, trying to sound casual, though the flutter in his chest betrayed him.
Adrian's gaze lingered. "You slept well?" he asked, tilting his head slightly. It was a simple question, yet the way he asked it made Ethan feel exposed, vulnerable.
"I… I guess," Ethan replied, shifting uncomfortably. "The room's fine." He tried to keep his tone neutral, to mask the way Adrian's presence seemed to make his Omega instincts stir despite his suppressants.
Adrian's lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "Good." He paused, then added, almost as an afterthought, "Breakfast is in thirty minutes. You will come down."
"Yes, sir," Ethan said automatically, the words tasting bitter on his tongue.
Adrian turned and left without another word, leaving Ethan alone with a mixture of dread and intrigue. The young Omega couldn't deny the pull he felt toward the Alpha, even though he tried to convince himself it was only fear.
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Breakfast was served in the grand dining hall. Crystal chandeliers hung overhead, casting prisms of light across the polished marble floor. Adrian already sat at the head of the table, reading reports on his tablet. His posture was rigid, unyielding—a king surveying his domain.
Ethan hesitated at the doorway. Adrian's piercing gaze lifted just long enough to acknowledge him.
"Sit," Adrian commanded, not harshly, but with absolute authority. Ethan felt the pull of instinct to obey, despite his determination to resist.
He seated himself across from Adrian, who didn't offer a single word of small talk. Instead, Adrian's eyes scanned him, calculating. Ethan clenched his fists beneath the table, refusing to show any hint of submission.
"Your suppressants?" Adrian asked suddenly, leaning forward slightly. The Alpha's voice had dropped to a softer tone, yet the weight behind it made Ethan's heart race.
"They… work," Ethan replied cautiously, unsure of how much to reveal.
Adrian's eyes glinted. "Are you certain? I can sense… anomalies. Subtle, but noticeable."
Ethan's pulse quickened. How could this man—this cold, perfect Alpha—sense anything at all? "I… I'm fine," he said, forcing a smile.
Adrian leaned back, his expression unreadable. "Good. Because you will need all your control here. The household, the public, our families… everyone will watch you. Mistakes are costly."
Ethan nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. Adrian's words were both warning and promise. He understood instinctively that this marriage would not be simple.
The silence stretched as they ate. Ethan tried to focus on the food, but his mind wandered. Every movement Adrian made—the way he reached for his cup, the slight flex of his hand—seemed charged with unspoken intent. Ethan felt a warmth spread through his chest, a mix of fear, irritation, and undeniable attraction.
After breakfast, Adrian stood and addressed the staff. "Ethan will be staying here permanently. Treat him as family, but remember—he is mine first and foremost."
The words hit Ethan like ice. "Mine?" he whispered under his breath.
Adrian caught it. His eyes locked onto Ethan's, dark and intent. "Instincts are difficult to ignore, Ethan. You will learn that soon enough."
Ethan's cheeks flamed. He wanted to argue, to resist, but a strange thrill ran through him. The Alpha's possessiveness was palpable, and though he hated it, part of him felt… alive.
The next hours passed in a blur. Ethan was introduced to the sprawling villa, shown the rules, and informed of his obligations. Every instruction was delivered with precision, yet beneath the rigid exterior, Ethan sensed Adrian's attention lingering on him more than necessary.
By evening, Ethan's nerves were frayed. He escaped to the balcony, seeking solace in the cool night air. The city sprawled beneath him, glittering with lights, but it felt distant. His thoughts were consumed by Adrian—the way his presence seemed to invade every corner of Ethan's mind.
Footsteps approached. Ethan turned to see Adrian standing there, arms crossed, eyes fixed on him.
"You're thinking about what I said," Adrian remarked softly. "About instincts."
Ethan stiffened. "I… I'm thinking about how ridiculous this all is. That we're supposed to… live together, under this… contract."
Adrian's expression softened slightly, but only in a way that made Ethan's heart pound. "Contracts can be binding… but instincts are stronger. You will feel it eventually."
"And if I resist?" Ethan asked, almost defiantly, though his voice betrayed the tremor in his chest.
Adrian took a step closer. "Then you'll learn that some things… cannot be resisted." His words lingered, heavy with unspoken meaning.
Ethan backed up slightly, trying to regain composure. But inside, he knew he was already losing. His Omega instincts, suppressed for years, fluttered weakly at the edges of awareness. He could feel the pull of Adrian's Alpha presence, strong and undeniable.
The night ended with no resolution, only tension. Ethan returned to his room, mind spinning. The Alpha, the contract, the instincts—all of it collided inside him, leaving him breathless and confused.
As he lay in bed, he realized something that both terrified and intrigued him: this marriage was not just a business arrangement. It was a storm, and he was at its center.
And storms, Ethan knew, were impossible to ignore.