The mountain was too quiet.
Lin Yue felt it before anyone else did.
It started as warmth low in his abdomen.
Subtle. Almost ignorable.
He was sitting near the window ledge carved into stone, watching clouds drift past the peaks. The chick slept nearby, curled in a nest of woven cloth and feathers.
Feng Lihan was across the chamber sharpening a blade.
Mo Shan had left hours ago.
The warmth spread.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
Lin Yue's fingers tightened slightly on the stone edge.
No.
Not now.
Not here.
He inhaled.
Peach.
Stronger.
Sweeter.
Thicker.
Feng Lihan stopped sharpening mid-motion.
The metallic scrape ceased.
The air had changed.
He turned his head slowly.
"…Lin Yue."
Lin Yue didn't answer immediately.
Because the warmth was becoming heat.
His pulse quickened. Skin flushed. Breath slightly uneven.
He had crossed worlds. Fought demons. Given birth.
But Omega biology did not care about heroism.
It cared about cycles.
And crossing realms had disrupted his suppressants permanently.
"It's fine," Lin Yue muttered.
It was not fine.
The peach scent deepened.
Not just warm now.
Inviting.
Heavy.
Feng Lihan stood.
Every instinct in his body sharpened instantly.
Alpha.
Protector. Claimant. Predator.
His wings shifted slightly, feathers rustling.
"Is this… what you described?" he asked carefully.
Lin Yue laughed weakly.
"Yes."
The word came out softer than intended.
Heat.
In his old world, he would have taken suppressants. Locked himself away. Waited it out.
Here—
There were no suppressants.
Only instinct.
And one Alpha within ten steps.
The chick stirred in its nest.
Golden eyes blinking open.
It tilted its head.
Confused.
Feng Lihan moved closer, but stopped himself two steps away.
His jaw was tight.
"Tell me what you need."
Lin Yue swallowed.
That was the problem.
Omega heat was not just physical.
It triggered bonding instincts. Scent marking. Territorial reactions.
His gaze lifted slowly to Feng Lihan.
His pupils were slightly dilated.
"You might not like the answer."
Feng Lihan's voice lowered.
"Say it."
Lin Yue's breath hitched as another wave of heat rolled through him.
"I need an Alpha."
Silence filled the chamber.
Not awkward.
Not embarrassed.
Raw.
Feng Lihan stepped closer this time.
Slowly.
Carefully.
As if approaching a wild animal.
His own scent—sharp, clean, wind and smoke—began to surface unconsciously.
Not overwhelming.
But present.
Lin Yue shivered.
The reaction was immediate.
His Omega body responded before his mind could.
He grabbed Feng Lihan's sleeve without thinking.
"…Stay."
The word was small.
But it carried need.
Feng Lihan's control snapped tight around his instincts.
He crouched slightly, bringing himself level with Lin Yue.
"Will this harm you?"
"No."
"Will it harm the child?"
Lin Yue shook his head faintly.
"No."
The chick watched them both now.
Golden eyes bright.
Almost curious.
Feng Lihan lifted a hand slowly.
Paused.
Waiting for rejection.
Lin Yue leaned into the touch instead.
Heat flared sharply under his skin at contact.
His breath trembled.
In his world, Omegas were often forced.
Controlled.
Used.
Here—
Feng Lihan did not move without permission.
"Do not treat me like I'll break," Lin Yue whispered.
Feng Lihan's eyes darkened.
"I don't."
That was the difference.
Not ownership.
Not dominance.
Choice.
Lin Yue's fingers tightened in his robe.
"Then don't hold back."
The words were bold.
But his voice was unsteady.
Feng Lihan exhaled slowly.
His wings unfurled slightly—shielding the chamber entrance instinctively.
Privacy.
Protection.
He leaned closer, pressing his forehead gently against Lin Yue's.
Their scents collided.
Wind and peach.
Sharp and sweet.
The air thickened instantly.
Lin Yue gasped softly as his body reacted.
Heat surged—but this time it didn't feel wild.
It felt answered.
Grounded.
Balanced.
The chick chirped once, then curled back down, satisfied.
Golden light flickered briefly—calm.
Not flaring.
Not defensive.
Outside, the mountain wind shifted in slow spirals.
Inside, Feng Lihan wrapped his arms fully around Lin Yue.
Not to restrain.
To anchor.
Lin Yue melted into the hold.
His breathing gradually steadied.
The sharp edge of heat dulled.
Not gone.
But controlled.
Mo Shan paused outside the chamber entrance hours later.
He adjusted his glasses.
Peach scent lingered thick in the air.
He turned around immediately.
"…I will come back tomorrow."
Inside, Lin Yue was half-asleep against Feng Lihan's chest.
Exhausted.
Relieved.
Feng Lihan remained awake.
Watching.
Guarding.
His voice was low when he finally spoke.
"This world does not get to decide what you are."
Lin Yue's lips curved faintly.
"Good."
A pause.
"Because I already did."