Astrophotography Omega x Astronomy Researcher Alpha
Bai Yu's parents threaten his career to force him to marry a highly compatible Alpha: his colleague's child, his childhood friend and sworn rival. But Bai Yu doesn't take it seriously.
Bai Yu: "Come on, marriage is a stupid institution that gets in the way of humanity's exploration of the universe."
His parents sneer. "Then don't come crying to the hospital when your glandular degeneration flares up."
Bai Yu: "..."
Damn, that hit the mark.
Just a few days later, while photographing the sky on a mountain 4,500 meters above sea level, he had a massive dizzy spell and a nosebleed that wouldn't stop.
Lying on a stretcher, one hand pressed to his nose, Bai Yu stared up at the blurry stars and felt clearer than ever.
Glandular degeneration wouldn't kill him, but it would destroy his career.
So he needed an Alpha, one with high enough compatibility, who wouldn't cause trouble and could preferably maintain a respectful distance.
Bai Yu declared, "For the sake of my career, I'm willing to explore this dumbass thing called marriage!"
At a family dinner after he got home, his parents brought it up again. "So, are you and Han Xingye getting married?"
Bai Yu sneered. "No way. I'm going on a blind date tomorrow. I'd never marry him in a million years."
Across the table, Han Xingye looked up and smiled inscrutably. "Is that so? Then I hope your blind date goes well."
The next day, at Bai Yu's grandfather's birthday party aboard his yacht, someone drugged both of them.
When Bai Yu woke up again, his whole body was weak. There was an unmistakable bite mark on the gland at the back of his neck, and Han Xingye lay beside him in disheveled clothes.
The door opened, and both sets of parents beamed. "Well, in that case, go register your marriage tomorrow!"
For the sake of his career, Bai Yu gritted his teeth and gave in. He even let the other man bite his gland.
But when Han Xingye went into rut, Bai Yu didn't help him. Instead, he smiled and tied him up, then personally put a muzzle on him. "Sorry. We're only married by contract. I'm under no obligation to help you."
Han Xingye said darkly, "You asked for it."
Bai Yu thought he'd accepted it.
Until the next heat came. He knelt by the bed, his whole body burning, while Han Xingye leaned against the headboard bare-chested and tried to tempt him. He released pheromones as if they cost nothing, smiling gently and obligingly. "Good boy. Crawl over and beg me. Beg, and I'll bite you."
Bai Yu could only crawl over in fury, whereupon Han Xingye yanked him into his arms and bit the back of his neck. They lost themselves in a frenzy of passion.
As his consciousness blurred, Bai Yu heard Han Xingye's voice, low and hoarse. "Hubby, I never planned to have a fake marriage with you. The drugs that day... I was the one who slipped them to you."
Han Xingye held him tight. "Your husband would even drug himself. Do you think you can get away from me?"
Bai Yu was so thoroughly ravished he wanted to die. He raged helplessly, "You're a monster, Han Xingye! You even drugged yourself!"
Theme: Protect the environment
