Please Stop Pretending

[A proud, aloof top who can't communicate and pretends he doesn't care (Xu He) x a seemingly meek bottom who's actually adored by everyone (Nan Xin)]

Xu He's pheromone receptors have a congenital defect. He can't smell any omega's pheromones, and his rut, which comes once every three months, is always exceptionally difficult. That is, until Nan Xin, his arranged-marriage partner, enters his life.

When Nan Xin first moves into his penthouse, Xu He tells him with a cold expression, "I'm not interested in you."

Later, he discovers that plenty of high-quality alphas are eyeing the omega he claims not to be interested in: the flirtatious Xie Like, the gentle and considerate Lu Qingxian, the sweet and straightforward puppy-like Song Xu... And his wife's old flame, Zhou Yanyun, is a scheming, sweet-faced black-hearted type!

At last, the guy who kept saying he wasn't interested stops pretending!

[ Xu He's first rut ]

1. He stops pretending: he wants to cuddle with his wife every chance he gets

"Xu He," Nan Xin says, coming to his senses and trying to push Xu He away. "Let go of me." But the alpha in front of him only holds him tighter, burying his face in the crook of Nan Xin's neck and sighing softly. "I can't be without you."

2. He stops pretending: he's possessive and jealous to the extreme

Xu He wraps one arm around his waist from behind, repeatedly brushing his nose against the small patch of skin behind Nan Xin's ear. His breath is warm, and Nan Xin stiffens instantly. Turning his face slightly, he says softly to the person on the phone, "Senior, I'll hang up now..."

At the word "senior," Xu He's expression turns cold. He bites the ear of the omega in his arms, red-hot from the bite, and asks, "Who was that?"

Who keeps coveting my wife?!

[Even the flirty, scheming old flame can't hold back anymore, turning into a gloomy male ghost]

Zhou Yanyun straightens Nan Xin's collar, his cool fingertips seemingly brushing over the omega's neck by accident. He watches Nan Xin's lashes tremble, the corners of his lips lifting as he speaks in an unbearably aggrieved tone. "Wasn't I the one you liked?"

[In the end, Nan Xin realizes none of these alphas are any good: Bye, I'm off to France to focus on my career!]

Three years later, Nan Xin graduates and returns home, becoming a renowned oil painter. He reunites with Xu He, who has founded a private aerospace company. But Nan Xin has changed completely. Sorry, a guy who pretends not to care deserves to chase his wife through a crematorium~

One day, the usually cool and composed alpha has red eyes, his gray-blue gaze fixed on Nan Xin, silent and stubborn.

Nan Xin smiles, but his eyes remain utterly calm. "What is it? I don't have the pheromones you need anymore, so why are you still clinging to me, Young Master Xu?"

A top who says he doesn't care but can't help showing it. Only his rut can tear down that icy facade.

* One-on-one romance, engaged first and falling in love later, happy ending.

* The bottom has a universally adored quality. The top and bottom only have feelings for each other.

* An immature, old-school work from the author. Please forgive its shortcomings. It is extremely slow-burn and extremely melodramatic, with lots of potential triggers, so please steer clear if needed!

* The bottom is very meek early on. The groveling arc comes much later.

* Side couple: Lu Qingxian x Chen Chi.

>>> Here's a new work I'm planning to write :D

The Hound's Trainee Period

Lin Nian, the only inferior Alpha in the boy band Onyx. He's long since grown used to his teammates' mockery and disdain. He thought he could escape it all once he became famous, but instead, an unexpected death came his way.

Reborn, all he wants is to scrape by and stay alive. But it starts with an unexpected kiss after he pretends to be drunk, followed by a werewolf game on a deserted island, a friend's mysterious suicide, and inexplicable wounds appearing on his body... He has no choice but to investigate the truth behind his death in his previous life.

Meanwhile, the four members of his group begin to treat him differently:

[1. Song Yuzhao]

In his previous life, Song Yuzhao saw him as a rival in love and targeted him at every turn. But when Lin Nian deliberately keeps his distance, Song Yuzhao's eyes turn red as he demands, "Don't you like Shi Yu? Who's that omega?"

"Isn't that what you wanted? No one's trying to steal him from you anymore..." Before he can finish, the young alpha suddenly presses his lips against Lin Nian's.

Lin Nian: What kind of rabid dog bites everyone it sees?

[2. Li Jing]

Li Jing is cold and distant, always acting as if none of it concerns him. In his previous life, he shut Lin Nian out without mercy. This time, however, Lin Nian accidentally discovers Li Jing's hidden illness.

"It's happening again." The black-haired, cold-faced alpha traps him in his arms, pressing a knee between Lin Nian's legs. "Help me."

Lin Nian: Help with what? How?

[3. Xie Qi]

In a werewolf game, Cupid's arrow links him and Xie Qi as a "couple." Their fates are tied together, and they live and die as one. But after the game ends, Xie Qi seems to go from being his comrade-in-arms to standing against him.

"Since we're a couple," Xie Qi says, slowly removing his glasses, "shouldn't we do something couples are supposed to do?"

Lin Nian: What do couples do?

[4. Shi Yu]

Shi Yu was the love Lin Nian could never have in his previous life. This gentle and kind S-class omega was like the bright moon hanging high above, shining on everyone but him. In this life, Lin Nian avoids Shi Yu like the plague, but Shi Yu still keeps closing in on him.

"I hate how popular you are." Shi Yu's expression turns gloomy as he sheds his usual meek, gentle demeanor. "Wouldn't it be better if nobody wanted you, like before? Then no one would try to steal you from me."

As the truth behind his death comes together piece by piece, Lin Nian realizes that there may not be a single person in the group he can trust...

When will death come for him this time?

A beautiful, strong, tragic bottom (Lin Nian) and...

1. Says he doesn't care but shows it, and loves to act spoiled: Song Yuzhao

2. Aloof creative genius: Li Jing

3. Gloomy male ghost and old flame: Shi Yu

4. Cold, sharp-tongued control freak: Xie Qi

* The title is The Hound's Trainee Period, also known as After Being Reborn, All My Teammates Fell for Me. If it sounds interesting, please add it to your favorites. Pretty please ovo

Theme: True love can melt even the iciest heart