Crap.
Lately, life has been so hectic that everyone seems to forget one of the most basic things about secondary gender presentation.
When an alpha or omega manifests their secondary gender, their rut or heat typically follows soon after.
No one in the family expected Wang Yibo's first heat to strike so suddenly.
Especially since he had shown no obvious symptoms, no signs of restlessness or rising pheromone levels, nothing to raise alarm. Because of that, his unexpected heat caught everyone off guard.
Xiao Zhan immediately summoned the family driver and brought along one of their trusted bodyguards to accompany him to the school.
And as soon as they arrived, he moved quickly, nearly sprinting through the familiar hallways until he reached the school clinic.
"Young Master Xiao!" one of the nurses called out as he stepped inside.
"Where is my brother?" Zhan demanded.
"He's this way, Young Master," the nurse replied quickly, turning to lead him down the hall.
They stopped in front of one of the private clinic rooms, and the nurse gently pushed the door open.
What greeted Xiao Zhan was an overwhelming thick wave of omega pheromones hitting him like a storm, clinging to the air with oppressive intensity.
He inhaled involuntarily, and immediately regretted it.
Though he would never admit it aloud, the scent affected him more than he expected.
Years of strict self-discipline, of training himself to resist the draw of omega pheromones and the biological pull they carried, had always worked before. He prided himself on his ability to stay in control, to be unaffected no matter who or what tried to sway him.
But this…
This was different.
He stumbled slightly, needing to press a hand against the cold wall to steady himself. His breathing hitched, and it took all his strength to hide the way his body tensed. He clenched his jaw, forcing himself to focus, to stay composed.
Maybe because it was Yibo's first heat that's why the scent was so overwhelming, rich, and potent that even someone like Xiao Zhan, who had turned away every flirtation and seduction tossed his way over the years, found it difficult to ignore.
It had to be because this was Yibo's very first heat.
After all, Zhan was still unmated.
It was natural for him to be affected by an omega's pheromone if not for his strong self-control for resisting them.
Yes, that must be it, he told himself.
The body didn't know how to contain it yet, and so it spilled out in waves, uncontrolled and intense.
That had to be the reason the air in the room felt so thick, like it clung to his skin and slipped under his collar, stirring every primal instinct he'd long since buried.
He drew a slow, steady breath…then another, and did everything in his power to keep his composure.
He couldn't afford to falter.
Not here.
Not now that Yibo's vulnerable and in need of someone by his side to make sure that he's fine.
"Yibo," Xiao Zhan called softly as he approached the bed where his younger brother lay, his face streaked with tears, every feature contorted in discomfort and distress.
The room was heavy with the scent of omega pheromones, thick and sweet, and it pained Zhan to see him in such a vulnerable state.
Before Yibo could respond, the attending doctor turned to him instead.
"Young Master Xiao! Thank goodness you've arrived. Where is President Wang?" the doctor asked urgently.
Zhan didn't spare him a glance. His only concern now was Yibo. He moved to the bedside and gently took Yibo's hand in his own, his touch warm and grounding, silently reassuring his brother that he was here… that he would take care of everything now.
"Papa's overseas," he said calmly. "He's attending a business conference."
"And Madam Wang?" the doctor pressed.
"They're together," Zhan answered.
"What?" The doctor's face paled with concern. "Then... who will take Young Master Wang home and care for him? This is his first heat."
"I'm aware," Zhan replied with a sharp edge to his voice. "I'm not an idiot. I was there when his secondary gender manifested. I know exactly what this is."
"My apologies, Young Master Xiao. I didn't mean to question your awareness. It's just… this is a critical moment for your brother. His first heat leaves him incredibly sensitive, emotionally and physically. Ideally, his parents should be the ones caring for him right now."
"What exactly are you trying to say?" Zhan's tone hardened, his eyes narrowing. "Mama and Papa are returning as soon as they can. I've already contacted them. They'll be on the next available flight. They'll be back by tonight."
"Tonight?" the doctor echoed, clearly unsatisfied. "But Young Master Wang needs proper care immediately. His condition is delicate."
Zhan's patience thinned. "I said I know. What is your problem? I'm here. I'm fully capable of taking care of him."
"I mean no offense, Young Master, but…" the doctor hesitated, then chose his words carefully, "You are an unmated alpha. And this is Young Master Wang's first heat. The situation is biologically volatile. It could be risky for both of you."
A cold fury flickered in Zhan's eyes. "Then you should be more concerned about your medical license, because if anything happens to my brother, I'll make sure you never practice medicine again!"
"Young Master—"
"Enough," Zhan commanded with finality, leaving no room for argument.
He turned his attention back to Yibo, whose body was trembling slightly, skin flushed, eyes dazed from the overwhelming wave of hormones.
Gently, Zhan helped him up, supporting him with care.
Even as the powerful omega scent in the air began to affect him, weakening his limbs and clouding his focus, he forced himself to remain steady.
He refused to let Yibo see even a flicker of hesitation.
Drawing on sheer willpower, he held Yibo upright, cradling him protectively against his chest. With the assistance of the bodyguard who accompanied him, Zhan carefully guided his brother out of the sterile room and into the waiting car parked just outside.
His vision swam for a moment as the concentrated pheromones continued to flood his senses, but he kept his expression calm.
No one was going to touch Yibo.
No one else was going to decide what was best for him.
Not when Zhan was here.
Not while he could still stand and breathe and fight for him.
The doctor watched silently, torn between concern and fear, knowing better than to challenge the stubborn Xiao heir any further.
Inside the car, Zhan gently helped Yibo settle into the seat, brushing the sweat-damp hair from his brother's forehead.
Yibo clung to his hand even in his half-conscious state, as if he knew despite the haze of instinct and heat that Zhan was the only safe place he had right now.
And Zhan, despite the pressure building in his chest and the instinctive pull of alpha to an omega, held on even tighter.
Because he wasn't going anywhere until he's sure that Yibo was safe.