The person on the other end gave the address, which happened to be the same hospital Bai He had visited before. It seemed legitimate.
He grabbed a jacket from his closet, put on his shoes, and headed out. "The dorms have curfew checks at night. I’ll need you to explain that to them later," Bai He said into the phone.
The caller quickly agreed, and Bai He hung up. He hurried downstairs, left the campus, and hailed a taxi to the hospital.
The city was still lively in the evening, filled with cheerful noise—everywhere except the hospital.
When Bai He arrived, the medical staff who had registered him was waiting outside, looking close to tears upon seeing him. Bai He could smell pheromones on them, familiar and laced with aggression.
These weren’t the staff member’s own pheromones; they had been contaminated by the patient’s pheromones clinging to their lab coat. The smell was already dissipating somewhat in the breeze.
Following the staff member, Bai He entered a large building. He remembered this place—it was where he had previously seen many "pets" and where he had encountered Qin Yao.
His heart tightened inexplicably as they hurried to the fifth-floor isolation treatment area. The number of medical personnel increased as they went, and everyone looked tense and busy.
Bai He took another step forward, but suddenly a familiar yet strange pheromone flooded over him, pinning him in place. The pheromone was overwhelmingly strong, making it hard for him to breathe.
The staff member ahead of him stopped and quickly doubled back, handing Bai He a barrier mask. "Almost forgot. You need to wear this, or you won’t be able to handle it."
Bai He took the mask and glanced around. No one else was wearing one, so he asked, "Aren’t you all wearing them?"
"This mask hasn’t gone into mass production yet. The hospital doesn’t have many. The lead physician closest to the patient needs one, but we have to ensure the volunteer’s safety, so it’s for you. Just put it on quickly," the staff member urged, patting Bai He’s shoulder. Their face twisted slightly with stress. "The patient inside is difficult to handle, and your pheromone match with him is 98.3%. Without the mask, you’ll go into heat in seconds."
Bai He’s eyebrows furrowed instinctively.
The staff member smiled. "Don’t worry. This barrier mask can completely block alpha pheromones. It’s absolutely safe. It’s much more effective than any patches or sprays."
Bai He understood. Time was pressing. The staff member led him to the door of the isolation treatment room but didn’t go further. Bai He noticed that the staff member’s face was already mottled with pressure. He put on the barrier mask, which wrapped halfway around his face and extended down to cover his gland and mouth. It even had adjustable settings, somewhat resembling a gas mask. Bai He couldn’t sense any pheromones in the air at all.
As he walked down the corridor, a doctor wearing a barrier mask suddenly appeared around the corner, nearly bumping into him. Chen Wensheng, moving swiftly, sidestepped just in time.
Bai He recognized him, and Chen Wensheng immediately recognized Bai He as well.
The alpha doctor, who had been full of irritation just moments ago, was now stunned. He looked down at the volunteer registration form in his hands and exclaimed in disbelief, "It’s you? The volunteer?"
Bai He nodded. "Yes, it’s me."
After a brief pause, he asked, "Is the patient Qin Yao?"
It wasn’t hard to guess. Bai He was very familiar with Qin Yao’s pheromones. The top notes carried a faint scent of fruit wine, while the mid-tones had a dry woody fragrance.
But clearly, this wasn’t the top note he was smelling now. The brief whiff of pheromones he’d caught earlier was a mix of strong wine and an overwhelming woodiness. The two mingled, creating a sensation Bai He couldn’t quite describe.
It felt both mysterious and exposed.
For a brief moment, Bai He felt extremely agitated.
Chen Wensheng’s expression was unreadable as he quickly grew serious. "I need to explain Qin Yao’s condition to you first."
"His illness is essentially pheromone congestion. This condition isn’t that severe on its own. The problem is that his pheromones are too aggressive and prone to losing control." Chen Wensheng sighed. "Our new treatment plan involves medication, supplemented by manually piercing the gland to release the built-up pheromones."
"The issue is with the second step!" The alpha doctor’s face was full of frustration. "Qin Yao won’t let anyone touch his gland. Before the treatment started, he said it was okay, but when it came down to it, he wouldn’t allow it. I understand this is a normal physiological reaction, but the treatment can’t proceed! We’ve been stuck since the afternoon, and now his heat has been triggered because of the new medication!"
After pausing for a moment, Chen Wensheng continued, "So, we’re using Plan B now. We’ll rely on the pheromone synchronization between an alpha and an omega. Don’t worry, we’re not asking you to bite him. We can’t let him off that easily…"
Looping back to the main point, Chen Wensheng explained, "We need you to use your pheromones to calm him down, and then we’ll attempt to extract the pheromones from him."
Bai He understood and nodded. "When do we start?"
"Right now." Chen Wensheng was silent for a second before giving a straightforward explanation. "Bai He, the isolation treatment room for alphas isn’t a pleasant place. Don’t be shocked. We’ll let you in first. Your job is to try to calm him with your pheromones. Once his indicators drop below a certain threshold, the extraction team will come in."
"And remember," Chen Wensheng added very seriously, "don’t get close to him. Don’t be fooled if he shows weakness. Also…" He looked Bai He in the eyes. "Your pheromones will make him feel great. But because of the effects of the new medication, the process might cause him pain. Just remember, this isn’t punishment. It’s a reward."
Bai He was silent for a couple of seconds before nodding again. "Understood."
Inside the Isolation Treatment Room
The double doors slid open abruptly, only to close just as quickly a few seconds later. The room was large and dimly lit. Through the glass walls, the faint light from outside barely illuminated the scene inside.
The isolation room was encircled by solid walls. In the vast center of the room was a hospital bed. An alpha sat on the edge of the bed, with his back to Bai He. He didn’t move, even when he heard the sound of the door opening.
Bai He stood at the entrance. Through the dim light, he saw that Qin Yao was wearing a bite guard on his head, and his right ankle was shackled with an iron chain, which was connected to the wall.
Was this what Chen Wensheng had just mentioned about not being shocked by the scene inside?
Bai He didn’t move from his spot, and neither did Qin Yao, who sat on the bed.
After a long while, Bai He slowly raised his hand to adjust his mask. He didn’t take it off. It could still block the intrusion of external pheromones, though his own pheromones were slowly being released through a diffuser.
The coolness of Bai He's pheromones gradually seeped into the thick scent of brandy. The alpha sitting on the bed suddenly stiffened. He turned his head, and his piercing blue pupils locked onto Bai He.
Qin Yao's voice was extremely restrained.
“Bai He?”
“What are you doing here?”
Bai He’s fingers curled and then relaxed. He met the narrowing gaze of Qin Yao and steadily increased the intensity of his pheromone release.
“I’m your therapy companion.”
Bai He’s voice was calm, a stark contrast to the relentless wave of pheromones that enveloped Qin Yao.
The clinking of metal echoed softly as Qin Yao slowly moved closer, stopping three steps away from Bai He. He could go no further; the iron chain had reached its limit.
“Don’t joke around, darling,” Qin Yao muttered, his eyes burning and his breath heavy. “Be good, and leave.”
Bai He couldn’t clearly see Qin Yao’s face, but the glowing cat-like eyes were mesmerizing. Bai He quietly watched him for a long time, long enough that Qin Yao's teeth began to grind audibly.
Bai He took two steps forward, and from the room’s intercom came Chen Wensheng’s urgent voice, laced with static, as if it could shatter the isolation room.
“Don’t get close to him, Bai He! Step back!”
Bai He paused and stopped when he was just one step away from Qin Yao. He tilted his head up and met Qin Yao’s bloodshot eyes.
Qin Yao pressed the tip of his tongue against the roof of his mouth, leaned down, and reached out to touch Bai He’s face. At this distance, he could only touch him but couldn’t grab hold.
Bai He heard Qin Yao chuckle lightly, his voice low as he asked, “Not afraid?”
Bai He didn’t respond.
“Bai He, I feel terrible,” Qin Yao rasped, his voice pleading. “Can you hold me? Just for a moment.”
Bai He stared at him for a long time. He raised his hand, his fingers tracing the outline of the black bite guard. Slowly, he outlined its shape, and his hand was soon enveloped by Qin Yao’s burning grip.
Qin Yao’s breathing was erratic, his chest rising and falling uncontrollably. “Little Bai He, have pity on me.”
“Qin Yao, I’m punishing you.”
Qin Yao lowered his head, resting his face against Bai He’s palm. His eyes were filled with desire.
Bai He pulled his hand back and stepped away slightly. His voice was flat. “I’m a very spiteful person.”
What Bai He held a grudge over was clear. He still hadn’t fully forgiven Qin Yao for deceiving him. Bai He wasn’t the type to easily let things go.
“My pheromones will be released until you calm down. Before that, you’ll endure the side effects of the injection you just received.” Bai He stared into Qin Yao’s eyes. “Our pheromone compatibility is very high, so remember, this pain is coming from the pheromones.”
Qin Yao’s breathing quickened, his chest heaving more violently. His eyes seemed to glow in the dark, and his face and body were soaked with sweat. The tight iron chain produced several sharp, jarring noises.
After a long pause, Qin Yao forced a weak smile. “…Will this help you feel better?”
Bai He didn’t answer.
“Alright…” Qin Yao buried his head, gritting his teeth to endure the pain caused by the medication. “If it makes you happy, I don’t mind…”
“Qin Yao,” Bai He interrupted Qin Yao’s soft, pitiful words, “acting weak once is acceptable, but twice or three times won’t work. Also, I’m helping you, not forcing you.”
Bai He looked at him quietly and enunciated each word. “This is a reward.”
As he spoke, his gaze slowly dropped, lingering in a certain area for two seconds. He pressed his lips together and said nothing.
Just as Chen Wensheng had explained, Bai He’s pheromones would make Qin Yao feel good. And what that meant was clear to everyone.
Although Bai He appeared calm on the surface, inside, he was already feeling restless.
Realizing that his tricks had been exposed, Qin Yao chuckled softly. He tilted his head, his breathing still erratic. The sensations of pain and pleasure were overwhelming his senses. “Baby… this isn’t a reward; it’s punishment.”
The alpha’s voice trembled, carrying a hint of helpless laughter, muffled and heavy, as if he were drowning.
Qin Yao had dropped the act.
It was only in moments like these that the alpha’s true nature, his innate mischief, was fully revealed. His vision was sharp, capturing the subtle changes in Bai He’s expression, searching for the hidden traces of compassion.
Bai He was like this. Even when seeking revenge, deep down, he couldn’t completely suppress his empathy.
Qin Yao had received the message loud and clear. That was enough.
He leaned back and whispered softly, “I was wrong. Forgive me.”
Bai He didn’t respond, because he noticed that a certain part of Qin Yao had become even more exaggerated than before.
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