Part 2
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 wonât be able to handle it.”
Bai He took the mask and glanced around. No one else was wearing one, so he asked, “Arenât you all wearing them?”
“This mask hasnât gone into mass production yet. The hospital doesnât have many. The lead physician closest to the patient needs one, but we have to ensure the volunteerâs safety, so itâs for you. Just put it on quickly,” the staff member urged, patting Bai Heâs 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, youâll go into heat in seconds.”
Bai Heâs eyebrows furrowed instinctively.
The staff member smiled. “Donât worry. This barrier mask can completely block alpha pheromones. Itâs absolutely safe. Itâs 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 didnât go further. Bai He noticed that the staff memberâs 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 couldnât 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, “Itâs you? The volunteer?”
Bai He nodded. “Yes, itâs me.”
After a brief pause, he asked, “Is the patient Qin Yao?”
It wasnât hard to guess. Bai He was very familiar with Qin Yaoâs pheromones. The top notes carried a faint scent of fruit wine, while the mid-tones had a dry woody fragrance.
But clearly, this wasnât the top note he was smelling now. The brief whiff of pheromones heâd caught earlier was a mix of strong wine and an overwhelming woodiness. The two mingled, creating a sensation Bai He couldnât quite describe.
It felt both mysterious and exposed.
For a brief moment, Bai He felt extremely agitated.
Chen Wenshengâs expression was unreadable as he quickly grew serious. “I need to explain Qin Yaoâs condition to you first.”
“His illness is essentially pheromone congestion. This condition isnât 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 doctorâs face was full of frustration. “Qin Yao wonât let anyone touch his gland. Before the treatment started, he said it was okay, but when it came down to it, he wouldnât allow it. I understand this is a normal physiological reaction, but the treatment canât proceed! Weâve 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, weâre using Plan B now. Weâll rely on the pheromone synchronization between an alpha and an omega. Donât worry, weâre not asking you to bite him. We canât 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 weâll 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 isnât a pleasant place. Donât be shocked. Weâll 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, “donât get close to him. Donât 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 isnât punishment. Itâs 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 didnât 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 didnât 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 didnât 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.
âBai He?â
âWhat are you doing here?â
Bai Heâs fingers curled and then relaxed. He met the narrowing gaze of Qin Yao and steadily increased the intensity of his pheromone release.
âIâm your therapy companion.â
Bai Heâs 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.
âDonât joke around, darling,â Qin Yao muttered, his eyes burning and his breath heavy. âBe good, and leave.â
Bai He couldnât clearly see Qin Yaoâs 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 roomâs intercom came Chen Wenshengâs urgent voice, laced with static, as if it could shatter the isolation room.
âDonât get close to him, Bai He! Step back!â
Bai He paused and stopped when he was just one step away from Qin Yao. He tilted his head up and met Qin Yaoâs bloodshot eyes.
Qin Yao pressed the tip of his tongue against the roof of his mouth, leaned down, and reached out to touch Bai Heâs face. At this distance, he could only touch him but couldnât grab hold.
Bai He heard Qin Yao chuckle lightly, his voice low as he asked, âNot afraid?â
Bai He didnât respond.
âBai He, I feel terrible,â Qin Yao rasped, his voice pleading. âCan you hold me? Just for a moment.â
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 Yaoâs burning grip.
Qin Yaoâs breathing was erratic, his chest rising and falling uncontrollably. âLittle Bai He, have pity on me.â
âQin Yao, Iâm punishing you.â
Qin Yao lowered his head, resting his face against Bai Heâs palm. His eyes were filled with desire.
Bai He pulled his hand back and stepped away slightly. His voice was flat. âIâm a very spiteful person.â
What Bai He held a grudge over was clear. He still hadnât fully forgiven Qin Yao for deceiving him. Bai He wasnât the type to easily let things go.
âMy pheromones will be released until you calm down. Before that, youâll endure the side effects of the injection you just received.â Bai He stared into Qin Yaoâs eyes. âOur pheromone compatibility is very high, so remember, this pain is coming from the pheromones.â
Qin Yaoâs 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. ââŚWill this help you feel better?â
Bai He didnât answer.
âAlrightâŚâ Qin Yao buried his head, gritting his teeth to endure the pain caused by the medication. âIf it makes you happy, I donât mindâŚâ
âQin Yao,â Bai He interrupted Qin Yaoâs soft, pitiful words, âacting weak once is acceptable, but twice or three times wonât work. Also, Iâm helping you, not forcing you.â
Bai He looked at him quietly and enunciated each word. âThis is a reward.â
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 Heâs 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. âBaby⌠this isnât a reward; itâs punishment.â
The alphaâs 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 alphaâs true nature, his innate mischief, was fully revealed. His vision was sharp, capturing the subtle changes in Bai Heâs expression, searching for the hidden traces of compassion.
Bai He was like this. Even when seeking revenge, deep down, he couldnât completely suppress his empathy.
Qin Yao had received the message loud and clear. That was enough.
He leaned back and whispered softly, âI was wrong. Forgive me.â
Bai He didnât respond, because he noticed that a certain part of Qin Yao had become even more exaggerated than before.
Recommended Reads
![[ABO] President Shou Is Not a Total Shou](https://beereads.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/the-shou-is-not-a-total-shou-214x300.jpg)
