Chapter 11: Heat Cycle (Revised)

Heat Cycle.

The emotions stirred by the alpha’s pheromones gradually calmed down.

Ning Jiu’s trembling body slowly relaxed as he lay limply on the bed.

It felt as though he had just gone through an unfamiliar climax of sensation, leaving him weak and drained.

He stared at the ceiling, body exhausted yet mind strangely alert.

The rain had softened.

The soundproof glass blocked most of the noise, leaving only the little cat’s heavy breathing echoing in the room.

The cat did not sleep the entire night.

It was the first time his body had reacted so intensely to alpha pheromones.

Exciting.

Embarrassing.

Addictive, like catnip itself.

As his body settled, the stabbing ache at the back of his neck sharpened into focus.

It pulsed rhythmically, prickling along his nerves.

He touched the slightly swollen gland through the blocker patch, pressing and rubbing gently.

A wave of unbearable pleasure ran through him.

It felt like the onset of heat.

Yet different from every previous time.

The cream-scented pheromones on his body had grown too strong.

He forced himself up and washed repeatedly under hot water, trying to scrub away the scent.

He layered two, then three blocker patches over his nape.

Did Sir have omega suppressants at home.

He searched the medical kit for a long time.

He found only alpha calming agents.

There had never been an omega in this house before.

Aunt Chen had not exaggerated when she praised Sir.

At dawn, the sleepless cat warmed a glass of milk and placed it by Mu Jingyi’s bedside.

The omega scent lingering in the room had faded somewhat.

The rich aroma of heated milk resembled sweetness enough that Ning Jiu hoped it would mask everything.

He crouched by the bedside table, planning to write a small note.

The sudden alarm startled him.

His tail fluffed up instantly.

The pen in his hand clattered to the wooden floor.

He bent to retrieve it, tail swaying high in the air.

“Kitty, what are you doing?”

Mu Jingyi opened his eyes to the sight of a raised tail before him.

“I—ah!”

Startled, Ning Jiu lifted his head too quickly and bumped into the bed frame.

He sat up holding his head, eyes watering.

He glanced accusingly at the bed frame but said nothing.

“Come here.

Let me see.”

Mu Jingyi pulled him closer and brushed aside silver hair to inspect.

There was no swelling, no broken skin.

Long-haired cats had their advantages.

“What were you doing here?”

His hand rested gently on the cat’s head.

Ning Jiu handed him the warm milk.

“Sir didn’t sleep well.

Kitty wanted you to drink milk…”

He avoided eye contact, fingers tightening around the warm glass.

Mu Jingyi smiled softly.

“Thank you, kitty.”

The warmth seeped into his palms and into his chest.

The milk tasted unusually sweet.

It reminded him faintly of cream.

Of his omega’s scent.

“I really like it.

It’s the sweetest milk I’ve ever had.”

Ning Jiu stiffened, then quietly relaxed.

“As long as Sir likes it.

I’ll go heat breakfast.”

He fled the room quickly.

Another second of eye contact and he feared he would give himself away.

Mu Jingyi sat on the bed, puzzled.

Kitty was acting strange today.

Later, wherever Mu Jingyi went—kitchen, living room—Ning Jiu followed.

Each time he turned, he found wide blue eyes watching him, tail swaying.

“Does kitty want something?”

Mu Jingyi stirred his freshly brewed coffee.

The alpha ignored the faint swelling at his own nape.

He could not smell his pheromones at all.

Even if catnip filled the room, he would not notice.

But Ning Jiu noticed.

The faint scent hooked him like a line.

He followed unconsciously, absorbing the subtle pheromones.

His body craved it.

The comfort was partial.

Teasing.

Never enough.

He did not dare ask for more.

In the factory, omegas were tools.

They provided what was required.

They did not ask.

He had once promised himself to behave.

To stay.

To not overstep.

“Curious?

Do you want to try?”

Mu Jingyi offered the coffee.

Ning Jiu took a sip.

The bitterness exploded on his tongue.

His fur nearly stood on end.

Eyes wide, brows twisted in agony.

He almost threw the cup.

Was this punishment for stealing pheromones.

He tried to force himself to finish it, but Mu Jingyi quickly stopped him.

“Kitty, if you don’t like it, don’t drink it.”

He took the coffee back calmly.

Even expensive beans could not hide coffee’s bitterness.

His job required it.

“Wow…”

Ning Jiu stared at him in awe as he drank.

“Sir is amazing…”

Mu Jingyi laughed and stroked his ears.

The burdens of work faded for a moment.

“I’m heading to work.

See you tonight.”

The door closed.

Ning Jiu’s raised tail drooped immediately.

The absence began to hollow him out.

The lingering pheromones only made it worse.

The discomfort intensified gradually.

Not sudden like before.

But drawn out.

Like a slow tide rising.

This truly was heat.

It spread through him like a quiet stream.

Gentle at first.

Then unbearable.

The fading alpha scent became poison wrapped in sugar.

He curled into the sofa, clutching the alpha calming agent.

He did not know whether it would harm him.

He hesitated.

“Kitty, are you alright?”

Aunt Chen’s voice cut through the haze.

Ning Jiu seized her sleeve like a lifeline.

His face and joints were flushed pink.

The cream scent around him was sweet and thick.

His tear-filled blue eyes shimmered.

In the early stage of heat, his voice grew soft and damp with emotion.

“Aunt Chen… could you please help me buy omega suppressants?”