My Alpha
Si Qi put down his pen and rubbed his temples. Papers piled up on his desk, and it was already late outside the window. He looked up at the clock on the wall—2:17 AM.
"So late again." He whispered to himself, his voice particularly clear in the empty study.
Si Qi stood up and stretched his stiff shoulders. He walked to the window and drew aside the heavy curtains. Raindrops streaked across the glass, blurring the outside world. Just like his relationship with Shao Wei, there was always an impenetrable fog between them.
As he turned to leave the study, he noticed a shadow beneath the door. Si Qi paused, his lips curling up unconsciously. He knew who it was.
Gently opened the door, and Shao Wei was standing outside, holding a cup of steaming hot water.
Seeing the door suddenly open, Shao Wei's eyes widened slightly, like a frightened deer.
"I..." Shao Wei's voice was so soft that it was almost drowned out by the sound of rain. "I see you're still awake."
Si Qi took the coffee, his fingertips carelessly brushing against the back of Shao Wei's hand. He could feel the other's momentary stiffness. The aroma of coffee filled the air between them, mingling with the faint cedar pheromones of Shao Wei.
"Thank you." Si Qi said, then stepped aside to make way. "Would you like to come in?"
Shao Wei shook his head and took a step back: "I won't disturb you from working." Then he turned and was about to leave.
"Shao Wei." Si Qi called him, "Do you stand outside the door like this every day?"
Shao Wei's back stiffened for a moment. He didn't answer, but simply walked away quickly. Si waited for him to disappear down the hallway and took a sip of his coffee. It had just the right sweetness and richness, just like Shao Wei himself, always knowing what he wanted.
Back in his study, Si Qi discovered that the previously troublesome financial model on his computer screen had been adjusted without him noticing. He chuckled and clicked on the modification log—1:53 AM. He had gone out to answer a phone call at that time.
"You're secretly helping me again." Si Qi murmured, and a strange warmth rose in his chest.
The next morning, when Si Qi came downstairs, Shao Wei was already sitting at the dining table, reading the newspaper. Sunlight streamed through the French windows, casting a soft golden edge on his stern profile. On the table lay a simple breakfast: fried eggs, toast, and fruit.
Si Qi sat down, and the two of them ate their breakfast in silence. This had been their normal routine for the past three years of marriage—as quiet as two strangers sharing a house.
"There's a dinner party today." Si Qi suddenly said, "It's arranged by the family, and you need to attend."
Shao Wei put down the newspaper and nodded: "Okay."
No unnecessary questions, no complaints. Shao Wei was always like this, calmly accepting every arrangement. Si Qi sometimes wondered if he asked Shao Wei to jump off a cliff, he would probably say "OK" in the same nonchalant way.
"Representatives from the Shao family will also be here." Si Qi added, observing Committee Member Shao's reaction.
Shao Wei's fingers gently rubbed the edge of the newspaper, a subtle movement he made when he felt uneasy. "I understand," he said.
Si Qi wanted to say something else, but in the end he just stood up and straightened his suit: "I'm leaving."
"Be careful on the road." Shao Wei's voice came from behind, so soft that it was almost inaudible.
In the company, Si Qi's assistant handed him a document: "Mr. Si, this is Mr. Shao's physical examination report that you requested."
Si Qi frowned: "I didn't ask for this."
The assistant looked confused: "But didn't you send an email yesterday..."
Si Qi suddenly understood something and took the document: "It's okay, you can go out."
Closing the door, Si Qi flipped through the documents. Shao Wei's last physical exam was two weeks ago, and all indicators were normal, except... Si Qi's gaze stopped at the last page, and his pupils suddenly contracted.
"Pheromone disorder, late stage, estimated life expectancy: 3-6 months."
The paper trembled in his hands. Si Qi read the words over and over again, as if he couldn't understand them. Pheromone disorder is extremely rare among Alphas and is almost incurable. His mind flashed back to Shao Wei's recently pale complexion and his constant excuse of "just a little tired."
"This idiot..." Si Qi gritted his teeth, but felt a sharp pain spreading from his chest.
At seven o'clock in the evening, Shao Wei appeared at the door of the banquet hall on time. He was wearing a dark blue suit, which made his skin look even colder and whiter. Si Qi watched him from a distance and suddenly realized that Shao Wei had lost a lot of weight since his last public appearance.
"Siqi!" A sweet voice interrupted his thoughts. The Omega girl took his arm and said, "Long time no see. I heard that you've been..."
Si Qi pulled his arm away without leaving a trace: "Ms. Lin, please respect yourself. I have a family." His eyes passed over the girl and locked onto Shao Wei, who was surrounded by the Shao family.
Shao Wei stood there, expressionless, listening to the lectures from the family elders. Si Qi knew what they were talking about—it was nothing more than blaming him, an Alpha, for willingly becoming another Alpha's mate and bringing shame to the Shao family.
Anger burned in Si Qi's chest. He strode over and, in full view of everyone, put his arm around Shao Wei's waist. "Sorry to interrupt you all, I need to borrow my spouse."
Without waiting for the Shao family to react, he took Shao Wei away from that suffocating little circle.
"Thank you." Shao Wei said in a low voice.
Si Qi didn't let go of his hand: "Do they often treat you like this?"
Shao Wei shook his head slightly: "I'm used to it."
Those two words stung Si Qi. He recalled the diagnosis on his medical report, and the expression on Shao Wei's face when he'd said, "Life is inherently meaningless." He suddenly realized that he might never truly understand the person he'd shared a bed with for three years.
Halfway through the banquet, Si Qi realized Shao Wei was missing. He searched the entire venue and finally found him on the terrace. Shao Wei was leaning against the railing, holding a glass of champagne but not drinking it. His silhouette looked particularly thin in the moonlight.
"Feeling uncomfortable?" Si Qi walked to his side.
Shao Wei seemed startled, then shook his head: "I just need to take a breath."
Si Qi noticed a layer of fine beads of sweat on his forehead: "Let's go back."
"No, this is an important occasion, you can't..."
"I said, go back." Si Qi interrupted him, his tone leaving no room for questioning.
On the way back, they were both silent. The rain started to fall again, tapping on the car window like countless tiny fingertips asking questions.
After arriving home, Shao Wei went straight to the bathroom. Si Qi sat in the living room, listening to the sound of water, and thought of the times he had pretended not to know—Shao Wei getting up in the middle of the night to take painkillers, his slightly trembling shoulders as he cleaned up alone after a sensitive period, and the ever-quiet shadow outside the study door.
The sound of water stopped. Shao Wei came out in his pajamas and was obviously stunned when he saw Si Qi still in the living room.
"You need to rest." Si Qi said, "From today on, you are not allowed to stay up late waiting for me."
A hint of surprise flashed across Shao Wei's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and said, "Okay."
This submissive answer suddenly infuriated Si Qi. He stood up and approached Shao Wei: "Is that all you can say 'yes'? Is there anything you want to say to me? Anything?"
Shao Wei took a step back and bumped into the wall. His breathing became rapid and his face turned pale. "I... didn't."
"You're lying!" Si Qi punched the wall. "What's wrong with your medical report? What's with the pheromone disorder? What's with the three months thing?"
Shao Wei's pupils contracted, and his lips trembled slightly: "You... know."
"Why can't I know?" Si Qi's voice was hoarse. "I am your mate, your Alpha!"
Shao Wei suddenly smiled, a smile so fragile it was heartbreaking. "But we're not really married, are we? It's just a deal, a show."
The rain grew heavier, and thunder rumbled in the distance. Si Qi felt dizzy and grabbed Shao Wei's shoulders. "Who told you this was an act?"
"No need for anyone to tell me." Shao Wei's voice was as light as a feather. "You never touch me, except when I'm susceptible. We live like two strangers. There are always Omegas around you..."
"I reject every one of them!" Si Qi roared.
"Because of the spirit of the contract, because you said 'I am his man'." Shao Wei retorted calmly, "but not because of love."
Si Qi was speechless. He remembered that he had never said he loved Shao Wei, or even given him a real hug. He had thought his actions were enough, that Shao Wei understood what it meant to reject all Omegas, that those late-night coffees and secret problems he'd solved were a tacit understanding that needed no words.
"Shao Wei..." Si Qi let go of his hand, his voice suddenly becoming fragile, "I..."
Shao Wei shook his head and walked past him: "It's okay, Siqi. I don't need your pity. In three months, you will be free."
Si Qi stood there, listening to Shao Wei's footsteps fade away. The rain pounded against the window like an endless accusation.
The next morning, when Si Qi woke up, he found that Shao Wei had already left. There was no breakfast on the table, only a note: "I'm away on business for a few days, don't worry."
These five simple words made Si Qi feel an unprecedented panic. He immediately called Shao Wei, but was told that the other party's phone was turned off.
Three days later, Shao Wei returned. Si Qi received a call from his housekeeper at the company and immediately dropped all his work and rushed home. He rushed into the bedroom and saw Shao Wei packing his luggage.
"What are you doing?" Si Qi asked.
Shao Wei didn't look up: "I want to move to the guest room."
"Why?"
"This is good for both you and me." Shao Wei finally looked at him, his eyes frighteningly calm. "I've already contacted a lawyer and drafted a divorce agreement."
Si Qi was struck by lightning: "What?"
"I don't have much time left anyway." Shao Wei said softly, "It's better to give you freedom sooner rather than later."
Si Qi rushed forward, snatched the clothes from Shao Wei's hand and threw them aside: "Don't even think about it!"
Shao Wei looked at him quietly: "Why? You obviously don't love me."
"Who said I don't love you?" Si Qi practically yelled, "I love you so much I'm going crazy!"
The air froze instantly. Shao Wei's eyes widened slightly, as if he had heard the most incredible words in the world.
Si Qi seized the opportunity and pulled Shao Wei into his arms. "Why do you think I chose you? Why did I reject all other Omegas? Why did I remember your favorite coffee flavor?" His voice choked. "I watch you every day, Shao Wei. Through the crack in the study door, through the office surveillance, when you were asleep... I greedily memorize your every expression and every word like a pervert."
Shao Wei was as stiff as a piece of wood in his arms: "But you said...marriage is just..."
"That was my stupidity!" Si Qi tightened his arms. "I thought Alphas didn't need those cheesy words. I thought you knew... Oh my God, Shao Wei, how could you think I didn't love you?"
Shao Wei's body began to tremble slightly: "Siqi..."
"No divorce," Si Qi ordered, his voice pleading. "Don't leave me. Let's work together to find a way to cure your illness, even if it means traveling all over the world..."
Shao Wei suddenly pushed him away, a complex light flashing in his eyes: "This is unfair. You said you loved me when I was about to..."
"No." Si Qi shook his head. "It's not that I love you now, I have always loved you. It's just that I was too proud and too stupid to think that you would know it even if I didn't say it."
The rain began to fall again. Shao Wei stood at the intersection of light and shadow, like a fading watercolor. Si Qi felt an unprecedented fear—he might lose this person forever, just when he had just realized how much he cared.
"Give me a chance, Shao Wei." Si Qi held out his hand, his voice so soft it was almost inaudible, "Let me prove it to you."
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