CHAPTER 150: THE MARK!

Theron didn’t even sense Lucien coming at all. His presence was like a silent shadow... and it was impossible to ignore once he was right there.

For a moment, Theron thought Lucien and Rin would never see each other again. It was rumoured after Rin left that Lucien was the one who exposed his identity. Rin was supposed to know about it and get angry at Lucien but seeing him now, here, in Rin’s room... lying on Rin’s bed as if he belonged there... made his blood burn.

And then Rin didn’t push him away. He didn’t scream, didn’t glare. Instead, Rin looked startled but... soft. Like he wasn’t afraid of him. Like they were familiar. In love? Maybe.

Theron’s jaw tightened.

"Rin," he said slowly, his voice low and dangerous. "What is going on here?"

He waited for Rin to give an answer but it wasn’t Rin who answered.

"It’s been a long time, Theron," Lucien’s voice cut through the air, smooth but laced with warning. His hand slid from Rin’s shoulder to his waist like a silent claim. "I didn’t expect you’d still be hovering around him."

Theron’s fingers curled into fists.

"Shut up. I wasn’t talking to you. I was asking Rin."

Rin glanced between them, lips parting, but before he could form words, Lucien deliberately spoke again... like he hadn’t even heard Theron.

"Are you done with your check-up, Rin?"

Rin blinked, hesitating. His heart thudded in his chest. Something about Lucien’s gaze always made it hard to lie or argue. Slowly, almost unconsciously, he nodded.

The next second, he was lifted.

"Wait—!" Rin gasped, drumming his fists on Lucien’s back. "Put me down, Lucien!"

Lucien ignored him, striding across the room and dropping him onto the bed. The mattress dipped under Rin’s weight, the sheets rustling. Rin scrambled upright, glaring at him.

"What are you doing!?"

Lucien leaned closer, his eyes gleaming red under the mana lamp’s light. His voice dropped, intimate and unyielding.

"I told you before, Rin. I’m going to get you pregnant."

Rin’s breath caught. His eyes widened, darting to the side... straight at Theron, who stood frozen, fury etched into his features.

But Lucien caught Rin’s chin, forcing him to face him again.

"Don’t look at him," he said sharply. "Look at me. Only me."

Theron’s chair screeched back as he shot to his feet. "You bastard...!"

But Lucien didn’t so much as flinch.

"Oh! You’re still here? I almost forgot," He turned his head lazily, his lips curling. "If you’re done here, leave."

"Lucien..." Rin started quickly, afraid the two would actually kill each other. He grabbed Lucien’s wrist, his voice softer. "Be nice you punk!"

"Huh? Punk?" Lucien asked. He had no idea what that word meant, but Rin ignored him and turned to Theron, who still wore an angry look on his face.

"Thank you for the check-up. You can leave now."

Theron froze, his eyes cutting into Rin. His throat bobbed, but no words came out. Finally, with a frown so deep it looked carved, he spun on his heel and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

The silence left behind rang loud.

Rin shoved Lucien’s chest hard and sat up, glaring at him. "Why did you do that to Theron? He wasn’t being rude."

Lucien’s eyes narrowed.

"I don’t like the way he looks at you. Or the way you let him touch you, even if it’s just for a check-up. You’ve forgotten how he always stops me from getting close to you. I wanted him to know you belong to me."

"That was two years ago and... I don’t belong to anyone!" Rin snapped, his cheeks burning.

Lucien tilted his head, his smirk sharp.

"Then let me change that."

Before Rin could ask what he meant, Lucien pulled his shirt over his head in one smooth motion. His muscles shifted under his pale skin, shadows tracing over every line. He dropped the shirt carelessly on the floor and leaned forward.

Rin instinctively shifted back on the bed, heart racing as his finger dug into the sheets.

"Lucien... what are you doing?"

"I told you," Lucien murmured, crawling closer. "I’m marking you. Tonight."

Rin swallowed hard, smirking faintly despite the heat crawling up his neck.

"Why now? Why today?"

"Why?" Lucien’s lips hovered near his ear, his voice low enough to send a shiver through Rin. "Because I can’t wait anymore."

His mouth brushed against Rin’s skin, grazing his jaw, before moving down to the curve of his neck. His fingers were already undoing the buttons of Rin’s shirt with deliberate slowness.

"Lucien..." Rin whispered. It sounded like a half-protest, half-something else.

Lucien didn’t give him a chance to argue. He kissed his neck, hard and slow, his tongue brushing over Rin’s pulse before his teeth sank in.

The pain was sharp, burning, like fire under his skin. Rin gasped, fingers clawing at the sheets, eyes squeezed shut. His body trembled, the sting overwhelming.

Lucien’s grip tightened on his waist, holding him steady as he bit deeper, claiming him. The taste of Rin’s blood hit his tongue, hot and heady, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, he pressed his mouth harder, sealing the bond.

"Ah—!" Rin’s voice broke as the ache spread from his neck through his chest. His nails dug into Lucien’s arm, his breath shaky.

Lucien finally pulled back, licking the mark softly, soothing the burn with warmth. His lips trailed over Rin’s collarbone as he whispered, "Now you’re mine."

Rin panted, chest heaving. His shirt hung half open, the bite burning against his skin. He wanted to snap back, to tell Lucien off for being so forceful... but the truth was, he couldn’t. Not when the heat still lingered in his veins, not when Lucien’s presence felt so heavy and grounding.

"Does it hurt?" Lucien whispered as he felt Rin’s finger digging a hole into his skull.

"Fuck! It does!" His voice came out low. "It really..."

He closed his eyes as his hand slipped from Lucien’s hair.

"Idiot... You could have told me,"

Lucien smirked, kissing him deeply, swallowing whatever curse Rin wanted to throw at him.

"It’s just one step left till you become mine, Rin,"

.

.

The Next Morning

Rin stood before the mirror, tugging his collar down just enough to see it.

The mark was dark, raw, impossible to hide. He sighed.

"So, this is what marking feels like..."

The system’s glowing blue screen flickered to life before his eyes.

DING!

[System Notice: Pheromone Output Reduced by 50%.]

[Ordinary Omegas lose their pheromone scent entirely after being marked. But you’re not ordinary, Host.]

"Yeah... I’m not," Rin rolled his eyes. "Thanks for the reminder."

DING!

[System Notice: During future heats, you must rely on the one who has marked you. Lucien.]

Rin folded his arms, muttering under his breath. "Great. Just great. I really have to stop being this world’s golden goose."

Behind him, a low groan.

Lucien stirred on the bed, half-naked, sheets tangled around his waist. He stretched lazily, grey eyes cracking open.

Rin blinked, cheeks heating as the memories of last night hit him. They hadn’t done anything beyond kissing and the mark... thank the stars... but still.

Lucien pushed himself up, hair messy, as Rin padded toward him. Without a word, he grabbed Rin’s wrist, pulling him to sit on the bed. His fingers brushed over the mark, tilting Rin’s chin. He leaned down and kissed it softly.

Rin flinched, shoving his shoulder.

"Stop. It still hurts."

Lucien chuckled, his lips curving.

"I can still smell your pheromones. Should I bite the other gland too? Erase it all?"

Rin’s eyes widened and he shook his head fast. "No! That’s enough. I can’t go through that pain again."

Lucien laughed low, pressing another kiss to Rin’s temple before standing. He began pulling on his clothes.

Rin pouted, frowning at him.

"You’re leaving?"

Lucien glanced back, fastening his belt.

"Demons are advancing toward the city. I can’t ignore it."

Rin nodded, forcing himself not to sound too disappointed.

"Yeah, yeah they are."

Just as Lucien leaned down to kiss him again, the door burst open.

Lirien strode in with Kiro trailing behind her.

"Ah!" Rin yelped, panicked. He shoved Lucien so hard he toppled backwards onto the bed with a grunt. Rin blinked. He hadn’t realised he’d used his demon strength.

"Aunt!" Rin rushed forward, nervous.

The first thing Lirien noticed was the mark on his neck. Her eyes narrowed like knives. She took the bowl of fruit from Kiro and handed it back.

"Leave us."

Kiro’s eyes widened. He waved at Rin before scurrying out, slamming the door shut.

Lirien set the bowl on the table, then sank onto the couch. She crossed her legs and gestured, her voice sharp.

"Come. Sit."

Rin quickly sat down on the edge of the couch, fidgeting.

"I wasn’t talking to you," Lirien said coldly, her eyes locked on Lucien. "I was talking to him."

Lucien smirked, standing and strolling over to the couch before dropping down right beside Rin.

Rin bit his lip. "Sorry..."

Lucien gave him a thumbs up, unfazed.

Lirien grabbed an apple and a knife and started peeling it. She paused as she lifted her head as her gaze hardened. Immediately, she spoke... Her words cut through the air like a blade.

"I’m not in support of this marriage."

Both Rin and Lucien froze.

"What!?" Rin blurted, eyes wide.

The room went dead silent.