The next morning, Lucian was elated when he woke up upon receiving a letter from his family.
The handwriting in the letter was slightly crooked, and some words were even mispelled. Nonetheless, it brought nothing but joy to the man who was currently reading it.
---
To my amazing biggest brother, Lucian,
Big brother, I received your presents together with big brother Eli and big brother Basty. I personally liked the ruby earrings that you bought for me. I looked so pretty! My classmates kept on complimenting me about it. Thank you so much!
And, oh, big brother Eli has been wearing and showing off his anklet these past few days. He wasn't wearing his socks anymore! He always walks around barefoot, big brother! I hate seeing his feet get dirty.
Big brother Basty... Uhm, he hasn't said anything since he received the charm bracelet. He's been stuck in his room all day, and every time I see him out of it, he is carrying thick books and reading them like crazy! I don't want to study too hard like him! Meh, I can just sit still, look pretty, and still be rich! Hehe!
Father misses you too. He told me to write it down.
Come back soon, big brother. We love you!
Truly yours,
Your pretty youngest brother, Charlotte
---
It was simply a short letter about Charlotte's observations and emotions. For Lucian, though, it was the most interesting thing he has ever read (Eugene's book was thrown out to be in second place now).
One could tell from his soft smile and the gentle curve of his beautiful eyes that he loved his family so much.
Despite being a transmigrator and a complete stranger to the Montague family, Cheng Ge never felt the need to distance himself from them. He naturally gravitated towards his brothers and father, as if he were meant to be their relative more than anyone else.
Thus, his love for them would never cease to amuse even himself. Every time he would look at them and talk to them, his heart would automatically soften.
Eugene could testify to this as he intently watched Lucian read the letter. The bronze-skinned alpha was leaning by the window, a radiant smile on his gentle face. Lucian looked more peaceful this way, like an angel who fell from the sky and decided to stay at Eugene's apartment in the meantime.
Perhaps Lucian was indeed one.
When Lucian lifted his gaze from the paper to meet Eugene's eyes, Eugene could feel his breath hitch.
Lucian was breath-taking. His golden eyes were glowing under the sun's gentle rays; the shadow from the window's curtain caused Lucian's tall nose to cast shadows upon his cheeks, and now that he was also smiling brightly at him, Eugene couldn't help but wonder how he was still alive after that.
"You're drooling," Lucian said, accompanied by a soft laugh as he walked toward the older alpha. "Am I that beautiful, Eugene?"
Eugene blinked at him. He woke up from his reverie at Lucian's teasing remarks. Eugene casually touched the edge of his thin, pinkish lips to check whether he was truly drooling or not.
Lucian chortled in amusement. "You actually believed me when I said you were drooling? Boy, you're prone to being kidnapped."
"It's just that, if ever I was really drooling like a hungry dog, then I wouldn't be surprised," Eugene replied, brushing his blonde hair away from his face. "I mean, you look so heavenly. I'm wondering how I haven't eaten you yet."
Lucian dramatically groaned as he plopped himself on the single chair beside Eugene. "Come on, stop saying that. You always want to eat me. Am I a food?"
"I'm not sure if you're qualified to be considered food. The only thing that I know is that you taste good." Eugene coolly smirked at him.
Lucian chuckled. "You're crazily smooth and slick with that, I admit."
"I know, that's why I kept on doing it," Eugene responded as he moved his hand to play with Lucian's fingers. Even if they were a chair apart, he was unfazed. The contrast between their skin colors only made Eugene think of dirty thoughts.
Thoughts like, what would their skin look like when flushed together? If they're connected down there?
"What are you thinking? Your pupils are dilating."
Lucian's deep and husky voice sent shivers down Eugene's spine. It was only at this moment did he realize that Lucian was already leaning on his shoulder; thus, when Lucian spoke, his breath was fanning in his ear. The younger alpha's hot breath felt itchy against Eugene's sensitive ears.
"Hmm, your skin is also flushed red. Cute. Like a tomato," Lucian commented with the same sensual tone. "I wonder if your manhood flushes like this as well?"
A growl escaped from Eugene's lips as he pushed himself against Lucian's body. He was practically straddling Lucian's lap. The blonde alpha's exquisite eyebrows furrowed in sexual frustration as he gripped Lucian's collar. "You're playing with fire, Lucian."
"I'm the moth to your flame, Eugene." Lucian grinned at him. In less than a second, his grin twisted into a grimace. "Well, that sounded corny, but yeah. I'm willing to be burned if it's you," he added with a playful wink.
"Nice pep talk, Lucian. I'm going to stop you from there." Eugene placed his fair hand on Lucian's chest. "Stop teasing me. Let's talk about something else."
"Like what?"
"Like your family, maybe?" Eugene tilted his head a little, his eyes a bit hesitant as he gazed at Lucian's expression. Seeing that Lucian wasn't really bothered with it, Eugene added, "I want to know more about them..."
The Marquis exclaimed in surprise as Lucian suddenly stood up, the bronze-skinned man's arm wrapped under his thighs and around his waist.
"Lucian!" Eugene curled up his fingers on Lucian's thin, white shirt to find support in case he would suddenly fall off the younger alpha's body. "What are you—ah!"
Eugene gasped once his back landed heavily on the bed. His stupefaction was followed by another as Lucian pounced over his body, peppering kisses all over his face, neck, and exposed chest.
"Lucian," he called out in a breathy, whiny voice. Eugene's crystal-blue eyes were slightly misty just from the ministrations of Lucian's soft and plump lips. Being ravaged by 'the' Lucian Montague was no joke. As much as he nibbled on Lucian's skin last week, Lucian was no less than that. Even more intense than Eugene was.
Lucian continued licking and sucking on Eugene's erect nipple as he looked up at him with dark, golden eyes. "Just know that once I open up to you about my family, you're required to be a part of mine as well," he whispered in between his sucking and licking.
His low voice rang in Eugene's ears in the most desirable way. He could get an erection just from hearing Lucian's voice. The businessman's sexual appeal was crazily strong. He's too charismatic for Eugene's own good. If you're in front of Lucian, you could never vow for your chastity to be intact by the end of the month. He's that kind of person.
Eugene ran his fingers through Lucian's dark hair before finally grasping the man's locks to get some support and to control his movements as well.
"Lucian, we're supposed to just talk," Eugene mumbled with a grunt, his back arched beautifully under the influence of Lucian's skillful tongue.
Lucian licked the older man's pink nipple first before he proceeded to nibble Eugene's collarbone. "What do you mean? We're talking right now, Eugene."
"Not like this." Eugene bit his lower lip to stop himself from moaning. Lucian was such an expert in foreplay. That's a fact.
No matter how much Eugene has wanted Lucian the same way Lucian has wanted Eugene, the Marquis was still afraid of their relationship ending after they had sex. Indeed, Lucian had said that he liked Eugene, but for Eugene, it was not strong enough to assure him of their forever.
He wanted to keep his first time until they settled down. Until they get married.
Of course, he wouldn't say that to Lucian. He was ashamed to think so far ahead of their relationship. And so, with a slight push, he finally freed himself from Lucian's invasive mouth.
Pants escaped Eugene's pink lips as he tried to cover his exposed chest with the blanket. "Lucian, calm down. Your pheromones..."
"Ah." Lucian snapped out of his heated daze as he consciously tried to retract his pheromones. "Am I in a rut?" he muttered absentmindedly. His gaze flicked back to Eugene's figure. The beautiful man in front of him was covering himself with a blanket. No matter how Lucian looked at it and tried to reason with himself, he knew that he went out of line back there.
Upon seeing the slow realization in Lucian's eyes, Eugene hurriedly lunged forward to hug Lucian. "No, it's okay. You didn't force me. I was into it as well. When I pushed you away, you let me do so. It's fine," he whispered, cupping Lucian's face and planting small kisses on it. "Lucian, you didn't assault me."
Lucian's eyes were laced with pain as he held on to Eugene's hand, which was caressing his cheek. "You're okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine. There's no need for you to blame yourself and feel guilt about it," Eugene affirmed with an assertive nod. "If ever you'd forced me, you would have been knocked out by my punch right now. I'm an alpha; I can handle you just fine."
Lucian stared at me, as if searching for the truth through my eyes and facial expressions. "Promise me?"
"I promise. You did great in controlling yourself at the right moment despite being in a rut." Eugene fixed his shirt first before he grabbed Lucian's arm. "I can't really console you while you're in a rut, since I'm not an omega, but I'll have to inject you with rut suppressants. I might stay out of the apartment as well, given that we're both alphas. I don't want to end up getting choked to death by you," he joked.
Lucian pursed his lips, his eyes still sad and wet from his edging tears. "I'd never do that to you," he whispered in an aggrieved voice, hoping to clear up his image of being "an alpha who would kill anyone just because they're in a rut."
Cheng Ge wasn't born an alpha; thus, he does not consider himself to be 'entirely' one of them.
Eugene laughed softly at his remark, giving Lucian another sweet and short kiss to console his concerns. "I like you, but let's not push it until your rut period ends. Behave for me, Lucian."
Lucian pouted. "I don't really like being an alpha now."
"Why?" Eugene held his hand out for Lucian to hold as he continued opening the cabinets to search for the suppressants.
"If this happens every time I have a rut, then I'd rather not be an alpha. To be separated from you is..." Lucian paused, biting his lower lips as he sniffed. "I don't want it."
Eugene turned around in surprise as he heard the bronze-skinned man sniffing. His eyes widened upon seeing Lucian adorably wiping off his tears. "Oh, Lucian... Why are you crying?" He wrapped his arms around the man out of concern. A part of him also felt a tinge of pain just from seeing Lucian cry like this.
"I don't know. Just don't leave me alone," Lucian sobbed, burying his face in Eugene's chest. "I can control the rut, I swear." He looked up at Eugene to show his sincerity.
Eugene wanted to sigh in confusion. A moment ago, Lucian was acting up like the alpha that he was, and now the same alpha was whining about "not wanting to be an alpha." Are ruts supposed to make you emotional?
Anyway, Lucian was cute. He'll surely get a free pass from Eugene to do whatever he wants.