{Continued...}
"As the saying goes, a leak of honey once is a promise of another."
Lucien laid himself over Adrian, who never resisted. Celeste was present in every moment they shared, her eyes fixed on them as she quietly touched herself for release while they lost themselves in each other.
...
{Adrian}
Adrian's father steadied his bow, released, and the arrow struck clean into the target. He lowered the bow, then glanced at his son.
"Adrian, because of your excellent performance in the high school national exams, you've been offered admission to the Crown university in France. Do you wish to accept?"
Adrian took the bow from his father, set an arrow, and drew the string back. The thoughts of leaving Celeste and Lucien, the people he loved most, made his chest tighten. "No, father. I'll join Val university, the one where Celeste and Lucien are."
The arrow flew, landing close to the center. His father chuckled, clearing his throat. "I knew you'd say that. The three of you...you're inseparable."
Adrian smiled faintly, lowering the bow. Just then, his phone buzzed. Sliding the screen open, he saw Celeste's message: Don't be late.
Adrian set the bow down at his side. "Father, I have to go."
His father shook his head lightly. "We should shoot a few more rounds."
Adrian smiled faintly. "Bravin will keep you company."
His father studied him for a moment, a knowing look in his eyes. "I can tell where that excitement comes from," he said with a smile.
Adrian turned his gaze to Bravin, who stood poised a few steps away, waiting. He signaled him to come closer.
"Tell them I've greeted them," his father added, "and they should pay me a visit sometime. It's been too long since I last saw each of them."
"Yes, I'll tell them," Adrian replied, handing the bow and arrows to Bravin and slipping off his gloves.
...
Rain poured heavily as Adrian drove sweeping fast across the windshield. At the roadside, something caught his eye, an old woman kneeling in the mud, sobbing, with a boy no older than thirteen cradled in her arms.
Curious and concerned, Adrian pulled over. He grabbed the umbrella from the passenger seat, opened it above him, and stepped out into the rain.
The woman's voice broke through the storm. "My Bunny! My Bunny, wake up!"
Adrian reached them, holding the umbrella over their heads. "What's wrong with him?" he asked quickly.
"He...he fainted," the woman sobbed.
Without hesitation, Adrian slipped off his coat and wrapped it around the boy's small body; he wore only a thin shirt, already soaked through. Carefully, Adrian lifted the child into his arms. "We need to get him to the hospital," he said firmly.
The old woman, still weeping, stood by his side and held the umbrella as Adrian carried the boy back to to the car.
At the hospital, Adrian's arrival did not go unnoticed. Staff and patients alike glanced his way, some with respect, others with unease. The doctors, recognizing him immediately, hurried forward and took the boy into the VIP emergency room without delay.
Adrian paced outside, restless, while the old woman sat on a bench nearby, her sobs muffled against her hands.
Minutes later, the door opened and a doctor stepped out. Both Adrian and the woman rushed toward him.
"Doctor...how's my grandson?" the woman asked breathlessly.
The doctor shook his head slightly. "He's suffering from anemia. He needs a blood transfusion as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, his blood type isn't available in our bank."
The woman's voice cracked as fresh tears fell. "Then...then take mine."
"What's your blood type?" the doctor asked.
"O+ ," she said quickly.
The doctor shook his head again. "It's not a match."
Before the woman could respond, Adrian spoke firmly. "I'll donate mine."
The corridor went silent. Doctor and nurses exchanged startled looks, was Alpha Adrian the renowed S-rank Alpha, truly offering his blood for a child they all knew to be just a Beta?
The doctor hesitated, then asked carefully, "What is your blood type, Alpha Adrian?"
Adrian said nothing for a moment, his silence heavy. At last, his eyes shifted toward the doctor, calm but unreadable. "I don't know."
The doctor straightened, his expression serious now. "Then follow me. We'll run a test immediately to see if you are his match."
...
The doctor stepped out of the donation room, followed closely by a nurse carrying a blood bag. They moved quickly toward the VIP emergency ward where the boy lay.
Inside the donation room, Adrian stirred on the bed, his body heavy and his head faintly light. Slowly, he pushed himself upright.
A nurse hurried to his side, her eyes full of concern. "Alpha Adrian, you should rest a little longer to regain your strength."
Adrian shook his head and swug his legs off the bed. "I'm fine," he said quietly, though his steps were unsteady.
Ignoring the dizziness, he stood and walked out, making his way down the hall toward the VIP emergency room.
The old woman saw him approach and quickly rose. She reached out, taking his hand gently. "Please, sit," she urged, guiding him to the bench beside her.
Adrian allowed her to ease him down, his expression calm despite the weariness in his body.
...
The door of the VIP emergency room opened and the doctor stepped out, followed by the nurses. The old woman was already standing, her eyes filled with curiosity and worry.
The doctor smiled gently. "He'll be awake soon."
Relief washed over the woman's face, and she smiled broadly. "Can we see him?"
"Definitely," the doctor replied.
He glanced toward the bench where Adrian sat. The Alpha looked pale, his posture slightly slumped. Concern crept into the doctor's eyes. "Alpha Adrian..."
Adrian returned a small smile. "Don't worry, Doctor. I'm okay."
For a moment, his body swayed slightly. The old woman quickly reached out, steadying him. Together, unbalanced but determined, they stepped into the ward.
...
The boy lay on the bed, pale and weak, the blood bag's tube still connected to his arm. His grandmother sat close by, gripping his small hands tightly. "My Bunny...you'll fine," she murmured, her voice trembling with worry and hope.
Adrian stood quietly at the side, watching. After a moment, he walked to the other side of the bed, his gaze softening as he looked at the boy.
Kneeling slightly, Adrian placed a gentle hand on the boy's temple. Slowly, he released a faint shimmer of silver pheromones, warmth radiating subtly from his touch. The boy's breathing steadied, color returning to his cheeks.
The grandmother looked up, tears brimming in her eyes, and whispered shaky, "Thank you..."
Adrian nodded once, his expression calm but deeply emotional, still watching over the boy as silver light of his pheromones continued to ease the child's weakness.
Then he coughed softly, glancing down at his palm streaked with blood.
The old woman's eyes widened with worry. "You should stop...you're out of energy. You need to see a doctor!"
Adrian shook his head, cutting her off gently. "No...I'll just head home."
He took out his phone, typing quickly. Then, looking at her, he said, "Don't worry. I've taken care of the boy's hospital bills."
Tears filled her eyes as she stepped closer, wrapping him in a trembling hug. "Thank you, my grandson...may the Almighty bless you abundantly."
Adrian offered a small smile. "Also, I'll need your bank account." The old woman reached into her bag and handed him a small slip with her bank account. Adrian took it, nodded, and sent money, adding, "This is for the boy's care. And don't worry, I'll send a driver to take both of you home safely."
Her face lit up with happiness. She pressed a gentle kiss to his knuckles, then reached into her bag and pulled out a traditional bracelet. "I don't know how to thank you enough..."
She wrapped it carefully around his wrist. "May this bracelet protect you from bad omens and dangers." She kissed the bracelet softly, then hugged him again, gratitude shining in her eyes.
Adrian cast one last glance at the boy, a small, gentle smile on his lips. "Bunny...I hope you wake up soon."
Then he turned and walked out.
As the door closed behind him with a soft bang, the boy stirred. Slowly, he raised a tiny finger.
Ash Veiyln opened his eyes.