1.2 FATED LOVE: Liu Lianyu

The rest of the day passes like a blur but Liu Lianyu returns home early and crawls into bed. The duvet is heavy and wraps around him like a cocoon and his air conditioner is blasting above him. It doesn't take long for sleep to claim him.

The dream comes crashing in, like a powerful ocean wave that washes all else away. The foundations of his soul tremble, bulking under its might as a golden beak rears its razor-sharp edge. The Eagle is upon him again, more vivid than ever.

It's beautiful, Liu Lianyu thinks absently as the appendage sinks into his neck, long talons knife at his belly. The pain that erupts is mind-numbing. Unquenchable thirst stings his lips and his fangs are aching, venom dribbling down his chin. Below the thicket of vermilion tipped feathers is plump, supple flesh. The Eagle's blood is warm and soothes the ache of being torn to shreds. He's content. Sated.

Liu Lianyu wakes slowly, but it's still dark in his room. The digital clock flashes offensively at him from the countertop. It reads 5:00 am. It's early. Too early to be crawling out from beneath the covers…

But he feels rested, further sleep is futile. Liu Lianyu slithers out of bed. He trips over a few beer cans; those must have been there from last week and he wonders why he didn't flick on the lamp when he had the chance. Too late now, so Liu Lianyu hobbles over discarded clothes and other mysterious objects as he tiptoes to the opposite end of his bedroom, where his laptop lies hidden in his bag.

Plucking the electronic device out, Liu Lianyu wastes no time opening a word document. His last dream is still in his head, bright and vivid and a flood of inspiration flows out his fingers. He's possessed and doesn't think about what happened yesterday with the boy.

Liu Lianyu doesn't even bother sitting at his desk like a normal person. Instead, he is parked on the floor. The typing is restless and fluid and Liu Lianyu almost lets himself dream that he might just be able to finish this story.

Just one story.

If he finishes just one story, that would be enough. He's already long given up becoming an author.

But dawn creeps over the horizon and the clock doesn't wait for him. Liu Lianyu is forced to stow away his laptop and get ready for the day. His home is in shambles but he's used to it. There's trash that lay about, clothes strewn on the floor among other, more questionable items. Liu Lianyu pays those things no mind as he slowly makes his way to the bathroom.

The contrast between his apartment and the appearance that he dons during daylight is night and day. Liu Lianyu feels like an impostor but he convinces himself that he's used to it. He's fine… just as fine as he's always been.

…

Liu Lianyu arrives at school early and reports to Principal Hui in his office.

Principal Hui comes at him with this jarring smile that looks way too wide to be comfortable. He wears a three-piece suit every day and Liu Lianyu secretly finds him obnoxious.

"Xiao Yu," his tone is patronizing. Liu Lianyu bites the inside of his cheek, "I heard you fainted in class yesterday, is everything okay? How is your body?" He reaches out with those fat sausage fingers and tries to grab Liu Lianyu's biceps.

The omega steps back and dodges out of the principal's touch and observes the way his smile twitches. "I'm fine. It was just heat stroke, the air conditioning needs replacing. Those things are a health hazard." Liu Lianyu explains calmly.

Principal Hui smiles wryly, he rubs the back of his neck. His hairline is receding slightly and gray peppers his hair. Liu Lianyu knows he's an alpha but he's about as attractive as an overweight goat. "The heat huh…? I understand. I had worried for a moment…ah, that your biology was getting in the way of your work. You understand that we're an elite school and that most of our students are—"

"Alphas. I understand—"

"Who told you you could speak up?"

Liu Lianyu instantly shuts his mouth. Principal Hui grins. "As I was saying, Xiao Yu, I'm worried about you. Your condition is not ideal for our school but you see, I like you a lot and just want to help you out, Baobei."

There's an insult on the tip of Liu Lianyu's tongue. He nods stiffly, "Thank you, Principal Hui."

A laugh. Principal Hui brushes a loose strand of hair out of Liu Lianyu's frozen face. He catches a glimpse of Principal Hui's ring finger, where his wedding ring rests smugly. "I want to see you succeed, Xiao Yu. If you need any help you can come to me. I don't want what happened yesterday to happen again."

Liu Lianyu is sick of standing there and wants to leave. He nods in silence but this does not please his boss.

Brows are deeply furrowed, "You have nothing to say to me? Don't tell me…" He steps closer, invading Liu Lianyu's space with the scent of dead fish and coriander. "That you don't want my help…?" There's something dangerous and sharp about the question and Liu Lianyu has goosebumps on the nape of his neck.

His composure is ice-thin but he maintains it nonetheless. "I would never," he explains in a soft voice, his eyes lidded as he flashed a coquettish look at his boss. He feels sick for doing it but it feels necessary. What other choice does he have?

Principal Hui smirks. He grabs Liu Lianyu's chin and is too quick for the omega to dodge in time. "That's better—"

The bell rings and Liu Lianyu is saved. "I have to go. Thank you for your kindness, Principal Hui." It takes all his self-control not to punch the alpha in the face and run away. He can't afford to lose his job now.

…

The kid's name is Mo Yinan.

It takes all of Liu Lianyu's willpower to remain calm in class because dark piercing eyes are upon him, drilling holes into his soul from the beginning to the very end of class. He tries to focus on the sound of his own voice and chalk scraping against the blackboard.

His whole body is on fire.

Mo Yinan is a handsome kid. Even in his youth, his jaw is sharp and angular. His nose bridge is high and his frame is large, firm muscles complimenting an athlete's build. He's not like a normal alpha of Principle Hui or the PE teacher's stock. No, even among alphas, Mo Yinan was surely an elite with those uncompromising eyes and soft brown hair, tipped with ruby red.

Mo Yinan eagerly raises his hand at every question and Liu Lianyu purposely ignores him each and every time. He doesn't think he could stomach the sound of Mo Yinan's voice again. It would only make him feel more light-headed than he already does.

Were all destined meetings this intense? If so, Liu Lianyu cannot fathom why people rave so much about soulmates.

Mo Yinan eventually grows tired of Liu Lianyu's antics and speaks up without being called. "The law of hyper-compatibility is found in most mammalian species. It's coded into our DNA."

His voice alone is enough to make Liu Lianyu shudder and his throat go dry. He swallows but maintains an icy glare. "Did I say you can speak?" He mimics Principal Hui but isn't sure if the effect is the same.

The way Mo Yinan pouts is cute. "But Teacher—"

"No buts," Liu Lianyu gets an urge to give him punishment but he holds back. It's a bit inappropriate to force a letter of apology onto someone who only spoke out of turn in class. He even answered the question correctly. So Liu Lianyu turns back around and continues his lecture, jotting more notes on the board.

…

When class is finally adjourned, Liu Lianyu believes himself to be free. But it's too early to dream because that kid is still in the classroom, waiting by the exit. A swarm of people surrounds him, from sweet omega girls and beta boys, each of them cooing for his attention.

"Gege, do you want to come to KTV with us?"

"We're going to the arcade after class, you're welcome to join."

Liu Lianyu feels a flare of jealousy and he thinks he's going to be sick. He clasps the edge of his desks and tries to think through his feelings, to work out his biology, anything, anything that might release him from this terrible fate of being soulmates with—

"Teacher Liu? Are you alright?"

Liu Lianyu steels his nerves before looking up. It's a mistake but he refuses to let that be known. "I'm fine."

"You look pale." Mo Yinan smells like charred pine wood, mint and a hint of citrus. "I…have a car so I can take you home?"

"Are you deaf?" Liu Lianyu spits out unexpectedly harsh, "I said I'm fine." As though to demonstrate he straightens to his full height and challenges the boy's stare.

Mo Yinan blinks, as though he's uncertain about his teacher's aggression. But he doesn't back down. "But Teacher Liu…I'm worried about—"

Liu Lianyu makes a habit of cutting this kid off. He swears he's not usually like this. "Do not talk to me unless it's about class," he says sharply. "Have a good afternoon, Mo Yinan. Don't bother me for trivial things." He gathers his books and papers in a hurry and leaves.

"Teacher Liu!" That sinful voice calls out behind him but his pace is quick and there's the thrum of chatter behind him, he doesn't hear what Mo Yinan says next, "You forgot your bag…"