Chapter six

As the days passed in Cloud Recesses, Lan Zhan found himself increasingly aware of Wei Ying's presence.

His eyes would unconsciously follow Wei Ying, noting every smile, every laugh, and every casual touch he shared with his friends and brother, Nie Huaisang and Jiang Cheng.

One afternoon, Lan Zhan observed Wei Ying and Nie Huaisang sitting under a tree, their heads close together as they whispered and laughed.

Wei Ying's hand rested casually on Nie Huaisang's shoulder, and Lan Zhan felt a surge of something hot and unfamiliar in his chest.

He tried to focus on his book, but his eyes kept drifting back to the pair. Wei Ying's small laughter rang out, carefree and infectious, and Nie Huaisang's eyes sparkled with amusement.

Lan Zhan's grip on his book tightened.

Later that day, as the students gathered for their evening meal, Lan Zhan saw Wei Ying and Jiang Cheng engaged in a playful argument.

Wei Ying nudged Jiang Cheng with his elbow, a mischievous grin on his face, and Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes, but there was a fondness in his expression.

Lan Zhan's jaw clenched. He couldn't understand why these interactions bothered him so much. Wei Ying was just being friendly, but every touch, every laugh, seemed to amplify the distance between them.

That evening, unable to bear it any longer, Lan Zhan decided to confront Wei Ying.

He found him by the cold pond, humming softly as he skipped stones across the water.

"Wei Ying," Lan Zhan's voice was cool and controlled, but there was an edge to it that made Wei Ying look up in surprise. "Lan Zhan!" Wei Ying smiled brightly, but it faltered when he saw Lan Zhan's serious expression.

"Is something wrong?"

Lan Zhan took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart.

"Why do you spend so much time with Nie Huaisang and Jiang Cheng?"

Wei Ying blinked, clearly taken aback by the question. "They're my friends, and you know Jiang Cheng is my brother. We're just having fun." Lan Zhan's eyes darkened. "It's inappropriate. You're too...close."

Wei Ying's brow furrowed in confusion. "Close? What do you mean?"

Lan Zhan stepped closer, his gaze intense. "You are an omega, Wei Ying. You should be more mindful of how your actions can be perceived." Wei Ying's eyes widened, a mix of confusion crossing his features.

"But Lan Zhan, we're all omegas..." Then realization hit him. "Are you jealous, Lan Zhan?"

Lan Zhan stiffened, not expecting Wei Ying to be so direct.

"Shameless."

He denied, but the heat in his voice betrayed him.

Wei Ying's lips curled into a sly smile. "You are, aren't you? You're jealous because I'm not spending time with you."

Lan Zhan looked away, his ears burning.

"It's not appropriate."

Wei Ying's smile softened, and he reached out to touch Lan Zhan's arm.

"Oh, you fuddy-duddy, Lan Zhan, you don't have to be jealous. We're just killing time. You're...special to me." Lan Zhan's eyes snapped back to Wei Ying, searching his face for any sign of deception. But all he saw was sincerity.

His heart pounded harder. "You're...special to me too, Wei Ying," Lan Zhan admitted quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Wei Ying's smile widened, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Then you have nothing to worry about, Lan Zhan. I promise."

Lan Zhan felt the tension in his chest ease slightly. He nodded, accepting Wei Ying's words. "Just...be mindful."

Wei Ying chuckled softly. "I will, Lan Zhan. I will."

As they stood by the cold pond, the moonlight casting a soft glow around them, Lan Zhan felt a sense of calm wash over him. Perhaps, just perhaps, things were beginning to change between them.

Movements passed, but the tension between Lan Zhan and Wei Ying lingered.

Despite Wei Ying's assurances, Lan Zhan couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy whenever he saw Wei Ying with Nie Huaisang or Jiang Cheng. It gnawed at him, making him question his own feelings and actions.

One afternoon, Lan Zhan found himself walking through the gardens, trying to clear his mind.

He rounded a corner and saw Wei Ying and Nie Huaisang standing by a stream.

Wei Ying had rolled up his robe and was tugging at his small waist, his pants gathered to his knees, revealing his slender legs.

Wei Ying was so engrossed in conversation that he didn't notice Lan Zhan.

Nie Huaisang was laughing at something Wei Ying had said, and Wei Ying's face lit up with a smile that made Lan Zhan's heart ache.

Lan Zhan turned away, unable to watch any longer. He knew he had no right to feel this way, but the emotions were too strong to ignore. Wait, he thought, I do have a right. Because Wei Ying is my mate, my omega.

As he walked back to his quarters, he resolved to focus on his duties and studies, to push these feelings aside.

But that evening, as he sat alone in the library, he couldn't shake the image of Wei Ying's smile. It haunted him, reminding him of what he wanted but felt he could never have. Because Wei Ying is not yet 18.

One evening, after a particularly grueling day of training, Wei Ying decided to relax by the bunnies' side. He sat on the fresh green grass, dipping his fingers into the soft fur of a white bunny, lost in thought.

He didn't notice Lan Zhan approaching until he heard the soft sound of footsteps behind him.

"Wei Ying," Lan Zhan's voice was gentle, but it held an intensity that made Wei Ying's heart skip a beat.

"Lan Zhan," Wei Ying turned, offering a small smile. "What brings you here?" Lan Zhan hesitated for a moment before sitting down beside Wei Ying. "I needed to talk to you." Wei Ying's smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of concern.

"Is everything okay?"

Lan Zhan took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "I... I have been struggling with something."

Wei Ying's curiosity was piqued.

"What is it?"

Lan Zhan's gaze fixed on the Bunny, his expression serious. "I have been feeling... jealous." Wei Ying's eyes widened in surprise.

"Jealous? Of what?"

"Of your friend," Lan Zhan admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "Nie Huaisang. I see you with him, and it... it makes me feel things I don't understand."

Wei Ying was silent for a moment, processing Lan Zhan's words. Then, he reached out and placed a hand on Lan Zhan's arm. "Lan Zhan, you don't have to be jealous. He's my friend, and that day we were just catching fish.

But you... you mean something different to me." Lan Zhan looked up, meeting Wei Ying's gaze.

"Different how?"

Wei Ying's smile returned, soft and sincere. "You make me feel things I don't understand either.

When I'm with you, it's like... like everything is right. Like I can be myself."

Lan Zhan's heart swelled with hope at Wei Ying's words. "You feel that too?"

Wei Ying nodded. "I do."

For a moment, they sat in silence, the weight of their unspoken feelings hanging in the air.

Then, Wei Ying reached out and gently took Lan Zhan's hand in his. The touch was simple, but it spoke volumes. "Lan Zhan," Wei Ying's voice was filled with emotion. "I want to understand these feelings. I want to be close to you."

Lan Zhan squeezed Wei Ying's hand, his heart soaring.

"I want that too."

How much Lan Zhan wanted to kiss the mole under Wei Ying's bottom lip. But Wei Ying needs to understand that he is his alpha, his destined mate, before doing anything romantic.

As they sat among the bunnies, the moon casting a soft glow around them, they both felt a sense of clarity.