The palace garden at night was a labyrinth of marble paths and silver-leafed trees. Moonlight spilled over the fountains, painting the courtyard in a pale, ethereal glow. Yu Zhen walked slowly, his mind still replaying the morning's events—the ritual, the whispers, the threats that had surrounded him—and most importantly, Lian Xuan's unwavering presence.
"You're quiet tonight," Lian Xuan said, appearing from the shadows as if he had stepped out of the moonlight itself. His coat flared behind him, black as smoke, eyes sharp as a blade. He didn't approach yet, but the mere sight of him sent Yu Zhen's pulse racing.
"I'm thinking," Yu Zhen said, voice low. "About the palace… the factions… and you."
The Alpha's lips twitched, almost a smile, though it never reached his eyes. "And what about me?" His tone was deliberate, possessive, almost a growl.
Yu Zhen swallowed. "That you… don't let anyone touch me."
Lian Xuan's eyes narrowed, golden light glinting in the darkness. He took a single step closer, and Yu Zhen could feel the weight of his presence, the raw power that radiated from him. It wasn't just physical; it pressed against his mind, his instincts, claiming him.
"I do not," Lian Xuan said, voice low and final. "And I will not. Not now. Not ever."
Yu Zhen felt the pull of the first memory fragment in his chest—a faint glow, like a heartbeat, synchronizing with Lian Xuan's own energy. The System buzzed softly, reminding him:
[MEMORY FRAGMENT 1: COMPLETE]
[AFFINITY LEVEL: 35/100]
[PROTECTIVE SYNC: 82%]
He realized something then: their bond was not merely instinct—it was a thread woven across lifetimes, across worlds, across danger. And Lian Xuan's claim, possessive and unwavering, was not cruelty or dominance for its own sake. It was protection, it was devotion, it was… inevitable.
"You understand," Lian Xuan murmured, stepping closer, until the heat from his body brushed Yu Zhen's. "That no one, no one, can ever claim you but me."
Yu Zhen nodded slowly, heart hammering. "I understand."
For a long moment, they simply stood there, silent. The palace, the factions, the Emperor's watchful eye—they all melted away. There was only the Alpha, the Omega, and the fragile but unbreakable thread binding them together.