PUAA Chapter 5

Sheng Lan is a beautiful omega, but not a typical one; he was already knocking down groups of larger alphas in middle school.

Thanks to his agile skills and excellent grades, Sheng Lan fulfilled his wish to enter the military academy. However, his small stature and pale face made him stand out among the group of alphas.

His father was the capital’s military commander, and their family had a long line of military officers. Some people believed Sheng Lan only got into the academy through connections and was not fit to be a good omega, constantly mingling with alphas. Yet, they tolerated him begrudgingly because of his good looks.

Those who attempted to cross the line with Sheng Lan often found themselves suspended and beaten by him.

As a group, humans tend to ostracize the different. Sheng Lan grew up this way, becoming an outstanding young officer in the capital’s military district.

He was indifferent to the scorn of the mediocre and the mockery of the ignorant, only occasionally daydreaming about his superior.

His commanding officer, Shen Mu, was an exceptional alpha, rumored soon to be promoted to general.

He treated all officers equally, but during critical times, he discreetly assigned Sheng Lan lighter duties.

Omegas have more frequent heat periods than alphas have ruts, and to avoid criticism and not show weakness, Sheng Lan always worked through his heat with suppressants and barriers, gritting his teeth until once he fainted halfway through his duties and was found by his commander.

Perhaps the commander was just concerned about the impact on their work, but Sheng Lan took it to heart, feeling respected and protected—not with condescending pity or presumptuous care.

Sheng Lan was ambitious about his career. During a cross-border fugitive arrest, he boldly charged in alone. His reckless approach scared the criminals and secured him a fleeting opportunity to apprehend a high-level fugitive.

It took the commander and his team half a month in the deep forests to locate Sheng Lan and the securely tied major criminal he had captured.

Sheng Lan was commended for his bravery but also received a harsh scolding from his commander.

Although he was due for a promotion for his military achievements, the commander criticized him for lacking discipline and disobeying orders. Thus, his contributions and faults offset each other, and he remained a junior officer, albeit with slightly more authority by being closer to his commander.

Sheng Lan was highly dedicated to becoming the first omega general. This time, he obediently admitted his mistake behind his commander, still respectfully busy running errands and even began to take care of his commander’s daily needs.

Because when his commander found him, his eyes were bloodshot from worry, and he had embraced him tightly in front of everyone, disregarding Sheng Lan’s dirty uniform.

That embrace was not romantic but a superior’s relief at his subordinate’s survival.

The commander was like that, stern yet kind-hearted, serious but caring for his subordinates in his own way.

Not just towards him.

Sheng Lan climbed to the roof to watch the stars.

As summer approached, the cicadas’ cries grew louder. He watched the light in his commander’s house from afar, lost in thought.

Why did he feel strange emotions from a brotherly embrace with his commander, while any other alpha would feel straightforward about it? Was it because he was an omega? Indeed, he was that omega from the rumors, who outwardly mingled well with alphas but harbored dangerous thoughts.

After secretly rescuing an empire’s spy, his military achievements were sufficient.

But before his commander could be promoted, the capital’s military commander—Sheng Lan’s father—demanded that he marry Sheng Lan. It wasn’t a suggestion but an order from a superior.

So they went to the civil affairs office, got their marriage certificate, and moved into a double room in the military district.

Their relationship, once straightforward, now became awkward. Sheng Lan struggled, even though Shen Mu was his favorite alpha.

He feared Shen Mu would resent him due to his father’s coercion and was also worried about how others might speculate about Shen Mu’s reasons for promotion.

A flawless gem now marred.

Sheng Lan had faced malicious speculations since childhood due to his identity as the military commander’s son. People praised him to his face but doubted him behind his back. Even his own achievements were not acknowledged.

He understood the pain and did not want Shen Mu to endure it.

Perhaps Sheng Lan’s demeanor became despondent and strange, leading Shen Mu, now a general, to retract his hand and pat Sheng Lan on the shoulder instead, then moved to a single room next door.

They interacted like before they were married, but General Shen was busier than ever, either attending meetings or on secret missions, reducing their time together even more.

Whenever they reunited, Sheng Lan, missing the general, would happily embrace him as he returned home.

It was acceptable to embrace, right? As brothers, as comrades, like the life-affirming hug he had received.

Sheng Lan tried to keep his smile down, calmly looked down at the documents in his hands, and reported on the new recruits to the general.

Not noticing he had quickened his pace, Sheng Lan bumped into the general’s back. He then heard the general chuckle and ruffle his hair.

That moment, Sheng Lan’s eyes widened as he stared at the general.

The man before him had a robust figure, a sharp jawline, meticulously combed hair, and small brown pupils that mirrored his own reflection.

The general smiled again, lifting his arm to say it hurt.

Sheng Lan’s eyes immediately showed concern and sympathy. The first time the general showed vulnerability while Sheng Lan changed his bandages, the general felt good about it.

Sheng Lan’s hands, usually steady when holding a gun, trembled slightly when he saw the gruesome knife wound on his arm.

He must not dislike him, at least he cared about him. The general thought for a long time before asking, “Sheng Lan, would you like to try being with me?”

Because he didn’t dislike him, he should be willing to give him a chance, at least to let him pursue.

The general had never been involved with any omega other than Sheng Lan, and he wanted to know Sheng Lan’s thoughts because an unwelcome pursuit could be annoying. The general didn’t want to be disliked by Sheng Lan.

Iodine spilled on the floor as Sheng Lan, never so flustered before, was too nervous. Surprise and confusion surged in him, like a traveler in a desert who never expected to find water but suddenly sees an ocean oasis, overjoyed yet incredulous.

Too long without a response, the general’s cool lips pressed against his, asking softly, “Do you dislike it?”

Sheng Lan shook his head, and the kiss deepened. His heart seemed to leap out of his body as the general’s hand steadied his waist, and Sheng Lan suddenly grew afraid.

He had scars and tough muscles; he was not a typical omega, always judged so since childhood. Sheng Lan finally snapped back to reality.

Had he always respected and also admired the general? He withdrew.

“You still have an injury on your arm, I pressed on it!” he heard himself say.

“It’s okay, I was just teasing, it doesn’t really hurt,” the general said, touching his nose with his.

He found Sheng Lan adorable, and no one disliked being cherished and cared for. So his hand moved again, grasping Sheng Lan’s slender waist irresistibly.

The clothing was lifted, and Sheng Lan panicked.

“I, I don’t want to have children yet.” He blurted out without thinking, his face turning beet red. Why was he so awkward?

The general noticed the visible tension and resistance beneath him and regretted his haste; he had only wanted to kiss Sheng Lan, unaware that proof of his desire was uncontrollably pressing against him.

“I’m sorry, I crossed a line,” the general quickly stood up to leave, needing to cool down.

Their relationship had made a leap forward and then abruptly retreated.

Tossing and turning, Sheng Lan mustered the courage to knock on the general’s door next door, wanting to talk, to say he had thought it over and he actually liked him a lot; he was just scared, always holding himself to an alpha’s standards and feeling confused after falling for the general.

The door didn’t open, and Sheng Lan realized the general had been sent on a mission two days ago.

The kind of mission that would send the general away was usually confidential, like before, and Sheng Lan didn’t know when he would return. So he would occasionally visit the general’s quarters, like before.

It had been too long, how could it take so long, with no news in the military either. Missing and regretting kept Sheng Lan from sleeping well. He feared that if the general returned at night, he would miss him; he hadn’t yet told the general his feelings.

What if after such a long time, the general had withdrawn his hand and no longer wanted to try with him? What then?

Sheng Lan took a blanket and slept at the doorstep of the general’s quarters.

Until one day, he heard from his father that the general had been attacked at sea and was missing. Blood stains found on the ship confirmed to be the general’s suggested a grim fate.

The search at sea turned up nothing; the alliance’s general was likely dead.

Sheng Lan, cold-faced, knelt before his father, the military commander, pleading not to give up. It was the first time he had shown such vulnerability to his father since becoming an adult.

“I give you ten days to use my authority to mobilize rescue forces, but after ten days, I will withdraw your power, whether he is found or not,” his father was always so.

“The alliance’s public resources cannot be wasted meaninglessly.”

The general’s room was opened, personal clothing taken out, the military dog needed to become familiar with the general’s scent to aid the search. Amid the chaos and anxiety, Sheng Lan noticed a button on the impeccably clean desk.

His button.

It had come off before he fainted during his heat, unintentionally slashed from his arm with a knife.

Back then, the fiercely independent Sheng Lan had just wanted to hide in the empty equipment room; he needed to force himself to stay alert.

It was a long time ago, his button lay quietly next to the “Tactical Command Overview” and the “Alliance Charter” on the general’s desk.

Perhaps nothing could hurt him more than this.

He hesitated, fearful and retreating, never daring to hope.

He thought of someone, then walked with his head down.

He never looked up, never noticed that the general’s gaze was also on him.

He didn’t know he had already obtained it, and by the time he realized, that person was gone.

He had lost his general, his husband, the person he liked.