‘Shameless, vain, wanton’, were the thoughts running through Xiao Zai’s mind as he looked on at Chu Yun in the pool.

If any Zui omega dared to act in such an openly libidinous way they would have been publicly shamed.

Of course, Chu Yun was an alpha, and alphas did as they pleased.

Despite his reproach, Xiao Zai’s eyes were glued to Chu Yun’s pale, slender calf, still teasingly sticking out of the water, splashing it carelessly.

No alpha Xiao Zai had ever met would behave in such a way. Chu Yun kept staring at him, his keen fox eyes narrowed in a self-satisfied smirk. He reminded Xiao Zai of his brother, but in the opposite direction. Chu Hean exuded a graceful charm that drew the eye and tingled the senses, Chu Yun was no less eye-catching but there was a marked arrogance about his attractiveness.

He looked as if expected everyone to congratulate him on how attractive he was. If his brother seemed unaware of his beauty, then Chu Yun lorded his over everyone as if he was swinging a large sword above his head.

‘Look at me,’ the curve of his lips teased. ‘Keep looking’, said the smug fan of his thick lashes.

His fragrant orchid and pine scent seemed stronger in the water. It made Xiao Zai’s nose tickle.

Xiao Zai had half a mind to turn on his heel and go back to the inn without another word, but something told him Chu Yun would consider that a victory

So instead, Xiao Zai stepped into the pool but sat down opposite Chu Yun, staring him in the eye the whole time.

—

Chu Yun was struggling not to laugh at Xiao Zai’s constipated look. His handsome brows were pinched with reproach, and the corners of his lips were turned downwards in a grimace.

It wouldn’t surprise Chu Yun if the Zui wolves were so repressed that this was Xiao Zai’s first time seeing another person’s bare skin. Considering they travelled into Xin on the ninth month wearing heavy furs, Chu Yun could easily imagine it.

For some time, the two of them remained on their respective ends of the pool, sizing each other up like two tigers trying to determine the best opportunity to pounce.

Chu Yun was the first to take action. He swam lazily in Xiao Zai’s direction, testing the waters, curious to see what he would do.

Xiao Zai remained in place but his gaze followed all of Chu Yun’s movements, ready to counter if needed.

Chu Yun came to a stop against the ledge only a few paces away from him. If he stretched out his arms over the ledge the tips of his finger would touch Xiao Zai’s.

He smiled when Xiao Zai sent him a threatening glare.

“What is his Grace trying to do?”

Xiao Zai had already seen Chu Yun’s face before the wedding, which was a big taboo, he wasn’t going to break another one by touching his bare skin before the wedding night, too.

The corners of Chu Yun’s lips dropped dramatically. “We’re about to be married, his Highness shouldn’t be so formal, please call me Miaoyan.” His smirk grew in proportion to Xiao Zai’s look of discomfort. “Or Chu Yun. Whatever Zilang thinks is best.”

He reached across the ledge as if to touch Xiao Zai’s wrist, who immediately pulled back his hand. A muscle twitched in his jaw.

Chu Yun was really having too much fun with this.

It was good for Xiao Zai to know that he wouldn’t be fucked with. If he expected Chu Yun to act demure and subservient towards him he had another thing coming.

Chu Yun wouldn’t embarrass his family, his king, or his country, but between closed doors, or whenever it was just him and Xiao Zai all bets were off.

He was an alpha and he wouldn’t show his neck without a fight.

The charged atmosphere between them was broken with the sound of rushing footsteps. Chu Yun swam back to his side of the pool, putting some distance between them as if nothing had happened.

Hua Nanyi ran towards the hot springs carrying a thick outer robe in her arms. She faltered when she saw Xiao Zai in the pool too.

“Informing his Grace that his meal has been served in his quarters,” Hua Nanyi said, her hands demurely folded in front of her waist. If they were alone, she wouldn’t be speaking so formally but she had to keep up appearances in front of Xiao Zai.

Chu Yun nodded and stepped out of the pool, as Hua Nanyi held the open robe in her arms for him to slip into.

Xiao Zai lowered his eyes as soon as Chu Yun sat up in the pool, but he still caught a glimpse of his slender back, thin waist, and firm backside, as he stepped over the ledge. He couldn’t believe Chu Yun had been so shameless as to bathe fully naked in a public place.

Wrapped in his robes, Chu Yun followed Hua Nanyi out of the courtyard and back towards the inn. He felt Xiao Zai’s eyes lingering on him and turned around to throw him a wink over the shoulder.

—

After that, Xiao Zai took care not to bump into Chu Yun again when they stayed overnight at an inn.

Two days later, they reached Zui.

The drop in temperature was immediately noticeable since Zui’s landscape included several mountain ranges and valleys.

Chu Yun understood why the fur cloaks now, and wished he had one of his own as they travelled deeper into the country and towards the capital, Haolin(1).

He was shivering inside his sedan, when they came to a sudden unannounced stop.

Someone knocked on the wood frame of the sedan, and when Chu Yun told them to proceed, a servant lifted up the curtains and offered him a folded up red cloak.

Chu Yun picked it up, feeling the soft brocade outer layer with one hand, and the thick warm rabbit fur inner layer with the other.

“His Highness bids his Grace to wear this in concession to Zui’s colder climate.”

Chu Yun threw the robe around his shoulders, thinking to himself that his future husband could have his uses after all.