Even if Luo Hai wanted to resist, his body was too weak to muster any strength.
His consciousness felt like it was sealed in a jar, sinking into the deep sea. His sluggish senses couldn’t keep up with Eugene’s movements.
But he could still feel the burning heat of the man’s lips and the overwhelming rush of spicy Alpha pheromones.
Like a man dying of thirst in the desert stumbling upon a drop of spring water, Luo Hai couldn’t stop himself from kissing back, greedily drawing in the taste that could fill the emptiness inside him.
Eugene let out a muffled chuckle, one arm wrapped around Luo Hai’s waist, the other holding his shoulder. What seemed like an intimate embrace was, in reality, a firm restraint, keeping Luo Hai completely under his control.
It was a kiss so intense it almost felt like they were tearing each other apart.
Neither of them knew who had bitten the other first, but the taste of blood spread heavily between their lips and tongues. Blood contained the highest concentration of pheromones—it was the purest, rawest scent, impossible to disguise.
Luo Hai, like a vampire, greedily savored the sharp, intoxicating taste of strong liquor, while Eugene tasted the pure and sweet fragrance of an Omega from Luo Hai’s blood.
Under the most primal form of intimacy, lies could no longer be concealed. The high-and-mighty prosecutor could no longer rely on medication to hide his true gender.
In this moment, he was no different from every other helpless, vulnerable Omega, forced to plead for an Alpha’s mercy.
Eugene pried open Luo Hai’s jaw, forcefully deepening the kiss, pouring more saliva and blood into him—filling the void left unsatisfied for so many years.
Luo Hai had no idea how much time had passed before his rationality slowly started to return. The ringing in his ears faded, his vision cleared, and he finally regained control over his body.
In the very next second, he shoved Eugene away with all his might.
Eugene staggered back slightly but didn’t seem surprised. He wiped the blood from the corner of his lips and looked at Luo Hai with a smirk. “You’re welcome.”
This had to be a dream.
Otherwise, how could someone stand before him with such a nonchalant yet utterly wicked smile, like a demon in human form?
Luo Hai wiped his lips roughly with the back of his hand, straightened his disheveled clothes, and buttoned up his collar one by one.
“I told you, you wouldn’t last,” the devil leaned lazily against the tree trunk, watching him with ease. “You’ll come to me. You have to come to me. You have no other choice.”
Luo Hai didn’t respond. He turned and walked away.
Eugene watched his retreating figure, the moonlight draping over his shoulders. His tall, straight silhouette remained unwavering, though his legs still trembled slightly.
Until he disappeared into the night.
…..
The next day was a bright, cloudless day.
It had rained the night before, leaving behind a damp scent in the air. The sky was a translucent shade of blue, and fluffy white clouds drifted lazily overhead, occasionally blocking the sun and casting refreshing shadows on the ground.
“The weather is great today,” Flock said as he opened the office window, enjoying the gentle post-rain breeze and the sunlight that wasn’t too harsh. “It’s been a while since we’ve seen such a clear sky.”
Barney chuckled. “Back in the day, it was hard not to see a blue sky. My grandma used to say that when the meteorite first hit Earth, the radiation dyed the sky blue every day, and even the moon was blue at night.”
“They say the internet collapsed because of the meteorite’s radiation,” Bray chimed in. “I really feel sorry for the people from that time.”
“Didn’t humans back then not have secondary genders?” Flock mused. “I can’t imagine what life was like for them.”
“Enough about that. Where are we going for lunch later?” Bray asked.
“There’s a new Marwen’s Diner across the street. I heard it’s really good.”
As Flock looked up, he caught sight of Luo Hai walking past the corridor outside, carrying a stack of case files. Though his brows were still furrowed in their usual deep-set gloom, his complexion looked better than it had in the past few days.
“Prosecutor Luo Hai,” Flock called out. “We’re heading out for lunch—want to join us?”
Luo Hai paused and looked their way. The moment his gaze met Bray’s, the latter quickly turned his head aside, pretending nothing had happened.
“No.” After a brief silence, Luo Hai answered, “I have business at the prison.”
“Still dealing with that troublemaker’s case?” Flock’s expression showed a hint of sympathy. “That bastard’s going to drive you crazy at this rate. Maybe you should talk to the chief prosecutor and have someone else handle him.”
Luo Hai gave him a fleeting smile. “I’m not that easy to break. This is my case—I’ll see it through to the end.”
With that, he turned and left the office.
…..
The special prison was built in a remote corner of the city, surrounded by towering, thick walls that ensured not a single ray of sunlight could reach inside.
At the main gate, a prison guard had been dozing off in his chair. The moment he caught sight of Luo Hai out of the corner of his eye, he instantly snapped to attention, scrambling to his feet and saluting—albeit sloppily.
“Prosecutor Luo Hai, sir!”
The special prison had a relatively self-contained system, and it was rare for people from the prosecution office to visit—let alone someone of Prosecutor Luo Hai’s rank.
“Which cell is Eugene Oddis in?” Luo Hai asked directly.
“The solitary confinement cell underground,” the prison guard answered cautiously. “Is there a new order from above?”
Luo Hai didn’t respond, only saying briefly, “Take me there.”
The guard had no choice but to grab a ring of keys from the desk and lead Luo Hai into the prison.
Just like last time, the air was thick with the stench of rot, mold, and blood. A layer of sticky, black grime coated the concrete floor, clinging for a moment to the soles of their shoes with every step.
The deeper they walked, the more unhinged the prisoners appeared.
At first, Luo Hai could feel hostile gazes from the cells on either side. But as they ventured further, more and more inmates simply stared blankly at the ceiling or fixated on an empty point in space. Some clasped their hands together in silent prayer. Others wept as they banged their heads against the bars. Some burst into sudden fits of laughter or screamed without warning.
They moved through the corridor like ghosts, untouched by the madness around them, until they reached the final cell at the very end.
Eugene Oddis was inside.
Luo Hai looked into the dimly lit cell. Behind the thick iron bars, Eugene leaned casually against the wall, deftly toying with a button—flipping it into the air, catching it, twirling it around his fingers.
His prison uniform was clean and neat, and not a single speck of dirt marred his slightly curled blond hair. He stood in stark contrast to the filth surrounding him.
At the sound of footsteps, Eugene stilled his hand, clutching the button between his fingers as he lifted his gaze to meet Luo Hai’s. His eyes held a faint, amused smile.
“Has he shown any abnormal behavior lately?” Luo Hai asked.
“No, no,” the guard answered quickly. “The security on this floor is extremely strict. He hasn’t caused any trouble these past few days—he’s been completely obedient.”
Luo Hai’s gaze fell on Eugene’s lips.
There was a fresh wound there, still tinged with red.
He didn’t know how Eugene had done it, but he was certain now—what had happened last night had not been a dream.
“Open the cell,” Luo Hai said after two seconds of silence.
The guard hesitated. “But—”
“Open it,” Luo Hai repeated.
The guard had no choice but to obey. He retrieved the key and unlocked the cell door, all the while being careful to keep his distance from Eugene, as if afraid to get too close.
“You can leave now,” Luo Hai said, pushing the door open. “I need to speak with him alone.”
The guard’s eyes widened. “Are you sure? He’s—”
“Go,” Luo Hai said, glancing at him. “Unless you think he can kill me with a button.”
The guard fell silent, then reluctantly saluted Luo Hai before leaving as instructed.
The sound of retreating footsteps faded down the corridor, leaving only the two of them in the dim cell.
Luo Hai pulled a chair over and sat down, bringing his gaze level with Eugene’s.
“Your execution is scheduled for the day after tomorrow,” Luo Hai said calmly. “At this time two days from now, you’ll already be on the execution ground. A bullet will pierce your temple, and your brains will be splattered all over the ground.”
“Yeah,” Eugene chuckled. He was naturally handsome, and his smile carried a seductive charm. “I just hope the last meal here is decent.”
“A death row inmate might have desires, but they wouldn’t be for me—or a good last meal,” Luo Hai stared at him. “They’d want something else. ‘Not to die.’”
Eugene kept smiling but didn’t respond.
“I can push back your execution by a week, three weeks, even three months. Or I could move it up to today, so you won’t even get that last meal,” Luo Hai said slowly.
“A mere prosecutor has that much authority?”
“I’m not just ‘a mere prosecutor,’” Luo Hai said, lowering his voice. “I can do things you wouldn’t even dare to imagine.”
Eugene continued playing with the battered button between his fingers, his smile unwavering. “You won’t do it.”
Luo Hai’s gaze sharpened. “Why not?”
“Because I know your biggest secret,” Eugene murmured, leaning forward. His eyes locked onto Luo Hai’s. “And I’m the only one who can pull you out of this abyss.”
“I could kill you right now and find an Alpha who’s easier to buy off—someone who knows how to keep their mouth shut,” Luo Hai said, his voice like ice.
“That’s true,” Eugene admitted with a grin, leaning back against the wall again. “The choice is yours, Prosecutor Luo Hai.
“So, what will you do?”
The narrow, dim cell fell silent once again. The sounds from other cells became even clearer—banging, crying, cursing. It was as if this tiny prison had condensed all of hell within its walls, a torment that seemed destined to last for eternity.
Luo Hai stood up from his chair and walked toward Eugene. Eugene’s gaze was intense and unwavering, as if even if Luo Hai were to pull out a knife the next second and slit his throat, he would welcome it without resistance.
But that moment never came.
Luo Hai reached into his coat pocket, took out a key, and unlocked Eugene’s handcuffs.
“Gather your things and report to the registration office with me,” he said expressionlessly. “Your execution has been postponed until next month. From today onward, I will personally monitor you 24/7 until you provide useful information for the investigation or until your execution is carried out.”
If this place was hell, then Luo Hai was certain—when he turned around, he heard the devil’s laughter.
