CHAPTER 73: DID YOU JUST CALL ME...HUBBY?

Adrian stood frozen in a haze of shock, unable to believe what he was seeing; Naomi, Ash’s best friend and his junior, locked in a kiss with his so-called wife, Celeste.

A faint growl of Alpha fury rose within him as he took a few heavy steps forward. Naomi felt the weight of his dominant presence instantly-her knees buckled, and she dropped, trembling. Celeste flinched but stood her ground.

Adrian’s sharp eyes cut toward her, his voice thunderous. "Junior, what’s the meaning of this?"

Naomi, shaking, opened her mouth to speak, but before she could utter a word, Celeste interrupted, blurting, "I seduced her! I asked her to kiss me because I was craving an Alpha dominance!"

Adrian stared at her, disbelief flashing across his face. Celeste seemed almost too confident, too ready to justify herself. Knowing she might say more foolish things in front of Naomi, he released the pressure of his aura and gestured for Naomi to leave.

Naomi stumbled to her feet and hurried inside the mansion, her hands trembling. She entered Ash’s room in silence.

Ash looked up, concerned. "Are you okay?"

Naomi didn’t answer. She grabbed her books, stuffing them quickly into her bag. "I need to go home," she said softly.

Ash frowned. "Why? Did something happen?"

Naomi paused at the doorway, avoiding her gaze. "We’ll talk tomorrow...at school."

She rushed out before Ash could stop her.

Ash stood still, staring at the closed door, confusion in his eyes. "She was just fine earlier," he muttered. "What the hell happened to her?"

Then Ash heard raised voices downstairs, a quarrel.

He stepped out of his room, pausing at the railing. His eyes dropped to the scene below: Adrian and Celeste arguing heatedly in the living room.

Ash’s mother quickly stepped between them, her tone firm but calm. "Enough! Both of you, calm down. What happened?"

Adrian exhaled sharply, frustration clear in his face. "Ask her," he muttered before turning away and storming out of the mansion.

Ash rushed to the balcony, watching as Adrian’s car sped through the gate and disappeared down the road.

Confusion filled his chest. "First Naomi...and now them?" he murmured. "Something must’ve happened when Naomi went out to the washroom..."

...

Martin lay on his bed, holding Aster’s sweater close to his face-the same one Aster had given him on Adrian and Celeste’s wedding night. The faint scent clung to the fabric, stirring memories he’d tried so hard to forget.

His chest tightened. Scenes of their moments together; Aster’s touch, his warmth, flashed painfully in his mind.

Tears rolled down Martin’s cheeks as he whispered, voice breaking, "I miss you...I know you don’t love me the same way I do. You only wanted me for my body, but no matter how much I try...I can’t bring myself to hate you."

A soft sob escaped him. Then; a knock.

He wiped his face roughly. "Clara, what do you want again? I’m sleeping."

Silence.

Another knock followed.

Martin groaned, pushing himself from bed and dragging his feet toward the door. When he opened it, his breath caught.

Aster stood there, face pale and swollen from beatings.

Martin’s eyes widened, shock mixing with concern. "Aster"

Before he could finish, Aster dropped to his knees. "Forgive me...I’m really sorry for asking you to abort my pregnancy"

Clara, who had stepped out of her room after hearing the noise, froze at the sight. Her expression hardened as realization hit her-this was the person who’d nearly destroyed her brother.

Without a second thought, she grabbed a bucket of water nearby and splashed it over Aster.

"So it’s you!" she snapped, her voice trembling with fury. "You’re the reason my brother almost died!"

Aster shivered dripping wet, saying nothing.

Clara, overwhelmed, threw a few soft punches at him. "You’re so mean...so cold-hearted!"

Martin quickly caught her arm, his tone gentle but firm. "Clara, stop. Calm down."

Breathing heavily, Clara paused, her anger slowly fading.

Martin turned back to Aster. "Stand up," he said quietly.

Aster obeyed, rising slowly, his eyes fixed on the floor.

Martin’s voice lowered. "How did you even know where I live, and more importantly...my room?"

Aster hesitated before murmuring, "I asked Ash..."

Martin sighed under his breath, muttering, "Apart from my house direction, Ash, you even had to tell him my room?"

Clara crossed her arms, glaring. "I wish I hadn’t forgotten to lock the main door."

Martin looked at her gently. "Go back to your room, Clara."

She hesitated, biting her lip before huffing softly. "Hmph." Then she turned and dashed back to her room, leaving the two of them alone.

Martin turned to Aster, worry etched across his face. "What happened to you?"

Aster lowered his gaze. "It’s Ash," he said quietly.

Martin blinked in disbelief, then let out a short, incredulous laugh. "You mean my friend Ash? The tiny Ash I know did this to you?"

Aster nodded slowly.

Martin frowned. "How...? Did you just stand there and let him beat you?"

Aster shook his head. "No...he overpowered me."

Martin’s brows knit tighter. "Aaah...Ash? How? You’re an Enigma; my friend’s just an omega, powerless like me. How is that even possible?"

Aster muttered, "Ask him about that. I can’t tell you more..."

Martin fell silent, deep in thought. Ironically, by physical strength, I can defeat Ash. The same Ash, a normal Omega, overpowering an Enigma? What a joke, he mused, a faint, dry laugh escaping him. I’ll definitely ask him what kind of witchcraft he’s using as his weapon.

He turned back to Aster, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "If that’s the case, then why did he beat you up?"

Aster hesitated, then whispered, "Because I asked you to abort."

Martin’s eyes widened. "What, how did he even know? I never told him."

Aster sighed faintly. "My nephew is sharp...he knows everything."

Martin exhaled heavily, shaking his head. His gaze drifted to Aster’s soaked clothes. "Come inside. I’ll give you some dry clothes to change into."

Aster hesitated. "I’m okay."

"No," Martin said firmly. "You need to change, it’s getting cold."

Aster finally nodded and stepped quietly into Martin’s room.

His gaze drifted to the bed, a familiar sweater lay neatly there.

"That’s my sweater," he said softly, turning to Martin. "How did you get it?"

Martin blinked, a little surprised. "You don’t remember? You gave it to me during Adrian’s wedding night."

Aster paused, searching his memory. "Oh...right. I forgot."

Martin’s face faltered. A faint ache stirred in his chest as he lowered his gaze. "You forgot even that..." he murmured, voice trembling. "Guess you never really felt anything, not even a little, to remember such a small thing."

Aster’s eyes softened. He stepped closer, his voice low. "I’m sorry, Martin. I didn’t mean to hurt you."

Martin looked up, his expression strained. "Then tell me...why do you keep loving someone who doesn’t love you back, when there’s someone right here who does?"

Aster blinked, surprised. "You know who I love?"

Martin gave a small nod.

"Who?" Aster asked quietly.

"Alpha Lucien," Martin said, his tone faint but steady.

Aster froze. "How did you know?"

Martin’s gaze dropped. "I saw the trending video of Alpha Lucien, the one with an Enigma. Your face wasn’t seen, but I knew it was you because you’ve got that dragon tattoo on your chest."

Aster sighed. "Mmm...you caught me then."

Silence stretched between them, heavy and charged. Martin shifted as if to move. "Let me get you something dry to wear."

But Aster reached out, blocking him gently. "You don’t have to," he said softly. "If you really want to keep me warm...maybe there’s another way."

Martin blinked, confused for a moment; then froze as Aster stripped off his soaked clothes, revealing his aroused shaft. The realization of what he wanted hit Martin, and his breath caught.

"Aster..." Martin whispered, voice trembling. "Why? You don’t even love me..."

Aster stepped closer, and Martin stumbled back, his knees hitting the edge of the bed. He fell, and Aster leaned in, breathing heavily as his hands began stripping Martin’s clothes. He murmured softly, "Even if I don’t love you...I can’t resist your body. If you don’t want me inside you, you can stop me. Remember, I never force you."

Martin closed his eyes, feeling weak and overwhelmed, letting Aster in. Tears slid down his cheeks as he thought, I can’tresist you...even without your heart, feeling you is better than having nothing at all.

...

Ash paced back and forth in his room, glancing impatiently at his phone. Why hasn’t he replied? What happened earlier?

His thoughts were interrupted by a message from his mother:

Dinner is ready. Come downstairs.

Ash typed back quickly, I’ll eat later.

A few seconds later, her mother replied, Alright, I’ll keep it in the kitchen. Don’t take too long.

Ash flopped onto his bed, pouting. About half an hour later, he heard the soft click of his door opening. Adrian stepped in quietly, closing it gently behind him.

Ash’s eyes lit up. He rushed forward and hugged Adrian tightly. Adrian returned the embrace, holding him firmly for a few heartbeats.

As they pulled back slightly, Ash murmured, "I was worried...you didn’t reply to my text."

Adrian smiled softly. "I’m good...just a bit stressed earlier. I didn’t check my phone."

Ash hesitated, then asked, "About earlier...what happened?"

Adrian took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling. "It’s...Celeste. She seduced your friend, and...she fell for it."

Ash froze. "You mean...Naomi?"

Adrian nodded. "Yes. You know how Celeste is...as a high-ranked omega, her scent can trigger Alphas, hypnotizing them, making them lose control. I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t shown up in time."

Ash’s gaze dropped, lips pressing together.

"Mmm...that explains Naomi’s reaction earlier. And...it’s my fault for letting her come in here. If she hadn’t, none of this would’ve happened."

Adrian cut him off gently, placing a finger on Ash’s lips. "Shhh...don’t blame yourself. If anyone is at fault, it’s me. If I hadn’t let her come here, or married her in the first place...none of this would have happened."

Ash shook his head, looking at Adrian earnestly. "It’s not your fault either. Celeste...her values...she doesn’t think about others. She only cares about herself."

Adrian nodded, a hint of frustration in his eyes. "Exactly. Don’t let her actions weigh on you." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I’m... exhausted."

Ash tilted his head slightly. "Do you want me to help you relax?"

Adrian looked at him, smiling faintly. "If you can."

Ash stepped closer, his tone playful but gentle. "Then let me help you, my hubby, to rest," he said softly.

Adrian froze for a moment, blinking. "Did you just call me... hubby?"

Ash nodded softly, his lips curving into a shy smile. "Mmmh."

Something in Adrian’s eyes shifted, the exhaustion replaced by warmth. He cupped Ash’s face gently, whispering, "Soon, I’ll make the whole world know that I’m your hubby."

Ash smiled, replying, "I can’t wait," then unbuckled his belt as Adrian stared at him in disbelief. Ash slid down Adrian’s pants and underwear, taking his aroused d*ck into his mouth, cupping him gently.

But just as the moment deepened, the door opened.

Ash’s mother stepped in, carrying a tray of food. She froze mid-step, her eyes widening at the sight in front of her.

Both Adrian and Ash turned in shock, their faces flushing red.