Chapter 76 - Self-control in peril

Taking a deep breath, the silverette Beta slacked against the wall of the cave. The storm outside hadn't diminished in the slightest. The mouth of the cavern was foggy and dull with the only light source coming from the small bonfire, creating a curtain of yellowish brown motion. 

It gave the stone walls a slightly chilly feeling. 

As far as he could recall, it wasn't just due to the weather that was making the place feel cold. The cave was also humid and damp, making the temperature inside the cave much lower. In the end, their only source of heat was the small bonfire that looked like it was fighting for its life to keep the fire up. 

Concerned about the big Alpha sleeping on the other side, Jian Yu got up-- receiving a small whɨnė which he shushed softly with some sweet promises-- and went to pull the thin travel blanket from the pack he got from the examiner. 

Kneeling beside Zeke, he laid it over the Alpha but not before checking his ankle. The injury was still swelling, nevertheless the first-aid was given. They needed a doctor ASAP. 

Besides, the Alpha wouldn't be able to participate in the last round with an injury like this. Say if he could hunt for the two of them and provide a helping hand for Zeke to at least get them to pass the second round, the Alpha still wouldn't be able to participate in the third round. 

Even though Jian Yu wasn't the one in Zeke's position, he still felt a slight disappointment bubbling up inside his ċhėst. 

The Alpha had lost his opportunity to create a five executive win streak as he had already won four championships already. It must have felt amazing breaking through records. 

Still kneeling beside the other guy, with his bottom lips jutting out, Jian Yu tucked the sides of the blanket to keep the sleeping Alpha warm. 

He couldn't even stop his own hand from brushing the bangs that fell over the sleeping Alpha's forehead and his heart already leaped joyfully for being able to be this close to him. 

How could one be so perfect in any aspect? He got the looks, the brains, the personality, the status, and also an Alpha… What the hell did he want with a boring and dull Beta like himself? 

With his palm out, Jian Yu pressed his palm against Zeke's cheek. The skin was freezing from the cold exposure, contrasting from his own palm that was slightly warm from constantly rubbing the fur of the little wolf. 

He had gone from kneeling to squatting down in front of Zeke, admiring the true epitome of beauty and masculine manifesting inside a person. 

The sleeping Alpha's cheek was smooth. His eyelashes were not thick and long either but they still created shadows under his eyelids. He had high cheekbones and a long straight nose. 

Those obsidian eyes trailed the face of the sleeping man carefully, memorizing every detail he could see. The Alpha's lips were quite thin and his mouth was slightly parted as he breathed. They were also chapped and cracked, Jian Yu ȧssumed due to the winter season and his bad habit at picking the lips. 

Despite the deformed look, the sight of his lips had made Jian Yu wonder how it would feel on his own. 

Would it feel rough? Those lips had once landed on his neck before, how did it feel? 

The Beta didn't notice he was moving closer and closer as he leaned over the Alpha, so close that he felt both of their warm breaths, despite the cold temperature, clashed against each other. 

The Alpha was also exuding strong male hormones laced with a little hint of chocolate in his pheromones and they were invading the silverette's sense of smell. Jian Yu's mind went blank and his pupils dilated. 

All he could see were Zeke's face, his eyes, his brows, his nose, his mouth. 

Until the sound of whɨnė went through his ears that he finally registered what had actually happened and snapped out of it. His shoulder stiffened and he snatched his hand away from Zeke's face like he had touched a sizzling frying pan. 

This was really bad. 

How could he do something like this to a sleeping man? 

Didn't that make him appear like a pervert? 

No, maybe he was indeed a closeted pervert! 

Jian Yu smacked himself on the forehead. Okay, he should admit that since that day, he had been having less than innocent fantasies about the other man. He just couldn't resist it when the said man was sleeping so innocently right in front of him! 

This moment right here, it was like a test to his will power! To resist or not! 

Jian Yu let out a frustrated groan. 

XXX

He couldn't sleep for the next few hours. Five hours and thirty-eight minutes to be exact. And it was almost dawn. Jian Yu could see the sun peeking from inside the cave, the dark sky had lightened considerably and the storm had calmed down. 

Since he had sat really close to the pup, every time he stopped scratching and patting its dark coat, the little wolf would paw on his calves or even nip at his fingers. 

When he noticed the sky had brightened a bit more, Jian Yu felt like he should prepare for leaving. Maybe he should pack up first before waking Zeke up. 

Sighing, the Beta patted the wolf on its head for one last time, running his fingers through its dark coat before patting its bum and got up, putting away his thin blanket. 

It wasn't until he put everything away and was just about to move beside Zeke that a loud back echoed, making him freeze in his steps.