Chapter 37: Ch 37: Frost and Hidden Thorns

The faint scent of snow lotus drifted through the quiet room like the first breath of winter descending on a silent mountain pass. It was cold, elegant, and beautifully restrained—exactly like Mo Xingxue herself.

To most, it would have felt purely ethereal, a calm and untouchable fragrance that bloomed quietly, much like frost tracing delicate patterns across bare winter branches.

Yet beneath that pristine chill lingered something else: the faintest thread of bitterness, so subtle it might have escaped anyone less attuned. The scent was thinner than usual, fraying at the edges, as though carefully suppressed emotions had begun seeping through invisible cracks.

Distress. Not loud. And definitely not obvious. But it was unmistakably present.

Su Wanyan’s brows softened slightly as she stood near the doorway, her keen alpha senses picking up every nuance. She kept her distance, respecting the invisible boundary that Mo Xingxue’s body language had drawn around her.

"Xuexue," she asked gently, her voice low and steady, "are you in heat?"

Mo Xingxue’s long lashes fluttered. For a moment, her clouded mind seemed to clear, as if the direct question had anchored her back to reality. She gave a faint nod, barely perceptible. Yanyan’s an alpha... The thought tightened around her heart like a vine of ice. She knew rationally, she knew that Su Wanyan was nothing like Gu Chengze.

Her best friend would never force anything, never take advantage. Yet the old fear still stirred in her bones, instinctive and stubborn. Her body gave a small, involuntary shiver, the tremor visible in her slender fingers as they clutched the edge of the blanket.

Su Wanyan noticed everything. The subtle shake, the way Mo Xingxue’s breathing had grown shallow, the guarded tension in her posture. Yet instead of offense, only a deep ache bloomed in her chest. Heartache—for the pain her friend had endured, for the scars that still made her flinch even in safety.

"Where are your suppressant shots?" Su Wanyan asked softly, careful to keep her voice soothing. She remained where she was, several steps away, though her enhanced senses had already pulled Mo Xingxue’s pheromones deep into her lungs.

A dizzying heat was beginning to spread through her veins. Lower down, something unfamiliar and insistent stirred to life, pressing against the confines of her clothing. She clenched her jaw, forcing composure. I don’t want her to misunderstand. I won’t let her see fear because of me.

Mo Xingxue weakly lifted a trembling hand, pointing toward the wooden cabinet across the room. Su Wanyan moved immediately, drawing on the original owner’s memories to locate the items with practice ease. She retrieved a syringe filled with clear suppressant liquid and a bottle of pheromone blocker spray.

First, she misted the room thoroughly. A fine, cool mist filled the air, temporarily binding and dispersing the sweet, feverish edge of Mo Xingxue’s pheromones. The relief was slight but immediate. Only then did Su Wanyan approach the bed, holding out the syringe with careful, open movements.

Mo Xingxue accepted it with a silent look of gratitude. She gathered her long black hair over one shoulder, exposing the delicate gland at the nape of her neck. The injection was swift and familiar. As the suppressant entered her system, the unhealthy pallor in her cheeks slowly receded, like frost melting under the first gentle rays of morning light.

Su Wanyan took the used syringe, disposed of it properly, then sprayed the room once more before cracking open the window. Cool evening air flowed in, carrying away the lingering traces of scent. She returned to the cabinet and brought back a suppressant patch.

Mo Xingxue accepted it wordlessly, peeling away the backing and pressing the patch firmly over her gland. The tension in her shoulders eased further.

Su Wanyan moved closer to the bedside, close enough to properly examine her friend’s condition, yet far enough to preserve that vital sense of safety. Mo Xingxue noticed the thoughtful distance, the way Su Wanyan balanced care with consideration. A quiet bloom of joy mixed with guilt unfurled in her chest. She’s always so gentle with me.

"How are you feeling?" Su Wanyan asked, her tone tentative and warm.

Mo Xingxue managed a small, genuine smile. "I’m okay," she replied softly, the words meant to reassure.

Su Wanyan let out a visible sigh of relief, her shoulders relaxing as she nodded kindly. She turned, preparing to slip out and deal with the growing discomfort in her own body, when a gentle tug caught the hem of her shirt.

She glanced back. Mo Xingxue’s fingers were clutching the fabric, hesitant yet earnest. Su Wanyan turned fully, offering a gentle smile. "Do you need something more?"

Mo Xingxue’s voice came out cautious, almost shy. "Can.. you stay with me?"

Su Wanyan’s first instinct was to refuse. The throbbing between her thighs had grown insistent, a heated pressure she was desperately trying to ignore. But the hopeful look in her best friend’s eyes, earnest and vulnerable—melted her resolve. She returned a small, gentle smile and agreed. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

She settled carefully at the edge of the bed and reached out to smooth Mo Xingxue’s hair with slow, soothing strokes. The touch was feather-light, full of quiet affection. Gradually, the fear and anxiety that had gripped Mo Xingxue’s chest began to loosen. Her eyelids grew heavy. Not long after, she drifted into a peaceful sleep, her breathing deep and even.

Su Wanyan withdrew her hand with reluctance. Before leaving, she activated her Heart of Nurture skill, a soft glow coming from the moon outside, illuminated the room as she checked on the baby. Mo Yan was mildly hungry.

Su Wanyan stood, ignoring the persistent, aching throb below her waist, and moved quietly to prepare a bottle of milk. She shook it thoroughly until the formula was perfectly mixed, then fed the little one with patient care. Mo Yan latched on eagerly, tiny hands pressing against the bottle as she drank.

When the baby had nearly finished, Su Wanyan gently eased the nipple away, wiped the corner of her mouth with a soft cloth, and lifted her to burp. She held Mo Yan upright against her shoulder, patting her back in rhythmic, gentle motions until a satisfying burp escaped.

Only then did she lay the infant down again, tucking both mother and child securely beneath the blankets. She placed a pillow along the edge of the bed near Mo Yan as an extra safeguard against rolling.

Satisfied, Su Wanyan let out a quiet huff of accomplishment. But the discomfort had become unbearable. She quickly grabbed a set of pajamas from the wardrobe and hurried out of the room.

Inside the bathroom, she closed the door behind her and finally looked down. The prominent bulge straining against her pants made her cheeks burn with shame. The throbbing had intensified into a deep, insistent ache that refused to be ignored.

"How do I handle this?" she muttered aloud, despair edging her voice.

She stood there for long minutes, the silence pressing in around her. A dark, fleeting thought crossed her mind—Should I just have it cut off? But she shivered violently at the idea. Never mind. She pushed the thought away at the farthest part of her brain. She didn’t like this unfamiliar part of her new body, but she wasn’t willing to mutilate herself to escape it.

With a heavy sigh, Su Wanyan turned on the cold water. She stepped under the icy spray, hoping the shock would calm the raging heat. Water cascaded over her skin as she stood motionless, eyes closed, willing her body to obey her will.

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Meanwhile, Mo Xingxue slept peacefully, unaware of her best friend’s internal struggle. In her dream, she found herself in a vast, sunlit field brimming with vibrant wildflowers that swayed gently in the breeze.

The air smelled sweet and warm. She sat beneath the generous shade of an ancient tree, enjoying the cool caress of the wind. Beside her, Mo Yan slept serenely in her stroller, looking as graceful and peaceful as ever.

Mo Xingxue’s heart warmed at the sight of her daughter. She turned her gaze back to the colorful expanse, admiring the delicate petals dancing under golden sunlight. Then, a gentle and achingly familiar voice called out to her.

"Xuexue."

Mo Xingxue turned. Su Wanyan stood there, smiling softly.

"Yanyan?" Mo Xingxue called out tenderly.

Su Wanyan hummed in response, then laughed lightly at her expression. "Why does it look like you’ve seen a ghost?" Her tender gaze made Mo Xingxue’s breath catch in her throat.

Before she could respond, Su Wanyan stepped closer and gently cupped both of Mo Xingxue’s cheeks, her thumbs brushing over the smooth skin with infinite care. "What are you thinking about?" she asked, her eyes and touch overflowing with tenderness.

Mo Xingxue was stunned. Is this really the Su Wanyan I know? Why was she being so.. lovey-dovey? So openly affectionate?

Before Mo Xingxue could reply, a brilliant light suddenly engulfed them. Mo Xingxue winced, closing her eyes against the glare.

She jolted awake in bed, heart pounding. The dream lingered vividly in her mind, leaving her flushed and unsettled. One question echoed through her thoughts as she stared at the ceiling:

What did that dream mean?