Chapter 13
"Come on, change your clothes," Ella said to herself. "I swear, I'm such a workaholic."
Seeing the bandage on her waist, Ella paused for a moment, then continued changing her clothes.
***
Military Headquarters.
"General, the 'Sparrow' has appeared again," the adjutant entered with a document and handed Yize a metal sparrow in a transparent bag.
The latest incident happened again on the capital planet, where the stolen item was a relatively old small painting displayed in a public exhibition hall. Even though security measures were not intense, the place was crowded, and yet, during broad daylight, something had been stolen.
Yize opened the surveillance video. The recording showed that a siren had gone off in the middle of the exhibition, drawing everyone's attention. At that moment, a person dressed in black, with a black hat, appeared in front of the painting. The act was so swift that it couldn't be captured by the eye; it seemed as if a mere brush against the painting made it disappear.
Yize played the video frame by frame, but the "Sparrow's" actions were too fast to discern. Afterward, the "Sparrow" seamlessly blended into the crowd, making it impossible to identify them in the surveillance.
Yize keenly observed the video, focusing on the "Sparrow's" waist area. He should have been injured by the electric net, right?
Suddenly, Yize thought of Ella's waist injury, and it seemed like the world had its share of coincidences.
The adjutant said, "General, we also looked into the origins of the stolen items. Some of them couldn't be traced, but the ones we could track were mostly believed to have originated from the former planet Solte."
"Really?" Yize was somewhat surprised. Whether it was a coincidence or not, he had to treat this as a lead and assume a possible connection between the "Sparrow" and the Solte people.
The adjutant reported, "Regarding the black market in the W35 star system where the stolen items appeared, it's hard to determine if Solte people make up the majority of the population. W35's population management system is not yet fully established, and many refugees lack proper identification. The black market is a mixed bag."
Yize nodded and then said, "I recall that Solte people have distinctive features in their appearance."
The adjutant searched for information on the terminal and found it. "I've got an article discussing the Solte people, stating that their irises have numerous tiny bright points that look like... stars. The higher their noble lineage, the more prominent these points are. The name 'Solte' means 'starry sky' in their language."
Yize nodded again. He had indeed studied some of the characteristics of the Solte people long before, though there was not much research available at that time.
Detecting these iris features is a challenge. With today's technology, it's quite simple to conceal or permanently change the color of irises, similar to getting an ear piercing.
The adjutant reminded, "General, in addition, the gallery where the theft occurred belongs to the royal family, and they are pressuring for the swift capture of the 'Sparrow.'"
"I understand," Yize said, studying the map of the W35 star system on the document, his thoughts deepening.
At that moment, a secretary knocked on the door, "General, Mr. Li Ying is here for a visit, and he's waiting in the reception room."
Li Ying, the head of the Li family.
Yize's expression darkened slightly as he got up to meet the guest.
"General Yize, greetings," Mr. Li said, dressed in a light-colored suit, with a polite smile.
"Mr. Li," Yize nodded in acknowledgement and took his seat across from Mr. Li.
Mr. Li remained standing and bowed deeply to Yize, "General, I apologize on behalf of the Li family."
Yize stayed silent for a moment before speaking, "Mr. Li, no need to be so formal. Please have a seat."
Mr. Li then took his seat, saying, "I am a junior member of the Li family, and I must express my sincere apologies. Young Li has been unruly since childhood, and due to our inadequate discipline, he was rude to you, General. We have already expelled him from the Li family and banished him to a desolate planet. What do you think, General?"
"This is your family matter, and it doesn't concern me," Yize replied casually.
Mr. Li smiled and said, "Of course, you're right, General. In addition, to console your esteemed wife for the shock she endured, I have sent a small gift as a token of our apology."
Yize nodded, "Mr. Li, your thoughtfulness is appreciated."
With the matters settled, Mr. Li took his leave, and Yize returned to his office. While Li was just a member of the Li family, it was hard to dismiss the possibility that the family head might have been involved. This brought to mind the days a month ago when he and Ella were at the villa, and a hint of a blush tinged his cheeks.
He focused on the star map of W35, refocusing his thoughts. It was not the time to dwell on these thoughts.
"Love in Poverty"
When Yize returned home from work, he immediately noticed a mountain of gift boxes in the middle of the living room.
The housekeeper stepped forward and explained, "Master, these were sent by the Li family for Mrs. Yize."
Yize nodded and was about to ask where Ella was when he spotted her sitting beside the mountain of gift boxes, her face filled with anticipation. She looked like a dog that had just seen a bone, complete with long strands of drool.
Yize couldn't help but smile and said to Ella, "These are for you, go ahead and take them."
Only then did Ella realize Yize had returned. Upon hearing his agreement, she immediately pounced on the gifts, tearing open the packages to reveal various women's clothing, shoes, jewelry, and more.
Ella embraced the gifts and happily spun around on the floor. Her eyes sparkled with a smile, and she looked toward Yize, eager to share her joy with him.
Yize gazed into Ella's dark eyes and felt his own mood considerably relax. However, when he thought about what he needed to do next, his heart tensed up again, more nervous than facing the Insectoid on the battlefield.
After dinner, Ella and Yize put down their utensils but remained silent, seated at the table.
Ella glanced at Yize, who was sitting quietly, appearing lost in thought.
"Um..." Ella began.
Yize seemed to startle a bit, quickly looking up at her.
"I was thinking that if you have any needs in that regard, please feel free to tell me," Ella spoke softly, her gaze directed at the table. "I saw the suppressant syringe you threw in the trash, and using it too much isn't good for your health."
Ella had finally gathered the courage to voice her thoughts, and it relieved her greatly.
Yize had understood what Ella meant as soon as she mentioned "that regard."
"Okay," Yize responded, a slight blush appearing on his ears. He gently acknowledged her offer.
Ella was relieved that Yize had taken it well, fearing that the general might not appreciate someone commenting on his actions.
"I'll go to my room now," Ella said, getting up.
"Please wait," Yize spoke up.
Ella looked at him in confusion.
Yize's face started to flush.
"I have a need," Yize said with difficulty.
He looked around the room, and the housekeeper promptly ushered everyone out of the dining area.
"My heat cycle is approaching," Yize cleared his throat and maintained a calm tone. "I need to go on a business trip to another star system tomorrow. So, before I leave, I'd like to..."
"I understand," Ella smiled and looked at Yize. "Do you want to go to your room?"
Yize blinked his eyes and nodded in agreement.
As Ella watched Yize's somewhat dazed expression, she couldn't help but smile. She hadn't expected the fearsome Commander of the First Legion to be so bashful when it came to addressing this matter. He was truly adorable.
"I'll take a shower first," Ella maintained a calm tone, trying to appear professional. "I'll come to your room in half an hour."
"Okay," Yize nodded.
Watching Ella ascend the stairs, Yize also felt a sense of relief. It was much easier than he had imagined.
Yize had no other choice; his heat cycle was just a few days away, and the suppressant's effectiveness was compromised because he had been thoroughly marked. He had to leave on a mission, and unstable pheromones could cause significant issues. His only solution was to rely on the pheromones of the Alpha who had marked him.
Half an hour later, Ella arrived outside Yize's room and knocked on the door.
"Please come in," Yize's voice came from the room.
Ella chuckled softly; this felt almost like booking a room in a hotel.
Suppressing her laughter, she pushed the door open.
Yize stood by the bed, wearing a dark gray robe, appearing somewhat reserved.
This was Ella's first time in Yize's bedroom, which shared the same minimalist style as the rest of his home, with few personal items. The room was in cool gray tones, but surprisingly, there was a soft, light gray carpet on the floor that felt incredibly comfortable underfoot.
Ella dimmed the room's lighting, walking forward. Unlike her usual demeanor when facing Yize, where she was submissive and obedient, she took the initiative this time and looked into his eyes.
"Shall we begin?" she softly inquired.
Yize nodded and reached for his belt.
Ella stopped his movement, gripping his wrist, and leaned forward, prompting Yize to unconsciously take a step back and sit on the bed.
Ella lowered her head and kissed Yize's lips.
Instantly, both of them let out contented hums. With a 98% pheromone match, it meant that any physical closeness they shared would be a hundredfold more enjoyable than for ordinary people.
The scent of their pheromones wafted into the air, mingling together.
Endless snowy expanses, tall, slender trees reaching toward the sky, new shoots sprouting from the bare branches.
Amidst the sunlit foliage, a gentle breeze blew, a little cool yet incredibly soothing and moist.
Yize's body softened completely. Omega instincts made him intensely crave being held and enveloped by an Alpha, yearning to be filled and bathed in their pheromones.
Similarly, Ella's eyes glistened with longing, her Alpha instincts transforming her into a predator on the open plain, desiring to fully claim the prey beneath her, to take over every aspect of them from the inside out.
Ella retained more clarity than Yize, still able to maintain some rationality. She watched the man beneath her, his fair, smooth skin carrying a hint of moisture from his recent shower. His once cold and distant gaze had transformed into one of desire, filled with a yearning he had never displayed before.