We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Translator: Effe

Editor: Yonnee

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I only ate to survive. I never liked it. Why do they think I’d be fine with this when even they wouldn’t want to put that in their mouths?

Yes, now I understand why.

“I don’t… prefer to eat… food like that anymore.”

That was because I didn’t say it.

It all happened because I just accepted everything they forced me to do. Perhaps this wouldn’t change in the future.

The only person who protected me was no longer by my side.

Then I must protect myself. So, change was a must.

And today, for the first time, I took that first step.

“Mel?”

At that moment, I heard the nickname I missed again. Wasn’t the alpha’s limited obsession period already over? But why are you calling me with a voice like that? Why…

“…Uurp. Please add a clause.”

Having expressed my opinion to the end, I could no longer stay seated on my chair.

I felt my body crumble along with my mind falling under.

At the same time, I heard a voice ringing in my ear as a huge wave of pheromones enveloped me.

“Mel!”

It was the first time I realized that his voice, which he usually only uttered in a low tone, could change so violently.

And, how these heavy and cool pheromones could feel so reassuring.

In this period of time—with neither of us in the middle of a heat or rut, and without feeling the effects of an alpha’s obsession brought about by the temporary bond —I would never have expected at all that he would embrace me when I collapsed.

Unlike my messy head and bitter heart that was being trampled on, I liked him for holding me tightly.

The lock keeping my feelings at bay, try as I might to deny and keep away from, had been broken so easily.

When the alpha’s pheromones, which had been growing sharply, changed softly when he reached me, I couldn’t stand it.

I couldn’t stand it any longer.

I couldn’t deny it any longer.

I was already in love with him. I was just trying to ignore it.

Perhaps…

Right.

Maybe I fell in love with him the first time I saw him. When I was young—when he rescued me from the water.

Maybe that’s why I adored him countless times without even realizing it.

Even though I said I didn’t like Monica’s bullying, the reason I endured it was probably because I wanted to see him.

No one taught me how to stand alone.

Even Mother tried to hide it, she didn’t let me know reality.

I finally realized that I couldn’t win, couldn’t get up, and couldn’t move forward without doing it myself. Just admitting this piece of truth made me feel so relieved…

Maybe it’s because of the existence of my alpha, who was holding me so strongly now?

So I gladly leaned into his sturdy embrace. I pressed my face against his chest and feebly released my own pheromones.

It was these pheromones that allowed us to communicate without speaking.

As Monica was a beta, she would never notice. Not just her, but all those in this space would not.

In everyone’s presence, I spoke to him secretly and anxiously with this weak burst of pheromones.

It was only dust compared to the pheromone of the huge and massive dominant alpha, but I squeezed my own pheromone among the many betas.

It was a signal to let him know my feelings and to ask him to save me.

Even if I didn’t speak, he would understand my heart. No one here will be able to hear our silent conversation.

Perhaps noticing this kind of courage, his pheromone wrapped around me in response. It was intense and vast, as if to protect his omega.

It was so reassuring and cozy that I finally let go of the last strand of my consciousness.

It was the day I realized that the world with my own alpha was such a cozy place.

* * *

Ian stopped breathing for a moment as he watched the omega crumble in his arms.

Even though he knew that she had simply passed out, he strangely felt that one side of his chest had become detached from his body.

Having finished the meeting faster than expected, he came down from his office after hearing that Monica had already arrived at the ducal residence, and found an employee entering this place.

It wasn’t until after he entered the dining hall that he noticed that Melissa was with Monica. And, he saw a familiar sight.

He was not unaware of the fact that Monica had been bullying Melissa at the count’s residence. But he didn’t bother revealing it to Monica, nor did he interfere.

It wasn’t considered a problem in the noble society for a noble lady to harass a handmaid or maid, and most of them did.

But now, the situation was strangely intolerable.

No, he wanted them to get beyond what she endured. All the people here.

Who dared to offer such filthy food to his omega?

Then, all of a sudden, a question popped up in his mind.

Why was he so angry when it’s just about his omega being bullied?

Ian, who didn’t look deeply into it because it was an emotion he couldn’t understand himself, held the unconscious Melissa tightly instead of trying to find out the cause, unlike in the past.

Then he could feel Melissa press her face against his chest. Then she let out a weak burst of pheromones.

She desperately tried to make her presence known.

It was not easily felt, but his chest and nose was tapped with Melissa’s weak pheromone, as if to let him know that she lives here.

At that time, Ian smiled unconsciously. Oddly enough, her pheromones were pleasing.

He felt the urge to smell her fresh pheromone more deeply and up close, which he could not smell unless she was in heat. Without realizing it, he lowered his head and inhaled, wanting to touch the nape of her neck.

As the pheromones that were slightly thicker entered his lungs, he felt indescribable satisfaction. But as he soon immediately felt a sense of crisis, Ian stopped when he realized what he had just done.

He raised his bowed head with a trembling gaze.

“…..”

He did something he shouldn’t have done. He made a mistake knowing better than anyone else that love towards an omega was like poison.

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