18 MEMORY

His brother, Ioan still understood, although Julien occasionally gave him a headache, he wouldn't be so unrestrained outside, let alone doing something excessive.

Lucius lowered his head and apologized to Ioan. His face was slightly tense: "I'm sorry, this incident is indeed my mistake, but please, don't misunderstand the situation."

Ioan's eyebrows furrowed tightly.

Julien blinked, looking extremely innocent at his brother. He shook his head, he felt so dizzy now and most of his consciousness seemed to be floating in the sky.

Both of Julien's hands clasped tightly on Lucius's arm, unwilling to let go. Seeing the omega's stickiness and dependence at this moment, Lucius was surprised. But at the same time, he also felt as if his heart was being struck by a feather. It was itchy, and brought some indescribable satisfaction.

However to the other man Julien's action was a bit ridiculous. Ioan took his brother away from Lucius's arm and was going to help him stand properly. But he finally found that something was wrong. At this moment, Julien's face was flushed. His eyes were teary, somewhat reddish, and with a dazed gaze.

Ioan eyes darkened even more. He turned to look at the tall man: "What happened to him?"

Lucius was not scared of him in the least as he met his eyes: "He is in heat."

Ioan paused, but this gave Julien an opportunity to break free and he excitedly rushed towards Lucius. The way he wobbled while running made other people nervous. Fortunately, before he could fall or trip over something, Lucius had caught him firmly.

Lucius laughed and perfunctorily said: "He would rather be with me than with you."

However, as soon as the words had left his mouth, he suddenly realized that this could make his friend unhappy. He couldn't help but press his lips together and glance at Ioan.

Ioan lowered his eyes slightly, his fine, long eyelashes fanning out. His long, slender fingers tightly clenched into a fist. His hands suddenly became a little itchy. He wanted to hit Lucius. His eyes were peaceful as if quietly waiting for something to happen.

Julien's hand tightly grabbed Lucius's sleeve and his mouth was tightly shut. When he eventually decided to speak his tone was filled with righteousness: "I found him first! He is mine!"

Ioan was feeling helpless because of this little brother of his: "Who?"

Julien replied in a matter of fact: "The snowman."

Immediately Ioan saw the other party less unpleasant.

Lucius secretly glanced at Julien. He put on his mastered fake smile, right down to the wrinkles around his eyes. His tone was exceptionally gentle as he lied through his teeth: "I was trying to help."

Ioan regarded Lucius as a true friend and someone he can rely on regardless of the circumstances. Their relationship was based on mutual respect and in the end he believed the man who in his opinion was trustworthy.

After returning to his villa, Lucius went into the study. His eyes were a bit uneasy. He opened the drawer, slipped out a cigarette and lit it, the white smoke blurred his face.

He seemed to pay too much attention to Julien. He wasn't really interested at first and even felt repulsion looking at this person, but now it seemed things had already changed.

So, since when did it start?

Clearly the young man was afraid of him and his eyes were full of desire to run away. On the contrary he was the one who was trying to get close to that omega.

At the thought that the other party is an omega his eyes flashed some evil light and a smile flickered across his face like a hologram.

In his mind he could still picture his childhood. A place of frustration, rage and confusion.

Lusius's parents married, because of bonding by accident and unexpected pregnancy after that. The man who gave birth to him resented him from the beginning. His father spent money to travel on business or with another omega so there were more reasons to take his anger out of him.

The childhood memories recall beating, hitting or slapping him for every single mistake. He was content while being neglected and when that person didn't look after him. Kneeling in self reflection was the time free from worry.

He had been thinking why his mother was so fierce? Don't his hands hurt?

Till now he never found the answers.

It's true that in other families other people's mothers surely have reason for their violence, however, he had done nothing wrong.

His father often said 'be good' or 'listen to your mom more'. How could he listen to him?

There were so many false illusions.

The day the man died after his father left was the happiest day in Lucius's life.

He suppressed thoughts about these events. His cigarette burning half, Lucius snuffed it out and opened the window to let the smoke disperse.

In a hushed whisper he went on: "In the end, tonight was a mistake."