Scents of Sandalwood and Rain Read online

  Scents of Sandalwood and Rain

  Carter Thomas

  Copyright 2020

  All Rights Reserved.

  Notice: No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced in any format, by any means electronic or otherwise, without prior consent from the copyright owner and publisher of this book. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Contents

  Scents of Sandalwood and Rain

  Dedication

  Part 1 – Buds of Beginnings

  Part 2 – Blossoms of the Future

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Dedication

  To all the Archive of Our Own readers who supported the fanfiction version of this story, you're amazing.

  Part 1 – Buds of Beginnings

  On a summer day, Nuo Fang and Shan Xianyan are completing the last leg of the trek towards Anxiang Valley. Lianyu is not like Youshen in climate; Lianyu is milder compared to the humid summers of Youshen but the beating sun isn't helping either of the young men on their trip. Shan Xianyan is pretty sure Nuo Fang, his brother through adoption, is going to have a sunburn by the time they get to Anxiang Valley or he himself will have one. Neither of them can see Anxiang Valley in the distance so they chat about whatever possible.

  “What did Madame Yang warn us before we left Honglian Lakeside?” Shan Xianyan asks. He honestly has no memory of her scoldings and warnings before they left. Madame Yang, also known as Yang Qinghu, is Nuo Fang's mother.

  Nuo Fang gives an irritated sigh and his Alpha scent signals his annoyance. His scent reminds Shan Xianyan of citrus; it's much different than Shan Xianyan's scent of rain during a storm. Nuo Fang replies, “Mother said that you and I need to be on our best behavior. The LianyuLiu sect has too many rules that must be obeyed or we will face punishment. As Alphas, we're expected to represent our clan in the best light possible... especially since Alphas and Omegas are segregated at Anxiang Valley. Alphas are forbidden in the Omega housing area.”

  “What about Betas?” Shan Xianyan wonders aloud.

  “They get to choose what housing they prefer whether they lean more Alpha or Omega.”

  “That's kinda ridiculous. Why should Alphas and Omegas be separated when mating cycles only occur when we find a compatible mate? If they don't want people fucking outside of marriage, they should just make the rule that premarital sex is not allowed.” Shan Xianyan sounds bitter.

  “They have that as a rule, too.”

  Shan Xianyan sputters before he says, “Really? Wow, no fun at all!”

  “... Mother was more concerned about you breaking the rules than me, Shan Xianyan. Please don't do anything too stupid.” Nuo Fang almost sounds like he's begging... like he knows Shan Xianyan is destined to cause trouble.

  Shan Xianyan responds, “No promises but I will try. You're arguably the hornier of the two of us, Nuo Yaoren.”

  The other Alpha glares at him with walnut-colored eyes for a moment for having his courtesy name used. Perhaps it's because they are close but Shan Xianyan rarely uses his brother's courtesy name, preferring to use his birth name of Nuo Fang. It's shorter and nicer to use since they are close. However, the feeling is not mutual since Nuo Fang only uses his birth name, Shan Shui, when he's angry with him. Shan Xianyan can let that slide like water off a duck's back but maybe one day his brother will cave to using birth names only.

  They keep walking mostly in silence, besides Shan Xianyan's commentary about being too hot because of the sun or whatever, until Anxiang Valley. They know the rules, somewhat. No killing, no alcohol, no breaking curfew, no fighting, no speaking loudly, no running, etc. Shan Xianyan already feels dread and they haven't even entered Anxiang Valley yet.

  Nuo Fang mentions, “Part of our teachings will be to copy all the rules of the LianyuLiu Sect at least eight times. You remember Mother telling you that?”

  Shan Xianyan's heart sinks and replies, “Are you serious? I'm not marrying a LianyuLiu Sect Omega! Neither are you. Why would we need to copy their rules?”

  “I think they just want us to suffer along with their own disciples.” Nuo Fang doesn't hide the amused tone in his voice but he's probably not wrong either. At least both of them are not enthused about this whole ordeal but Shan Xianyan is definitely more disinterested with the ordeal than his brother is.

  ◆◆◆

  Once they're inside Anxiang Valley, they're lead to the Alpha housing area. It turns out the Alpha housing area is only separated from the Omega housing area by one long main street that is shared by all dynamics. The street is mostly a merchant place. However, Shan Xianyan thinks it's a bit redundant. Why say that Alphas are forbidden in the Omega housing area when they're only separated by one measly street? That seems to scream for Alphas to break that rule freely.

  In the Alpha housing area, they are greeted by their future teacher with a long black beard, Liu Zhashi, and their fellow Alpha and Beta housemates. Liu Zhashi gives them a basic rundown of the rules that are most likely to be broken by outsiders and warns them all they will be punished if they break the rules. After that, Nuo Fang and Shan Xianyan learn they will be rooming with Wu Shenxin, a Beta who is more Omega-leaning just from appearance. The Beta has his black hair in a tight topknot similar to Nuo Fang. When they ask why he's in the Alpha house when he appears to lean towards Omega, he shakes his head in refusal to respond and tries to distract the conversation to something else. Eventually, they don't question it because it turns out Wu Shenxin has a pretty nice book collection he brought from his home sect and he's pleasant to share a room with.

  The first week is spent with their first assignment from Liu Zhashi. They are to copy the LianyuLiu sect rules before class starts in seven days. It's a miserable task. Nuo Fang struggles to pay attention to the assignment because Shan Xianyan is playing with his own calligraphy brush and Wu Shenxin keeps falling asleep while doing the work. By the third day in the evening, Nuo Fang reaches his breaking point with Shan Xianyan's distractions and demands, “Get out. I can't copy the rules with you here.”

  “But what about curfew?” Shan Xianyan asks in a mocking tone.

  “I don't care what you do, get out of here.”

  Shan Xianyan sees Nuo Fang is very serious and decides not to question him. He gets up and says, “I'll be out for a while!”

  “Don't get in trouble,” says Nuo Fang before returning to copying the rules.

  Shan Xianyan leaves but doesn't heed what his adoptive brother says. The first thing he wonders if he could sneak out of Anxiang Valley and get alcohol in the next town over. He heard that people can get rice liquor just a few miles away if they play their cards right. Shan Xianyan has money in his pockets and decides to sneak out of Anxiang Valley to get alcohol.

  It's a challenge just getting out of Anxiang Valley after curfew. There are Liu disciples patrolling around and the main gate is guarded. Luckily, he's very crafty and finds a tree hanging over the wall of the city boundary to climb over and escape. He walks quickly and sneaks to the main road without being discovered. This is great! He's going to get away with this. It's only a thirty-minute walk to the next town and sure enough, there is rice liquor being sold by one of the vendors. Shan Xianyan thought about only buying enough for himself but then thinks of his housemates and decides that they need to be rewarded for tolerating his presence. He buys a total of four jars of alcohol; two for himself and one a piece for Nuo Fang and Wu Shenxin.

  After making his purchase, he walks back and finds the tre
e he used to climb over the wall. It was more difficult leaving Anxiang Valley than it was coming back, even with the alcohol in his hands. Climbing up the tree and over the wall, he only pauses when he feels like someone is staring at him. He looks around and the person watching him appears.

  The person watching is none other than Liu Zuan, that being his birth name. With intense gray eyes, flowing obsidian hair, an almost unreadable expression, and the telltale sky blue attire of the Liu clan, he's unmistakable aside from the fact he's similar to his older brother, Liu Zhaoxian. At first, Shan Xianyan is mildly startled at being caught by a Liu disciple trying to sneak alcohol but then another piece of information comes across his nose that makes him think he might have a chance at getting away with it. The scent of sandalwood from Liu Zuan has the soft undertones that scream of Omega. Despite his appearance, he is a dynamic that Shan Xianyan figures he can charm.

  “Liu Zuan!” Shan Xianyan uses his birth name despite them not being close while releasing a pleasing scent meant to be soothing. “Would you like some-”

  “Alcohol is banned in Anxiang Valley.” Liu Zuan's voice is unforgiving, blunt. It catches Shan Xianyan off-guard because he's used to Omegas (other than Madame Yang) submitting to his whims when he gives off a playful, friendly scent. Shan Xianyan loses his smile and Liu Zuan continues, “And, you've broken curfew.”

  Shan Xianyan realizes he's in a jam. He knows he will be punished if he can't get the Omega off his back for the alcohol and breaking curfew. While he might not consider himself a cutsleeve, he knows his tone sounds flirty and his scent purposely reflects feigned desire as he says, “Come on, Liu Zuan, let me off this one time. I will make it worth your while later.” He gives Liu Zuan a sultry gaze and a wink with his hazel eyes.

  That just makes Liu Zuan narrow his eyes more and stand his ground as if he's refusing to breathe in the Alpha's scent. “You broke the rules. Atone.” Liu Zuan's scent is filled with irritation, having an edge as sharp as a blade when breathed in.

  Shan Xianyan is no longer smiling but decides he's not getting out of this one completely. He instead gets ready on his feet and says, “You'll have to stop me... Omega.”

  Reducing Liu Zuan to his dynamic seems to be the final straw because anger fills Liu Zuan's scent and he's chasing Shan Xianyan through Anxiang Valley. Shan Xianyan almost loses a jar of alcohol at least three times as he uses his reflexes and speed to avoid Liu Zuan. He's surprised the Omega got so angry being called what he is. He thinks he can escape Liu Zuan by disappearing down alleyways and tight spaces but it turns out Liu Zuan is one step ahead, knowing Anxiang Valley like the back of his hand compared to Shan Xianyan. Soon, Shan Xianyan has to make a decision. Either, he runs through the Omega housing area to reach the Alpha housing area or he lets Liu Zuan catch him.

  Obviously, he chooses to run through the Omega housing area. But, that turns out to be a worse mistake. As he runs through the Omega housing area, many Omegas see him and Liu Zuan running through Anxiang Valley as well as the alcohol Shan Xianyan has. He hears one Omega woman say, scandalized, “An Alpha in the housing area?! With alcohol?!” and another gasps to see Liu Zuan chasing him, saying, “The young master is running in Anxiang Valley!”

  Shan Xianyan thinks he has gotten away with it when he notices Liu Zuan slowing down as he nears the Alpha housing area. At least, that is until he runs into someone. Shan Xianyan falls on his ass and one jar of alcohol breaks to his dismay. He looks up to see who he ran into and is wide-eyed when he sees who it is. Liu Zhaoxian, by courtesy name, brushes himself off from surprise of being run into. The brother of Liu Zuan seems concerned at first but then looks over the situation to realize what is happening. It's obvious he pieces together what all is wrong here. First, Shan Xianyan ran into him when running is not allowed. Second, the alcohol is in plain sight. Third, Shan Xianyan, who is an Alpha, is in the Omega housing area. Finally, he realizes Shan Xianyan broke curfew to get the alcohol. The kicker is that when Liu Zuan appears, Liu Zhaoxian realizes his brother also broke rules by chasing Shan Xianyan.

  When Liu Zhaoxian stares at him, Shan Xianyan can only say, “Um, hi?”

  “Elder Brother.” Liu Zuan seems to realize that his brother knows they both committed infractions against the rules and sounds guilty. “I caught him sneaking out after curfew and tried to confront him for breaking the rules but... I lost it.”

  “What caused you to lose your temper, Shundao?” Liu Zhaoxian, using his brother's courtesy name, is curious as what could set his brother off.

  “He... he addressed me as ‘Omega’,” admits Liu Zuan and Liu Zhaoxian's eyes widen. Shan Xianyan still doesn't understand why it's such a big deal he called Liu Zuan 'Omega'. He is an Omega, so why is it such a big deal?

  After that, Liu Zhaoxian gently scolds them both for causing a ruckus and they're both taken to Liu Zhashi. It's decided they will be punished in the morning for their rule-breaking. At the crack of dawn, as it seems like to Shan Xianyan, both he and Liu Zuan are made an example for all the students and Liu disciples of why they shouldn't break the rules. Both are put on their knees and receive a beating with a rod-like object. Shan Xianyan receives fifty hits to the back. He doesn't have to see Nuo Fang and Wu Shenxin to know they cringe at every blow he receives.

  Once the beating is over, Shan Xianyan doesn't miss the intense glare he receives from Liu Zuan before he is carried away by Nuo Fang. As Nuo Fang is carrying him, Shan Xianyan complains, “I thought I would get away with it! This is awful!”

  Wu Shenxin lightly cools himself with a fan in the summer heat and replies, “Well... you were kind of destined for failure once a Liu disciple discovered you. To be discovered by one of the two Liu brothers and then stopped by the other is just additionally worse. What were you thinking going through the Omega housing area? I understand the breaking curfew to get alcohol but that was a bit much...”

  Shan Xianyan counters, “I had no choice! Liu Zuan was chasing me! What was I supposed to do? Let myself be caught? I had no intention of letting the fruits of my labor go to waste.”

  Nuo Fang wonders aloud, “What did you do to upset Liu Shundao? Also, why are you calling him by his birth name?”

  Shan Xianyan shrugs before saying, “He's our classmate and I want to show closeness. He got upset after I addressed him as 'Omega'... I mean, he is an Omega. Why would calling him one make him upset?”

  Nuo Fang seems to hum in contemplation because he's wondering why Liu Zuan would be upset at that as well but Wu Shenxin keeps silent on the knowledge he possesses that they don't. Instead, Wu Shenxin suggests, “Please don't address people from the LianyuLiu sect by their dynamic. I think you do not understand their customs well.”

  Shan Xianyan and Nuo Fang both shout, “Obviously!”

  Shan Xianyan spends the rest of the day nursing his aching back from the beatings. In fact, he believes he will be doing so for the rest of the week.

  ◆◆◆

  Unable to stay out of trouble, eventually Shan Xianyan is punished again for supposedly breaking the rules. This time it was because he questioned Liu Zhashi's teachings of the process of subduing spirits with feng shui. His suggestions are very macabre, to say the least; he suggested using frightening depictions and art to drive spirits away. Shan Xianyan could feel the glare of Liu Zuan when he even suggested such a way of thinking and Liu Zhashi probably wanted to throw something at him. However, what actually happened was that Shan Xianyan's punishment for such thinking is to copy all sect rules three times... and it's a long list. To make sure he actually does it, Liu Zhashi does something surprising; he assigns Liu Zuan to watch over him and make sure he actually does it for four hours a day after lessons in the West Library, an almost sacred place within the city.

  No matter how much Shan Xianyan protested, he isn't getting out of it and he even tried to argue that he didn't need Liu Zuan watching over him. Liu Zuan hates him enough and doesn't need to be present. In fact, the Omega might be a distraction just because of his
scent. Shan Xianyan swears he isn't a cutsleeve but his inner Alpha is a little too intrigued by being in the presence of a male Omega than it should.

  It's the beginning of autumn when Shan Xianyan goes to the library for the first session of copying the rules. He sighs as he enters the library and finds Liu Zuan waiting for him, reading a book. Shan Xianyan sniffs and finds himself a bit relieved to find that Liu Zuan's scent isn't its usual one of irritation. It's actually one of calm and enjoyment. His face doesn't show it but Shan Xianyan can smell that Liu Zuan is pleased with the book he's reading. For some reason, that delights Shan Xianyan's Alpha.

  However, the scent changes when Liu Zuan catches sight of him. The scent goes from relaxed to sharp with annoyance as it's paired with a glance of narrowed eyes. Shan Xianyan feels his inner Alpha go on edge and he feels the need to produce a dominant scent, one that says he's in charge. Putting on a smile and trying to be friendly, Shan Xianyan goes and plops down at the table next to Liu Zuan before saying, “I'm here. I see you're enjoying a book-”

  Liu Zuan points at the paper and ink on the table and says, “Get started. Don't talk to me.”

  Shan Xianyan pouts. He doesn't want to be on bad terms anymore with this man. He endured a month, at least, of straight-up glaring and hostility. Shan Xianyan has always been friendly with Omegas and doesn't like the idea of having one hate him this much. At first, he tries to focus on copying the rules like he's supposed to. But, as he predicted, the presence of an Omega is too distracting for the Alpha.

  In Youshen, Alphas and Omegas are not segregated by rules but Alphas are treated with higher privileges than Betas and Omegas. The only Omega with an exception to this rule is Madame Yang. Because of this hierarchy, the fact that the Omegas of Lianyu are so independent and hold their own against Alphas really intrigues Shan Xianyan. He's used to being fawned over by Omegas or treated like a 'master' by them but in Anxiang Valley, he's treated like an equal. The fact that Omegas don't bother to hide their scent with scent blockers either also makes Shan Xianyan a bit antsy because his nose is used to only smelling Alphas around him. He can only imagine how Nuo Fang must be feeling as well. Even if neither he or Nuo Fang have had their first ruts, the smell of the Omegas is inspiring lustful thoughts just from their scent alone and both men are slowly realizing why Alphas and Omegas are in separate housing areas. Even unmated Alphas would be too tempted to seduce Omegas to relieve their lust and Omegas would do the same if the rule wasn't in place.