Tears streamed from the corners of her eyes as Zoe Pierce wrapped her arms around Erin Xavier’s neck.

Just as he wanted, she kissed his lips.

Everything around them seemed to blur, as if seen through a soft-focus filter.

Erin Xavier kept his promise and didn’t cross the line.

But he did enjoy a few extra-curricular activities.

His fingers toyed with the tender bud, stirring the flowing spring.

His fingers were as nimble as you’d expect from a mecha pilot, capable of freely manipulating all sorts of complex buttons.

He was also perfectly fulfilling his promise.

To give her pleasure.

He guided her slender hands, making them roam across his pecs and abs.

This time, however, he was smart.

He knew not to ask Zoe Pierce whose body was better—his or Chase Shaw’s.

He just kept making her remember him, branding himself onto every cell in her brain.

In the end, Erin Xavier carried Zoe Pierce out of the media room.

Her clothes were draped over her body, her legs dangling limply from his arms.

When she realized Erin Xavier intended to carry her into the shower, Zoe Pierce struggled a little. The bright lights helped bring her back to her senses.

But Erin Xavier’s arm held her in place. "Zoe, I really won’t do anything. Let’s just take a shower and get a good night’s sleep."

He used his spiritual power, and in an instant, they were in the bathroom.

He didn’t even turn on the lights, trying not to make Zoe Pierce feel awkward.

But they both knew that for an Alpha, the darkness was no impediment to his vision; he could still see everything.

Still, people are good at deceiving themselves.

’As long as I can feel hidden, it’s fine.’

Zoe Pierce took a quick, hot shower. The spray of water soaked the only piece of clothing Erin Xavier was wearing—his pants.

He wrapped Zoe Pierce snugly in a bath towel, fetched her a nightgown, and carried her to the bed.

He then used Zoe Pierce’s bathroom to wash up in the dark himself.

When he came out, Zoe Pierce was already dressed and lying in bed. Erin Xavier had brought several changes of clothes; he put on a fresh set, pulled back the covers, and slid in beside her.

’Getting bolder by the day.’

Tonight, there was no way he was sleeping on that damned Imperial Concubine Couch.

He planted a kiss on the side of Zoe Pierce’s neck but made no other moves, simply taking her hand.

Zoe Pierce had been lying with her back to him, but she slowly turned over to face him.

Erin Xavier had used her shower gel; now he smelled just like her.

’It’s a nice scent.’

Her movements were subtle, but Erin Xavier noticed them at once. "Can’t sleep tonight?"

Zoe Pierce was utterly drained because he had been multitasking—his hands roaming all over her.

Hearing this, she pressed her forehead against his arm, her eyelashes brushing his skin. "Shut up and go to sleep."

’I’m really a bit tired.’

’It’s a completely different kind of tired from a physical workout.’

’A pleasant languor... I don’t want to move.’

And a wave of lassitude that seemed to start from her scalp and wash over her entire nervous system.

Hearing the faint note of impatience in her voice, Erin Xavier immediately fell silent.

He didn’t really understand it himself. Zoe Pierce could easily run four or five kilometers without breaking a sweat, so how could something like this make her feel so tired?

’We haven’t even done anything yet.’

’And she’s already this delicate.’

He couldn’t even imagine what she’d be like if they went any further.

*

Just as Erin Xavier had predicted, after a few days of them living together, Miles Sherman and the others inevitably showed up.

Miles Sherman was a master of silent observation.

There was always a certain tension about Zoe Pierce when she was between Nathan Lockwood, Chase Shaw, and Erin Xavier.

Erin Xavier knew there was no need to hide in front of them. Too lazy to even put on an act, he casually kissed the strands of hair by Zoe Pierce’s cheek and leaned in close to her.

He looked for all the world like someone head-over-heels in love.

Miles Sherman lifted his glass and took a sip of water.

"That’s basically it. It’s time to pack up and head back to school," Nathan Lockwood said, outlining the school’s requirements. They were to move into the provided dorms a few days early, and a dedicated instructor would be in charge of things from then on.

Nathan Lockwood projected an interstellar map. "As expected, it’s on a Border Star again."

Zoe Pierce pushed aside her awkwardness and studied the location carefully.

It was on the border between The Empire and The Federation.

"Director Quinn will explain the specific competition format on the Starship. Estimated flight time is half a month." Spanning the entire Federation for a top-tier event like this required leaving a generous amount of travel time.

Miles Sherman looked at Erin Xavier. "Erin, that’s enough. Go home and pack."

Erin Xavier was sprawled brazenly on Zoe Pierce’s sofa. He tilted his head back. "Yeah, I know."

’In truth, Erin felt he had nothing to pack. Just bring his mecha and himself; he was confident someone would prepare everything else.’

Still, he knew his behavior might be a bit too conspicuous, so he agreed readily.

"Zoe, I’m heading back then," Erin Xavier called out, turning to the side.

Zoe Pierce turned away from Nathan Lockwood. "Okay."

But then Erin seemed to have an idea. He abruptly got up from the sofa, grabbed Zoe Pierce’s arm, and said, "Come with me for a second."

Confused, Zoe Pierce let him pull her into the guest room. She looked at him, her eyes full of questions. "What’s wrong?"

Erin Xavier’s gaze fell to her lips. "Zoe, this is the last time."

Their last kiss for the next month.

Erin Xavier’s gaze was so intense that Zoe Pierce understood immediately.

Hiding away in a guest room, the tightly closed door—it all revealed his intentions.

The man licked his lips, not approaching with fierce hunger, but slowly, like a gentle wave.

As he touched that other softness, he seemed to learn gentleness for the first time.

He traced and tangled with her lips until both their breaths grew heavy, then he pulled away.

"Zoe," he murmured her name, pulling Zoe Pierce completely into his embrace. "I’m going to miss this so much."

’How did the time go by so fast?’

Zoe Pierce patted Erin Xavier’s back. "It’s not like we’ll never see each other again."

Erin Xavier was crestfallen. "But I definitely won’t be able to hold you like this anymore."

Not just the hugs—all the intimacy would be gone.

At a competition of this scale, every little action would be magnified. Erin Xavier was one hundred percent certain he wouldn’t be able to lay a hand on her.

Zoe Pierce said, "Alright, we’ve been gone for too long."

’What will the others in the living room think after we suddenly disappeared for so long?’

Erin Xavier let out a long sigh before finally releasing Zoe Pierce.

’His fun time was, as of now, officially over.’

’It was going to take an incredible amount of willpower to endure this. At least he could still keep her in his sights, which was some small consolation.’

’He felt like he needed to go ask Nathan Lockwood for advice on how to manage this mindset.’

Zoe Pierce was oblivious to his thoughts. Having shared their kiss and embrace, the two of them finally returned to the living room.

After packing a few things, Zoe Pierce followed the four men onto the hovercar.

Unsurprisingly, she ended up sitting next to Erin Xavier again.

Miles Sherman silently watched as Zoe Pierce closed her eyes and rested her head on Erin Xavier’s arm.

She looked completely at ease, and Erin, entirely accustomed to it, planted a kiss on her forehead.

Abruptly, a vast emptiness washed over him.