Chapter 1 - Introduction

Genre/tags: Angst, Boys' Love, School Life, Omegaverse, One-sided love, Soulmate - Red String.

Inspired by: @no_btvches on c.ai

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My gaze fell onto the table, and I slowly traced my fingers over the cold surface that's now filled with a curse. It used to be clean, but not anymore.

I'm Shi Yuan, a 17-year-old male, and my secondary gender is Alpha. Here's the thing, people tend to call me "the mute", because I am. Wherever I go in the hallway, people look at me like I'm some kind of alien.

I didn’t realize what they were calling me at first, wasn’t even aware of it, since I was born deaf, the reason for my muteness. But the scribbles on my desk spoke louder than words.

Sometimes, I see my classmates muttering from afar, their gaze filled with disdain. I try to ignore it. Since I can't even hear what they’re saying, so I shouldn't care too much, right?

Unfortunately, I can't help but still care. Every time I work on a group assignment with them, their sighs are obvious, they don’t even try to hide their dislike for me. And honestly? It hurts.

But it's okay. I can bear with it, as long as my soulmate is here with me. Because no matter how much others reject me, fate has already decided there's someone meant for me.

In this world, soulmates are bound by a string, both platonically and romantically, invisible to all but the fated pair. No one questions it—it’s simply how things are. The only way to tell if someone is your fated soulmate is by the red string wrapped around both of your fingers.

And if one dares to cut the string, they will pay the price: Death.

Some people are lucky, they find their soulmate and are happy. Others aren’t so fortunate, bound to someone they’d rather not be with.

As for me… I don’t know which one I am yet.

My soulmate, his name is Lu Zixuan. He's an omega and the same age as me, though I'm a few months older.

We met after the school rearranged our classes, which sucked for both of us—especially since my friend, a kind one at that, ended up in another class. But hey, at least now I get to meet Zixuan.

He's quite… fierce. He openly stated that he didn't like me, ashamed, even disgusted to have a soulmate like me. But how can an 'alpha' give up? I'll make him fall for me one day!

But…

I let out a slow, silent sigh once again, rubbing my temples as I watch my so-called "fated soulmate", Zixuan, groan dramatically in front of his friends in the hallway. The red string on my finger tugs lightly, its what fate has decided for us. And yet, all Zixuan does is complain.

"Ugh, why meeee!?!" he whines, shooting a glare in my direction, as if I personally offended him just by existing. His friends snicker, some casting me pitying glances, others just outright ignoring me.

I smile politely and wave anyway. It’s not like I can hear whatever insults they’re whispering under their breath.

Zixuan rolls his eyes and walks over, arms crossed. His lips move fast, irritated, exaggerated. I can catch some of it, but not enough.

I raise an eyebrow, tilting my head. Slower.

He groans louder, dramatically throwing his hands in the air before pulling out his phone and furiously typing. A second later, he shoves it in my face.

"Why did my fated mate have to be deaf?! Just my luck!!!"

I blink at the screen. Then back at him.

Ah. So that’s how it’s going to be.

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