[BL] Alpha, You've Got the Wrong Mate!

Chapter 158: 158 — Because We Are Friends

Ren hadn’t realized the couple was gone until the sound of distant footsteps echoed behind him. He turned his head slightly, just enough to see a maid passing through the corridor—a servant assigned to this wing.

Only then did he notice how tense his body was. His breath came shallow, his muscles stiff as if frozen in place.

At least this time, the fear hadn’t triggered his pheromones or a heat. But his legs gave out despite himself, and he fell to his knees on the cold marble floor.

A shaky sigh escaped him, the sound faint but filled with relief. His breath trembled until he forced himself to steady it. It was quick—like the snap of a finger—as if he had done it countless times before.

With both hands, he pushed himself up from the floor and brushed his palms together, wiping off imaginary dust. The palace was always spotless, yet somehow, dirt found its way everywhere.

Turning on his heel, he walked toward his wing with quick steps as if he were chased by a beast. When he reached his room, his steps faltered.

A familiar figure stood there, back and head slightly tilted against the wall as he gazed at the ceiling—waiting for something. Or someone.

”My Lord?” His voice was faint, barely audible, yet Zayden straightened instantly.

”Where have you been?” he asked, impatience threading through his tone as the servant stopped before him.

Ren blinked, puzzled. Around this hour, Zayden was usually asleep.

”Did you need something?”

Zayden shook his head, letting out a quiet sigh.

”Do I have to need something to look for you? I thought we were friends.”

Ren tried to keep his composure, but a faint frown crossed his face.

”Yes... but to visit a friend this late at night—”

”Oh, come on!” Zayden groaned, swinging the door open. His hand shot out, wrapping around Ren’s wrist and pulling him inside before he could protest.

Once they were inside, Zayden released him quickly—as if afraid Ren might take offence and walk out.

It would have been fine any other night. But not now.

”What is it, my Lord?”

Zayden didn’t answer right away. He just needed to be near him—even for a moment. He hadn’t seen Ren all day. He’d been buried in discussions with Enzo about breaking the bond and strategizing how to handle it without offending the Hianshu delegation.

As if that hadn’t been infuriating enough, when he’d gone to Ren’s room earlier, no one answered. Losing patience, he’d opened the door himself—only to find it empty. He told himself Ren must’ve been caught up in some task.

But why was he even working as a servant here? His duty was to stay by Zayden’s side, not serve someone else.

Hence, he decided to wait for him. By the time Zayden finally spotted the servant, irritation had already been boiling beneath his skin. He had wanted to grab him by the wrist and demand an answer.

Yet now—hearing Ren’s soft, soothing voice—all that anger scattered. Not a single word came to mind.

”I-I was...” He hesitated before blurting, ”My birthday!” He exclaimed, clasping his hands together.

Ren tilted his head to the left, trying to make sense of the General’s words. What did his birthday have to do with his coming to see him?

”You haven’t celebrated your birthday in the last five years.”

Zayden’s shoulders stiffened. Was he going to get caught? His birthday had passed last week! Hannah had told him to organize a small gathering, but he strictly refused. Yet, he was somewhat glad he hadn’t listened to her. This way, he could now use his birthday as a pretext to stay longer beside Ren.

”Yes, I did not.” He coughed, clearing his throat.

”When is it?”

Zayden blinked.

”When is what?”

”Your birthday,” Ren let out a soft sigh. The General surely needed some sleep. Otherwise, why would he hesitate so much and be confused?

He nodded in agreement with himself, coming to the conclusion.

”What are you nodding about?” Zayden, noticing the servant’s odd demeanour, asked.

”Nothing...” Ren gently tucked a strand of hair behind his ear.

And at that moment, Zayden forgot how to breathe. His heart raced like a wild horse, its speed refusing to slow even for a second. His cheeks flushed, and he quickly averted his gaze before Ren could notice anything.

”So? When is your birthday? Do you want to organize a banquet in the capital? I can arrange that—”

”What?” Zayden turned quickly, startled. He hadn’t expected Ren to take his birthday that way!

”There will be no celebration,” he said firmly, shaking his head.

Ren narrowed his gaze for a brief second.

”Then... why did you come here?”

Zayden hesitated for a moment, scratching the back of his neck.

”Because we are friends, aren’t we? And friends wish each other a happy birthday.”

Ren tilted his head again, a faint flicker of amusement in his eyes.

”Is that so?”

”Of course,” Zayden replied, crossing his arms as if to appear more confident than he felt. ”Now it’s only fair that I know when yours is.”

Ren blinked, caught off guard.

”Mine?”

”Yes, yours,” Zayden insisted, leaning forward slightly. ”When’s your birthday, Ren?”

”O-Oh...” A soft gasp escaped the servant. How could he tell him that he didn’t even know his own birthday?

Zayden waited for an answer, but none came. Slowly, his arms dropped to his sides as he leaned a little closer.

”You don’t want to tell me?”

”I-It is not that,” Ren muttered, turning his head to avoid Zayden’s face, which was just a little too close.

”Then?” Zayden straightened, following Ren’s every movement with careful attention.

Ren’s mind raced while he heightened his options. Which one would be better?

Should he just tell Zayden the truth? That he did not know his own birthday? That the very people who should have celebrated him had been gone before he could even remember them? But then... his lie about living in the forest with his parents until now would be exposed.