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

Chapter 335: 335 — A Place To Call Mine

The meeting with the Emperor went unexpectedly well. He neither scolded Soren nor showed a hint of disappointment when the young man announced his wish to marry Prince Rihaan of Danshin. If anything, he looked as though he had been expecting it all along.

Zaphyr smiled, rising from his seat before pulling the omega into a firm embrace.

”I am glad to know you chose yourself for once,” he said quietly. ”I kept telling you to value yourself more, but... I suppose some things simply take time.”

It was a private conversation—no ministers present to whisper rumours, no voices raised in opposition to Soren’s decision.

When the omega voiced his remaining worries, the Emperor only frowned and waved them aside, telling him his sole concern now should be the wedding. This time, there would be no engagement. It would be a direct marriage.

Later, seated at his desk, Soren carefully wrote everything down onto a sheet of parchment. Once finished, he folded it neatly and slid it into an envelope, writing Zayden’s mansion address on the front.

The door swung open, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps.

”Oh, you are here,” Soren said, looking up.

Rihaan stood before him, smiling brightly.

The omega’s gaze dropped to the alpha’s blood-soaked hands, and he exhaled sharply.

”What is this?” he asked, frowning.

”Why do you get upset so easily? You’ll get wrinkles,” Rihaan said lightly as he moved closer, pressing a gentle kiss to Soren’s forehead—careful not to touch him any further, afraid of staining the Crown Prince’s pristine clothes.

Soren shook his head.

”Where have you been—to end up like this?”

Rihaan swallowed, averting his gaze. He had been strictly ordered not to approach Captain Oliver.

However, he couldn’t help it—not when the memory of that man trying to harm his beloved still burned in his chest.

”Don’t tell me you went to see him!” Soren gasped, rubbing his temples. ”I told you not to.”

”Was I supposed to wait? Until when? I needed him to be punished,” Rihaan puffed his cheeks, like a child deprived of his favourite indulgence. Before Soren could say anything else, he perched himself on the edge of the desk, his gaze falling on the sealed envelope.

”You’re writing to him?” He pointed at Zayden’s name.

”He is my brother,” Soren replied, narrowing his gaze—clearly displeased by Rihaan’s reaction.

”Yes—but did you write about us?”

Soren nodded without hesitation.

”Is it something I shouldn’t mention?”

”It’s not that... just...” Rihaan lowered his head. ”He hates me now. After everything, I doubt he would accept this.”

Soren took out his handkerchief and gently wiped the blood from Rihaan’s hands. Some of it had already dried, clinging stubbornly to his skin, while the rest came off easily.

”He says he wants me to be happy—to choose the one I love. He won’t oppose us,” Soren said with a soft smile, looking up at Rihaan.

The alpha, however, still didn’t look convinced.

”Last time he surely wanted to kill me,” he scoffed.

***

”This man... How dare he! I will kill him!” Zayden roared, crumpling the piece of paper beneath the pressure of his hands.

Ren looked at him, arms folded.

”And who exactly are you going to kill?”

”That Prince Rihaan! Does he think my brother is a joke?!”

The omega didn’t reply. He rose from his seat, poured water into a glass, then held it out to the alpha.

”Drink this.”

”I am not thirsty,” Zayden snapped.

”Please.”

Seeing Ren insist, the alpha let out a deep sigh before taking the glass and draining it within seconds.

Then, the omega placed the empty glass on the table and sat on the alpha’s lap.

Although he allowed the silver-haired man to do as he pleased, Zayden blinked, perplexed.

”What are you doing?” he whispered.

Ren wrapped an arm around Zayden’s neck, grounding him, before locking gazes with him.

”You really need to understand that he is your older brother. I know you want to protect him, but he also has a say in his own life. If this is what makes him happy, shouldn’t we be the first to offer our support? He is your family—and nothing is more important than your family’s support.”

Zayden stared at Ren, baffled.

Was this really the man he had known all these years? The one he believed would never be able to explain something like this to him?

Then again, humans mature quickly—unlike us. Half-immortal... or entirely immortal beings.

He thought to himself.

”Why are you looking at me like that?” Ren averted his gaze, heat rushing to his cheeks.

Zayden chuckled, shaking his head.

”No reason. Just admiring you.” He smiled before kissing the omega passionately.

Ren didn’t pull away. Instead, he returned the kiss, closing his eyes.

He didn’t know how long they stayed like that, but neither of them wanted to break away—as if this alone was what held them together.

When Zayden heard approaching footsteps, he pulled away reluctantly.

The omega batted his eyelashes, wondering if the alpha was displeased.

”Someone is coming.”

The moment he said that, Ren sprang to his feet, stepping back. However, he stumbled, nearly falling—only for Zayden to catch him.

The dark-blue-haired man wrapped an arm around the omega’s waist as they stared into each other’s eyes.

Just then, the door opened—and a ripple of gasps filled the room.

Enzo and Yusha stood before them, hands covering their mouths, eyes wide. They were shocked.

Zayden raised an eyebrow, glaring at them.

”Why are you—”

Before he could finish, Ren freed himself from the alpha’s grip.

”My Lord,” the two men greeted.

”Why are you looking at us like that? You know very well about our relationship,” Zayden said, folding his arms.

”Yes, but—” Enzo struggled to hold back his laughter. ”We were unaware we would get to see it like this.”

”What brings you here?” Ren asked, quickly changing the subject, a faint red blooming across his cheeks. This wasn’t how he wanted his friends to see him.

”Well, about that...” Enzo hesitated, glancing at Yusha.

Enzo took a quiet breath before speaking, his gaze lingering on Yusha longer than necessary.

It didn’t take more than that for the couple to understand why these two men were here. They wanted to discuss something about Yusha.

”Yusha... wants to leave the mansion,” Enzo finally said, breaking the stillness.

Ren blinked, the words not registering at first.

”Leave?” He took a step forward instinctively. ”Why would you do that? Did anyone say anything to you? Tell me their name,” he took the violet-haired man’s hand in his, only worry reflecting in his eyes.

Zayden nodded in agreement, his tone firm.

”Exactly. Tell me who dares cause trouble under my roof. I will have them punished right away.”

Yusha pulled his hand from the other omega’s grip. Then, his fingers tightened around the fabric of his sleeves. He lowered his head slightly, voice calm but strained.

”No one. Not... yet. And it’s precisely because I am here that I wish to leave,” he said. ”For my child’s safety.”

The room fell silent.

”Lord Liam may come here one day,” Yusha continued, lifting his gaze at last. There was fear there—quiet, restrained, but unmistakable. ”If he meets the child... what if he tries to harm my baby?”

Ren’s expression stiffened.

Zayden exhaled slowly, then nodded once.

”I am not sure about harming but he might want the child back. I have seen a few cases like this... so I agree with you. It can be dangerous.”

Ren turned toward him in surprise, but the alpha’s face was already set, thoughtful.

”I won’t gamble with a child’s life,” Zayden said. ”If leaving keeps the baby safe, then it’s the right choice. I will support you in your decision.” He straightened. ”I will arrange a place for you. Somewhere discreet. And arrange a few guards for your safety.”

”There is no need for that,” Enzo spoke up, stepping forward.

All eyes turned to him.

”I already know a place,” he added, voice calm and steady. ”There is a house under my name. My mother left it to me before she passed away.” His lips curved into a faint, almost sad smile. ”Even my father doesn’t have access to it.”

Zayden studied him for a moment before nodding.

”...Alright. Then Yusha, you can start preparing.”

”I will go with him as well,” Enzo added immediately.

Zayden frowned.

”You will?” He tilted his head. ”Why? Are you uncomfortable here? Did someone tell you something you didn’t like? You don’t need to leave.”

Enzo nodded once.

”I know. But I prefer staying at my own house. This place is nice... warm. However, I want to have a place to call mine. A place where I can invite you, Ren, and the young lord as well.” There was no hesitation in his tone.

Zayden glanced at Ren. The omega met his gaze, nodding in understanding.

If Enzo had already made his decision—and put it that way—there was nothing they could say to stop him.

”If this is what you wish,” Zayden smiled softly. ”Then certainly feel free to leave. But we are here if you need anything.”

”We know,” the two men stated in unison.