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

Chapter 183 — Frozen Lake

After lunch, Enzo wandered near the forest, or perhaps he just wanted to escape Charles’s constant, piercing gaze.

Footsteps followed him closely. He turned—and there stood his father, Marquis Valron.

Despite the wrinkles on his forehead, he looked no less commanding than he had twenty years ago. Blonde hair fell loosely to his shoulders, and his long grey coat trailed behind him as he walked.

"Father..." Enzo murmured, unsure whether to bow or merely nod in greeting.

"It seems you’ve forgotten your manners," Marquis Valron clicked his tongue, shaking his head.

"I apologize..." Enzo bowed, straightening too quickly. It was no longer respect—it was an obligation.

"I’ve heard some interesting news."

Enzo’s shoulders stiffened. Could he be referring to the divorce trial...?

"Is that so?" he asked, forcing a smile though the corner of his lips quivered.

Marquis Valron approached his son, catching him off guard. Enzo instinctively stepped back. Perhaps it was the effect of living under Charles for two decades—any alpha radiating pheromones put him on edge. Even though the scent had no real effect, his body still reacted, threatened simply by being exposed.

"Stop moving," Marquis Valron growled. "You’re trying to get a divorce? What nonsense!"

Enzo shut his eyes tightly, startled by the sudden rise in his father’s voice.

"Who told you?.."

"The Emperor sent me a letter. A divorce can’t be held without the bride’s family members present, after all. But do tell me. What nonsense are you up to?" The soft voice had suddenly turned sharper—colder.

"F-Father, I don’t... I can’t live with a man like this—"

A sharp strike to his cheek cut him off. A dark red bloom spread across his skin, the sting burning so fiercely that tears clouded his vision. He bit his lip, forcing back the liquid threatening to spill.

"Don’t you dare. We have a trading business with the Temple! Do you know how badly it would affect the family?" Marquis Valron’s voice was low, but heavy with authority, and he rubbed his temples in frustration.

"You sold me off for business?!" Enzo snapped, glaring.

All these years, he had been enduring all those just for a business? Just so... his family could earn more wealth than they already possessed?

Marquis Valron’s eyes widened, taken aback. It was the first time he had seen his youngest son—an omega barely able to use magic—look at him like this. His gaze filled with defiance, complaints, and perhaps... hatred.

"Staying with humans made you behave like them," he scoffed. "Get a hold of yourself. You are not getting a divorce or anything. Tell the Emperor you didn’t mean it."

The elderly man turned, slipped his hands into his jacket’s pockets.

"...not..." Enzo’s voice was too faint to be heard.

"What?" Marquis Valron turned, eyebrows furrowed. He couldn’t hear what Enzo had said.

"I will not!" He shouted, fists clenched. If this was a rebellion against his father, so be it. If he were to be disowned, so be it. He didn’t care. But he wouldn’t live by Charles’ side forever.

The elderly man turned, slipping his hands into his jacket pockets.

"...not..." Enzo’s voice was barely audible.

"What?" Marquis Valron frowned, leaning closer. He couldn’t catch what his son had said.

"I will not!" Enzo shouted, fists clenched. If this was rebellion against his father, so be it. If he were to be disowned, so be it. He didn’t care. But he would never live under Charles’s shadow forever.

Having said so, he turned on his heels, stomping through the snow.

It will be over. They have to approve it.

He repeated the thought to himself, though he struggled to truly believe it. After all, he knew all too well that his father would do everything in his power to prevent this divorce.

***

The frost leopard lay motionless in the snow, its three icy-blue eyes now dull—lifeless, and the crimson blood from Ren’s and Zayden’s weapons staining the white ground.

Zayden exhaled, wiping the sweat and blood from his brow, panting. It had not been an easy kill because of how agile the creature was.

Ren sheathed his sword slowly, still catching his breath, but a small, satisfied smile tugged at his lips. He grabbed his handkerchief, wiping off the sweat and blood. Although he usually didn’t like it, for once it didn’t seem that bad.

"We... did it," he said quietly, almost in disbelief. "We killed the one through whom the Emperor can grant us a wish!"

Zayden nodded, giving him a brief glance.

"We make a great team," he said, though his voice betrayed the tension he’d held for the past hour, slightly shaking.

He stepped closer to Ren, adjusting the straps on his bow.

"Let’s prepare to leave the forest. The sun is starting to drop anyway. And the end of the hunt will be announced soon."

Ren looked down at the leopard, then back at Zayden, and for a moment, neither spoke.

Zayden’s mind raced. The confession he had rehearsed for weeks—words he’d imagined a hundred times—caught on the tip of his tongue. The perfect timing, the perfect moment... and yet, he hesitated. Should he wait?—

No. I have waited long enough. If he doesn’t feel the same... Be it. To know how he feels, I need to tell him how I feel!

He nodded, determined to confess as planned.

Ren’s eyes flicked toward him, catching Zayden’s odd demeanour.

"What are you thinking about, My Lord?.." he asked softly, curiosity laced with a hint of worry.

"Nothing. Get on the horse. I want to bring you somewhere."

Ren tilted his head.

"Where?"

"Just get on." Zayden mounted the horse, extending his hand to the man standing beside the animal.

Although unsure, Ren placed his hand in the General’s, and with a swift movement, he was pulled and sat in front of Zayden.

"And the announcement of the winner? Won’t we miss that?"

"It will be announced a week later," Zayden chuckled, holding onto the reins. But his arms gently wrapped around Ren’s waist. Feeling his warm body near his own made his heart race faster than the horse ran.

The scenery blurred into white as Zayden guided the horse, gradually slowing until they stopped. He stepped down, helping Ren dismount as if he hadn’t done it countless times before.

After a short silent walk, they stood before a frozen lake, the orange reflection of the setting sun appearing like a beautiful painting. Trees draped in snow framed the edges, their reflections visible on the ice.

Zayden stopped, causing Ren to halt as well.

"Ren," he began, voice controlled although he felt like his heart would burst out of his chest. He didn’t dare turn and look him in the eyes.

Not yet.

"Yes, Zayden?" Ren’s throat turned dry for some reason.

He could sense something was off...