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

Chapter 190 — Demon Blood

As soon as the door swung open, Soren’s steps faltered right in front of the threshold. His eyes widened at the sight before him—Zayden clutching Ren’s hand, his body trembling as if he’d been submerged in icy water. Almost as if he was the one holding onto dear life, begging it not to take away this man from him.

The royal physician worked swiftly to dress Ren’s wounds, assisted by a maid holding a bowl of warm water that rippled with every hurried movement.

"What is going on—?" Zaphyr muttered from behind his eldest son, his usually calm voice edged with disbelief.

"Oh dear..." Selena gasped, covering her mouth with both hands. She hadn’t expected to see her son’s lover in such a state—pale, motionless, his breathing shallow.

Zayden turned toward them, his gaze distant and hollow. He looked as though his soul had been wrung out of him, his thoughts consumed entirely by Ren’s fragile form. His eyes were red and swollen from crying—he couldn’t even remember the last time he’d shed this many tears.

"Zayden," Soren spoke softly, breaking the silence. His parents didn’t dare utter a word, not even to ask about the situation.

"What happened?" He stepped closer to his brother, placing his hand gently on his shoulder, hoping it would comfort him. Or something.

Zayden parted his lips, but no sound came out. His gaze shifted back to Ren—unconscious, his body still.

"Some bastard attacked us. No—he wanted me dead, but... Ren... He shielded me?.." he tilted his head to the side as though he, himself, was uncertain.

Just then, Ren’s words before fainting replayed in the back of his mind.

Eiran.

"Where is Eiran?" He turned toward his family. But the looks on their faces made his stomach twist. Why were they staring at him as if Ren wouldn’t make it?

By the time Zayden came to his senses, the royal physician had already briefed them on the situation. A normal human wouldn’t survive this—not after being stabbed by a weapon strong enough to kill a demon.

"Stop it," he muttered, the veins on his neck swelling visibly. "He will be fine." His voice rose—just enough for everyone in the room to hear.

"What about the one who attacked? Did you let him go?—"

"Of course not!" Zayden scoffed, his eyes flashing with fury, blood boiling the moment that man’s face crossed his mind. "He’s in the dungeon."

Zaphyr gave a firm nod before continuing. "Then... Soren and I will go interrogate him. You can stay—"

Zayden stood from his chair, shaking his head.

"I will not just stay here and do nothing. Mother, please... stay here for me?"

Selena nodded, offering him a soft smile. She reached for his arm and gave it a gentle pat.

"He will be fine, honey."

Zayden said nothing. He simply turned and followed his father and brother out of the room.

As their footsteps echoed through the long marble hallway, he finally spoke.

"So, where’s my son?"

"He’s with the Queen for now," Zaphyr replied. "He seems to prefer him over your mother and me."

Zayden exhaled, shoulders relaxing slightly.

"If he is with Dad, then... I don’t have to worry."

The walk seemed endless, but they had finally arrived at the dungeon. The doors were large, made of iron, and even mana couldn’t break them, and several locks needed to be undone before the door would open.

The guards bowed deeply in the presence of the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and the General. None of them knew the details, but it had to be something grave. Otherwise, why would members of the royal family come down here themselves, instead of having the culprit dragged to the court?

Not long ago, the Imperial General had personally brought a man here—gripping him by the collar and hauling him through the halls without an ounce of restraint. The General’s uniform had been drenched in blood, yet not a single wound marked his body. The sight alone had left the guards uneasy.

They were instructed to put poisonous air in his cell, locking it with glass for at least four hours. It had only been a few minutes since that punishment had ended. They went and released him, snuffling the air with a machine made to intake any contagious air.

Back then, none dared to ask. Just like now.

"What are you waiting for? Open this damned door," Zayden ordered, his sharp glare landing on one of the guards.

The soldiers flinched, promptly grabbing the sack of keys, undoing each and every one of them.

Soon, the door creaked open, and a rather shabby hallway greeted them. However, Zayden didn’t back down, nor did he raise his hands to his nose despite the stench of the prison.

His gaze searched for the man he had thrown at the entrance—but it didn’t take long to find him.

"Hah! Here you are," he said, lips parting in a wide smile, though his eyes burned with murderous intent—hungry for the man’s blood.

"Open this gate!" Zayden ordered the man guarding the cell.

"M-My Lord, I beg your forgiveness!" The man inside knelt, his body trembling. He bowed low, forehead pressed against the dirty ground, tears streaming down his cheeks.

"Forgive you?" The door creaked open as Zayden stepped inside, lowering himself into the cramped space. A sharp kick struck the prisoner, and he coughed up blood, unable to withstand the force. As if the air itself—thick and poisonous from the hours he’d been restrained—hadn’t already ravaged his lungs.

"P-Please!.."

"Zayden," Zaphyr called, but his son didn’t answer, too occupied with beating the prisoner until he spilled something—anything useful.

After all, an ordinary man like him shouldn’t have anything against Zayden.

"Let him take it out, Father. He touched someone far too precious to him," Soren sighed, arms folded as he watched his brother brutally torture the man. Even if he tried to act like a good person, the demon blood running through his veins would never change.

Just like Leon had told him the other day, it was bound to show—sooner or later.