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

Chapter 215 — All Of Us?

As they ate, Zayden’s gaze didn’t leave Ren for a moment. Because of Enzo’s condition, they’d barely had the time to see each other, let alone share a meal. Though part of him was relieved, the situation allowing him to avoid the lingering awkwardness between them, Ren never truly left his mind—always there, haunting him like a hunter holding a bow.

Eiran had left the dining hall as soon as he finished his meal. Ever since, silence lingered between them—heavy, almost suffocating.

Zayden knew Ren wasn’t the kind to make conversation. However, he believed that had begun to change lately—until the day Enzo’s bond was severed. Since then, Ren had returned to his usual quiet self, averting his gaze before they even made eye contact.

His mind was clouded with questions Zayden couldn’t bring himself to voice.

Had Ren begun to regret his decisions? Or was he simply remembering the pain he felt when his mate died? But how did Ilyan even die? Ren had never told him the details, as if safeguarding a secret too painful to share.

And then came High Priest Charles’ death, keeping Zayden busier even through the nights. He had to inspect the dungeon alongside the other knights, searching for traces of intrusion—or any signs of mana use. But there was nothing.

It was a guard who found the man lying cold and still. The stench of the rotting corpse filled the room, stirring the prisoners into restless noise. No one had truly noticed until the smell gave it away.

"Ren," Zayden finally spoke. "You’ve heard about High Priest Charles’ death, haven’t you?"

Ren flinched, almost instinctively. His eyes snapped toward the man sitting across from him.

"Yes," he said quietly, his voice low and soft, struggling to steady the tremor beneath it.

Did they catch on to something?

Zayden set his fork down with a soft clink, exhaling deeply.

"I just don’t understand," he muttered. "His death was strange... the way his limbs were positioned—unnatural. I’ve seen alphas suffer through bond breaking before, but this is the first time I’ve seen someone die like that."

"Maybe... maybe it’s because they were fated mates," Ren said quickly, his voice low but a little too sharp. His fingers tightened around the edge of his sleeve. He couldn’t let Zayden find out—he mustn’t.

Zayden leaned back against the chair, gaze drifting upward toward the chandelier, its light reflecting in his thoughtful eyes.

"But... you survived," he said quietly. "You made it through."

Ren froze. For a moment, his mind went completely blank.

"I mean, I’m glad you did," Zayden added, his tone softening, almost uncertain. "But there must be something I’m missing..."

"Well... given his age—"

"But of course!" Zayden interrupted, his tone suddenly bright as he slammed his palm lightly against the table. A wide grin broke through the serious expression he had worn just moments ago.

Ren let out a quiet breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

Looks like he’ll give up on investigating this soon too... and we can leave this damned capital before anyone else from Hianshu knows of my identity.

Lost in thought, he grabbed the glass of wine beside his left elbow and drained the liquid without realizing. He looked at Zayden, who seemed much more relaxed now, sipping on his drink.

He knew the answer to the question he didn’t even want to think about. Zayden should never find out that Ren was the Temple’s most cherished Weapon. Because that would shatter whatever little they had now, and what they could build in the future.

***

Enzo kept asking himself what could’ve been so unusual about his ex-husband’s death. Soren, Zayden, and even Ren had come to visit him—after he allowed them to—but none of them had mentioned Charles’ passing.

It was as if they had silently agreed that the topic was forbidden. One they wouldn’t address in his presence no matter what.

Enzo had tried asking the servants instead, but they either avoided his gaze or changed the subject altogether. Eventually, he learned that it was Soren who had ordered them to stay quiet.

The man waited until all three other men were gathered in his room, their usual quiet chatter filling the space. The warmth of the tea between his palms steadied him. Now, he could sit while leaning against the bed’s headboard.

"I heard Charles’ death was... unusual," he finally said, his tone calm—too calm. Devoid of any emotion. "What exactly happened? Was it not due to the bond breaking?"

Soren choked on his tea, coughing violently as Zayden immediately reached over to pat his brother’s back. The dark-blue-haired man avoided Enzo’s eyes, gaze flickering toward the window instead.

Ren, on the other hand, didn’t move. His hand tightened around his cup before he slowly lowered his gaze, the faintest tremor running through his fingers. Perhaps it was guilt that hunted him, even now.

"I see," Enzo murmured, a quiet, humourless smile forming on his lips. "So none of you plan to tell me."

"It’s nothing like that," Zayden said quickly, setting his cup down. "It was because of the bond breaking. We nearly lost you countless times because of it."

"That’s true," Soren added with a practiced smile—the kind he used at banquets when concealing irritation. "I don’t know who told you such nonsense, but surely you don’t trust them more than us, right?"

Enzo inhaled slowly, his eyes moving between them. He could tell they were lying—every pause, every careful glance gave it away. Yet... perhaps it didn’t matter. If they wanted to hide the truth, then maybe he could let them. At least, for now.

"I see," he murmured. A faint smile touched his lips as he leaned back against the pillows. "Well then... the Chapter of Charles is closed in my life."

"Good," Soren said with a grin—this time, genuine.

"Do you feel better now?" Ren asked, setting the teacup on the table with a soft thud. Over the past few days, he had been spending more time around Enzo—mostly because

Zayden insisted on it. At first, it was strange and awkward, but somehow, small talk had turned into quiet, comfortable conversations.

"Very much," Enzo replied, a faint spark of liveliness returning to his tone. "We should visit the capital. All of us."

"All of us?" the three men echoed at once.

Enzo nodded eagerly, his eyes glimmering with excitement. It had been so long since they’d seen him this cheerful that none of them could bring themselves to refuse.

"I... I will free my schedule," Soren said after a pause, staring at the floor.

He had lived in the capital all his life—was there even anything left for him to see? Such a trip made sense for Zayden, Ren, or even Enzo, who hadn’t set foot there in so long. But for him? It was nothing more than a familiar city filled with memories.

Still, he couldn’t bring himself to deny Enzo’s request. Not when the man had been fighting death every single day for the past weeks.

"Same," Zayden sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Oh, Your Imperial Majesty," Enzo turned toward Soren with a teasing grin, "bring your fiancée too!"

Soren froze mid-sip, slowly setting his cup down before glancing up at Enzo.

"Do I have to?..." he muttered, his expression souring.

"Of course!" Enzo insisted, grinning wider.

"But first we must attend the banquet announcing the hunting festival’s winner," Soren sighed. "It was pushed back because of Duke Danman."

"Ah, that damn—" Zayden cut himself off midway.

"Alright. We can go after that," Enzo smiled brightly.