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

Chapter 220 — It’s Sweet

Warning: Might get emotional. As one of my readers suggested, I’ve included this here because I find this Chapter rather sweet.

"...When is your rut?" Ren blurted, asking the first thing that crossed his mind.

Zayden blinked, then chuckled, tilting his head slightly in surprise.

"Hoo~ Are you the one after my body now?" he teased, drawing his hands away from Ren’s shoulders and folding his arms across his chest as if he were a man who had never had sex before.

Ren scowled, shaking his head.

"My Lord—"

"Zayden," he corrected instantly. "Call me by my name."

"We are in public," Ren argued.

"And so?"

Ren sighed, turning to the side. He just couldn’t win against this man.

"But why do you want to know when my rut is?" Zayden asked, amusement still tugging at his lips.

"So that I can stay away from you."

Zayden’s smile faltered. His eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, he froze—unable to speak or even breathe.

When Ren didn’t hear him respond, he turned his head, only to find the alpha staring at him in disbelief.

Did I say something that shocking?

"W-Why?" Zayden finally managed, his voice cracking despite himself. His arms fell to his sides, all playfulness gone. "Why would you stay away from me?"

Ren’s frown deepened. Was that all he heard?

"Well, you are a dominant alpha, right?"

Zayden nodded slowly, still unsure where this was going.

Ren took a quiet breath, glancing around before speaking again.

"We should have this conversation after the banquet," he said finally. "This place isn’t suitable for such topics."

His eyes flicked toward a few nobles standing nearby, pretending to chat while clearly straining to listen in. Their curious stares lingered a little too long, waiting for anything worth turning into gossip—especially if it involved the Imperial General’s love life.

Zayden followed Ren’s gaze, then smirked faintly.

"You mean you don’t want to give them a story to spread across the capital?"

Ren shot him a look. "Exactly. Unless you want it published on the front page of tomorrow’s newspaper and have the whole empire talk about it," he said with a teasing grin.

The General bit the inside of his cheek, his heart thundering at the sight of that playful smile. He felt as if he might melt right there—his chest tightening with warmth and longing all at once. He didn’t know how much longer he could keep his composure around this man.

"This is so, so, so unfair," he murmured, lowering his gaze.

And then, he remembered—the first time he’d seen Ren laugh. It was when Eiran had told him about Zayden’s fear of cats.

That laugh—so soft and genuine—had echoed through the quiet garden like a melody that day. Ren had looked almost ethereal in that moment, the sunlight spilling across his features as if the world itself had paused to admire him like he had.

Zayden’s heart hadn’t raced that fast even when he had first seen Ren in his heat.

Now, he was certain. His feelings for this man weren’t just physical—they ran deeper, binding him to Ren in a way that felt almost sacred, as if their souls had recognized each other long before they had. They were truly fated mates.

Destined to be together.

Maybe, he thought, they were lucky enough to be like Enzo and Charles—fated, intertwined. Yet not quite like them. Ren could never hurt anyone. And Zayden would never, ever allow anyone to hurt him, nor would he.

He silently vowed to protect him—from every harm, every danger, every threat that might dare to reach him.

Ren giggled softly beside him, covering his mouth as if he had just recalled something far too amusing. Zayden couldn’t help but smile. Gently, he reached for Ren’s hand and pulled it away from his lips.

"Don’t hide your laugh," he said, voice low as if he didn’t want anyone else to hear him.

Ren blinked, confused.

"Why shouldn’t I?"

"Because..." Zayden hesitated, his voice low, almost bashful. "You look too pretty when you laugh. So much that I am afraid I might forget how to breathe if I keep staring."

The tips of his ears flushed scarlet as he chuckled quietly, his heart aching in the sweetest way.

Was this what love truly was? The quiet warmth that bloomed from being seen—really seen—by the one you’d longed for all this time?

Zayden’s chest ached with something almost too tender to bear. If this was love, then it was far gentler, far deeper than he had ever imagined.

Had he known it would feel like this, he wouldn’t have waited so long. But then again—had he rushed it, perhaps the fruit of patience wouldn’t have tasted this sweet, this sacred.

A faint tint of pink colored his cheeks, and Ren quickly turned away, flustered. He wasn’t used to being complimented—at least, not this often.

Zayden had been doing it a lot lately, and each time, it felt as though his heart might burst out of his chest.

"I am not," he mumbled.

Zayden tilted his head, trying to catch a glimpse of Ren’s blushing expression.

"You’re getting better at hiding your blush. Should I compliment you more just to see how long it lasts?"

Ren frowned, glancing at him.

"You should eat instead of talking nonsense."

"Then feed me."

Ren froze.

"Excuse me?"

"I said, feed me." Zayden grinned, clearly enjoying himself as he grabbed a plate and placed a piece of strawberry tart on it.

"Absolutely not. And I thought you didn’t enjoy sweets."

"I don’t mind eating poison if you’re the one feeding me. And if you don’t, I’ll just starve throughout the night," he said dramatically, placing a hand over his chest.

Ren rolled his eyes.

"You are impossible."

"I have been told so countless times. But for some reason, I prefer hearing it from you," Zayden replied, laughter lacing his tone.

Ren sighed, taking the plate and cutting a piece with the spoon before extending it toward the man.

"Here."

Zayden leaned forward, taking the spoon into his mouth.

"It’s sweet," he said, his gaze softening.

Then, his hand brushed lightly against Ren’s—a fleeting, hesitant touch that made the omega’s heart skip a beat.

Ren didn’t pull away. If anything, he froze in place, uncertain what to do.

"Your hands are cold," Zayden murmured, his thumb tracing the back of Ren’s hand gently.

The omega exhaled softly, voice barely above a whisper.

"Maybe because someone keeps making my heart race..."

Zayden chuckled under his breath, leaning just a little closer.

"Good. I would rather it be me than anyone else."

"If I were to die because of this—"

"Don’t say that," Zayden interrupted immediately, his gaze darkening.

"You scared me enough these past few days while you were unconscious... Please." His voice cracked despite himself. As if he were pleading for mercy. Just the thought of those days sank his heart.

Ren parted his mouth to speak but was interrupted by a deep voice.

"General Zayden."

Both turned toward the sound. A man dressed in a dark blue velvet coat approached them, a jewelled pin gleaming at his collar. His sharp smile didn’t quite reach his pale blue eyes.

"Lord Davion," Zayden greeted, his fingers subtly withdrawing from Ren’s hand. "I didn’t expect to see you here."

"Of course not," the man said, bowing slightly before straightening. "After all, I wasn’t sure the rumours were true... but it seems they are."

Zayden’s brows furrowed faintly.

"Rumours?"

Davion’s gaze flicked between them, amused.

"Don’t act clueless," he chuckled. "I heard that the Imperial General is quite taken by a certain omega. I must admit, seeing it in person is far more entertaining."

His tone turned sharp as his eyes slid over Ren—tracing him as if he were licking him clean with his gaze.

Ren felt a chill run down his spine. He took a small step back, clutching onto Zayden’s sleeve. These were the alphas he knew—the kind he feared—the reason he kept his second gender a secret.

The corner of Zayden’s lips dropped, his polite smile vanishing in an instant.

"Careful, Lord Davion. You are talking about my partner."

A few nearby nobles turned to watch, their whispers starting to spread again.

"Oh, of course," Davion chuckled. "I didn’t mean to offend. I was simply... surprised." He glanced at Ren, eyes narrowing slightly. "After all, not every servant catches the eye of an Imperial General," he sneered.