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

Chapter 253 — Shower Together

Ren stirred, fingertips brushing against something firm yet warm beneath them. His lashes fluttered, a slow, hesitant blink—until the blur sharpened into the sight of Zayden’s bare chest, half-hidden beneath the folds of an unbuttoned shirt.

Heat rushed to Ren’s cheeks, turning slightly pink.

He shifted, pushing himself up—only to be pulled back effortlessly. A strong arm slipped around him, guiding him down until he was pressed once more against that broad chest, Zayden’s grip unyielding, almost possessive.

"Where are you going?" Zayden’s voice was rough with sleep, lower and heavier than usual—dangerously attractive.

Ren swallowed, flustered.

"I—I just thought..." He cleared his throat, avoiding those drowsy eyes still half-lidded. "It’s getting late. We should... perhaps go have breakfast."

Zayden hummed, gently nuzzling into the curve of Ren’s neck.

The omega almost asked, "What is with your obsession with burying your face into my neck every time?"

But he held the question back, letting it burn quietly at the back of his mind.

"My Lord," Ren said—and Zayden, half-asleep only seconds ago, sat upright immediately as if he had been caught doing something terribly improper.

"W-What?" he blinked, startled.

For a moment he wondered—had everything been just a dream? Ren calling him by his name, giving him the chance to love freely, to be loved in return—to become a family—

If it was all a dream, then what was he doing in bed with Ren?

Slowly, his mind began to race—confusion creeping into his skull like fog over glass.

The soft chuckle that escaped Ren broke through his spiraling thoughts. Zayden exhaled in relief, though a frown tugged at his mouth a moment later.

His cheeks puffed into a pout—an expression Ren found shockingly adorable.

"Aww, you resemble Eiran," Ren teased, shifting forward on his knees across the mattress, closing the distance between them.

The alpha didn’t respond, turning his gaze away.

Ren reached out, cupping his face with both hands, gently guiding him to look back at him.

"Why are you upset?"

Zayden bit his lip. He couldn’t possibly tell him that he had thought the entire night was a dream and panicked upon waking. It was far too embarrassing.

"No reason..."

Ren sighed, gently pulling Zayden into a tight embrace.

"Tell me what you were thinking about. You looked panicked earlier."

Zayden said nothing. His lips remained firmly sealed. Instead, he reached up and smoothed a loose strand of Ren’s silver hair, fingers lingering with quiet affection.

"Your bed hair is adorable too," he murmured, brushing a soft kiss against Ren’s cheek.

Ren exhaled, rolling his eyes with mild exasperation. He released him and sat back on the bed, gazing up expectantly.

"Fine, don’t tell me. Keep secrets—"

His words froze on his tongue.

He didn’t have the right to complain when he too carried truths he had no intention of sharing... right?

Zayden lowered himself onto the mattress beside him, then without hesitation pulled Ren into his lap.

Ren blinked, stunned. He was not light—especially not anymore. His body was nearly the build of an alpha, his muscles more defined than the last time Zayden had held him this closely. Their heights were almost identical.

And yet Zayden lifted him as if he weighed nothing at all.

Ren’s breath halted, his mind blanking for a second. He wasn’t fragile. He wasn’t small. But in that moment, being handled so easily made something flutter deep in his chest—warm, startled, almost shy.

Zayden’s arms tightened around his waist, his chin settling on the omega’s shoulder as if this closeness were the most natural thing in the world. He shut his eyes, breathing in the pheromones that soothed his mind.

The unmistakable scent of his fated mate.

"I love you." The words left his mouth before he realized it, but he didn’t budge from his position.

He remained still, feeling Ren’s heartbeat gradually rise beneath his touch. When he opened his eyes, he noticed the flush on the omega’s pale neck.

A soft chuckle slipped from his lips.

He slowly pushed himself away. Ren’s eyes were wide, as if he had heard something he shouldn’t have.

"Why are you so shocked?" Zayden tilted his head.

"N-Nothing," Ren replied quickly. "We should head for breakfast," he added, sliding off the man’s lap, his feet sinking into the soft, fluffy carpet.

Zayden didn’t protest. He nodded.

"I will shower and join you there."

"Alright. I will also freshen up in another room."

The alpha’s lips twisted into a smirk, his eyes reflecting unmistakably lustful thoughts.

"We could..." he leaned closer, voice low, "shower together."

The tips of Ren’s ears turned bright red. He shook his head—and rushed out of the room.

Zayden chuckled, grinning widely at the sight of the man running as if his life depended on it. The faster he walked out, the safer he would feel.

However, the alpha couldn’t help but find even this shy side of his adorable. It seemed he was good at all this when he demanded they have sex.

But now, he appeared no less than an innocent man who had barely had someone flirt with him.

***

Breakfast was simple—warm bread, a basket full of assorted fruits, and tea that still carried steam curling into the air.

Ren ate quietly, dressed in a neatly fitted dark shirt and pants. He rarely wore black, associating it with the dead because of his powers.

The only person who came to mind when he saw that color was Ilyan, and the black thread that had curled from him when he took his last breath.

Across the table, Zayden sat relaxed, sleeves rolled up, hair still damp although his eyes lingered on the man sitting in front of him.

If anyone looked at them now, they might mistake this for domesticity. A married couple having breakfast together.

Maids silently stood in a row at the corner, admiring the two strikingly handsome men, each having different attractive personalities.

The illusion of a perfectly married couple broke when footsteps echoed in the hall.

Liam stepped in and bowed deeply.

"General, I request permission to leave with Yusha. Reports arrived—two dragons went into a berserk state. Lady Heleine and Sir Aaron can’t restrain them alone. They have requested for me urgently. And..." he paused.

"I believe you will be leaving the capital now that the engagement—" he cut himself off, unsure whether it was even a good idea to talk about this when the ceremony ended in chaos last night.

Zayden’s expression sharpened, though he hid it well.

"Alright... But why bring your attendant in his state?"

"What state?" Liam feigned ignorance.

Zayden frowned but didn’t answer. It was still their personal matter. He couldn’t step in more than advising them.

"Does he want to go with you?"

"Of course," the count firmly stated. "He would never go against me."

The words didn’t convince Zayden. Still, he couldn’t hold them back. Not when dragons were in rampage.

"Fine. Take him. Move quickly."

Liam nodded and left without another word.

Ren kept his gaze on his plate, but unease curled in his stomach like smoke.

More than one dragon? That was no simple disturbance. However, why bring Yusha? What was Count Liam thinking, dragging a pregnant omega in such a chaotic situation?

Something darker was stirring, but he swallowed it instead of speaking.

Zayden had enough burdens—he had no right to add more. Not with what he was. Not with the secrets he kept.

After breakfast, Ren excused himself quietly and slipped down the corridor.

He stopped before Eiran’s room’s door. He knocked—once, twice.

No answer.

He tried again.

After what felt like minutes, the door opened just enough for a pale face to appear.

Eiran’s eyes, light green like the reflection of green trees on clean water, stared up at him—calm, expression unreadable.

"...Why are you here?" Eiran asked, furrowing.

"Yusha is leaving," Ren said softly. "I thought you would want to know. And I will be the one taking care of you again until we return to the mansion."

Eiran blinked. But as Ren spoke, something else caught his attention—something behind the boy.

A faint shimmer—dark, like black light flickering.

"What is that behind you?" Ren asked, a deep frown forming on his face.

Eiran stiffened, blocking the view with his body. Too late. Ren had already stepped inside.

The moment Ren raised his son’s hand toward the darkness, it vanished—like it had never existed.

His voice dropped.

"Were you practicing magic in here?"

Eiran hesitated. Then he nodded—quick, guilty, like a child caught with hidden sweets.

"You shouldn’t." Ren knelt to meet his eyes. "Your dad won’t like it. Your power is too strong."

Eiran tilted his head, silver hair brushing his cheek.

"How? Aren’t you and my real father pure humans?"

Ren froze.

His heart skipped once. How much did the boy know? And how? He doesn’t recall mentioning all that. Unless Zayden told him.

He exhaled slowly.

"I am a pure-blood," Ren whispered. "But he... he was a strong wizard. One of the strongest."

Eiran’s eyes slowly widened, curiosity blooming like dawn.

"For real?" His voice trembled—not with fear, but wonder. For the first time, he wanted to know. About his real father.

Ren swallowed hard.

"Yes," he whispered. "Your father was powerful... and dangerous."

"How?" The boy asked, eyes sparkling with curiosity.