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

Chapter 283 — Totally Forgot Me

[Losing my own life would have been easier than losing my child.]

Ren sat at his desk, writing in his diary.

Zayden was busy with work, while Enzo and Yusha had—surprisingly, or perhaps not—grown quite close.

The first time they had met properly was just two days ago.

***

Yusha had been walking down the hallway with Ren after Liam returned.

"Who is this?" Enzo asked, halting his steps as he leaned lightly on his cane.

Yusha turned toward Ren, waiting for him to introduce them. He had caught glimpses of the young man around the palace before, but they had never spoken.

Enzo, on the other hand, immediately recognized the man standing beside Ren as a servant. What he couldn’t understand was why that servant walked beside Ren as though they were equals—like friends.

"This is Yusha, my friend," Ren said.

Enzo’s eyes widened almost instantly, though he quickly masked his reaction behind a faint smile.

"Is that so?" he replied. He couldn’t let the two men see his surprise. He had never witnessed such a thing—a general’s lover being friends with a servant.

"Yes. We became friends after I started working as the Lord’s personal servant."

Enzo tilted his head slightly, raising an eyebrow. His expression clearly said: Pardon? You were a servant?

Ren chuckled inwardly. It was a reaction he had grown accustomed to ever since he stayed by Zayden’s side.

"Yes."

"And this is Lord Enzo, General Zayden’s childhood friend," Ren added, turning to Yusha to complete the introductions.

Yusha bowed respectfully.

The three didn’t speak a word. Ren excused himself, walking down the hallway in silence with Yusha.

The mansion felt still, their footsteps echoing against the polished floors.

When they reached Yusha’s room, Ren opened the door and stepped aside, letting him enter first.

Enzo lingered for a moment, watching their backs, before quietly returning to his bedchamber.

As soon as the door closed with a low click, Yusha took a few steps before sinking onto the bed, panic overtaking him. He gripped the edge of the mattress, shoulders trembling.

"Lord Liam knows I am here," he said, voice shaking, almost breaking.

Ren moved closer and sat on the edge of the bed, careful not to be too close.

"No," he said firmly, voice steady. "He doesn’t. He was asking me if I knew and I said I didn’t speak a word. You are safe here."

Yusha shook his head, fear flashing in his eyes.

"Yes, he does. He saw me. I-I can’t hide from him. He will... He said he would find me no matter where I was..." His words faltered, the panic rising again.

Ren took a deep breath and gently held Yusha’s hands, letting the firmness of his touch reassure him without saying a word.

Once his friend’s breathing steadied, Ren parted his lips.

"Listen," he said carefully, "if he really knew you were here, he wouldn’t have left without you. He would have made sure to bring you with him no mage he what."

Yusha blinked rapidly, staring at him.

"Really?"

Ren nodded twice, locking his gaze with the young man, unwavering.

"Yes. Really. I am not lying to you. Right now, you are safe."

Yusha’s chest rose and fell as he tried to steady his breathing.

"But what if he finds out later? What if he tries to harm you and the General to get to me?—"

Ren shook his head.

"Stop thinking that way. Worrying like this won’t help anyone, least of all the child. Stress is dangerous for you. The physician said so. You need to stay calm. You need rest. That’s the only way you and your child will be alright."

Yusha’s eyes darted around the room, still tense, still not fully convinced.

Ren let him fidget for a moment, giving him space, then added quietly, "I will make sure nothing happens to you while you are here. No one can get to you. Just focus on staying happy and eating healthy."

Yusha looked at Ren again, this time with a faint glimmer of trust. He knew General Zayden’s mansion was a safe place. Still, staying happy and eating properly under such circumstances was easier said than done.

If Liam were to harm them, Yusha would never be able to forgive himself.

Ren kept holding his friend’s hands, firm but gentle, watching him carefully. He didn’t speak more than necessary. Words could help, but a calm presence could help even more.

***

Ren shut his diary as he heard footsteps approaching his room.

He rose from the chair, quickly hiding the diary in the desk drawer. Then, he steadied himself, grabbing a random book from the bookshelf and pretending to read.

The door swung open, just as he had expected, and he noticed a pair of boots standing in the doorway. He kept his eyes on the book.

When he finally looked up, he found Zayden smiling brightly at him, arms crossed.

Ren lifted his eyebrows twice, silently asking what had brought him here.

Zayden chuckled, gently brushing his hand against the young man’s cheek.

"Do I need a reason to visit you?"

"Ahem, ahem," a soft, obviously fake cough followed his words.

The alpha’s muscles stiffened almost immediately. He turned, glancing behind him, and found Eiran grinning at them.

"I didn’t know you—"

"Eiran," Ren frowned, his tone sharp.

The child covered his mouth as if he had said something he shouldn’t have.

"Sorry, Papa. But Dad knew I was coming too. It’s his fault for not being careful of my poor, innocent existence."

Zayden’s jaw dropped in disbelief. This child was surely a big drama queen—perhaps even worse than Queen Leon himself. Or maybe it was the effect of being around that man too much. Who could say?

Ren reached out and gently silenced Zayden, walking toward his son. With all the issues he had been dealing with, he had barely had time to spend with the young boy. Still, he didn’t complain.

"I missed you," Ren said, lowering himself to the floor and wrapping his arms tightly around the child.

Eiran giggled, hugging his father back.

"But I’m right here. Why would you miss me?"

"I just did."

"Wow. You totally forgot me," Zayden narrowed his eyes, cheeks puffing out in mock offence.

Ren turned toward him and snorted.

"You are acting like a child now."

Zayden rolled his eyes, kneeling to the floor as well. The child stood tall, now taller than either of them when they were kneeling. He had grown so fast that neither Ren nor Zayden had realized.

The general wrapped his arms around the two, smiling brightly.

"I love you both so much."

"I love you both too!" Eiran replied immediately.

Ren didn’t say anything, simply closing his eyes. Words weren’t necessary to show his feelings. He knew the two were aware of his love for them, and that was enough.

He often feared expressing his love because... what if one day he had to lose these people?

Life was full of unforeseen horrors.

And he didn’t yet know what outcome to expect from Zayden.

For now, he decided to simply live in the present, enjoying it without letting thoughts of the future drive him crazy.