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

Chapter 314 — The Monster?

At night, when the mansion fell silent and no servants roamed the hallways, Eiran managed to sneak into the library.

Not the one Zayden had made for him, carefully stocked with books suitable for his age, but the vast one tucked away in the far corner of Zayden’s study.

"What are you doing?" Kuro, who had noticed his master—friend—whatever Eiran was to him, acting strangely since dinner, asked as he decided to follow.

The child jolted, turning toward the voice, only to find the black dragon hovering beside him.

"Speak quietly!" Eiran scolded, his voice dropping to a whisper.

The dragon sneered.

"Why?" he asked. "Are you planning to steal some gold?"

His violet eyes shimmered, matching the scales that glinted beneath the moonlight streaming through the windowpanes.

"Of course not," Eiran rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "Who steals in their own home?"

Kuro blinked, staring at the young boy in confusion.

"Alright—but you came out with your arm looking like that?" he asked, pointing a clawed paw at Eiran’s left arm.

Eiran glanced down at it, the scales still shimmering faintly. He swallowed hard, his gaze sharpening.

"That’s precisely why I need to find out what’s wrong with me."

"Heh?" Kuro let out an amused laugh.

"Stop distracting me!" Eiran whispered, his voice still low as he finally pulled out a book that might explain his situation: Dragons & the Truth.

He skimmed through the pages, searching for anything that resembled his condition. But within minutes, the corners of his lips fell. Nothing inside spoke of what was happening to him.

Dragons were born like Kuro—in their dragon form. Some, after years of training and growth in power, gained the ability to shapeshift. But... Eiran wasn’t like that.

He had been human since the day he was born.

So why was a dragon’s arm suddenly forming on his body? It was an odd occurrence—far too terrifying for a child who had been believed to be the son of a human and a wizard.

"What? Didn’t find anything?" Kuro asked, flapping his wings beside him.

The sound irked Eiran more than anything. He frowned, glaring at the creature.

"Just leave me alone," he growled.

Kuro blinked, confused. He couldn’t understand why Eiran’s tone had changed so suddenly.

With a sharp inhale, he flew up to the second floor, disturbing several titles neatly arranged on the shelves. Whenever he spotted a book with dragon in its title, he took it and brought it back to Eiran.

The child didn’t say anything, though he was grateful deep down. Perhaps he was simply embarrassed—still lingering on how rude he had been moments earlier.

Every time he thought he had found something that explained his situation, his lips curled into a soft grin. However, the happiness never lasted long—not when he realized that it was nothing more than false hope.

"Still nothing?"

Eiran shook his head, lowering it slightly.

"Why don’t you talk to your father about it? I’m sure he can explain it."

The boy’s head shot upward immediately, his eyes filled with horror.

"No!" he shouted, his voice echoing in the quiet space.

Kuro furrowed his brows, unable to comprehend.

"But why? He seems to love you."

"Yes... but what if... what if he thinks I’m not the son he thought I was? W-What if he leaves me?"

Tears formed at the corners of his eyes as he spoke. Then, he shut the books and arranged them back in their respective places.

Kuro didn’t say a word. However, he was resolute in uncovering the truth about Eiran’s situation. If needed, he would even meet with older dragons to help the one who had taken care of him since he had hatched.

***

The group of soldiers, along with Zayden, followed the mages leading the way.

At one point, they had to separate into smaller groups, given that the traces they found led to three different paths.

Zayden decided to follow the mage right before him without paying much attention. Helain tagged along, stating that Aaron and Liam could each handle the other knights on their own.

The General almost laughed.

"Are you saying I can’t?"

Helain chuckled, shaking her head.

"Absolutely not, My Lord. However, it is safer this way."

"Safe from what?" Zayden raised an eyebrow, his gaze darting back and forth across the empty streets of the village.

Everyone had their lights shut, just as the chief had instructed. They feared that light might attract the monster. It was laughable to Zayden. Surely, that couldn’t be true. If anything, the creature likely targeted those who were alone—ensuring there were no witnesses to its misdeeds.

"It’s actually a little creepy," Helain admitted.

Zayden turned to her, raising an eyebrow.

"What is? The monster? Come on, we’ve fought worse."

The young woman shook her head, her ponytail swaying slightly. Although she wore a thick jacket, the cold still crept along her neck—she had refused to wear a hat that would ruin her hairstyle.

"You, My Lord."

Zayden narrowed his gaze, almost glaring at her.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean... you have been so silent since the moment we arrived. You didn’t even hesitate before leaving the mansion when I gave you the report."

"I have always been like this."

"Yes... but not recently. Seeing you like this kind of—" She cut herself off, unable to continue. She couldn’t afford to anger the man.

Zayden forced a laugh. Healing had a way of dragging his thoughts back to things he didn’t want to dwell on during a mission—Ren, and the fight... if that was what they had was even called.

"Well... Things happen, I guess," he mumbled.

Just then, the knights walking ahead halted.

"M-My Lord," the mage glanced back, her eyes widening.

Zayden stepped forward, frowning. Everyone stared at what stood before them, prompting him to look as well—and his eyes widened.

In front of them stood the very building he had been in just a few hours ago—the village chief’s mansion.

"What is the meaning of this?" one of the knights whispered, keeping his voice low so as not to alert any enemies.

"Could the monster be... the chief?" another murmured.