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

Chapter 331 — Maddening Jealousy

It had been only a few days since that happened. The memory of that kiss simply refused to leave Soren’s mind, constantly popping into his head, even during meetings. His cheeks would flush red, and whenever someone asked him if he were sick, he had to lie, "I am alright," with a bright smile, making sure no one suspected anything.

As if that weren’t enough, Rihaan had been making sure to show his face every morning, holding a bouquet of flowers. Every day, Soren was greeted with a new species. Soren, who only knew of roses, lilies, and daisies, had begun to discover the countless different types of flowers and their meanings. Among them, one that had caught his interest—one which Rihaan described as resembling him—was the red amaryllis, which symbolized pride, beauty, strength, and... love.

As someone who knew love was just a hindrance to his duties, Soren couldn’t understand why Rihaan chased it so actively. Wasn’t he bound to fail? There was nothing that could change the situation. Soren was to marry an alpha. And it would not be Rihaan, even if he redeemed himself through these childish actions.

The decision was already made.

"What are you thinking so deeply about in my presence? It pains me to know that what I say does not interest you in the least," the Prince of Maiju said, his eyebrows lifting in a way meant to appear endearing—almost puppy-like.

He tried to act cute, yet the omega before him did not blush like the others he had encountered in the past.

Once again, Soren was having dinner with him. The other prince showed little interest in this marriage, unlike this candidate, making it almost evident who would be chosen.

Snapping out of his trance, Soren smiled softly.

"Oh, I was just thinking about your kingdom. I heard everyone there studies diligently."

"Certainly. There is nothing more important than education in our country. Although..." The man took a deep breath. "Here, in Revhara, it is quite easy to sense omega pheromones in the air."

Soren curled his fingers against the table, lifting his gaze from his plate.

"Pardon?" His voice sharpened, turning cold and distant in an instant.

"I mean to say that in our country, omegas are treated like precious jewels. They are always expected to rest and not overwork themselves," the alpha said with a grin, his eyes glimmering beneath the faint glow of the chandelier above.

With a soft clink, the omega placed his spoon back into the bowl.

"Do you mean to say omegas are too frail to work?" Soren asked calmly. "Pardon me, Your Highness, but perhaps you have not seen our omega knights. Some of them even excel beyond alphas."

Though his tone remained controlled, the anger lacing his words was unmistakable.

The prince nodded curtly, smiling.

"Of course. You certainly train your knights very well."

Soren did not answer.

He had momentarily forgotten that not all kingdoms treated omegas the way Revhara did. Even with its lingering injustices, it remained the land all omegas dreamed of residing in.

But Danshin was not—

The omega immediately bit his lip, forcing the thought to a halt. He should not compare Maiju to Danshin. The latter would only emerge as the superior choice—it always had.

If only Prince Rihaan hadn’t ruined it...

***

Rihaan didn’t know what else to do to make Soren accept him again.

He had tried every method of pursuit he knew.

He had kissed Soren—believing it would brand him, the feeling would linger beneath his skin, haunt his thoughts the way a beast marked whoever they considered theirs. He had been certain Soren would think of him constantly after that.

Instead, he had failed. Miserably.

Now, Soren wouldn’t even speak to him about his so-called dates with the princes. He would smile politely, excuse himself with flawless etiquette, and leave Rihaan alone with his thoughts—thoughts that clawed relentlessly at his chest.

As if that weren’t enough, Rihaan had begun bringing him flowers himself. Not servants. Not gifts sent ahead. He had wanted Soren to see him—to acknowledge the effort, the intent. Among beastmen, offering flowers was not mere courtship; it was a quiet declaration of promise—to share the best blooming and withering moments of life together.

Yet Soren accepted them with a calm nod, distant and composed, as though Rihaan were nothing more than another guest passing through the palace.

He had even sent the omega clothes.

The response had been brief, sharp, and humiliating.

"Do you think I am... poor?"

That had snapped the last thread of Rihaan’s patience.

Standing near the doorway, Rihaan’s gaze remained locked on Soren, who was smiling brightly at the alpha seated across from him. Too brightly. His scent was steady, controlled—untainted by jealousy, fear, or desire—unlike Rihaan.

The beastman’s claws dug into his palm.

Heat surged beneath his skin, blood roaring in his ears. His entire body stirred violently, instincts screaming for him to step forward, to bare his teeth, to place himself between Soren and anyone else who dared look at him. It was as if his body had been set on fire and it burned—for a long time now—so intensely that it felt as though he could scorch the marble floors beneath his feet.

Jealousy was a maddening thing.

Especially for beastmen.

They were possessive by nature. Territorial to the core. When something was desired, it was meant to be claimed, defended, fought for—yet here he was, forced to stand still, forced to watch as Soren entertained some other alphas.

As if fate itself hadn’t been cruel enough, a letter had arrived from Zayden this morning—its words cold and merciless.

A warning.

[Leave, or lose your head.]

Rihaan crumpled the parchment in his fist, breath uneven, throwing in the hearth of his bedchamber.

"Is love supposed to be this difficult to obtain?" he muttered, biting at his nails as the beast within him snarled restlessly beneath his skin.

When he saw the Prince of Maiju reach for Soren’s hand, Rihaan didn’t hesitate. He stormed into the hall, stomping on the marble floor, claws itching beneath his skin. He slammed his fist against the table, the sound echoing through the room. A bright, almost manic smile stretched across his face.

"What is the meaning of this?!" The Prince of Maiju recoiled, frowning, his composure faltering for the first time. His eyes narrowed, fixed on the beast before him—filthy, reckless, untamed—who dared to interrupt what the prince clearly considered a precious moment.