He swung the door open, finding his husband lying on the bed, eyes closed.

Enzo froze in the doorway before lowering his gaze, slipping inside as silently as possible. Maybe if he moved carefully enough, Charles would stay asleep.

"Where have you been?" The deep voice cut through the silence, cold and unyielding.

Enzo’s throat closed. "...I went on a walk after dinner."

"Really?" Charles’s eyes snapped open, narrowing in suspicion. His lip curled into a snarl. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Enzo nodded quickly, swallowing hard.

He didn’t catch on, right?.. Did he send someone to spy?..

He wondered, his heart racing like it would burst out of his chest.

Charles patted the empty side of the mattress, slow and deliberate. He didn’t need to say anything—the command was clear.

Enzo’s legs trembled as he crossed the room. He sat on the edge of the bed, his hands clenched tightly in his lap.

"Why are you shaking like a fragile leaf?" Charles’s tone dripped with disdain. "Some demon you are."

Enzo’s lips quivered, but no answer left his mouth.

Charles’s hand shot up and grabbed his chin, forcing Enzo’s face toward him. The grip was firm, his thumb pressing into the soft skin beneath Enzo’s jaw as the man’s eyelashes trembled, struggling to keep them closed. The sight of this man irked him.

"You can’t even look at me," Charles sneered, dragging his thumb slowly across Enzo’s cheek tenderly, yet his tone was mocking. "Pathetic."

Enzo shuddered, shutting his eyes tighter. His husband’s touch was deceptively gentle, but the bruising pressure of his grip warned of what would follow if he resisted.

"Strip."

He had heard that word countless times, but this time, he didn’t want to. Not right after he met Zayden. His teeth sank to his lips, the metallic taste of blood spreading across his tongue.

"N-Not tonight," he managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper.

Charles raised an eyebrow, pulling the man close, glaring at him.

"Are you disobeying me?" he growled.

His heavy pheromones spilled through the room, setting Enzo’s body on fire.

"S-Stop," he groaned, trying to withhold the tears from his burning eyes. His breath became heavy while his body began to react to the pheromones.

"I’m not some coward who will let you spread your legs for some other alpha."

Enzo frowned, glaring at him while tears rolled down his face.

"W-What are you talking about?!"

"Shhh," Charles pressed his finger on Enzo’s lips, forcing him to keep quiet. "You thought you could return to this room, smelling like another alpha, and I would let it pass?"

"What nonsense! Maybe someone passed and it got stuck on me..." Enzo’s jaw tightened. He couldn’t put Zayden in trouble.

Clutching the mattress’s sheets with one hand, he began tearing apart his shirt.

"Now... that’s more like my bride." Charles sneered, pressing his lips onto Enzo’s.

The kiss tasted like dirt. He wanted to puke, but his body was under the influence of pheromones. It liked—craved this cruel man’s caresses.

Why?

Simply because he was his fated mate.

His cruel fated mate.

***

The morning sun struck his face like a spear of lightning. Ren’s lashes fluttered before his eyes snapped open.

"Oh no!" he gasped, turning to the window. The light was blinding—already noon! How long had he been asleep?! And when had he—

Memories rushed back in a torrent, flooding his mind like a nightmare he couldn’t escape.

I ran from the audience hall. Then... the General came. He... brought me to a room. After that?

Nothing.

A blank.

Was it because... he went into heat?

His gaze dropped to his bare skin. His chest tightened, breath catching. Did... did something happen with the General? Beneath the blanket lay Zayden’s coat, wrapped protectively around him.

Ren’s fingers shot to his mouth, covering it. His teeth dug into his nails as his body trembled.

Why would Zayden cover him? Why was he naked?

Something must have happened...

A sick weight pressed on his chest. Was it what he was thinking about?

Guilt overwhelmed his entire body.

He could almost see Ilyan’s face, the promise he had made, the grief he swore to carry. And yet—why did the thought of Zayden not repulse him? Why did his heart race at the memory of his scent?

"Fuck being an omega," he whispered hoarsely, cursing under his breath. He had never used that word. Not before. But now it spilled out helplessly—like the General’s influence clung to him still.

"It must be because of the heat," Ren reassured himself. There was no other explanation.

The knock on the door caught him off guard. He quickly slipped into Zayden’s coat, covering himself. His clothes still lay on the floor, torn.

"W-Who is it?" he hesitantly demanded, hands clenched as he prepared to defend himself in case danger came from the other side.

"I was asked to deliver your lunch. You were not awake this morning, so the General asked me not to disturb you. However, he said to deliver the meal if you do not wish to join him and the Young Master for lunch."

"Go. I will come," Ren answered, stepping onto the floor.

The maid’s footsteps faded into the distance as she walked away, as asked.

Ren picked up his clothes, staring at them. He couldn’t wear these. He exhaled deeply, eyes darting around the room. It was far more luxurious than anything he had ever seen. The General’s mansion was undoubtedly gorgeous, but the royal palace had no match.

His gaze fell on the pictures hung on the wall. He closed the distance, studying them carefully. It appeared to be a family portrait.

Soren was easy to spot with his red hair, standing behind the empress.

Zayden sat between the emperor and the empress. However, beside Soren, a young girl stood, smiling brightly. Her dark brown hair was blown by the wind while her teal eyes glimmered under the sunlight.

"Who is she?"

Ren could only wonder. He would never dare to ask Zayden.

Just then, he spotted an outfit carefully placed beside the bed—on the night table. Did Zayden send it for him?

His lips curled at the thought, but he quickly shook his head.

I have lost my mind.

Once dressed, Ren exited the room. He left Zayden’s coat inside so no one would ask him about it. Even if he was the General’s personal assistant, should he have Zayden’s belongings?

And rumors...

Although the rumors could work in his favor, mostly if he wanted to deceive the delegation from Hianshu, letting them believe he was not the one they were looking for. Because the people of Hianshu knew it very well.

Raniel would never leave Ilyan.