Chapter 330: 330 — Those Threats of Yours?!

After taking a shower, Eiran stepped out of the washroom, already dressed. Putting on clothes had been no less than a war lately, as he had to be careful with his movements so as not to tear them. When Zayden had first bought him thin-sleeved tunics, the boy had puffed his cheeks in displeasure. However, now, they were exactly what came in handy. He only needed to make sure he slipped his monster-like arm in first.

Kuro fluttered his wings rapidly, flying off to who knew where.

The boy narrowed his gaze, following the small dragon with his eyes.

"We have been waiting for you." A familiar voice came from behind.

Eiran stiffened, cold sweat running down his forehead. He swallowed hard, immediately putting his left arm behind him, as if that would truly hide it. Slowly, he glanced to his right.

Zayden was seated on the couch, wearing a dark blue shirt and black pants. Beside him sat his father, Ren, looking at the boy as though he hadn’t noticed Eiran’s unusual appearance at all.

"P-Papa... D-Dad," Eiran managed to stammer.

"Come take a seat," Zayden said, gesturing to the chair in front of them.

Eiran sneakily grabbed the towel placed on a nearby stool and wrapped it around his left arm. His brows drew downward, a furious expression forming on his face. Only after he felt his secret was safely hidden did he sit down in front of his fathers.

"Now," Zayden drew in a deep breath, pushing back the pair of glasses that almost slid down his nose. "Why don’t you tell us why you kept forbidding us from entering?"

Eiran pricked his nails nervously. The question—the matter he wanted to avoid the most—was set before him. Why?

How could he tell them?

"And what are you hiding in your other arm?" Ren asked, folding his arms.

The child instinctively pushed his arm further behind his back, shoulders tensing. But luck was not on his side. Instead of staying hidden, the dark curve of his claws slowly slipped into view.

Zayden and Ren froze. Their jaws dropped at once, a sharp, startled breath escaping them.

"W-What is that?" Ren muttered, his voice echoing faintly in the sudden silence.

Eiran’s breath caught painfully in his throat. He followed their stunned gazes, dread crawling up his spine—until his eyes widened in horror.

T-They saw it.

His heart lurched, trembling violently in his chest. His eyes burned, tears welling up at the corner.

What now? What were they going to do?

Are they going to abandon me too?

His pulse thundered in his ears as his thoughts spiralled, each possibility more terrifying than the last. His body began to tremble, terror settling in his entire body.

"P-Papa, I am sorry," he cried. The tears he had been struggling to hold back flooded out like a long-frozen river that had finally met warmth.

Ren looked at Zayden, conflicted.

The alpha sprang to his feet, and the omega did the same. The two men knelt on the floor. Ren gently brought Eiran’s hidden arm forward. He pressed a soft kiss to his scales, caressing them.

The child felt shivers run down his spine, his heart racing faster.

"P-Papa?" he sniffled, his voice cracking.

Zayden wiped the boy’s tears, smiling faintly at him.

"Why are you sorry?"

"I-I became a monster," the boy broke further into tears. "M-My arm is not becoming normal... I don’t know what to do," he sobbed.

Ren wrapped his arms around his son, patting his back.

"Shh. It’s alright. There is nothing to cry about."

"Why didn’t you tell us?" Zayden asked, his expression unreadable.

Eiran hesitated, his fingers curling into his Papa’s shirt fabric. He bit his bottom lip before parting his mouth.

"I am not a human. I am a monster..."

"And who told you so?" Zayden demanded, his voice sharpening. Dark red light flickered around him—dangerous and threatening.

The child stiffened in his father’s arms.

Ren furrowed his brows, glaring at the man beside him.

"Are you here to scare my child?" He said, voice sharp and cold.

His usual soft crimson eyes appeared a darker shade due to the sunlight behind him. His silver hair gleamed like gold, and even though he was angry, Ren appeared no less handsome.

Zayden froze for a moment, his jaw dropping as he admired his beloved’s beauty. By then, Ren said things he had failed to hear.

"My Lord."

When he heard Ren call him, he immediately took off his glasses, his eyes narrowing in disbelief.

"W-What? I am trying to say that I will kill whoever said those stupid things to him."

"A-Are you saying I am stupid?" Eiran sniffled once more.

Ren and Zayden gasped, both shaking their heads.

"So... you thought all that on your own?" Ren asked, locking gazes with his son.

Eiran nodded, lowering his head, pulling himself away from the hug.

Losing his balance, Ren thought he would fall, everything around him tilting. Just as he thought he would crash onto the floor, he shut his eyes tightly, bracing himself for the fall—but then, a firm grip held both of his hands.

"Papa!"

"Ren!"

Hearing the two call him, Ren slowly opened his eyes—finding his lover and son holding his arms, stopping his fall.

Without even realizing it, a laugh escaped him.

Zayden and Eiran exchanged glances, wondering if Ren had hit his head. It was unlike him to laugh without reason—much less during a serious moment like this.

"Are you alright?" Zayden asked, helping the omega sit properly on the couch beside Eiran.

Now, the alpha was the only one left on his knees.

"Yes. I am just fine. However, let’s get back to you, young man. What is this all about? A monster?" Ren scolded the boy, gently pulling his cheek.

"Ah!" Eiran groaned. "I-It hurts!" He looked at Zayden, hoping to receive some help, but the alpha only shrugged.

"I dare not come between you and him, son."

"How could you do this to me? I was so worried! I thought I had done something terrible to upset you. And those threats of yours?! Oh lord!" Ren rubbed his temples, frustrated.

"I-I am sorry... I just thought you would hate me if you learned of this," Eiran lowered his head, lifting his arm—so different from Zayden, who was a demon yet looked more human than Eiran, who was apparently the son of a pure-blood human and a wizard. None of these beings were supposed to have body parts resembling a monster’s.