Help! I Became A Guy In A BL Novel!-Chapter 81: Mate?

Riven smirked as he speared a piece of meat with his fork and, very slowly, brought it to his mouth. "Mmm," he exaggerated, letting out a pleased sigh. "The food here is almost as good as the treatment."

Soren leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping against the table as his lips curled into a knowing smirk. "Almost? What is it missing, little wolf?"

Riven looked up through his lashes, a teasing glint in his emerald eyes. "Well, it’s missing a little something."

Soren raised a brow. "And what would that be?"

Without missing a beat, Riven grinned and leaned forward, his chin resting in his palm. "Maybe a little more attention from my dear captor?"

The way Soren’s eyes darkened made a shiver run down Riven’s spine—excitement, not fear.

Soren’s chair scraped against the floor as he stood. Before Riven could react, hands gripped his waist, lifting him effortlessly.

"Oh!" Riven yelped, but before he knew it, he was settled right into Soren’s lap.

His cheeks burned as he found himself pressed flush against Soren’s chest, his back against the man’s firm muscles. Soren didn’t even hesitate—his arms wrapped securely around Riven’s waist, one hand resting just above the golden collar still snug around Riven’s throat.

"Better?" Soren’s voice was a low murmur against his ear, sending warmth creeping down Riven’s spine.

Riven huffed, crossing his arms. "Hah, so eager to keep me close? Afraid I’ll run away?"

Soren chuckled, the vibration rumbling against Riven’s back. "You wouldn’t get far."

Riven’s tail twitched involuntarily. Damn it. Soren was too good at turning the tables on him.

Still, he wasn’t about to let him win so easily.

With a sly smirk, Riven shifted in Soren’s lap—deliberately, slowly—grinding just enough to test the man’s reaction. "Well, if you insist on keeping me here," he purred, "you could at least make it comfortable for me."

Soren’s fingers dug into his waist—not rough, but firm enough to make Riven freeze.

"Don’t tease me, little wolf," Soren warned, his voice dark and velvety.

Riven swallowed. Okay, maybe that was a little too bold. But he refused to back down, so he let out a soft, mocking sigh. "I have no idea what you mean~"

Soren exhaled, but he didn’t push him away. Instead, his arms tightened around Riven, his fingers tracing slow, lazy circles against his waist.

And then—he moved up.

Riven squeaked when he felt fingertips brushing over his ears.

"W-Wait—!"

Too late.

Soren had already started stroking the soft fur at the base of Riven’s wolf ears, massaging them gently.

Riven bit his lip hard—his ears were insanely sensitive, and the worst part? Soren knew.

"You’re quiet all of a sudden," Soren murmured, smirking against Riven’s temple. His fingers continued their gentle assault, rubbing behind Riven’s ears, filling his stomach with butterflies.

Damn it. His traitorous tail was wagging.

Soren chuckled darkly. "Your body reveals it all."

Riven whined but refused to let this be a complete defeat. So, even as his face burned, he tilted his head slightly, giving Soren better access. "Well, if you’re going to do it," he said, breathy and smug, "you might as well make me feel good."

Soren’s smirk widened. "Oh? Giving in so easily?"

"Hah," Riven scoffed, despite his quickening heartbeat. "Just taking advantage of the situation."

Soren leaned in closer, his breath warm against Riven’s exposed neck. "Are you now?" freewёbnoνel.com

Riven’s mouth went dry.

And then, Soren did something that completely unraveled him.

He pressed a slow, lingering kiss to the back of Riven’s neck.

Riven shuddered, his entire body tensing.

Soren smirked against his heated skin, his lips barely moving as he whispered one single, dangerous word:

"Mine."

Riven swore he stopped breathing for a second.

His tail fluffed up in pure shock, his ears twitched, and his entire face burned hotter than the sun.

Soren noticed. Of course, he noticed.

Riven whirled his head around, trying to glare at him, but it was hard to look intimidating when his lips were slightly parted and his entire expression screamed flustered mess.

Riven was hungry, not for food but for Soren.

Soren chuckled, brushing his knuckles against Riven’s cheek. "I look forward to hearing you cry under me."

With that, he pulled Riven closer, burying his face against his hair as he settled them down for the night.

Riven groaned but didn’t argue. Instead, he curled up against Soren’s warmth, his tail twitching slightly.

He could not believe that nothing was happening that night. Just dinner and cuddling! This was basically a date. He was not chained, and he was happy that he was free. His tail curled around and touched Soren. It was Riven’s way of making sure Soren was right there next to him.

Riven’s brows furrowed as he slowly opened his eyes. Something felt off.

The warmth that had cocooned him through the night was missing.

Soren was gone.

A part of him felt ridiculous for noticing it so quickly, but... he had grown accustomed to waking up in Soren’s hold, the snow leopard shifter’s possessive embrace never loosening even in sleep.

And yet now, the bed was empty, the lingering warmth already fading.

Riven pushed himself up, rubbing at his eyes before glancing around. His ears twitched—listening carefully.

Silence.

No sound of Soren moving in the halls. No servants bustling around nearby.

The unease in his gut twisted.

Since no chains held him down anymore, nothing stopped him from slipping out of the bed. His bare feet touched the cold floor, and for a moment, he simply stood there, debating.

Then, he heard something.

Voices.

An argument.

His ears twitched as he tried to pick up on the words, but the walls muffled the conversation. His instincts, however, told him to follow it.

Riven moved carefully, his steps silent.

The closer he got, the clearer the voices became.

One of them, he knew all too well.

Soren.

But the other...

He rounded a corner, staying close to the wall, and that’s when he saw them—Xavier and Soren.

Riven frowned and stepped closer, keeping his presence unnoticed.

"...he’s outside the estate." Xavier’s voice was smooth, casual, but there was something concerning underneath. "Demanding his mate back."

Riven froze.