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

Chapter 8: 8 — Rats in my Territory

Under the pitch-black sky, the moon didn’t brighten the forest.

The dark green trees hovered above him.

Surrounded by people, Ren stood still.

By men.

The sound of hooves thudded against the dirt—rushing straight toward him.

He turned.

A white horse, visible even in the dark, charged from the trees.

The rider—a young man. His green eyes locked onto Ren. Lavender hair blew behind him like mist in the breeze.

”I found this abandoned horse nearby. Get up!” the man shouted, extending his hand.

Ren didn’t waste a second. He sprinted toward the horse, grabbed the man’s hand—and in one swift pull, was seated before him.

The reins yanked tightly. The green trees blurred behind them, along with the man. They screamed their lungs out, and deadly magic spells were thrown their way. But they didn’t stop, nor did they look back.

. . .

Something tugged Ren’s wrist. His balance tipped.

He fell to the ground, unable to stop his fall.

It didn’t hurt, but he felt something soft yet firm—a body lay beneath him.

”Why wouldn’t you move when I told you?!”

Zayden shouted underneath him.

Ren didn’t say a word. He couldn’t. Something strange had just happened. He quickly looked at the horse.

A soldier he didn’t recognize held its reins, just a few inches away. They had stopped the horse. But was it truly trying to cause trouble?

”Do you plan on staying here? You’re not as light as you might think.”

Ren looked at the man under him. He recognized the voice, but this time, the thick demonic strings parted, not completely but slightly around his eyes—

His gaze locked onto Zayden’s blood-red eyes for the first time.

The general glared at him, annoyed.

Why didn’t he bulge?

For someone who can speak their mind on the first meeting he is...

Zayden couldn’t help but wonder.

Ren stood up.

He didn’t extend his hand to Zayden. Someone else had done it already—a knight in his silver armour, flame-like red hair that reached the back of his neck—Aarson.

The servant simply remained under the shade of a tree. The sun began rising, slowly turning the once cold weather warmer—almost burning.

”What was that?!” Liam rushed towards Zayden after sending the young knight who froze in the middle of the field.

”I’m not sure...” Helain sighed.

”It is pretty clear to me,” Zayden mumbled.

The three soldiers looked at their general with curious eyes.

”Who?” They asked in unison, their voices overlapping each other’s.

”Hianshu,” he looked towards the horse. ”We don’t have horses like these in our empire. Look at it carefully, it has the symbol of Hianshu under its paws.”

”When did you see that?” Aarson chuckled.

”Do you not trust my words?” Zayden raised an eyebrow, serious, turning towards the soldier.

”O-Of course he does, Sir!” Liam exclaimed. ”We all take your words more seriously than our lives.”

It almost seemed like Liam was being sarcastic. But Zayden knew him too well. He was incapable of making a joke. Much less during critical moments.

Helain rolled her eyes. She, unlike the other two men, could speak her mind to the general. She worked under him from the beginning, unlike them, who were later transferred under him.

”I apologize, but I can’t believe it without confirming myself. That’s the first rule you taught us, General,” she grinned, heading toward the animal.

Zayden chuckled, following her.

The other two knights glanced at each other, nodding in agreement, heading towards the horse as well.

Ren closely examined the horse after hearing Zayden’s statements. He was right. This horse, indeed, belonged to his kingdom.

And for it to be here... he gasped.

Did they?... I abandoned this horse before crossing the border...

He looked around, as if watched by something—someone.

No one.

He clutched onto his shirt, his blood running cold.

If they found him...

He shook his head. He stared at Zayded without leaving him out of sight for a moment.

Despite his current stern complexion, he appeared to be a man of good heart. He didn’t slaughter the horse right away. Instead, asked to properly investigate the matter—verify if his words were even the truth.

This man was Hianshu’s enemy. If only he could side with him, then perhaps...

Ren leaned his head against the trunk. What was he thinking?

Siding with General Zayden, when he once belonged to Hianshu?

Impossible.

”Are you the general’s new attendant?” A young boy stepped forward. A high and tight haircut, a rather small flat nose, and a thin figure tightly covered with a dark suit.

Ren nodded, wondering who this person might be.

”My name is Cael, Lord Aaron’s personal servant,” he smiled, the dimples on his cheeks deepening.

”I am Ren...”

”You don’t seem like a talkative one,” he chuckled.

Ren didn’t answer. Did he need to? This person, for some strange reason, approached him. What could be his motives?

”Don’t look at me like that,” Cael laughed.

”How?”

”Like I’m a very suspicious person.”

Ren blinked, his expression clearly stating: Are you not?

Cael sighed, taking out a small piece of paper from his pocket.

”I used to be friends with James, General Zayden’s precious servant. But I haven’t seen him for a few days because the generals went on a quest. They don’t usually bring us on those missions because they tend to be dangerous. And now, I see a new servant... I was curious what happened.”

”I do not know,” Ren whispered, his voice low.

He was simply told to take over the position without much explanation. He, who needed to stay at the mansion, accepted the job after debating with himself. It was a stable work, more than arranging the library, which would have ended within two or three days. And he was told to remain quiet when at work.

Did Hannah mean that around the General or others too?

Silence.

Cael broke the brief silence between them with his laughter.

”I don’t know how the general will behave with you. Or should I say, how will you handle him? He is...” Cael couldn’t finish his sentence. Their masters headed back towards the training ground. He put the paper back into his pockets.

”If you hear anything about James, let me know. I’ll get going. It was nice meeting you.”

Ren didn’t respond. And Cael, who expected that much, didn’t insist.

The dark green-haired man smiled, stepping back to where he was initially standing.

”Send the horse for examination for confirmation. It’s not impossible to plant a fake mark either. Don’t harm it,” Zayden ordered, stepping closer to where Ren stood.

”I will be careful,” Liam nodded, with a low bow.

”I will leave the inspection of the area to you, Aaron, and Helain, and handle the training for today,” he turned towards his two other subordinates.

”You can count on me!” Helain smiled, bowing.

”I’ll do my best,” Aarson bowed.

”Attendant,” Zayden looked around.

Instantly, Ren rushed before him, bowing.

He didn’t say a word, slowly lifting his upper body.

Zayden crossed his arms, a bright smile on his face.

”I have good news for you.”

Ren stared at him, waiting for him to announce it. He was almost certain it wasn’t truly good news.

The General Zayden could never have good news. Not for Ren, at least.

”We’re going on a trip,” he announced.

”General?!” His subordinates shouted.

”You’re gonna leave us here?!”

”This is unfair!”

”I hate to admit it. But I would hate being left out, Sir.”

”We will be inspecting the border,” Zayden laughed at his knights’ responses to his words.

They looked at each other, gasping at their rather childish reaction.

”It seems some rats intruded into my territory. They need to be taught a lesson, don’t you think?” He grinned, slicking his hair to the back.