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

Chapter 105: 105 — You Lied

”I... was looking for someone,” Ren murmured, his voice loud enough to be heard by the ones standing near him.

The servants’ eyes glimmered briefly, then they all asked together,

”Did you find that person? Do you need help?”

Ren shook his head.

”I appreciate it, but I found him,” he said, his gaze softening and a faint grin tugging at his lips.

The staff members nearly stopped breathing. Ren? Smiling? That was a rare occurrence. The only time they had ever heard him laugh was when Eiran played pranks.

”Then... are you going to leave?” one of them asked hesitantly, worry flickering in their eyes.

Ren shook his head again. Some of the servants let out sighs of relief.

”It’s good you found him.”

”But who is it?”

Ren hesitated to reply.

”So, you were looking for someone in my territory?” Zayden stepped closer, the servants parting to make way for their General.

Ren nodded.

”In the empire.”

Last night, when Zayden asked what Ren was doing, Ren said he was only going to get some water.

The General hadn’t pressed further and had simply left. He had seemed in pain but hadn’t mentioned it, and the thought lingered in Ren’s mind all night, keeping his eyes wide open until he finally fell asleep just two hours before dawn. He hated how this man kept him awake often at nights.

Was it a curse?

Then he continued, ”I was going to leave soon, so I did not think it would be very important—”

”How does it change anything? You lied.” Zayden interrupted, eyebrows furrowed.

He wasn’t upset about the lie. But whether the person he was searching for was his mated alpha. His throat burned, his shoulders tightened. Perhaps it was envy. That alpha was loved by Ren. Enough for him to risk his life for him.

Or perhaps it was from fear. He didn’t know.

Will he leave now that he found that alpha?

The thought of Ren leaving unsettled him.

Ren scoffed. The audacity.

”You didn’t hire omegas back then, My Lord. And if you are a man of your word, you will not punish me for lying about this, right?” His gaze didn’t waver for a moment as it locked with Zayden’s.

The servants froze, exchanging glances. Whispers ran through the room like a ripple: He’s arguing with the General... Ren? Some tightened their grips on trays or cleaning cloths. Others took small steps back, unsure whether to intervene—or to remain invisible.

It was the General who stepped back, stunned. Was this how he appeared in front of Ren? Someone who punished without reason? He would have forgiven him—he would never hurt him.

”Fuck,” he cursed under his breath. ”I asked you. Countless times to confirm, but you never admitted it. I was right—you are an omega.”

”I needed a place to stay and the money. If you set rules like these, people are bound to lie to you.”

Zayden blinked. He had never imagined Ren would ever argue with him about anything other than Eiran.

When he learned the boy would be taking two additional classes two years ago, he had barged into his study room, spouting things he now barely remembered, too stunned by Ren’s unexpected defiance. Then he had decided to reduce it to only one each year, so he could adjust to the new schedules.

”I only set the rule because—” He bit his lips, jaw tightening. He didn’t want to recall that incident.

Without finishing his sentence, he turned on his heels and left the room, the door clicking shut behind him.

”What was he talking about?”

Ren asked everyone who stayed behind. Their expressions had turned grim at the mere mention of that incident. A few exchanged uneasy glances, lowering their heads as if afraid to speak.

What could it be?

***

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

”Come in,” Soren said, pushing the stack of papers on his desk aside.

A maid entered, bowing gracefully. To her right, a space was reserved for guests, where couches stood around a table set for snacks. To her left, bookshelves towered against the wall, filled with books barely touched yet clean.

”Your Imperial Highness,” she greeted.

”You may rise.”

Once ordered, she obeyed and looked up at the Crown Prince.

”A letter has arrived from Hianshu. You asked us to notify you when it does.”

Soren nodded and extended his hand. She placed the parchment in his palm.

”You may leave.”

The maid bowed once again and exited, closing the door behind her.

Soren rarely spoke unless necessary, and everyone knew it. Yet today, he seemed even more distant than usual.

Once the maid had left, Soren opened the parchment although hesitant but curiosity pricked him. His eyes widened.

”This is...!” he gasped, voice barely a whisper before erupting into a shout. He slammed himself out of the chair and strode toward the door.

”Prepare the carriage—now!”

Servants scrambled at his command, clattering through the halls.

”Your Royal Highness, shall we prepare some snacks for your trip?” the butler asked, bowing.

”No. I leave immediately. I am heading to the main palace,” Soren replied sharply, eyes blazing.

The butler hesitated, then bowed and hurried outside to oversee preparations. He hadn’t seen the Imperial Crown Prince this worked up before.

Within minutes, the golden carriage was ready. Horses pawed the ground.

Guards at the golden gate snapped to attention and opened the massive doors.

The carriage rolled forward, wheels crunching against the asphalt road. It stopped at the palace entrance, where the golden doors stood tall. The Imperial guards lined the path, spears gleaming—a barrier against any intruder.

The road split into two: one to the Empress’s wing, the other to the Emperor’s. Though married, both preferred privacy, ensured by separate buildings, entrances, and corridors.

Today, none of that mattered or caught his eye. Soren’s footsteps cut through the palace’s calm like a sharp-edged blade.

As he strode through the hallways, Soren stopped the first maid he met.

”Where is the Empress?”

”W-well... she is at court with His Imperial Majesty,” the girl stammered, head bowed. She hadn’t expected to see the Crown Prince here—he rarely visited this wing.

Without another word, Soren crossed into the main building. Knights stood at attention before the court’s entrance.

”Y-Your Imperial Highness?” they said, bowing quickly. ”Shall we announce your arrival?”

Soren nodded curtly.

His arrival was called out.

The massive doors swung open. Inside, the Emperor sat on his throne, the Empress at his side. Ministers and nobles froze under their gaze at the unexpected guest’s arrival.

”What brings you here, Crown Prince?” the Empress asked, eyes narrowing.