CHAPTER 24: 24 — GET RID OF THIS SCENT

With a sneer tugging at his lips, the alpha in an outburst of mana and pheromones stepped closer; his footsteps echoed through the empty room, mingling with the crackle of the blazing fire and sending chills down Ren’s and the girl’s spines.

Ren’s blood ran cold–he couldn’t move a muscle. His eyes darted toward the child—then back to the creature. He rustled into his pants’ pockets–he had forgotten to bring his scent blockers.

He swiftly covered the little girl’s eyes.

"Do not move, alright?"

She nodded, although her small body trembled.

With the blink of an eye, the colour of Ren’s eyes changed from red to blue irises surrounded by golden pupils.

The alpha looked him in the eyes. His chest burned. His throat ran dry. He couldn’t breathe, nor utter a word.

Just then—

Zayden’s sword flashed through the dust, driving into the alpha’s neck before he could get any closer. The rogue shirked, his body falling on the ground.

"You bastard!" Zayden snapped.

Ren blinked. His eyes became normal again. He looked up at Zayden nervously. Did he see something?

Zayden turned toward him.

"Are you alright?"

Ren nodded, letting out a sigh of relief. He wasn’t caught using his power.

The whimpers of the child in his arms that had ceased momentarily grew louder than before after hearing the scream of the creature.

"We’re leaving," Zayden said, reaching out for Ren’s hand.

Ren did not take it. He stood straight, holding the child tightly against him.

Zayden rubbed the back of his head, letting out a deep sigh.

As they walked outside of the building, a group of soldiers held the building together, not letting it fall apart, a pink light surrounding it.

To their left, a crowd gathered around the alphas who went out of control, giving them suppressants to control their pheromones.

"T-There was an omega inside," they repeated but the knights did not pay them any attention.

"Must be the pheromones of an omega knight," Liam explained.

Ren put down the child who instantly ran back to his caretaker. His fingers ran cold, his vision blurry. The chatter of the servants beside him slowly faded–as if he had gone deaf. He looked around him, but everything had turned pitch black.

He wasn’t frightened. Darkness never scared him. He was born in it.

Did I use my power too much?.. But before I could...

His mind drifted to black, his body falling on the ground.

***

Night had fallen when he regained consciousness. He looked around—he was in another room. One he hadn’t memorized before. The thin white curtains were pulled down, a golden light lit on the ceiling, a few pieces of furniture—a wardrobe, a table, chairs...

He tried to swallow but his throat was too dry. He reached for a glass of water but there was none. He swung his legs out of bed, only to collapse on the mattress. Perplexed, he checked his ankles—no chains. A sigh of relief instantly came out of his mouth.

They haven’t found me... yet.

But something was wrong with his body.

Then a scent slid into his lungs, sharp and faintly sweet. He froze, forgetting how to breathe.

Down the corridor, Zayden halted mid-step. The faintest trace of a scent teased his senses, curling like a sweet aroma toward him. It was subtle, but impossible to mistake—the kind that didn’t belong in his mansion, and certainly not in this wing. His hand rested briefly on the doorframe before he pushed it open.

Inside, he found his attendant sitting on the bed.

Ren’s eyes widened at the sight of the general. He tried to rise but Zayden raised his hand, signalling him to remain seated. He grabbed a chair, lifting it and placing it in front of the bed’s edge. He took a seat, arms crossed.

"I have heard you lost consciousness."

Ren nodded once, his eyes wandering everywhere, but towards his master.

Zayden, amused at his reaction, continued.

"You did not listen to me when I told you to remain outside."

"I apologize."

Zayden sighed.

"You make it seem as if I have wronged you, even when you are the one apologizing."

Ren looked up briefly, then lowered his gaze. He tried to apologize once again but swallowed his words.

"You might laugh at me, but I did not dare send you back to your room. Had Eiran gotten even the slightest hint of your condition, he would most likely blame me," Zayden leaned his head backwards, eyes drifting at the ceiling, his long lashes catching the light and glimmering like tiny garnets.

Ren watched him. He could not see this man’s face but tonight, his eyes appeared exceptionally pretty.

General Zayden Sylvaris was the first person he had ever seen carrying so many demonic strings. The sight had frightened him at first, though not enough to keep him away from this man. Where he grew up, no one bore scarlet-red strings—yet none of them were the saints they pretended to be. Sometimes, when he pondered his future, a path that seemed all but a dead end, Zayden appeared almost like a blessing, despite the truth of their original bond—enemies.

"I would not laugh at that. If the young master is upset with you..." He paused.

He could mimic politeness with ease, yet inside, he felt nothing. If Eiran were upset with Zayden, would it matter to him—a mere servant—whose only purpose was to serve? A servant who continued to deceive them, waiting for the moment he found fit to run away?

"I didn’t mean to make you ponder for so long." Zayden laughed suddenly, catching Ren off guard.

He had returned to his usual self.

"If the young master’s behavior towards me upsets you, then assign me another task—with the same salary," Ren said firmly. His gaze did not waiver.

"Pardon?" Zayden scoffed.

"I can stop serving him if it bothers you. I only want the same pay."

Zayden’s eyes narrowed, a faint twitch betraying his surprise. That his servant could so casually trade away his son’s affection—even if Eiran was adopted—for money, left him momentarily speechless.

"Does money hold that much value for you?"

Silence.

"Yes," Ren finally broke the quietness that began to settle in the room like dust in an abandoned house.

"You can keep serving him. But do leave when I pay you the proper amount," he rose from his seat, looking down at Ren. "And get rid of this scent. It smells like the pheromones of an omega here," he paused.

"Right.. You don’t sense it, do you?"

Ren shook his head.

Another lie.

He looked into Zayden’s eyes, his eyes as empty as always.

"I’ll send someone to take care of it. I have other matters to attend to as of now..."