Help! I Became A Guy In A BL Novel!-Chapter 163: Pitiful Alpha

The morning air was crisp, the sky painted in soft hues of orange and blue as the estate stirred awake. Birds chirped from the trees, and the wind carried the scent of dew-soaked earth. Riven rarely had such a princess morning in this house.

The carriage waited just beyond the main gates. Riven stood in the courtyard, his black ears twitching at every sound, his tail flicking lazily behind him. His green eyes sparkled as always, though a hint of melancholy lingered behind the mischief.

"A carriage?" The wolves pride themselves in their true forms and shift to travel, using horse-driven carriages? No way!

Ronan smiled and said, "I kind of guessed that you wouldn’t last the journey."

Hurtful. Truly hurtful, but also true. He did not have that much stamina.

Ronan stood beside him, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. His long white hair was tied back neatly, and his usual calm composure was laced with tension. He had sent for Troy to escort Riven back to the Snow Leopard territory.

It was the last task he had assigned to his most trusted aide before Troy took his leave of absence. The journey was important, and Ronan had made sure Troy would ensure Riven’s safety.

Riven gave Ronan a bright smile and nudged him lightly with his elbow. "No goodbye kiss, Alpha?"

Ronan’s eyes softened, but he only sighed. "Of course."

Riven’s voice was teasing, light-hearted. He grinned and leaned in closer. "Though I did think you’d be the one taking me home... Just a little disappointed, that’s all."

Ronan’s frown deepened. "You know I want to."

Riven tilted his head. "Then why not?"

Ronan looked away. His heart was heavy, his chest tight with the ache of parting. One week. Just a week. But it felt like a lifetime. He couldn’t trust himself not to falter, not to beg Riven to stay, or worse, to ask him to choose.

"Because I need to stay," Ronan said softly. "There’s work to do."

That was not the reason why, it was a bogus excuse. But he did not dare to say the real reason.

Riven stared at him for a moment, then smiled again, a gentler smile this time. "Of course. You’re a busy Alpha."

He stepped back, twirling once dramatically before giving Ronan a lazy salute. "Don’t miss me too much. I know it’ll be hard."

Ronan didn’t reply. He watched him, drinking in the sight of his mate—his brightness, his carefree laugh, the sway of his tail. It was like the sun itself was walking away from him.

Troy approached quietly, nodding in greeting. "Ready when you are, Lord Riven."

Lord Riven? Riven shrugged. It sounded alright, too formal. Well, maybe he did not like it as much.

Riven shot Ronan a final wink. "Take care of the territory while I’m gone. And don’t let anyone else fall in love with you. I’ve worked too hard to stake my claim."

Ronan looked like he wanted to say something. His lips parted, but the words never came. Instead, he simply nodded.

Riven hesitated only briefly. Then he turned and began walking toward the carriage, Troy falling into step beside him.

Ronan’s hands curled into fists at his sides. He watched until Riven’s figure began to disappear past the gates. His throat was tight. The ache in his chest was unbearable. He wanted to call out. Wanted to chase after him. But he didn’t.

They had an agreement. Riven would stay with Soren every other week. And Ronan... Ronan wasn’t sure he could survive hearing the answer to a question he feared: if it came down to choosing, would Riven choose him?

He was certain he wouldn’t.

So he remained silent. And let his mate walk away.

Once they were out of sight of the estate, Riven glanced sideways at Troy, lips twitching with amusement.

"So," he said, voice lilting, mischievous. "How does it feel, Mr. Former Right Hand, knowing this is your last mission before retirement? Going to miss my pretty face?"

Troy raised an eyebrow. "I don’t think I’ll be able to forget it."

"Aw," Riven cooed. "Is that a compliment or a threat?"

Troy rolled his eyes. "Depends on how long this journey is going to be."

Riven knows that this was Ronan being merciful. He was giving Troy a small vacation.

Riven laughed, the tension easing from his shoulders. Despite the ache of leaving Ronan behind, he wasn’t one to dwell in silence. He leaned closer, eyes gleaming. "You know, if you weren’t so straight-laced and easily flustered, I might’ve flirted with you seriously."

Troy didn’t respond, though the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

Riven leaned back in his seat, satisfied with that tiny victory. "Just kidding. You’re not my type."

Troy finally glanced at him. "Let me guess. Tall, broody, and white-haired?"

"Also tall, hot, possessive, blond-haired..."

"So Soren."

Riven smirked.

Troy shook his head as the wind tousled his hair. He still couldn’t wrap his head around it.

It had been just a few days ago, it was the day of the assassination attempt, when Riven had offhandedly dropped the bomb. They were walking through the market, Riven cheerfully sniffing perfumes like nothing had happened, when he held one up and said with a teasing grin, "Soren would like this."

Troy blinked. "Soren... as in Soren, the leader of the Snow Leopard Clan?"

Riven shrugged, all nonchalance. "Mhm. He’s my lover."

Troy nearly choked on air.

He hadn’t asked for clarification, but the word lover rang in his head like a warning bell. Riven, Ronan’s bonded mate, had another man? And not just anyone, but Soren?

Now, days later, he was transporting this hyperactive half-wolf to the snow leopard clan, just what twisted arrangement did their Master get into! Troy found Ronan extremely pitiful now.

He wondered if Riven had that carefully selected perfume bottle on him. And the answer is yes. Yes, he did.

Riven asked Ronan if he could send someone to get the gift he had bought for him.

Ronan had been fuming about Riven’s recklessness, but the mention of the gift, thoughtfully picked, softened him.

He sent someone to fetch it.