Ren still couldn’t believe it—walking through the capital streets alone with Zayden, not as strangers bound by circumstance, but as... lovers.

After they had lunch, Enzo suggested they head outside for a walk and explore the area. However, he said he preferred going with Eiran because the child wanted to visit...

"I want toys!" The child excitedly continued Enzo’s unfinished sentence.

Then, the man rose from his seat, exiting the restaurant with the boy as if he were chased by debt collectors.

As if watching those two leave together wasn’t enough, Soren and Rihaan soon stood as well, claiming they had important matters to attend to. And just like that, Ren and Zayden were left alone at the table.

Ren’s heart raced wildly, and every few steps he found himself sneaking shy glances at the man beside him. A quiet warmth spread through his chest, his cheeks heating just from seeing Zayden so close.

He admired him in silence: the sharp, striking features, the calm confidence in his stride, the kind of beauty that made Ren want to cup his face with both hands.

He nearly laughed thinking back to the days when he hadn’t even known what Zayden looked like. Back then, he hadn’t been curious at all. The red life-strings had always hovered around him, life strings that reminded him of death—but now they no longer frightened him.

If anything, he found comfort in them.

Because it meant Zayden could save lives... Just as many as he had once taken.

"I don’t understand," Zayden sighed, his gaze shifting toward Ren—who, unfortunately, failed to look away in time.

Ren’s hands twitched, panic flashing across his face as if he’d been caught doing something scandalous.

"What is it?.." he managed, breath held tight.

"First of all..." Zayden paused, exhaling deeply. "Should I be honest?"

Ren nodded far too quickly.

He didn’t catch me staring... right?

He bit his lip and dropped his gaze.

Zayden turned, fully facing him. After a long, torturous silence—one that felt endless to Ren—the General finally spoke.

"First of all, do you really want to drill a hole into my face? Because I swear, you keep staring at me... and it’s—" Zayden covered his face with one hand.

"It’s?.." Ren raised a brow. Then, immediately, before Zayden could finish, he blurted, "I wasn’t looking at you. I was looking at that shop."

He pointed across the street at random, refusing to lift his eyes.

Zayden followed the gesture—and his jaw dropped.

Ren, who suddenly felt uneasy, slowly glanced up to see where he’d pointed.

"I didn’t know you liked these kinds of things..." Zayden said, voice awkward and painfully dry.

Why is he acting like I pointed at something weird? It’s just a shop, right? Not some—

Ren’s breath stopped.

It was a massive boutique. Its windows showcased elaborate women’s gowns, each more extravagant than the last. The elegant sign read: Roses & Gowns.

A... A dress shop?!

Before Ren could speak, Zayden grabbed his wrist.

"Then let’s go. If you like something, you should get it—with me," he grinned, obviously teasing.

Ren’s face burned crimson.

"Why is your face so red?" Zayden asked as they crossed the road.

"I-It’s hot here," Ren muttered, yanking his hand free.

An obvious lie.

Zayden knew—but teasing him was too fun.

"Really? In this weather?" He stretched out his hand. Snowflakes drifted down, melting against his warm palm.

Ren said nothing, turning his face away. Even the tips of his ears glowed red.

"Maybe it’s the cold," Zayden said lightly. "Not because it’s hot." 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

He walked toward the dress shop, but when he reached the entrance, he realized Ren wasn’t behind him.

Turning back, he found the omega standing frozen in the middle of the road.

"...Is he that shocked?" Zayden muttered. "Should’ve just told me the truth."

Suddenly, a horse’s frantic whinny echoed through the street. Wheels clattered—too fast.

Zayden’s expression sharpened.

He sprinted toward Ren, scanning left and right—

And then he saw it: a carriage barreling down the road, far too close, far too fast.

"REN!"

Ren blinked, dazed, unable to move.

Zayden didn’t think. He threw himself forward, grabbed Ren, and pulled him tight into his arms—crashing onto the ground. He twisted his body mid-fall, shielding Ren from the impact, one hand cupping the back of Ren’s head to keep it from striking the pavement.

Ren blinked, disoriented. His vision steadied—just enough for him to see Zayden lying beneath him, eyes fluttering weakly as if he were fighting to stay conscious. His breath hitched.

His hand shot up to Zayden’s face, fingertips trembling as they brushed his cheek.

"Z-Zayden!" he gasped.

He tried to push himself up, but Zayden’s arms—still locked tightly around his waist—held him in place, refusing to let go even in this state.

"D-Don’t move," Zayden muttered, voice rough, barely a whisper. "Just... stay still for a moment."

Ren froze, panic rising in his chest.

"Are you hurt?! Zayden—look at me!" He cupped Zayden’s face with both hands now, thumbs shaking as they brushed the man’s reddened cheekbones. "Why are your eyes closing? Zayden!"

But the General only tightened his hold around Ren, breath warm against his shoulder, grounding himself with the one person he refused to let be harmed—even for a second. Slowly, he buried his face into the curve of the trembling man’s neck.

"I am fine," he whispered, a quiet laugh following his words.

Only then did Ren stop shaking like a frail leaf.

"It doesn’t suit you..." Zayden mumbled.

Ren frowned, trying to look at the alpha’s face but in vain.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean... I never expected to see you this agitated for me."

Ren didn’t say anything for a long moment, letting the General calm down. He could feel the alpha’s breathing—quick and short. He was the one who was agitated.

"I am alright," he whispered, patting the man’s back to reassure him. "But can you please let go? People are watching..."

Zayden slowly lifted his head, glaring at the crowd that formed around them.

"Fuck off," he cursed, his pheromones trailing off, threatening them.

This was one of the rare moments when he could hold Ren in his arms, and they just had to disturb him!

Ren couched, hands reaching to cover his nose.

"Y-Your pheromones!..."

Zayden quickly regained his calm, sitting up on the snow.

"S-Sorry..." He rubbed the back of his neck. He didn’t mean to harm Ren at all...

Ren sprang to his feet. There were still many eyes looking at them.

"But are you alright?" He asked, extending his hand for Zayden to use as a support to stand up.

Zayden took it without resisting.

"Yes. There was snow," he pointed at the pile of snow on which the shape of their bodies was made.

"It’s like our first hug was imprinted," he chuckled, gently brushing off the snow stuck on Ren’s hair before doing the same for himself.

"Is this even our first hug?.." Ren mumbled.

"Anyway, since we are both fine, let’s go to that shop you were staring at," Zayden grinned, walking toward the building again.

"Maybe I should have gotten hurt..." Ren sighed, mumbling to himself. Then, a quiet curse left his lips, "Fuck."