The door to the room swung open, but Yusha didn’t notice. He wept uncontrollably, gasping for air as sobs wracked his body. His nose kept running, and every now and then he wiped it with his sleeve.

Liam inhaled deeply and shook his head. In his hand was a tray filled with food. He had thought Yusha would be hungry—but it seemed he had already had his fill of tears.

Slowly, he approached the omega and set the tray down beside him.

The scent of warm tea and fried eggs reached Yusha’s nose. He lifted his head, only to find the culprit who had imprisoned him standing there.

Liam hadn’t expected it, but he saw it then—dread and fury burning in Yusha’s eyes, both of them directed at him. It was a sight he never thought he would witness from someone like Yusha, so kind-hearted despite everything he had been through.

"I have decided," Liam said calmly, breaking the suffocating silence that neither of them had dared to touch until now.

He couldn’t bear to see Yusha like this. He did love him—somewhere deep inside—a love that had always taken a backseat to the future he had envisioned for the two of them.

"You can give birth to the child."

Yusha’s gaze flickered upward, brightening immediately, a small twinkle appearing in his eyes.

"But—"

"But?" The omega frowned, swallowing hard.

What kind of condition would he impose now?

Wasn’t chaining him enough?

Should he stop breathing as well?

"You need to stay here. With me."

Yusha’s eyes widened in surprise. It was beyond anything he had expected. Usually, alphas like Liam would discard the omega, or send them far away so that no one would ever discover the child.

"Here? There are people who can—"

"Don’t worry about them. I’ll make sure they keep their mouths shut," Liam interrupted smoothly.

He stepped closer, his tone softening as a smile curved his lips. "Just stay with me. You need me."

Yusha stiffened. Did he need him? He didn’t even know.

"I am your alpha," Liam continued, voice gentle but firm, "and the child’s father. You know how it works, don’t you? An omega can’t safely carry a child without their alpha."

He reached out, only for the omega to turn away, as if disgusted, forcing him to stop just short of touching him.

"In our world, an unborn child is bound first to pheromones before flesh," Liam said quietly. "An alpha’s scent stabilizes the omega’s body, regulates their heat cycles, and calms the child’s developing instincts. Without it, the pregnancy becomes volatile—painful. Dangerous."

His smile deepened, almost indulgent.

"You need my pheromones if you want the child to be born healthy. If you want to survive the birth at all."

The words settled heavily in the air.

Yusha’s hands curled at his sides. He had known this—omegas were taught it from childhood.

Pregnant omegas who were separated from their alphas often grew weak, feverish, their bodies rejecting the strain. Some children were stillborn. Others were born sick, unstable, unable to regulate their secondary gender.

Liam tilted his head slightly.

"So stay," he said softly. "With me."

Hearing him repeat it made Yusha’s stomach twist.

"But the General—"

"Just send him a letter," Liam cut him off mid-sentence.

Yusha stared at him, eyes wide and unblinking. Suspicion coiled in his chest. He couldn’t trust him—not after everything, not after being brought here and forced to obey.

Yet, he had been the foolish one that night, approaching Liam as if possessed, giving him the perfect opportunity. Liam had only needed a touch of his power to render him unconscious—and he had done without a second thought.

The worst part? He didn’t seem regretful nor remorseful at all.

Yusha swallowed hard, a mix of anger and helplessness washing over him.

***

Ren’s eyelashes fluttered before his eyes slowly opened. The face before him was blurry, making him blink rapidly until his vision cleared.

Zayden was staring at him, his gaze unexplainably soft, a faint smile glued to his lips. There was admiration, love, and adoration in his eyes—something Ren had never thought he would ever see reflected in someone’s gaze for him again.

Not after Ilyan, the only person who ever showed him love and kindness.

Ren tried to sit up, pushing himself against the mattress—only to groan softly. His back ached, and with the dull soreness came a rush of memories from the night before. Heat crept up his cheeks, staining them red.

Zayden noticed at once. His lips curved into an amused smirk as he reached for a pillow, propping it against the headboard before gently guiding Ren back against it.

"I apologize," he murmured, leaning closer as his gaze lingered on him. "Was I too rough?"

Ren tugged at a few strands of his hair, as if that might somehow hide his face.

"I-I’m fine," he replied, averting his gaze shyly. Then he pulled the blanket up slightly before looking at Zayden again. "You... cleaned me up?"

Zayden chuckled, leaning back against the headboard beside him and wrapping an arm around Ren’s shoulders.

"Did you really think I’m some oppressive alpha who wouldn’t even bother cleaning you up afterward?"

Ren’s face warmed even more at Zayden’s words.

"You might be like that. Who knows?" He teased the alpha.

Zayden narrowed his eyes, raising an eyebrow.

"Uh-huh? Is that so?"

"But you don’t seem like that," Ren giggled, looking up while putting the back of his hand near his mouth.

"Good."

Then, Ren relaxed against the alpha’s side, the tension in his body slowly melting beneath the steady heat of Zayden’s arm.

"Thank you," Ren murmured, almost too softly to be heard.

Zayden lowered his head, pressing a gentle kiss into Ren’s hair as he pulled him closer.

"Why?" he asked, locking gazes with the omega.

"For... being you?" Ren replied, unsure of himself.

He was simply grateful. Why, even he didn’t fully know.

Zayden laughed softly. "Rest a little longer," he said, guiding Ren’s head to his bare chest.

Ren nodded, breathing in Zayden’s comforting scent. Slowly, he began tracing small circles on the alpha’s chest with his finger.

Zayden smiled, lowering his head toward him.

"Do you want more?" he asked teasingly.

Just then, a knock at the door shattered their quiet moment.

Ren startled, lifting his head.

"Ren?" Enzo’s voice came from the other side of the door, tense and urgent. "Are you awake? I need to talk to you. Urgently."