Sheng Fei didn’t flinch. The intense gaze of his golden eyes met Hua Ren’s with a calmness that only made the tension in the room thicker. "We heard some disturbing news." He answered. "I couldn’t sit still so I came to confirm whether it’s true or not."
Hua Ren frowned. "What news?"
Sheng Fei took off his mask, revealing his clean handsome face then took a few steps forward until he was standing some spaces away from Hua Ren. All the while, his eyes never left the General.
This was the first time Sheng Fei truly saw Hua Ren’s face in its entirety, and the Ivory Warlord was even more breathtaking than he had imagined. Silken strands of white hair were held by a black ribbon in a low ponytail, the locks gracefully spilling down to his waist like a cascade of moonlight. His lashes, pale as fresh snow, framed delicate eyes of soft white, giving him an otherworldly allure. His skin, was smooth and porcelain-like and his small lips were the color of faded pink rose petal. They looked impossibly soft, completing a face that was both fragile and mesmerizing, like a masterpiece sculpted by the Goddess of beauty.
He felt a twing of jealousy when he recalled that a lot of people, even the Emperor, had seen his mate’s face before he did.
But that wasn’t important at the moment. "I need you to tell me the truth." He said. "As your mate and your Alpha, I deserve to know."
Hua Ren was confused. "You deserve to know what?" What did Sheng Fei want to know that he looked so serious? That he traveled all the way to the Capital no matter how risky it was? Even directly coming to his home.
"Is it true that the Emperor proposed to you?" Sheng Fei asked. Beneath the steady tone of his voice, there was an unmistakable hint of apprehension, as if he was afraid of the answer he would get.
Hua Ren felt his blood run cold. His hold on Qi Zhen loosened and the old man used the opportunity to slip away. He knew Hua Ren was not going to kill him because he didn’t feel any killing intent but it wasn’t nice to have a knife to your throat.
"H-How did you know?" Hua Ren stuttered, not expecting the question. He then realised something. "You have spies in the palace!"
“I am the man determined to overthrow the Emperor and rebuild this kingdom,” Sheng Fei declared firmly. “Naturally, I have eyes everywhere. So, answer me, General. Is it true? Did the Emperor propose to you, my mate?"
Hua Ren’s features hardened. What was wrong with this guy, busy calling him his mate. He suddenly felt like beating Sheng Fei up. "How many times do I have to tell you? I have no-"
He was silenced with a single finger to his lips. He glared at Sheng Fei who was already glaring back. "No matter how many times you say it, it doesn’t change the fact that you’re mine, General. And you’re deliberately refusing to answer my question which makes it true. The Emperor proposed to you."
Hua Ren slapped away Sheng Fei’s hand and stepped back, creating a bit of distance between them. "So what if he did?" He retorted. "He is the Emperor and I am an Omega. He can propose to me."
"He can," Sheng Fei agreed. "But what matters is your response. I’m certain you didn’t tell him about me, which means you haven’t turned down his proposal."
"That doesn’t mean I’ve accepted it either," Hua Ren shot back.
"Then reject it." Sheng Fei demanded.
Hua Ren’s eyes widened in shock. "W-What?"
Sheng Fei stepped forward, closing the gap between them. He slid a hand behind Hua Ren’s head and pulled him close, locking his gaze deep into Hua Ren’s eyes. “He is not your Alpha. You don’t belong with him. You belong with me. So reject the proposal. Reject the Emperor."
Hua Ren gritted his teeth, glaring at Sheng Fei. Did Sheng Fei even realise what it meant to reject the Emperor? He and his entire family could get killed for it.
Despite this, Hua Ren felt conflicted. In a way, Sheng Fei was right. No. Not in a way. He was definitely right. It was wrong of him to accept the Emperor’s proposal knowing he had a mate. But this mate...
He groaned. He didn’t want to feel the bond. He didn’t want to look into Sheng Fei’s eyes. He didn’t want to feel anything at all. But despite himself, his heart began to race.
Sheng Fei’s golden eyes were striking and intense, framed by his sharp, handsome features. His perfectly defined jaw, sharp nose, and the few dark strands of hair falling loose around his face made him look powerful. No matter how hard he tried to resist, he could feel the heat from Sheng Fei’s fingers on the back of his neck. He could feel the zings of electricity, albeit small, tingling down his spine. Sheng Fei’s touch wasn’t repulsive unlike the Emperor’s.
He gasped softly. Was this a sign? He had never felt this way before.
Then, a faint scent of Sheng Fei’s pheromones hit him, and his resolve began to crumble.
In that moment, a knock was heard and Hua Ren quickly broke free of Sheng Fei’s hold. He jumped away and it took everything in him to compose himself before he opened the door. The maid had returned, carrying a large tray of snacks and tea which she kept on the table in the middle of the living room. Hua Ren thanked her and told her to not disturb them. He would call for her when he needed her.
The maid nodded, bowed, then left.
Qi Zhen didn’t waste any time and helped himself to the food but food was the last thing on Sheng Fei’s or Hua Ren’s mind.
Hua Ren gritted his teeth, trying to maintain control. That was really close. His knees had already began to feel weak. He felt that if he had stayed longer, he would have succumbed to his Alpha’s charm.
His suddenly eyes widened at his thoughts. His Alpha? No! He shook his head. He would never accept a Rebel as his Alpha. He didn’t even want an Alpha. The Emperor was the best choi-
He suddenly halted that train of thought.
The Emperor.... no. He had too many doubts.
Sheng Fei already knew why Hua Ren ran away and although his face remained serious, inside, he was happy that Hua Ren had showed a form of reaction. There was a trace of panic in those white eyes unlike the cold emptiness he saw last time. It meant Hua Ren was starting to feel the bond.
He was aware that Hua Ren was a defective Omega. His spies in the Royal court had relayed that information to him so he understood why Hua Ren didn’t feel much the first time they met. Unlike him. He knew that Hua Ren needed time to slowly understand the new sensations and learn to accept his own nature as an Omega.