CHAPTER 242: NOT AGAIN

Riven simply did not want a war to interrupt his time with Ronan, that was it... Wasn’t it? That was why he helped.

Though Riven would not admit it, Eli’s words got to him. He helped, and that made him happy. He prevented things from getting worse. Civilians did not have to suffer the consequences of an internal war.

Riven and Eli continued their conversation, the air between them becoming light as they swapped stories and shared laughter. But soon enough, Eli had to leave, reminding Riven to take care of himself as he walked out the door.

As soon as Eli was gone, Riven felt a little more restless. He was about to wander the manor, maybe go out, when Troy’s voice rang out, firm and unyielding. "Riven! Back to your room."

Riven completely ignored Eli’s advice, he did not want to stay cooped up in his room! Nothing ever happened in his room! Everything happens out there in the world and he did not want to miss it.

"Wait, what?" Riven protested, eyes wide. "I was just going to—"

Troy cut him off, showing off the prescription slip. "You need bed rest. The Alpha’s orders."

Riven rolled his eyes, the fight slipping out of him. "Fine, fine. I’ll go."

trudged back to his room, muttering under his breath about the unfairness of it all.

Opening the door, he was greeted by an unexpected sight. Soren sat on his bed, dark circles under his eyes contrasting sharply with his chiselled features, giving him a more intimidating—yet undeniably hot—aura.

"Riven... How are you feeling?" Soren asked, his voice was low and hoarse. Riven could not help but gush about his amazing voice.

"Yeah, I’m fine," Riven replied, trying to sound nonchalant. He knew how protective Soren could be. The concern etched in Soren’s features made it clear he wasn’t buying it. He could tell that something was wrong. Hah... It was because of last night. Riven wished they would just forget that happened. It was awkward enough, it was amazing for him, but he couldn’t say the same for both Ronan and Soren.

Soren shifted, his eyes flickering with something unspoken. "I wanted to talk to you..." He wanted to go back to his place. And he did not come here to ask Riven, he came here to tell Riven that this was happening. He was taking him back. But things had changed.

Riven’s heart skipped a beat. "What is it... Soren?" Riven felt like he knew what was coming. He knew Soren well enough to know that he would not like what happened yesterday, but he endured it for his sake.

"You’re supposed to be on bed rest," Soren interrupted, running a hand through Riven’s tousled hair. His hands lingered on Riven’s soft ear, he rubbed it between his fingers before letting go.

Without warning, Soren stepped closer and effortlessly lifted Riven off his feet. Riven let out a surprised yelp, only to find himself being cradled against Soren’s chest as he climbed onto the bed. The sudden shift from standing to being enveloped in Soren’s warmth was dizzying, and Riven couldn’t help but smile, even as he felt a twinge of confusion.

Wasn’t he mad? Now they were cuddling.

"I’m just going to hold you," Soren said, his voice softer than usual. He tucked Riven against him, arms wrapping around him in a way that felt protective and safe.

Riven nestled into the embrace, his heart racing from the closeness. No, it was not his first time, but his heart raced every time he was with Soren. "I thought you wanted to talk."

Soren sighed, his breath warm against Riven’s hair. "I did, but things changed, now I just want to hold you."

Soren’s fingers traced absent patterns along Riven’s arm. It was not Soren to overthink or be anxious, but the moment he found out Riven was sick, he assumed the worst. Only after learning that it was not that serious did he calm down.

It brought up memories he did not want to remember. Thinking of those memories again, the hand around Riven’s waist tightened, pressing him against his body. The smell of Riven calmed him down a little.

Riven didn’t press Soren for details. Instead, he let the silence stretch, embracing the warmth of Soren’s body around him. He could feel the tension in Soren’s muscles. It felt nice to see Soren dressed... A bit casually, instead of the way he normally dressed.

He was aware of Soren’s backstory, about how Soren had killed his abuser, taking over her estate and building an empire from the ashes of that life.

It was all clearly in the story, but there was something that was not mentioned... Something that Riven did not know.

He knew Soren had been sold off as a young child by his mother, a betrayal that had marred his childhood and shaped the man he’d become.

What he did not know was that Soren, after gaining power and influence, sought out his mother. Soren had discovered she was alive, surviving but not truly living.

He had the power to end her life, to unleash the fury that had been building inside him for years. Yet, he hadn’t done it. Something had stopped him.

He had built his empire on ruthlessness and blood, never shying away from making hard choices. But when he confronted his mother, everything shifted.

In that fateful moment, as he stood before her, he couldn’t bring himself to kill her. She appeared so pale, so sickly, a mere shadow of the woman he had once resented. All those years spent harbouring anger and bitterness seemed to fade in her presence. Instead of wrath, he felt an overwhelming urge for her to live.

What was it that drove him? Even after all the pain she had caused, a twisted sense of love lingered within him, a remnant of the bond they once shared.

She was not going to abandon him... Not again.