CHAPTER 67: _I DON’T LIKE YOU...

Elian’s POV

*****

[SYSTEM online...]

[Welcome back to the land of the living, fruitcake.]

Elian’s shut eyes flickered as he tried to open them, a skull-splitting headache hitting him.

But then, the system spoke up again, this time with more alertness.

[I’ll keep your eyes shut right now if I were you. You need to catch yourself up with what happened around you while you were passed out.]

The headache in his head festered as he remembered everything that happened before he lost consciousness.

Beta Axel...

He’d come to his room, asking him questions about the Alpha class intruder. Obviously, Elian hadn’t been much help since he didn’t see the bastard, whoever he was.

After that, he and Axel searched the room to see if there was anything the intruder had taken. But there was nothing.

During all this, Elian had tried hiding something away from Axel. Something he wasn’t supposed to see...

’Shit!’ Elian cursed mentally when he realised he couldn’t feel IT clutched in his right hand anymore.

And what was ’it’?

’The heat suppression pill!’ Elian snapped at the system mentally, his mind reeling. ’Where the heck is it? Why did you insist I shouldn’t open my eyes? That thing cost—’

[Oh, relax, fruitcake! It’s not lost...]

Elian breathed out with relief when he heard that, but then paused.

Why did he feel like there was more that the system wasn’t letting him on?

[The ’more’ is staring at you right now.]

Huh?

"Elian?" A deep voice filled with warmth and concern called out just then, causing him to hold his breath.

Slowly, he opened his eyes, squinting them because of the morning sun from the window. But he was just in time to see Axel walking toward his bed with a worried expression.

"Thank the goddess, you’re okay." The Beta murmured, leaning across the bed and pulling Elian into a warm embrace.

Elian blinked, taken by surprise at first.

But then his heart surged with warmth as he hugged the Beta in return, closing his eyes and taking in his calming scent.

[Aw, I’m glad to see you’re both awake.]

Elian furrowed his eyebrows, confused at what the system meant by that... Until he felt his own erection pressing against his underwear.

He was wearing nothing but his underwear and was rock hard!

[On the bright side, your heat has finally calmed and isn’t expected to come back for another five hours, give or take...]

Heck no!

’Where’s the heat Suppression Pill?’ Elian asked with urgency. ’I can’t go through all that again.’

There was a pause as Axel withdrew his arms from him, finally pecking him on his forehead and brushing his blonde white hair tenderly.

But just when Elian’s face heated up with a blush...

[About the heat suppression pill... That’s the bad side of this.]

He blinked, confused at first until Axel opened his outstretched right palm, revealing a blue pill on it.

The heat suppression pill.

Elian’s heart fell to his stomach, his eyes blinking with uncertainty.

"I saw this in your hand after you passed out." The Beta began with a calm voice, tilting his head.

Elian’s heart thundered as he thought about so many scenarios. What if this leads to Axel finding out about the system?

[Probably unlikely.]

But still not impossible...

Anyway, Axel continued. "Mind telling me how you got this when you’re—"

"A poor palace servant?" Elian asked with a plastered smile before he could control his words.

His pulse spiked and Axel’s lips parted with surprise.

[Wow, impulsive speaking. Not suspicious at all...]

"What?" Axel blurted, shaking his head. "You stopped becoming a palace servant after you got—"

"Yeah. After I got mated to you and Prince Douchebag." Elian’s lips were quick, pushed by adrenaline and fear of what Axel might think. "But I guess you think I have nothing to my name. Talk less of a pill that costs ten golden tickets."

Axel blinked, stunned for a moment by Elian’s words. The blue pill still lay innocently on his palm, but his gaze was sharp now, cutting through Elian’s sarcasm like it was smoke.

"Elian," he said slowly, like testing the edge of a blade. "That’s not what I meant."

"Oh? You sure? Because you sounded pretty ready to call me a thief—"

"I’m not Lucian!" Axel snapped.

Elian’s breath hitched. The name stung more than it should have.

"I’m not looking for a reason to hate you," Axel added, quieter this time. "I just want to understand you."

The heat in Elian’s chest wasn’t from the mate bond or his recent flare. It was something else, dangerously raw and disarming.

"Yeah, well, understanding me isn’t part of your job description, is it?" He finally scoffed, tossing the blanket off and swinging his legs off the bed.

[What in the goddess’ name are you doing?!]

"Elian—" Axel was just as stunned and confused as the system.

"You don’t owe me care, Axel." Elian ignored the System, his chest heaving as he continued. "You don’t have to pretend to—"

"I’m not pretending."

Elian froze.

Axel’s voice was soft but unshakable, firm like stone beneath velvet.

"I’m not pretending," he repeated, stepping closer. "I was worried about you. I’m still worried. You passed out. You were burning up. You were in pain, and I was terrified."

Their eyes locked. The tension between them wasn’t just hot, it was trembling.

Elian’s throat bobbed as he swallowed, unsure what to do with the lump of emotion Axel had just thrown into his chest.

"...Why?" He asked, and his voice came out quieter than he intended. "Why would you be scared for me?"

Axel exhaled, his brows knitting together. "Because I care, idiot."

Elian blinked.

Axel seemed just as surprised at his own confession, but instead of taking it back, he leaned into it.

"If I’m being honest, you piss me off. You’re reckless, dramatic, you lie like it’s a reflex, and a few times, I want to throw you into a lake."

Elian was stunned, blinking. "Okay, rude—"

"But even when you drive me insane, all I want to do is make sure you’re safe," Axel added, bringing back the warm image Elian was used to.

Elian’s lips parted. Words failed him.

Axel was close now, his hand reaching up and brushing a curl behind Elian’s ear before drifting down to his cheek. His touch was careful, reverent, like Elian might shatter if held too tightly.

"You don’t have to explain the pill," he murmured. "You don’t have to explain anything you’re not ready to. Just... Don’t push me away."

Elian’s heart thudded in his chest.

Gods, why did Axel have to say things like that? Why did he have to look at him like he mattered?

"You’re going to make me think you actually like me or something," Elian whispered, attempting a laugh, but it came out more like a tremble.

Axel’s lips quivered, but his gaze didn’t falter.

"I don’t like you," he said, voice husky.

Elian felt like he’d been hit by a brick. "Oh, lovely. Great—"

"I want you." Axel chimed, his voice certain.

Elian’s breath caught. He barely had time to react before Axel’s hand tilted his chin up, and...

Their lips met.

The kiss was soft at first, but then Elian leaned in.

And Axel pulled him closer.

It deepened like an exhale, like something long denied and finally allowed to breathe.

Fingers tangled in hair. Elian’s body pressed into Axel’s, feeling the Beta’s heat radiate through his clothes like wildfire.

Elian didn’t know if he kissed first or if Axel did, but gods, he didn’t care. All he knew was that it felt right.

A groan escaped Axel as he wrapped an arm around Elian’s waist, pulling him into his lap, and Elian gasped into the kiss, suddenly dizzy with how warm Axel’s hands felt against his bare skin.

[Well, I didn’t predict most of what you two just said... But THIS? ... Was expected.]