Help! I Became A Guy In A BL Novel!-Chapter 160: The Final Straw

Ronan smiled against his lips, his grip on Riven’s waist tightening slightly in encouragement. He let Riven take the lead, matching his rhythm, patient and gentle.

The bells on Riven’s tail jingled faintly with every small movement, a delicate sound that echoed softly through the still room. But neither of them paid it any mind.

For once, the silence in Riven’s childhood room wasn’t suffocating. It was filled with something that he always craved, love.

Riven’s lips parted from Ronan’s, their foreheads still pressed together, breaths mingling in the quiet room. The soft jingle of bells from the bracelet on Riven’s tail interrupted the silence between them.

Ronan’s eyes held a mischievous glint as he whispered, "You were going to show me your secret hideout, the one that no one else knew about."​

Riven rolled his eyes but didn’t pull away. "Even now, your intention to one-up Soren is still there."​

Ronan chuckled, unabashed. "Of course. I need to know everything about my mate that he doesn’t."​

Riven sighed, a fond smile tugging at his lips. "Fine. I promised the Alpha, after all."​

He stood, stretching slightly, before moving to the window. With practised ease, he opened it and climbed out, Ronan following closely behind. They descended carefully, Riven leading the way with the familiarity of someone who had done this countless times. Once on the ground, they moved past the hedge that bordered the estate.

Beyond the hedge lay an open meadow, the grass swaying gently in the breeze. To the side, an unassuming hill rose, its surface blending seamlessly with the surroundings. Riven approached it, kneeling to remove a layer of grass that, upon closer inspection, was artificial. Beneath it, a small cave entrance was revealed.​

"This is it," Riven said, gesturing for Ronan to follow.

They entered the cave, which was tall enough to stand in but not overly spacious. Inside, the air was cool and carried the earthy scent of damp stone. The walls bore faint marks of where Riven had once carved symbols or notes during his youth. A few old blankets and a worn-out lantern lay in the corner, remnants of his time spent here.​

Ronan looked around, taking in the space. "So this is where you escaped to."​

Riven nodded, his gaze distant. "It was the only place I felt safe."​

Ronan stepped closer, wrapping an arm around Riven’s shoulders. "Thank you for sharing this with me."​

---

Lucian Veldrin made his way to the secluded estate at the edge of the forest. The message he had received was short and direct: "Urgent meeting. Come alone. Now."

He found Elder Thornbush already waiting inside the candlelit hall, standing stiffly near the wide hearth. His expression was as sharp as a blade, his mouth drawn into a thin line. There was frustration and displeasure on his face.

His greying hair had been pulled back hastily, his robes wrinkled as if thrown on in a rush. The flames cast flickering shadows across his face, making the creases seem deeper, his eyes more sunken and intense.

Lucian entered with calm precision, bowing his head slightly. "Lord Thornbush. You called?"

"Yes," Thornbush snapped, gesturing him over. "Spies returned this morning. We have a problem."

Lucian moved to stand beside the elder, keeping his expression unreadable. "What kind of problem?"

The elder’s lip curled as he tossed a sealed scroll into the fire, watching it crumple and turn to ash. "Lord Malric," he spat the name like it tasted foul. "That snake has been plotting treason."

But- Weren’t they all?

Lucian’s eyes narrowed. "What exactly was reported?"

"He’s been gathering support among the lesser clans, promising them elevation in rank once the Alpha is overthrown. He’s already started discussing power distribution, as if the war is already won. And he is trying to plot against me."

So he finally got to the point. Lucian took a deep breath.

Lucian folded his arms. "That is indeed a treacherous thing to say." For now, he had to nod along and agree with this man.

Thornbush turned sharply, his voice rising. "It’s madness. The Alpha hasn’t even fallen, and already Malric wants to crown himself king! He wants more than the share he’s been given. Typical. I always knew that bastard was greedy, but I underestimated how fast he’d turn on us."

Lucian didn’t respond right away. His mind was turning, thoughts tangled like venomous vines.

Malric was ambitious, yes, but this level of recklessness didn’t sound like him. He was a manipulator, not a fool. Still, Thornbush’s fury burned too hot to question openly.

"What do you plan to do?" Lucian asked, careful to keep his tone neutral.

The Elder scoffed. "What do you think? I’ll deal with him. Before he gets the chance to strike first. We’ve already seen how incompetent his son was. He handed the evidence of our plans to the Alpha on a silver platter. Tch."

He began pacing, his boots clicking loudly against the stone floor. "It’s always the same with men like him. The moment things start to shift, they look for bodies to climb on. First, the Alpha, then the elders. Mark my words, Lucian, if I don’t act now, we’ll both be corpses before the month ends."

Lucian’s jaw tightened, but he nodded slowly. "I see."

The Elder whirled on him. "You see?" he repeated, voice sharp. "That’s all you have to say?"

Lucian met his stare. First his son, and now this bastard. He was tired of hiding his thoughts, but he had to wait. Now was not the time. "I’m sorry, Elder. I will see what I can do, I will dispatch some of my own men."

Lord Thornbush sneered, tension coiling in his shoulders. "Just be careful how loyal you sound to him, Lucian. This isn’t a time for sentiment."

A flicker of annoyance passed through Lucian, but he swallowed it. "I’m not sentimental. I’m cautious. There’s a difference." He tried his best not to snap.

He was surrounded by idiots. This was the final straw.