The Rebel's Omega
Chapter 93

Chapter 93: Chapter 93

“I am not like other Alphas, Hua Ren,” he repeated, this time more gently. His grip softened. “I don’t want to tame you. I don’t want to clip your wings. In fact...” He let out a breath, a soft huff of helpless affection. “I love that you can fight. I love how incredibly strong you are and how you do not need to depend on anyone.”

Hua Ren blinked, startled.

Sheng Fei went on, “To be honest, I never even wanted to find my mate. I thought settling down would be a burden, something that would distract me from my mission. But when we fought that night and I felt your power, your fire, your strength, right then and there, I knew I wanted you. Not because you’re my mate, but because you’re you.”

Hua Ren’s lips parted in a soft gasp. He stared at Sheng Fei, heart thundering in his chest, unsure if he was hearing things. No one had ever said such things to him before. Not even his parents. His father only talked about marriage, wanting to see him settled and living like a normal omega. His mother loved him a lot but he also wanted him to be normal. To find his mate and settle down. Even the Emperor who had spoken of marriage and said he would be free wanted to mark him by force.

Sheng Fei... Sheng Fei was the only one who said he loved that he could fight. Loved that he was strong. He wanted to ask Sheng Fei if he was crazy. What Alpha would want a strong stubborn omega?

But the look in Sheng Fei’s golden eyes told him he wasn’t joking.

Every single word was real.

Slowly, Sheng Fei reached up and removed Hua Ren’s hat, letting the moonlight touch his pale hair. Then, he took Hua Ren’s hands in his, holding them preciously.

“I didn’t mark you to trap you,” he continued. “I marked you to protect you. Especially after what the Emperor tried to do. I know you can protect yourself. You’ve more than proven that to everyone but wouldn’t it be better to know you’re mated to someone who will never let anyone take advantage of you again? With that mark, you won’t be as vulnerable as before. Even if the Emperor tries again, he can never trap you. Never use you.”

Hua Ren said nothing, but his expression had shifted and some of the tension in his shoulders had eased. The anger dulled, making him not as closed off as before.

“I also marked you for myself,” Sheng Fei gently pressed on, voice thickening with emotion. “I will not lie to you Hua Ren. I’m selfish. I marked you for my own peace of mind. This way, I won’t have to live every day wondering if some Alpha will be able to mark you. To have you or touch you the way I have. I want you for myself, Hua Ren. Only me.”

He stepped even closer, slipping one arm around Hua Ren’s waist, holding him gently. His other hand reached for Hua Ren’s, guiding it to his chest.

“I know... I’m not the one who resides in your heart,” he said, his voice a whisper. “But I want to be. I want to earn a place there.”

He then took Hua Ren’s hand and placed it against his own racing heart. “Just as you have in mine.”

Hua Ren’s eyes widened. He searched Sheng Fei’s face, desperately trying to find a lie, a trap—anything. But all he saw was sincerity.

“I—I...”

“You don’t have to answer,” Sheng Fei said with a small smile. “All I ask... is for a chance. Let me show you who I really am. Let me try to make you love me and want me as your Alpha. As your mate.”

Before Hua Ren could respond, both their heads turned sharply.

They felt it before they heard it—numerous figures on horses approaching from beyond the town’s gate.

“They’re here,” Hua Ren murmured, stepping back. The filthy kidnappers.

Sheng Fei nodded and took his place beside him, calm and ready.

Hua Ren glanced sideways, raising a perfectly arched brow. “Just so you know, even if you help, I’m not sharing the bounty with you. It’ll be mine alone.”

Sheng Fei chuckled, shaking his head. “That’s fine by me.”

After all, he believed firmly in something his mother had always told him.

‘The wife’s money was the wife’s alone, unless wifey chose to share it.’

********

The Night Foxes rode toward the village like a storm. They were dressed in filthy patched leathers, holding machetes that glinted in the moonlight. They were a grim, foul-smelling ugly band of men.

At the front of the group, their beefy bushy bearded leader snarled as he yanked his horse to a stop before the town gates.

“You fucking villagers!” he roared, spit flying everywhere. “How many times have I told you not to close these damn gates?!”

His voice echoed like thunder in the silence of the night, making the townsfolk shiver in fear in their houses.

“Break it down!” he ordered.

The others, tall lanky idiots, leapt off their horses, machetes and boots slamming against the gate as they hacked and kicked. The wooden beams groaned under the assault, too weak to hold for long. Within minutes, the gate splintered and collapsed.

The leader howled with laughter, revealing his ugly brownish-yellow teeth as he led them in.

Immediately they stepped in, the moon seemed to dim, covered by the clouds and the shadows grew longer. Families huddled behind doors and windows, praying tonight would not be the night they were dragged out screaming.

But just a few feet past the gate, two figures stood, unmoving. One was cloaked in lilac, the veil of his hat fluttering in the breeze and the other dressed in simple black robes with a white mask over his face.

The bandits paused, confused.

The leader squinted, noting their weapons then began to laugh again. “You villagers never learn,” he said, gesturing lazily with his machete. “Hiring more hunters to save your pathetic hides? Haven’t you figured it out by now? No hunter can save you from us!”

Inside their homes, the townfolk stirred, confused. Hunters? Chief Bai had said no hunter would come. That no hunter would risk their life to fight the notorious Night Foxes. He said they were on their own so what were the bandits talking about?

A few crept to their windows, peering out curiously. Including the tea stall owner who had served Hua Ren free tea earlier in the day. She quickly recognised Hua Ren’s clothes and was shocked to see him outside, standing alongside his husband, facing the horrid bandits. She gasped. Didn’t she warn the omega?