Content Warning: SA [18+]

Rihaan stormed into the hall, slamming his fist against the table, the sound echoing through the room. A bright, almost manic smile stretched across his face.

"What is the meaning of this?!" The Prince of Maiju recoiled, frowning, his composure faltering for the first time.

His eyes narrowed, fixed on the beast before him—filthy, reckless, untamed—who dared to interrupt what the prince clearly considered a precious moment.

"My, I was feeling a little hungry," Rihaan grinned, pushing a chair before taking a seat beside Soren.

Soren stiffened. He knew this man was bold—but to this extent? He was unaware of it.

"Prince Rihaan," he turned toward the young man, his expression clearly displeased. "You could have asked a servant. They would have had your food delivered to you."

Rihaan didn’t answer, reaching for the omega’s hand.

"Is this how you treat your guests, Your Imperial Highness? Leave them alone, to rot in some dark room until they leave? Should you not entertain them as you are to this—" Rihaan’s gaze flickered toward the man seated across from them. "This... man."

The alpha tried his best to act cute, his eyebrows raised, hazel gaze damp as if he would break into tears at any moment.

Soren’s heart throbbed. He knew very well Rihaan’s nature—he was a liar. And he could deceive one in a manner no one could possibly doubt. Still willingly, the omega exhaled sharply, pulling his hand away from his grip, and he nodded.

"My apologies. How about I order the servants to serve you a plate as well?"

Rihaan grinned, "Well of course. Why would I refuse if you insist?"

Meanwhile, sitting on his chair, the Prince of Maiju’s blood boiled in fury.

How dare he!

He gritted his teeth, glaring at the other alpha. However, his anger vanished as soon as Soren’s gaze shifted his way. He forced a bright smile on his face, as if the furious expression from earlier never existed to begin with.

The dining hall was filled with utter silence, only the clinking of utensils could be heard. The servants stood at the corner, hands folded. They exchanged awkward glances, cold sweat dripping down their faces. Something was strange about this situation although they couldn’t put a finger on it.

It was only when the three men rose from their seats that the servants exhaled. Finally, this came to an end.

Soren strode before the two alphas, not bothered to look behind. On the other hand, the two men tried their best to walk beside him.

"Your Imperial Highness, there is something I must discuss with you," Rihaan announced first before the other alpha could utter a word.

The Prince of Maiju clenched his fists, glaring at the beast disguised as a human.

"My, don’t look at me like that. I fear you will pierce a hole in my beautiful face," Rihaan sneered.

And that only added fuel to the fire burning in the prince’s body. He looked at Soren, hoping the omega would refuse although he had seen the two men share a kiss not long ago.

"Alright then. I will see him off first. Then, you may visit me at the audience hall. I hope it will be brief."

Having said so, Soren wrapped an arm around the eleventh prince of Maiju, leading the way to his bedroom.

Rihaan’s jaw dropped, watching the omega’s back. His chest burned. Not as if it were set on fire but as if someone had pierced his heart a thousand times, then sprinkled spice on it before throwing it in a hearth. That kind of pain. A type that was enough to kill him. He couldn’t breathe.

He stumbled upon his own steps, almost falling. However, he landed against a wall. Sturdy and firm. Something he wasn’t. Not when it involved someone he loved.

***

Soren rushed into the audience hall. However, to his surprise, it was empty. He sighed.

"How childish," he muttered, turning his heels and exiting the hall.

With quick steps, he rushed back to his bedchambers. The walk was brief, one he was used to. Yet, the words his prospective fiancée said itched under his skin.

"You have... kissed him."

Hearing that, Soren had frozen in place. He couldn’t think of an excuse, an explanation, or anything.

His lips parted. Over and over but no sound came out of his mouth.

"It’s alright. He must have forced you. Alphas are like and omegas just can’t fight. However, I hope you will send him home soon, Your Imperial Highness. That is if—" the prince paused, caressing Soren’s cheeks—so softly it felt ticklish. "—you wish anything to happen between us."

Soren slammed the door of his room open. The hall was dark, deprived of any light. Just like his life. No matter where he went, he was bound to find and drown in endless darkness. Without bothering himself to call a maid or personally turn on the lights, he headed toward the bed. He let himself fall, collapsing on the soft mattress, his face buried into the soft pillow. Suddenly, it felt like all the exhaustion of the day began to take effect, and his eyelashes suddenly felt heavy.

Before he could close them, he sensed a strange gaze that seemed to be fixed on him. Frowning, he turned only to find a tall silhouette looming over him.

"W-Who—"

Before he could finish his sentence, an aggressive kiss came his way.

Soren’s eyes widened. He immediately pushed the man off him. The room was still dark. With urgency, he reached for the candle, but the man pulled it away from his grip immediately.

"Who are you?!" Soren’s eyes flared, his back against the wall. He moved along the wall, his steps steady. He just needed to get out of the room. Then, he could call for the guards stationed not far. He didn’t want to scream—that could make him appear weak. That he needed help, and was not good enough to be Emperor one day.

Suddenly, the room filled with a scent—sweet and fresh lilies. Yet overwhelming to the point that Soren immediately dropped to his knees, unable to stand it. Heat rushed to his body, burning—the man was an alpha.

Alpha pheromones flooded the room.

Soren collapsed to his knees, fingers clawing at his chest as his lungs struggled to draw breath. The scent forced its way inside him—thick, oppressive—burning his skin from the inside out.

Heat rushed through his body in violent waves, leaving him trembling, desperate, aching to tear his clothes away just to breathe again. His vision blurred.

The alpha standing before him remained still, watching. One grey eye glimmered in the darkness, cold and piercing.

Who...?

Even like this—overpowered, drowning in another’s pheromones—Soren squeezed his eyes shut and whispered a spell, forcing the words past his shaking lips.

He never finished.

A hand clamped over his mouth, rough and unyielding, smothering the sound. His breath hit warm skin instead.

"Mmph—!" Soren grabbed the man’s forearm, nails digging in as he tried to push it away, panic surging.

"Why?" The voice reached him before he could speak again.

Familiar.

Too familiar.

Soren’s heart stuttered violently in his chest.

No... it can’t be—

He shut his eyes tighter, as if denial alone could erase the truth, as if opening them would make the world collapse into something he could not bear.

Then his voice broke, barely holding together.

"Captain... Oliver?"

The man did not answer.

Instead, he reached for his shirt and tore it apart.

Soren froze.

His eyes widened, horror rooting him in place as every instinct screamed at him to run. But his body refused to listen. He stood there, trembling, unable to move, unable to think.

What was he supposed to do?

Tears burned behind his eyes—hot, stinging, just like the fire spreading beneath his skin. His mind scrambled, empty and frantic all at once.

He didn’t learn this.

No one ever taught him what to do in a moment like this.

Firm hands closed around his chest.

Soren’s breath hitched sharply.

"S–Stop it," he managed to whisper, his lips trembling, legs shaking beneath him.

But his body betrayed him. His omega pheromones spilled into the air against his will, dragged out by the overwhelming pressure of alpha scent crushing him from all sides.

The man did not listen.

His fingers slid higher, pinching—

Soren’s face twisted in raw disgust.

No. I can’t let this happen.

Summoning every shred of strength left in him, he shoved the taller man away. The sudden movement broke the spell long enough for him to turn and bolt toward the exit.

Freedom was only a few steps away when something snapped around his wrists. Cold metal bit into his overheated skin.

Soren shuddered violently as he turned back, gaze on his wrist, dread hollowing his chest.

Handcuffs.

He needed to call for help. Yet his pride—that demon wouldn’t allow it. It would rather be ruined, destroyed than beg for help.