DISCOVERING THE SECRET

NOAH

Ah... The Alphas! Everything that happens depends on them, is determined by them, thought of by them, this is a question that bothers me a lot, because I hear this since my childhood, and today at the age of twenty I still haven't come into heat, which I thank heavens tirelessly, because my age would have already occurred, and even if I were Alpha, Omega or Beta, my life would change. My biggest concern is if my heat occurs, and I discover that I am an Omega, that would be very difficult for me, after all, their life is not easy, whether male or female, they always suffer, because it is their responsibility to generate the offspring, in addition to being totally submissive to the Alphas.

My speech seems pessimistic, but in the world we live in, Alphas, both men and women, are surrounded by privileges that Betas, and especially Omegas, don't usually enjoy, whether here where I live, or even in the capital of the kingdom where everything seems more modern. , their lives are all about submitting to what their Alphas want.

When my brother and I arrived in rebel territory, we were just two young people scared and afraid of the world. I was twelve, and my brother fourteen, we were welcomed by Duric and everyone else. We had to learn many things to live here. I've always had a strong personality, and my parents raised me very comfortable, and when I arrived in this rebellious territory, everything seemed too difficult, the rules imposed by the Great Alpha, in addition to everything that is imposed by society in general, limits the life of someone who is not an Alpha too much. I didn't want, and still don't want a life limited by social standards, and the only thing I could see in that moment besides the enormous thirst for revenge that consumed me since I witnessed my village destroyed, and my parents killed in a cruel way, was the revolt for having to accept that I no longer had my parents, my house, my home, and that I would have to accept the way of life in this place.

Here I always heard that I could be an Omega because of my physique and height. As I'm not tall, I'm of average height for a man, as well as a physique without much muscle, and a thinner appearance than most men here, so it was claimed that I couldn't engage in activities that Alphas participate in, such as training with sword, bow and arrow, battle simulation, and everything connected with the invasions that the rebel movement intends to carry out on the capital of Ascabaltt. However, the “No” is something I don't know, especially when it arouses my curiosity, and that's what happened when I started to follow sword training in secret, train alone, away from everyone's eyes, but consequently, the news that I was training reached the ears of the Great Alpha, leader of our territory, Duric .

My activities with the sword did not please the leader and advisors, and I had to abandon something I loved to do, until they needed my help at a crucial moment within the territory, and that earned me everyone's respect. Fighting has always brought me hope for change, and after I was given permission for such an activity I started training intensely, always preparing myself for what I still don't know what it is, although in my heart I feel that something very big is going to happen in my life, and even if I'm Omega, I won't be like most who settle for just being an Alpha's mate. 

[...]

It's become a habit on my part to train until I'm tired, something that makes my leader very happy. He usually observes training, and thinks that at first he prevented me from participating in everything I do today, but today all this is very different after I showed my value, regardless of whether I'm Omega, Alpha or Beta. This morning he is pushing me even more, and my every move is questioned by him, and it makes me think that something is going on, and even with so many interruptions on his part, I managed to defeat my opponent. The leader smiles, his wide smile brighter than the sun lighting up his ebony skin, walks fast, and approaches me.

— You are more and more ready for any combat, the way you defended yourself preventing him from hitting you was impeccable, Noah!

— Yeah... I've been intensifying the training, after we beat Alexander's soldiers in Bartari , but today the Lord questioned so many moves and blows that I exercised, is something happening?

— No, but I think you know that here we must be ready for anything, for we never know what might happen if the King discovers our Territory...

 — All right, I think my training is over for today, I'm tired. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to my cabin. — I speak as I keep my sword in my kitchen . 

— Wait Noah, I have something for you!

— Which is? I ask curiously.

— Here, it's your new sword!

— Wow, it's beautiful! I speak in an excited tone.

— Take care of her!

Admiration takes over me, that gun has always mesmerized me. I touch its all silver blade, along with a pommel, handle and handguard in gold and in the center a huge colorless stone that looks like a diamond that shines intensely. I thank him, and make my way toward my house. On the way, further on, I see the plantation of the territory, where my brother usually dedicates a few hours of work. I walk through the trees, and I spot him. I stop to look at him and remember how our lives have changed during those eight years living in rebel territory. My brother takes a small red flower from a bed near the plantations. Balck has a lost, sad look and his beautiful blue eyes are teary, I approach. 

— What's it? Still remembering him?

— How can I forget him?' I see him every day, I know he doesn't like me, but I still love him!

— Balck, you have to forget about this man, he rejected you, marked someone else instead of you, and he's married!

— I know that, but it's hard! 

— You have to forget about him, see why I don't want to fall in love? Love makes people foolish and blind! Look at you, you were so rational, now you live crying in the corners for someone who doesn't deserve you.

— I don't live crying, and love doesn't make people stupid, and as Lunar Omega, you're lucky you haven't come into heat and fallen in love yet!

— I'm not a Lunar Omega... I've told you this a thousand times!

— How can you be sure it isn't? You never came into heat, you never talked to your wolf, and...

— I might be an Alpha Lupus, and...

— Get that idea out of your head! — They go into heat when they turn 16, and they can relate to any Omega or Beta, but it's with the Lunar Omega that he can completely calm down, and this type of Omega only goes into heat when he meets his Alpha Lupus!

— Balck , stop this talk! — This is giving me a headache!

— I'm sure the day you meet him you'll come into heat, and act like a passionate fool!

— Oh, my brother, the day you see me making a fool of myself in front of an Alpha, you can beat me or have me locked up in that outta the way cabin they use as a prison. Now, let's go home!

ANDREW

A few streaks of sunlight pierce the curtains and light up my room. I open my eyes slowly, something disturbs me, a deafening noise coming from the door, I try to identify what happens. I hear a desperate voice calling my name. 

— Andrew, I know you're there, please open the door! I need to talk to you, I have wonderful news! 

I roll my eyes, and wonder what's this girl's problem? Why do he and his father insist that one day he will be my wife? Although I know that this farcical idea is also nurtured by my valued father. Imagining this possibility, of one day being married to Artanis , is disturbing. I shake my head in denial, it's something out of the question, he can be very beautiful, his dresses are usually very tight, they enhance his curves in a way that I like, but he's an unbearable and futile girl, not to mention the great detail that prevents me from marrying anyone, the prophecy. 

She is insistent. Knock on the door until tired. When I notice his refusal, I get up immediately to take me, and order my breakfast, but while I'm talking to the servant, my friend Paolo enters the room, and sits on my bed. 

— Andrew, I don't understand why you're so rude to my sister, he came so full of hope to talk to you!

I dispense with the servant's services, close the door, look at my friend, and answer him. 

— That's the problem, your sister lives fed by false hopes for me, which are also fed by our parents who insist on this story of arranged marriage to strengthen the kingdom!

— Regardless of political motives, she's the best match you'll have in the entire kingdom, and you know you can't run away from your father's choices...

— Oh, you mean you've become a matchmaker now? Or rather, do you want to be the brother-in-law of the FUTURE KING OF ASCABALTT? Paolo, I hear this from anyone but you? You are my friend, we always go out hiding from our parents to have fun without worrying about anything, forgot?

— My friend, I know all this, but it's time for us to grow up and assume the responsibilities that await us! One day I will be governor and you will be king. I'm not saying this because I'm a matchmaker, or I'm interested in some position in the kingdom. You know me, you know I'm not interested, I really think we need to grow up, we're not children anymore, we're twenty-four and we need to think about the future!

— OK! But you know I can't marry just anyone, other than being the prince, I'm an Alpha Lupus, and the prophecy...

— Andrew, do you really believe this prophecy that you can only marry a Lunar Omega? That kind of Omega no longer exists, and...

— I don't know, but the wizard Killian...

— Please, if your father ever hears you speak his name again, chaos will ensue in this castle!

— I don't know, what I feel is that somewhere out there, he or she exists, and that I need to find it! 

— You're getting crazy! Get that idea out of your head, Lunar Omega doesn't exist...

I observe my friend's words, I agree with Paolo that we are no longer children, but about Lunar Omega, I disagree. I know you're living somewhere, and it makes me feel like I'm missing something, and I don't want an arranged marriage, it's not enough that one day I'll be King, something I don't want and I'm not ready. If only something happened and changed my situation!

I walk over to the window and take in the scenery, while my friend keeps talking nonstop about the responsibilities we'll have to face in the future. I don't listen, that's one of my faults, when someone says something that doesn't interest me, I look at some distant point, pretending to listen, I observe the palace gardens, while Paolo continues his interminable speech. Someone knocks on the door, I look in the direction of the knocking, and quickly Paolo gets up, opens it, and before I can speak, or do anything, his sister walks into my room. Artanis looks like a real wolf in search of her prey, but I can tell the girl is embarrassed to see me without my clothes. Her face is flushed, her scent makes me dizzy and sick, her eyes roam over my bare torso, I feel a discomfort in her gaze, I look at her, I smile lightly.

— Oh, oh! Sorry I didn't realize before that you were like this...

— What are you doing here? I already told you that I don't like to be invaded!

— Calm down Andrew , he meant no harm! explains Paul.

— She never means any harm. Now I understand why you ran to open the door, just to let your sister in!

— Andrew, my dear... Could you wear something so we can talk?

— Don't call me darling! I'm in my room, and I have nothing to talk to you about!

Artanis has a gift for making me impatient. I grab a long—sleeved white shirt that was on my bed, get dressed, and leave the room, slamming the door with great force. I know they will come after me, I quicken my steps when I hear the sound of the door opening, without looking back I deduce it comes from my room, and the first door I see, I unlock it. I enter quickly to get rid of them, leaning against the door I hear the footsteps until I realize they are getting further and further away. I go out, look around, walk down the long hallway, walk down the flight of stairs to the first floor quietly, and when I reach the first steps to reach the ground floor, I hear the voices of Artanis and Paolo, which makes me recoil. I head towards the hallway on that floor, hurriedly enter the first door I find open. I realize that this is a room, which my father used to use to meet with his closest allies, I find it strange, as that room is usually locked.

I walk across the room and lightly run one of my hands over the large oval table, open the balcony door, lean on the balcony and look out over the garden. Everything seems so peaceful, but suddenly I hear voices and a movement at the front door, I believe they are looking for me, I close the door, crouch and sit on the floor because of the glass, hoping that no one will find me. My mistake, the voice I hear is my father's, and someone else's. 

— Tell me soon, what do you have to say that is so important, Direl ? I'm worried about the dance... — My father says.

— Do you really believe that Andrew will agree to accept the betrothal to William 's daughter?

 — I am the king, and no one should disrespect my decisions, and that includes my son!

I can't believe what I'm hearing! So is tonight's ball an excuse to force me to make a commitment to Paolo's sister?

— I don't think that's why you called me here, Direl!

— It's about Killian , Your Majesty!

— What? What's up with that damn thing?

— I recently discovered that there is a very powerful energy coming from Volcann, by the degree of power I suspected it could be Killian, after many attempts, I finally managed to feel his energy... He is alive!

— It can not be! I took it upon myself to put the best knights on the heels of that bastard, and they assured me he was dead, that they burned his body. They brought me your ring as proof, is this a joke of yours, Direl? my father snarls, and still slams the table hard. 

— Your Majesty, I was a little suspicious of the authenticity of that ring, took the liberty of investigating, and found the ring to be a fake. Killian may have manipulated his men, he is a very powerful mage, he has a lot of ability to do anything with his magic, even some of his knights don't remember many facts from that day.

— It's not possible, that traitor! Curse! I thought you were dead! You need to find that bastard's whereabouts before it's too late!

This information makes my father very angry, he raises the pitch of his voice, and I keep hearing several knocks on the table.

— Your Majesty, do you believe the false prophecy? — The Mage asks.

— I can't pay to see it, Direl! It is my son who will inherit this throne when I die, not a supposed son of Moriam! — He speaks in a very low and worried tone.

— Your Majesty, but if Killian is alive, as I believe, and the prophecy is true, that means the Lost Prince is alive, and he will ascend the throne.

— As long as I'm alive, that will never happen. I will do everything possible and impossible to prevent it, and no heir of Moriam will ascend the throne that belongs to my son, this I assure you!

As soon as I said those words, my father continues to conspire against the wizard Killian , but I can't concentrate on what they say, one thing doesn't leave my mind: there is a Lost Prince, and he is alive. This information leaves me perplexed, I always believed that the story of the Lost Prince was a legend, but hearing all this and how much my father was worried, this only leads me to believe that this story is true, and another important factor is the The way he reacted to the news, does he have any involvement with the deaths of my uncle, his wife and supposedly his son? If the child survived, then there really is an heir to my uncle Moriam , and that means he should take the throne, and my father, whatever he did to get in the way, occupies a place that doesn't belong to him.