THE GENTLE APPROACH

(Kael's POV)

I sat on the edge of my mother's bed, her frail hand clasped tightly in mine. The memory of the previous day, of Alaric's furious rejection, was a raw wound. I blinked, trying to focus on the present, but the image of the Prince's disdainful face swam before my eyes.

"Kael?" My mother's voice, thin but laced with concern, pulled me back. "You're shaking, child."

I offered her a weak smile. "Just…thinking, Mother."

“It's okay my love, I'll be in the herb garden. Don't hesitate to come to me if you want anything.” And with that, my mom left the room. I lie down on the mattress and I might have fell asleep for a few minute but I woke up to someone softly calling my name.

A shadow fell across the small room. I looked up, my heart lurching violently in my chest. Alaric. The Prince, in all his imposing Alpha presence, was kneeling before me.

I flinched, my body tensing as I slowly rolled over. My eyes widened in alarm when I saw Kaelen standing there. I scrambled to sit up, pulling the thin blanket around myself like a shield. "Your Highness," I stammered, my voice barely a whisper. "What… what are you doing here?"

Kaelen reached out, then hesitated, pulling his hand back. "I came to apologize," he said, his voice raw with sincerity. "For what I said yesterday. It was… unforgivable."

I stared at him, disbelief filling my eyes. "Apologize? You're the Prince. You don't need to apologize to me."

"But I do," Kaelen said. "I was wrong. So wrong. I let fear and prejudice cloud my judgment. You don't deserve the way I treated you."

Tears welled in my eyes as I turned away. "It doesn't matter," I whispered. "It's not like anything can change. You're the Prince. I'm just a servant."

Kaelen reached out again, this time taking my hand in his. I flinched, but didn't pull away. "That's not true," he said. "Everything can change. I want it to change. I… I want to understand.”

The sight was surreal. An Alpha Prince, kneeling before a supposed Beta servant—an Omega, I meant to say, begging for forgiveness. It defied everything I had ever known. Doubt warred with a flicker of hope. Was this genuine? Or just another cruel twist of fate?

My mind screamed at me to say something, anything, but my throat felt constricted. I swallowed hard. "Your Highness…there's no need." The words came out barely audible. "You still are the Prince. I am still…nothing."

Alaric's jaw tightened. "Don't say that. Please. What I said was wrong. My prejudice…it blinded me. Can you forgive me?" His eyes, usually so cold and regal, held a surprising vulnerability.

I searched his eyes, seeking any hint of deceit. I found none. Only a plea, a desperate hope for absolution. I couldn't understand why an Alpha Prince would debase himself like this for an Omega he so clearly detested, but the sincerity in Alaric's voice was undeniable.

"I…I forgive you, Your Highness," I whispered, the words heavy with my own disbelief.

Alaric let out a shaky breath, relief washing over his features. He straightened, though he remained close, his gaze still locked on mine. "Your mother told me you're unwell." His brow furrowed with concern. "Are you alright?"

"I'm…alright," I lied, the word tasting like ash in my mouth. How could I explain the sickness that gnawed at me? The soul-deep ache of rejection, the crushing weight of my hidden Omega nature, the despair that threatened to drown me.

I was mind-sick, heart-sick, Omega-sick. The Prince's rejection had not only wounded my feelings but had also triggered a physical response, weakening me, leaving me drained and vulnerable. The scent blockers I had used were doing little to mask the fact that my Omega was distressed. I desperately hoped Alaric couldn't smell it.

Alaric studied me, his gaze intense. "You don't look alright. You're pale." He hesitated, then extended a hand, stopping short of touching me. "Would you…would you like to take a walk? Some fresh air might do you good."

My instincts screamed at me to refuse. To stay hidden, safe within the confines of my mother's room. But something else, a primal yearning, urged me forward. My wolf, starved of connection, desperately craved the Prince's presence, the possibility of even a semblance of acceptance.

"I…Yes, Your Highness. A walk would be nice."

I stood, my legs feeling unsteady. Alaric noticed immediately, his hand instinctively reaching out to steady me. I flinched, but forced himself to relax under the Prince's touch.

As we walked, a tense silence hung between us. I kept my head down, focusing on the worn cobblestones beneath my feet. I could feel Alaric's gaze on me, assessing, thoughtful.

We passed through the opulent palace gardens, the vibrant colors and fragrant blooms a stark contrast to the turmoil within me. I struggled to keep pace, my body weak, my mind swirling with conflicting emotions.

We reached the edge of the forest, the air growing cooler, the scent of pine needles sharp and clean. Alaric led the way onto a narrow path, and I found himself following, drawn in by an invisible thread.

The path led them deeper into the woods, the trees growing taller, the sunlight filtering through the leaves in dappled patterns. I recognized the path now. It led to the waterfall, the place where I had secretly watched Alaric. Back then it was just an harmless crush, I never wished for the moon goddess to turn into such a twisted cruel fate.

I remembered stalking the Prince, driven by a desperate need to be near him, to understand him. Now, I was walking beside him, the object of my previous clandestine observations now acutely aware of my presence. The irony was almost unbearable.

We reached the waterfall, the cascading water a thunderous roar. I stood at the edge, mesmerized by the power and beauty of the scene. I remembered the longing I had felt then, the desperate desire to be more than just a hidden observer. Now, standing beside the Prince, I felt a different kind of longing, a deeper, more agonizing ache.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Alaric said, his voice barely audible over the roar of the water.

I nodded, unable to speak.

We stood in silence for a long moment, the only sound the rushing water. I could feel Alaric’s presence beside me, a warm, tangible weight. I knew the Prince wasn't fully accepting me as his mate, not yet. But I sensed a shift, a softening, a glimmer of something other than disdain. Perhaps, at the very least, he was feeling pity for rejecting the omega fate had decided for him.

We began to walk back, the path feeling even longer and more arduous than before. I struggled, my legs growing heavier with each step. I lagged behind, my head spinning, my vision blurring. I guess going for a walk wasn't exactly the best idea.

Alaric stopped, turning to face me. "You're struggling," he said, his brow furrowed with concern. "Are you sure you're alright?"

I shook his head, shame burning in my cheeks. "I…I'm just a little tired," I mumbled.

Without a word, Alaric turned his back to me and bent down. "Get on," he said, his voice firm. Get on what? Who?

I stared at him, dumbfounded. "Your Highness, I couldn't possibly…"

"Don't argue, Kael," Alaric said, his voice softening. "I won't have you collapsing on the way back. Get on."

Hesitantly, I placed my hands on Alaric's broad shoulders and climbed onto his back. The Prince stood up easily, adjusting my weight. The feeling of being held, of being supported, was overwhelming. I buried my face in Alaric's neck, trying to hide the tears that threatened to spill.

As Alaric carried me back through the forest, I felt a rather stupid flicker of hope, a fragile ember glowing in the darkness. I didn't know what the future held, but for now, I allowed myself to lean into the Prince's strength, to savor the unexpected kindness, to dream of a world where our bond might be possible. I knew Alaric was far from accepting me as his mate, but I sensed hope, the pri

nce wasn't angry at me anymore, and that alone was enough for now. Just enough.