Chapter 4

“Don’t run,” was all the alpha said, and before Azrin could comment or address the alpha, he left his side, just after entering the foyer, to join his mother at the stage for the obligatory introduction. The two bickered until Marina boxed Lex’s ears, causing the male to yelp painfully. Shockingly enough, instead of yelling or retaliating, the male took the punishment and relented. What is going on here?

“Good evening, everyone, and as the head of the Burns clan, I welcome you to the festivities. Please help yourselves to the accommodations as we will begin shortly. As I’m sure you all know, even with his tardiness, my brat isn’t one to drag this sort of thing out. Omegas, please drink first, as you will be called upon shortly. Thank you,” The female alpha directed her attention to the blood bar set up and then promptly excused herself and Lex from the podium.

Azrin regarded the other attendees quietly. Most of the omegas took Auntie up on her offer and made their way over to take a bite out of the proffered morsels. Azrin watched as a particularly haughty female grabbed one of the submissive males and bit harshly into the meat of his shoulder. He visibly winced and shut his eyes at the rough treatment, but no sound escaped his mouth.

The Brunette turned away, unable to face the inevitability of his future on this day. He knew he was supposed to partake but could never bring himself to do so. The practice was to help the young omegas smell their best before being presented. Unbound omegas were only allowed to publicly drink from other omegas at dictated intervals and specific amounts.

Omegas being the lowest cast were controlled in every aspect. Females once they reached sexual maturity around the age of seventeen gain a bit of freedom, however male omegas weren’t so lucky. If an alpha had not selected a male before their first heat (usually at eighteen to twenty years old) after their presentation, they were conscripted to the harem upon the heat’s completion. There, they would sate the thirst and sexual appetite of any vampire who came through the doors. Azrin shuttered at the memories.

Directly after his dynamic presentation, at the tender age of ten, he was taken on a field trip by the elders. What he had seen there, in that awful place smelling of stress pheromones, sex and blood, had him crying in his newly constructed nest for a week. It was actually Lex who had dragged him out, they weren’t living together back then, and Azrin’s mother had invited the young alpha over to spark some life back into him.

 About a year later, his mother moved them into the main house under Marina’s orders. In that singular moment, when Lex was forced to greet him at the door, everything went to shit. A gentle hand on his shoulder startled the Brunette out of his reverie.

“Azrin dear, you’re mumbling, sweetheart, and first call has already been made. Take a deep breath, hon, you look lovely, and it will all be over soon, ok?” Azrin’s mother gave him a gentle smile, and the familiar calming pheromones wafting from her helped settle his frayed nerves.

“Thank you, I love you,” Azrin responded, with a brief hug and a quick deep breath, before turning to make his way to the directed staging area.

“Oh, and Azrin?” She gently grabbed his wrist, causing him to focus on her once more. A soft “hmm?” and a delicate raise of his brow was all he supplied, letting her know she had his full attention.

“Trust your heart,” Her eyes squeezed as a knowing look adorned her face. Azrin had never been more confused in his life. What the hell? Releasing him, she ushered him forward by flicking her wrists in a get-going motion.

The Brunette turned once more and strode towards the designated area. In doing so, the omega caught sight of Lexus watching him intently. He quirked a brow at him and regarded his reaction. The alpha nodded, acknowledging him, but his gaze never wavered.

It wasn’t exactly odd for Lexus to watch over him during omega-centric events, where the young alpha was also present, but the intent behind his gaze felt- different. Once Azrin disappeared from the male’s line of sight, he drew a deep breath, steadying himself for the onslaught of sexism and passive-aggressive ridicule from the many females surrounding him. It never came. What the actual fuck?

The voice ringing through his head at the thought was not his own; it belonged to piercing garnet irises. This had to be Marina’s doing. While Lex was formidable in his own right, he did not have the respect or clout of his alphan mother. As Azrin glanced around, the other omegas avoided his gaze, dropping their eyes. Even the female, who had been flaunting herself earlier, turned her eyes downward under his assumed scrutiny.  

“Chill, man, no one’s gonna come atcha today. Not for this sham, you know?” A bright voice caught his attention. Carrina was eccentric, to say the least, but had always been decent to Azrin, so the male had no complaints.

“The clan Leader said something then?” he questioned. Referring to Marina formally, displaying respect instead of familiarity. Auntie would box his ears if she found out.

“Yeah, the queen was pretty stern about it, but the little prince himself didn’t hold back none either, ya dig?” She shrugged as she spoke. Azrin winced, glad Lex hadn’t heard that particular nickname.

“Sorry, he’s a bit territorial,” he sighed. It didn’t matter that the alpha didn’t want him. It just mattered that no one else did or would either.

“Territorial, huh? Sure, babe. We’ll go with that,” she gave him a discerning look just before they were directed to approach the stage. There was no time to say anything, though the Brunette wouldn’t have contested regardless.

He knew what everyone thought of them. If he was candid about it, there were several instances where he’d believed it was a possibility, but nothing had ever come of it. Not only did he wish something had, he wished the alpha would stop putting on a show.

Azrin was sure originally it was orchestrated by their mothers to protect him, but now Lexus just did it without any prompting. It helped immensely when they were together at an event, on the omega’s end.  However, he knew it caused the females to give Lex snide judging glances. It also earned Azrin many warning marks carved across his hips. Had he been human, he wouldn’t have been able to count all the scars that would have marred his flesh.

Being on the presentation stage was always unnerving for the omega, as was being under the scrutiny of an alpha looking for a mate. Now though, he was relatively calm. This was a formality, and Lexus would go through the motions, only to dismiss everyone here.

His heart panged, but the omega was prepared for it. A gentle hand on his back let him know that auntie was there to remove his scent blockers and his collar. Azrin tilted his head to the left, giving both permission and submission. Today, he could relax; they wouldn’t hurt him.

Usually, at these events, he was treated rather roughly or ignored by both the questing alpha and officiants. That didn’t even count the other omegas present.

Though Marina touched him first, it didn’t take the Brunette long to realize that both clan leaders were present at his back. That’s odd. Rett Burns, Auntie’s beta counterpart, was a gentle soul, and his calming presence had Azrin relaxing as the tension in his shoulders released. They both removed one blocker each and simultaneously nuzzled his cheeks in affection, even as Marina deftly unclasped and removed his collar.

Azrin was almost in tears at the gesture. The Burns’’ weren’t just claiming him as an omega of their house; they were declaring him as a son. He should feel guilty, considering this was their actual son’s ceremony, but he was far too emotional. It wouldn’t protect him forever, but it would help.

 Soon after, Rett excused himself while Marina continued with her task of removing scent blockers and collars from the rest of the omegas. The alpha was very clinical in her actions, neither affectionate nor aggressive. Azrin returned to his thoughts. Momentarily, it would be Lex’s turn. The omega closed his eyes, opting to settle himself internally instead of pretending to focus on the crowd.

There were a few ways this could go. Traditionally, the alpha would scent each omega and then choose the one they preferred based on scent if they did not already have a favorite. Another was if an alpha already had an intended, or someone they enjoyed the mandated courting meetings with. They would skip over the applicants and scent mark their preselected partner. Last and most likely, they could opt to send all candidates home, scenting no one. Stating they are not ready to commit to a life partner. The masses rather looked down upon that method, as it was blatantly disrespectful to the female omegas of prominent families.

The brutal stomping of booted feet gave notice to the fact that Lexus was ascending the stairs. Azrin wasn’t in a good spot to glance at the usually indignant blonde. He would have to lean forward or backward to see him. With that being the case, the Brunette opened his eyes and stared into the throngs of guests unseeingly.

Lexus’s steps did not slow or stop as he made his way towards the Brunette’s position in the lineup. A slight smirk found its way onto Azrin’s face. He wasn’t surprised. The spitfire was doing precisely what Azrin had anticipated he would do. Auntie is going to kill him.

At least until the male began to slow. Internally, Azrin started to panic. Even if Lex intended to show respect and acceptance, if he stopped and snuffed Azrin alone but didn’t select him, there would be hell to pay later.

The alpha stopped behind him. He wanted to hiss at the asshole while displaying the glower that had adorned his face with the realization of Lex’s intentions. With clenched fists, he bared his throat. Azrin refused to screw everything up more than it already would be after the blonde’s stunt.

The alpha’s nose was slightly cold as it brushed against his skin right below his claiming gland in the junction where his shoulder and neck joined. Azrin had expected to feel Lex’s breathing, not the actual touch of flesh. The omega let out a tiny gasp, one only Lexus would hear due to their proximity. The alpha’s following action had Azrin’s eyes widening with disbelief and a seeking chirp spilling from his lips.