"Julius...Julius." Luca struggled to get the omega to wake up the next day. Arlen had gotten too relaxed in his spot and didn't budge until Beaumont tugged the rope on his wrist hard enough. The omega's scowl was short-lived when he stared at a fruit. He looked up at Luca, confused. "Eat this." Luca dropped a handful of ripe mangoes. Arlen took them, surprised the alpha went out of his way to get him food. "Where did you get these?" He asked after taking a bite. Luca had returned to his sitting place to tune his mind for the journey. "Wait, you left me here alone to find these?" Arlen raised his head sharply after his belly received some portions of the refreshing treat. He did not sound grateful. "I said feed me, not put my life in danger! I was tied up; what if a corpse or a demon barged into this place?" He threw the half-eaten fruit at Luca. In truth, it wasn't his safety he was worried about. Arlen didn't trust Luca to be safe by himself after landing in trouble so many times
Arlen began to enjoy this unpleasant adventure with the little freedom he received. Luca did not admit it but he was relieved from struggling with his travelling companion. However, that small closure stirred up the omega's talkative nature. 'Your highness, let's go left, I think I saw a pheasant... Luca, I need a change of clothes. Auch, my neck hurts... So what are u like when you're not grumpy and quiet... I bet all the ladies run from you once you show up... I think you'd like my master if you got to know him- he's the exact opposite of you. People can't wait to be around him most of the time. Hehe...your highness...Sir Beaumont...Lucaaaa,' this omega would not shut up until... 'Your...hmmm...mmmm!' Luca shut him up with a muffling tape. "Don't bother fighting, it will wear off on its own if you behave," Beaumont could finally hear himself speak. ** When they reached another deserted settlement, Luca calculated that this was the infamous Ode City. They should get to Cloverdale
Arlen shared a therapeutic moment with his tiny friend, pouring his thoughts and concerns over a jar of wine. The Razzordra snapped at most of his words, but its company brought comfort to the lonely omega. "The wine here is not bad at all. I miss Ari so much. Do you think I'll ever get to see her again?" He moped. "Maybe I should retire to bed. Off you go, into your pouch. We wouldn't want that mean ol' Alpha to find you," he rubbed the creature's head as the world went a little woozy before him. The creature shortly craned its neck at the door, alert. The spikes on its head spread over its spine as it rattled strangely. Arlen repeatedly fought with his eyelids since Luca had not returned. "Oh, what the heck, I could use the nap," he claimed. The Razzordra rebelled against the idea. It swiftly climbed up Arlen's arm, growling and pulling at his bathrobe. "What's wrong little dragon? Why so feisty all of a sudden? Auch, hey," Arlen endured a couple of nibbles to catch it. "Into the
Three days later... Arlen thought he was living a nightmare when he woke up on a bed in clean clothes. Someone heard his shuffles as he forced his chest up and entered the bedroom. "Young flower, you need to rest." It was a male attendant. From his orange appearance, Arlen could tell he was also like him- a flower. Arlen's throat was sore. He had to slow down when talking. "Luca?" "The Prince is in a meeting with my King. I've been assigned to take care of you." The servant was quite friendly. "Oh...but where am I?" Arlen's eyes were a bit heavy to be lifting his head anyhow. "You're in the capital of Cloverdale. This is one of the guest quarters in the King's abode." The attendant sat on the bed. "You've been asleep for days; you must be hungry." Arlen flinched when the servant tried to touch his face. "I don't think I have the strength to eat." "That's alright; I'll feed you." "When will he be back? I mean the Prince of Damaris." "I'm sure he'll return soon." "Did he, by
Luca ran like the wind, carrying the young flower on his back. The faint drizzle in the night dampened their clothes as he took shade under canopies of people's homes. He was angry. For some sick reason, this omega always attracted the wrong crowd and constantly landed in life-threatening situations. Luca feared the worst. No. He knew the worst would have happened had he not found Julius. 18 hours ago... "Where is he?" Luca glared daggers at the servant before he could even set the food on the table. Axel had to step in to keep Luca from overdoing it when he aggressively approached an innocent caretaker. "I didn't help him get away, I swear. He asked when you would return, and I said soon. I just left him to get this." The servant took cover behind Axel. Axel: "Brother, he couldn't have gone far. You still have his sword, right?" "No, I don't... but he barely touches his weapon; unless," Luca suddenly recalled the pouch the omega kept clinging to. He dashed to the drawer to ch
Arlen was sold, and the auction continued. The Merchant jubilated at how much the newbie fetched him. It was irregular to earn ten times the amount he often received for one of his slaves. Before a slave was transferred to his new home, the buyer was entitled to taste what he bought. This buyer liked having his victims at their peak of fear. He became impatient after getting a whiff of Arlen's distress pheromones. 'What do I do now? I can't reach out to Moon or Kraken. Have I always been this weak?' Arlen could hear his heartbeat through his stomach and ears. He tried hard to use his powers but was as hefty as a rock. Fisher entrusted the bedding preparation to his right hand and continued his business. He was about to sell the fiftieth slave when a blast resonated somewhere in his compound. This startled the buyers. "Please stay calm; my men will handle any disturbance." His hand was up, relaxed and confident. Luca jumped onto a roof, watching Fisher's minions rush to a decoy he
At dawn, the Beaumont brothers set off with their prisoner. It was the first Arlen had seen or entered an airship. Such inventions were best pioneered by the people of Damaris. Candor had its fleet, but Claude kept him away from such technology for his sake. Luca continued to harbour the omega in his bunker during their three days journey in the skies. Axel felt like a third wheel to the suspense that refused to fade. The omega had his eyes on the ground the entire time they sat together to eat, and Luca was constantly stealing glances at him. To an extent, Axel was amused because Luca did not realise he was being watched. Each time they made a stop, the prisoner became Luca's responsibility- glued to each other through and through. On the second day, Axel became invested. Luca had described the youngster as talkative, but Julius had not said much so far. Not to rebuke, rant, mock, or plead. "Julius." Arlen's heart clenched when a soothing voice called out a name he had borrowed
Luca walked Axel to his quarters. The events would have been different had his younger brother not intervened. "Your friend is safe now, so you can stop worrying." Axel freely welcomed his brother into his room to review the details. "He is not my friend," Luca's tone was lower than usual. Axel smiled, not wanting to make fun of the other in plain sight. "I'll be heading to bed then. Or is there any other issue you wish to share with me?" "No, I'll get out of your hair...Axel," Luca called out after reaching the door. "Thank you," he said. "Anything for you, dear brother." Axel had no regrets. For Luca, this was a deed he could never repay. A lot was said during the discussion with their father. Still, his brother convinced everyone else that Julius could become their pawn against the Braddocks. Although it seemed tricky at first, Luca came to terms with it. Now all they had to do was turn the omega into one of them by showing him the beautiful things about being a citizen of Dam
By the time Reed realized he had been used- again- it was too late. Julius gently set him on a shabby bed of hay, crouching beside him with an expression of childlike curiosity. "Are you feeling better?" he asked, patting Reed’s head."What happened? What time is it?" Reed groaned, pressing a hand to his throbbing temple. He tried to get up but found his legs numb and unwilling."Wait, don’t try to move. You're still recovering," Julius said, pressing him back down."How could I sleep so deeply? My men… the carriage…" Reed’s voice was dazed, his words scattered.Julius dismissed Reed’s fragmented concerns, believing him to be rambling. "It’s alright, Owen. This will be the last time I take your energy, I promise." He leaned in, brushing a gentle kiss across Reed’s lips.Reed’s brow furrowed as he pulled away. "What did you do, Julius?"Julius’ smile faded. "What are you implying?""What did you need my energy for?"Julius’ face hardened. "If you must know, I collapsed the fog at the b
"Did you miss me?" Arlen asked as Luca thrust into him for what felt like the hundredth time."Every hour, every minute… every second," Luca replied, voice thick with longing."Then kiss me harder. Show me the depth of your despair," Arlen cooed.Luca held Arlen close as if he could disappear at any moment. The memory felt lucid, almost unreal. It was harder for him not to bury himself deeper. It was in an alpha's nature to bite and knot his cherished omega, and Luca was nearly numb with excitement as Arlen wrapped around him like a vine, making desperate, teasing sounds that ignited every instinct within him."Arlen, if we keep going like this, I might fall into a rut.""That's not... fair," Arlen murmured between breaths.Luca lifted his gaze to meet Arlen’s. "Is this not to your liking?""No, that's not what I meant. I have to claim you, Luca.” Arlen averted his eyes, his voice dropping to a whisper. “What if you woke up and changed your mind?"With a steady rhythm, Luca pressed g
Arlen led David to the guest quarters, leaving him in the care of capable servants. He then continued along a different path, Luca close behind. Every now and then, Arlen glanced back with a smile, ensuring that Luca stayed close. As they neared a large compound, Luca presumed the inevitable meeting with his father-in-law was approaching. He braced himself. It was unlikely to be a pleasant encounter given their family history, but it had to happen. The structures of this place felt different from the cold, mechanical landscape of Damaris. The statues here were immense, fearsome, and far removed from the serene ones back home. Guards stood at every corner, their expressions stern and lacking any warmth. For Luca, walking side by side with ‘the’ Arlen Braddock still felt surreal, and yet his heart was overwhelmed with love. When they entered a large room, the doors shut behind them with a quiet snap. Luca turned at the sound, only to notice a faint blue hue glowing over the ex
For a moment, Arlen studied Luca’s face as if caught in a daydream, focusing on all the features he longed to touch- his eyes, ears, cheeks, lips. Luca, however, stood motionless, like an old tree rooted in place.But Arlen dropped to his knees. Luca clenched his fists as he struggled to find a way to redeem himself. The sight of Arlen touching his feet, as though a lowly servant, made Luca feel like the monster Rufus had always claimed he was. It was a sharp reminder of the blind hatred he’d harboured for over a decade before their paths had crossed. “I should’ve told you the truth. I tried, but…” Arlen’s voice was frail. Somehow he couldn’t shake the fear that Luca had come to end his life. His heart sank further when Luca hesitantly pulled his feet away. However, Luca had other other plans. Arlen watched, confused, as the alpha knelt, lowering himself until their eyes were level. His breath caught when Luca’s forehead dipped to touch the hem of his robe. “Forgive me, Your Highn
Naturally, Rufus and the others followed the royal family closely after the celebrations with the people, but they couldn’t get too near due to the barricades of soldiers. Seeing this, Rufus suggested an alternative. “We need to separate my uncle from that imposter.” David: "But how do we do that? There are so many guards around that jerk. Did you notice he’s gotten taller since the last time we fought him? And his voice-“ "Focus, David!" Rufus snapped. Luca cut in, “Rufus, go after the King. Leave the imposter to me.” Rufus nodded at the logic. The King would recognize him easily. “In that case, go with David. Nathan and I will follow the King.” *** Zariah took Arlen under her wing after the main event, leading him to mingle with their subjects. Believing there was no danger, Caesar did not object. Arlen wore a solemn expression as the celebrations continued. Earlier, his speech had lightened the atmosphere, making the people feel important and remembered. They laughed and c
Arlen approached his father’s study. Caesar was obsessed with having his wife’s ghost roaming about, but when Arlen mentioned someone else as the source of his troubles, Caesar listened."Son, be honest with me. Why is that slave still alive?""He’s not a slave, Father. He’s my best friend, someone I consider a soulmate.""Well, what about your mate? Do you dote on this Julius more than them?""Not that kind of soulmate. Julius and I share a bond that even I can’t break- the kind that would make him do anything for me without hesitation.""Like trying to kill your uncle? Do you think he would’ve stopped there?""He wasn’t himself," Arlen said with a sunken voice."Then maybe you don’t know this Julius as well as you think you do.""You’re not listening to me. I exploited my best friend’s loyalty. I recklessly tainted his soul with demons. He tricked you because I made him that way.""And you still haven’t learned your lesson. You cannot put one man- a beta, above Ingram." Caesar shook
Arlen sat under the pavilion with Zariah, working on his speech for the upcoming festival."That’s terrible, toss it out. You can add this line to the last one... Come on, kid, didn’t you learn anything from me?" Zariah’s tone was firm."This isn’t like dealing with omegas, Aunt," Arlen sighed, already bored with his first duty as Prince."Of course it is! The people need to believe you're committed to your role. You’re an omega- hasn’t anyone ever said something that made you feel special?" It turned out Zariah’s nagging could be worse than Basma’s."How would I know? My mate... he barely says anything sweet. He’s the stiffest alpha you’ll ever meet.” “Worse than your father?” “Far worse!” Arlen stressed. “Half the time, he said I was trouble. On lucky days he expressed how much he wanted to keep me by his side." Arlen blurted, then paused, realizing he might never hear Luca say those words again. "But I can’t say that to my subjects."Arlen refused to reveal the identity of his ch
Reed could not accept reality. A new Arlen Braddock had replaced the one he knew. He was astonished that this was the servant his person nearly killed him for losing.As a high-ranking warrior, the men guarding Julius' cell allowed him to pass without questions.Reed's hands went around the metallic bars. "Is it true?" His usually gentle voice sounded scratchy. Sitting on the floor at the far end, Julius answered without looking at him, patiently drawing secret symbols. "I am not my master," he said."Then who are you?""It would be best if you were disgusted by me," Julius chuckled under his breath."I meant what I said. Even if you were not a noble, I'd still stand by you." Reed pulled on the bars, stating to whom his allegiance belonged. That did surprise Julius. He looked at the alpha, and a laugh burst out of him. "Hahahaha, did I bewitch you too much?"Reed unlocked the prison door and entered, his footsteps heavy and hasty. "Can you look into my soul and tell me what we had was
Julius tried the same trick on Arlen twice, using pheromones borrowed from his special pet, but it failed. Arlen's mind had grown stronger. "Master Arlen, I-" He gasped, peering around for the weapon he dropped. He gathered himself and quickly dashed for it, but Moon intentionally rolled away, making his attempt useless.'I'll distract him. Run, you fool!' Sephire screamed, right before leaving Zariah's body.“Sephire, don’t!” Julius watched in horror as his guardian opposed his maker.Sephire, unbothered by the consequences, did not hold back. Arlen caught her by the neck. "There is nowhere to run," he said, sinking his hand into her skin.Julius felt the impact of losing one of his demons. He slumped in a corner, trying to salvage his last strength. Even then, he could not take his eyes off Sephire. For once he got a better glimpse of the woman whispering into his ears. Her maniacally soothing voice was befitting of her frame. Despite the scales covering half of her face, Julius sa