A bite connects two people for the rest of their lives. No other person would be so beautiful and special compared to your partner. The world would only make sense if the person with whom you have a bond is on your side. Their absence is a great emptiness, making the term "live" something impossible.
Being a bond so deep, it was expected that the feelings of the two people involved would also be deepened. He could even hate such a person, but it would be impossible to live without him. And if he loved her, then he would become obsessed with keeping her by his side.
When Cadec opened his eyes and saw the young Eugene beside him, sleeping while holding his hand, the prince realized that he was bound to a men who had a whole life ahead of him. Conflicting feelings still plagued his thoughts, leaving him hesitant. Only it was too late for that.
Eugene was much younger, a Grimwood, an omega and a great partner. Politically speaking, his relationship with Eugene was advantageous, both of them knew it. Only that Cadec could only remember all the blood that was spilled until that day, of the members of royalty losing the brightness of their eyes as they gave their last sighs, victims of an endless greed.
Wish Cadec had been stronger to prevent Eugene from entering such a world.
Clenching his teeth, Cadec was frustrated in realizing that his alpha instinct was happy and satisfied to have been marked by the best omega of the Empire.
"Your Highness?"
The prince's attention fell on the omega guy who rubbed his eyes before looking at him worried. The innocence and hesitation present in his handshake, as if he was afraid of Cadec's reaction.
"Eugene..."
"How do you feel? Are you feeling something bad?"
"I'm fine" Cadec sat on the bed, feeling a slight discomfort in his neck. Touching the region where it would have the bite, realized that he had a bandage hiding it "Why did you do this, my lord?"
Eugene fled from his gaze. Biting his lower lip, his thin fingers held the rough First Prince's hands.
"I know this is inappropriate. I marked you as mine without taking your feelings into consideration. But we can not make ourselves blind to what is between us... Cadec."
Hearing his name ring through those rosy lips made the alpha's heart speed up. Informality struck as a sign that they were on a new level of intimacy.
"I just wanted to leave it for later" Admitted the prince, watching closely Eugene's reaction. The omega looked back at him with admirable determination "I do not want to risk your life for my voluptuousness."
"It is a risk that I would take independently."
"You don't know what you're talking about, Eugene" Cadec clenched his teeth again.
"Cadec, you desire me. Not just for pleasure... but you want me to be your omega, and you're fighting it. Now I can feel."
When Eugene touched Cadec's face, he understood that the omega could now feel all its confusion. All the torment Cadec have carried here, all the desire that has held since the moment he first smelled it. The monster that longed to be set free only to take it as his own.
This scared Cadec, to the point of holding Eugene's wrist.
"What would be my wish when you no longer have life? Why do you torment me in such a way?!"
"Please, if you fear for my safety, then protect me as every alpha does with their omega."
The memory came again. The body of an alpha, a member of royalty, cruelly impaled in prison. A shiver went through Cadec's body, making him fear the hell he was experiencing at that moment.
Could he protect Eugene?
He had no idea who he was fighting. That was... infuriating.
"Cadec..." Eugene held the prince's face, and the softness of his look brought a momentary calm to that frustration "... This is the first time I've seen you so frightened. Do you really want me to stay away from you?"
Stay away from him?
Eugene?
He could not. Just remembering the annoying and possessive feeling that took hold of Cadec when he saw Eugene in the arms of another alpha was concrete proof that he was unable to let him go. Even if Eugene had not bitten him, the prince would be unable to abandon that omega.
"I do not wish... I want you by my side even if it is wrong" Whispered the Prince, touching a strand of omega hair near his neck "You bewitched me with your smell to the point of making me a pathetic man who lies at your feet. How could I be able to get rid of such hell that it looks like a paradise?"
Eugene's cheeks have a strong pink tone. Cadec's expression was devoid of any armor, of any wall that dared hide his true feelings. His vulnerability was exposed to the omega, along with his desire and fear.
The floral smell of omega emerged as an answer. Eugene saw Cadec inhale his scent in the air and lean slightly towards him, looking for more. He was enveloped by the alpha's strong arms, and could feel his warm breath beating on his neck. The shyness made Eugene even more beautiful in the eyes of the alpha, causing the embrace to tighten even more to the point that their hearts beat in sync.
"Please, Cadec, give yourself to me. I won't hurt you..."
"Aham!"
The ferret that disturbed the couple made them split immediately. Lucian was standing at the door, closing it behind him. The two sighed relieved that it was the Eighth Prince to be there, after all they still had a great wall to overcome.
"Your Highness..."
"Be more careful" Lucian approached and crossed his arms "How do you feel, Cadec?"
"I'm fine. Thank you for taking care of me... Lucian."
The Eighth Prince sighed and smiled slightly.
"Frankly... have you decided how to deal with this bite?"
Eugene and Cadec exchanged glances. The omega's fingers clenched those of the prince in a silent questioning, along with a hopeful look. Cadec sighed defeated, raising his head to face his brother with determination.
"I will take Eugene as my companion."
The other two were surprised by that, although it is an obvious answer. Lucian shook his head, tying his long hair into a ponytail as he sat in the chair next to his brother-in-law.
"Well, in that case, is it okay if you leave your relationship for later?"
"Cadec also keeps saying this, but I don't understand the reason..."
The brothers exchanged looks, afraid of being true to someone as young as Eugene. Well, he certainly wasn't a child anymore, and had dealt with murder before just for being a Grimwood. Cadec wanted to trust that omega would be able to deal with the problem.
"We're dealing with a problem at the Imperial Palace" Cadec began, lowering his eyes to Eugene's fingers "I believe you heard of Elyon's prison after the hunting festival attack."
"Yes, I heard that he had some involvement with Geledel."
"When we questioned him to find out who else was involved in this case, Elyon was killed inside the prison."
The shock went through Eugene's face, interspersing in looking at the two brothers to find some sign that it was a joke of bad taste. Unfortunately the seriousness in their faces confirmed the sad news.
Cadec didn't tell Eugene all the details. He didn't need to know how terrible the vision of finding the Seventh Prince's body was. But Cadec told the essential to make him understand that they were before an unknown enemy who had the lives of many nobles, and even members of the imperial family, in their hands.
"My God... I did not imagine. I understand why you want to leave my relationship with the First Prince for the future. There is the possibility of me becoming a target, isn't it?"
"Indeed, though it is enough that you stay with me" Lucian commented calmly "I am under the protection of the Grimwood, the Emperor and the temple. If you are always with me, you will be safe too."
"Your Highness..."
"Thank you, Lucian. It means a lot to me" Cadec pinned his fingers on Eugene's "It means a lot to us."
"No need to thank me. I just need Cadec to help Magnus with the investigations of the contraband warehouses."
His brother changed, that was a fact. The confidence he had in his posture along with determination... Cadec felt some relief. It seems that there was no more that cowardly Lucian, who hid in fear of the world. He had before him a man transformed. Perhaps Cadec should thank Magnus for being the motive behind this new Lucian.
"I'm already taking the lead. My knights are searching poor neighborhoods for hidden warehouses. We suspect that more nobles are involved, but preliminary investigations have not revealed much."
"I'll find a way to get some names for you. Be ready to take care of the nobles."
Cadec agreed to the request. He was surprised and determined to arrest everyone involved in the arms smuggling case. Avenge his brother, although they did not get along, shared the blood of the Emperor. Cadec wanted the world to be a better place without bloodshed.
The Eighth Prince did not stay long in the room. He only discussed some details of his plan with Cadec and then left the couple alone. As he reflected on his next steps, the alpha smelled Eugene's sweet scent. As if calling for his attention, the eyes of the deep sea rose to the omega, finding there a comforting smile.
"It's going to be okay. I know you can do this."
Holding the omega pulse with delicacy, Cadec led to his lips where he deposited a long kiss. He felt in the tips of his fingers the pulse accelerate, the effect it had on Eugene. With determination, he raised his head to the omega and let his hoarse voice sound like a promise.
"I will ensure that peace is restored to this Empire, and bring the throne to us. So until then... I ask you to prepare yourself to rule by my side, Eugene."