Ezra
I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling for what felt like hours. I felt so tired but my mind wouldn't stop thinking about what was about to happen to me in the next few hours literally.
I wanted to scream at these people and tell them they were wrong, that I couldn't have children, that I was a man but they seemed so convinced plus after what happened to me at the alley, I don't want to take any more chances.
At some point, exhaustion finally dragged me under.
The dream started suddenly. One second there was darkness, the next I was in that same alley from before. The walls were too close this time. The ground was still dirty and then I heard footsteps behind me.
I turned, and they were there again.
It was the same alphas but this time, they looked more menacing and evil and I knew they were going to do the same thing they did before.
Their expressions looked like they had already decided what they would do to me. I tried to step back, but my feet didn't move. It was like something had pinned me to the ground.
One of them grabbed my arm. In the dream it felt even stronger than reality. His breath was on my neck and it was hot and disgusting. He dragged me closer to his body, and I could feel his chest against my back.
The other one pulled at my clothes like a hungry madman. My shirt tore down the middle. I felt the fabric rip and fall. My skin was fully exposed and I could feel the cold, harsh air against my skin.
Their scents hit me harder than before. My head started spinning again, the same dizzy feeling I had back in the alley. Their pheromones filled the air around me.
One of them leaned in and whispered something I couldn't hear. His mouth moved, and I felt even more fear now.
I tried to fight back.
In the dream, I threw my arm forward. I tried to push their bodies. I shouted. But nothing worked. They pushed me down.
My back hit the ground. My hands scraped against the rough surface. One alpha knelt beside me, and pinned my shoulder. Another held my wrist. The third stood at my legs, staring down at me with a look that made my entire body feel so exposed.
My vision blurred. Their hands were everywhere—on my arms, my waist, my thighs. I felt so dirty, I wanted to tell them to stop but everytime I opened my mouth to scream, nothing came out.
Then another one of them lowered himself over me, his face inches from mine. His eyes were red with hunger. I could feel his heat on my skin.
I tried to scream.
Nothing came out.
His hand slid down my side.
And then, he tore the rest of my shirt open.
The moment the last piece of fabric ripped away, I finally screamed and that's when I woke up.
I sat up the bed and my entire body was shaking from the fear of what happened in my dream.
The door flew open and Lysandra rushed inside.
"Ezra?" she said quickly, stepping closer. "What happened? Are you okay?"
I wiped my face with my hands, and tried to regulate my breathing. "I'm fine," I managed, even though my voice was cracking. "It was just a nightmare."
Lysandra didn't look convinced. Her eyes scanned my face, then my arms, then the bed like she was checking for physical damage.
"You screamed," she said quietly.
"I said I'm fine," I repeated. I didn't want to talk about it.
She hesitated but didn't push further. Instead, she took a slow breath and stepped back a little. "If you say so then."
"Today is the day," she said. "The royal guards will be here soon. Maybe in minutes."
Isn't that just great?
She walked to the small dresser and pulled out clothes. A dark shirt with long sleeves, fitted trousers, and a belt with silver embroidery. She placed them on the bed.
"You need to get ready." She spoke calmly, but I could tell that she was tense. "And listen to me carefully, because this part is important if you want to make the alphas to always be on your side."
I nodded, even though my stomach felt like I was about to throw up.
"First," she said, "carry yourself with pride. Don't hunch. Don't look down on yourself no matter what. Even if you're scared."
I swallowed. "Okay."
"Second, only speak when you are spoken to. Don't interrupt them and do not argue. Don't question anything and address them with Alpha first, then their names. Don't call them by their names only."
I nodded again.
"Third, keep your eyes down unless one of the princes tells you to look at him directly. They don't like being stared at unless they invite it."
I didn't like the sound of that, but I kept quiet.
"Fourth," she continued, "control your breathing. If your pheromones spike even a little, it will draw attention. More attention than you want."
I looked down at my hands, remembering the alley.
"I don't know how to control anything yet."
"You will have to try." Lysandra's tone softened a little. "Focus on your lungs. Slow, steady breaths. Don't panic. Try and relax, just keep your breathing steady, that's the easiest way to do it. I'll give you suppressants before you leave, it'll help tone it down."
My memory went back to Prince Allen's eyes. The way he stared at me told me they were deadass. Of all the worlds I could have spawned in, it had to be the one with gay niggas that wanted to get me pregnant.
"Fifth," she added, "stay close to the guards when they escort you. Not too close, but close enough that no random alpha can approach you. The palace streets will be full."
I nodded again.
She paused, watching me closely.
"Ezra… don't show any resistance. Not today. If you fight them, they will take it as a threat. And royal alphas respond to threats with force."
"That sounds extreme," I muttered.
"That's because it is." Her voice lowered. "But you must follow their rules until you understand your own abilities better."
A small knock echoed from somewhere outside and I didn't need a prophet to tell me it was them.
Lysandra's breath dropped.
"They're here," she said.
The feeling in my chest almost choked me.
She stepped forward and placed her hand briefly on my shoulder.
"You'll be okay," she whispered. "Just do as I've told you."
I nodded, even though I could feel myself shaking.
The knock came again, it was louder this time.
Lysandra straightened herself.
"Get dressed," she said. "They won't wait long."
And she walked to the door, bracing herself to open it.