My Sweet Mortal | Chapter 4

The community bath was a special place for the Enclave members. A secret location away from the prying soldier eyes, eyes from the general public, it was enclosed within a massive chamber with warm volcanic water seeping into the middle pool. The beautiful chandelier on top of the pool illuminated the dark bathhouse. Candles were placed on the intricately designed copper stands around the chamber, illuminating the fog-filled space in almost a dream-like allure. It wasn't often that Gabe gave himself the liberty to use the Enclave bath house. It was usually filled with guests during special occasions. In their absence, it was filled with salacious gossip from The Enclave girls and omegas. Gabe, with his restricted knowledge of sexual things, found it extremely awkward to be present in the middle of those conversations.

Today, though, the bathhouse was empty, only filled with two other older omegas who bathed silently at a distance.

Gabe felt shy about undressing, even in front of other omegas and women. Thankfully, the bathhouse was filled with thick steam, obscuring the view across the shallow pool. Gabe slid the bathrobe down his arms, shivering as the cold air touched his exposed skin. The water was soothingly warm as he dipped his feet into it, then slowly lowered himself until only his head and shoulders remained above the surface.

Gabe closed his eyes, enjoying the quiet crackle of warm water as it entered through the inlet. His thoughts drifted to his initiation. He wondered what kind of Alpha he would choose. He heard rumors from other vaisas about all the Alphas in the palace who participated in the 'taking.' The process where an initiating Vaisa gets to choose an Alpha for himself/herself. Gabe decided he would pick someone with kind eyes and soft features. Someone who wasn't as imposing as some of the Alpha soldiers he had seen around the Hestros Palace. Or perhaps he would choose one of the Merchant Alpha who participated in the 'taking'. Maybe someone young, someone his age, who would appreciate his first time. A smile spread on his face as he thought about fumbling with an inexperienced Alpha in the bedroom, figuring out things together.

His imagination couldn't take him further as he felt the air around him change. The quiet bathhouse went ever quieter, almost pausing. The air felt electricity charged, frozen in time. Gabe opened his eyes to find the two omegas across the pool gone, but he didn't hear them leave.

"Beautiful day for a bath, isn't it?" came a deep voice from behind.

Gabe froze, not even daring to look back to see who it was because he already knew. He had become very familiar with the sound in the last few days. And even if he was not, the sound carried so much weight no one could mistake him for anyone but who he was...a god.

He felt the water ripple as the massive frame entered the pool beside him. Gabe couldn't move or make a noise; only his heart thudded madly inside the confines of his chest.

"What happened, my sweet mortal? Won't you greet your King?"

Fuck. Gabe cursed inwardly.

"Your Majesty," he mumbled, bowing as much as he could in his sitting position.

Deroki's rich chuckle vibrated in the empty bathhouse, echoing like an orchestra. It was beautiful and scary at the same time.

"What were you thinking just now? You were smiling."

God, he was naked under the clear pool water; only the steam at the water's surface hid his nakedness. How close was the King sitting? Gabe didn't want to find out. He didn't want to raise his head and look at his direction. Too embarrassed to do so.

"Nothing, your Majesty. I was only enjoying the peace."

"Don't lie to me, omega," the King said, his voice dipping down an octave, a subtle warning.

A finger raised Gabe's head, bringing him face to face with Deroki. Gabe's voice hitched at his eyes, and the King's intense, dark gaze met his.

"I hate liars," the King said, his gaze lingering on Gabe's face before slowly traveling down his neck to where the water met his skin. His eyes lingered there, heavy and unreadable, for a moment that felt like an eternity to Gabe. Then, with deliberate intent, the King's gaze returned to meet Gabe's, piercing and unyielding.

There were countless lies Gabe could have conjured, countless stories he could have fabricated. Yet, as his mesmerizing and piercing gaze locked with Deroki's, the words refused to form. He was rendered helpless under the weight of that stare.

"I was thinking about my initiation," Gabe admitted, his voice faltering as he suddenly realized Deroki was as bare as he was. The King's broad shoulders glistened with a faint sheen, his perfectly sculpted chest a masterpiece of strength and elegance. Gabe was so captivated he forgot the question he was answering.

"Your initiation?" Deroki asked, an eyebrow raised in question. "What about it?"

"I...I..." Gabe stammered, his thoughts spinning wildly. What could he possibly say? He certainly couldn't admit that he had been fantasizing about losing his virginity to an Alpha—someone who would likely be the complete opposite of the commanding, enigmatic man standing before him. His cheeks flushed as he desperately sought words that wouldn't betray the treacherous path his mind had wandered down.

"Tongue-tied, are you?" Deroki whispered, his magical scent surrounding Gabe in a thick fog. It was a mixture of burnt oud and rich spices, very familiar yet foreign. "Are you nervous?" he asked, his thumb caressing Gabe's cheek, making every cell in his body come to life with the simple gesture.

Gabe closed his eyes, willing his body not to respond. Yet his treacherous cock stirred under the warm water, standing in attention, straining against his stomach.

Deroki tilted his head, his lips barely inches from Gabe's as he whispered, "Don't be nervous. There is a first time for everything. I know you will make an amazing whore."

Gabe's eyes widened at the vulgar word. It was an unacceptable word at the enclave. No one was allowed to refer a vaisa as a whore. A devotee. A companion. A bedmate. Fuck, probably even a mistress but never a whore. But this was god Deroki. The man every vaisa worshipped. How could Gabe correct him? He could refer to them however he liked.

"What happened?" Deroki smirked knowingly. "Did I offend you?"

Gabe bit the inside of his lips as he shook his head.

Deroki's smile widened. "Are you a whore, Gabe?"

Gabe's heart jumped at the sound of his name in Deroki's voice. Each syllable deliberate, sending a jolt of something unknown through his entire body.

"I... I am whatever you say, Your Majesty," Gabe stammered, his voice trembling with a mix of awe and nervousness. His entire body was acutely aware of the King's proximity. A shiver ran down his spine as his nipples tightened. And god, his cock...he didn't know what he would do if Deroki looked down and found out how shamefully aroused he was.

He didn't need to speak the words aloud to make it clear he wasn't offended—if anything, he felt the exact opposite. The raw power and magnetism emanating from Deroki made it nearly impossible to think, let alone feel insulted.

"Really?" Deroki asked. "Do you know what a whore does?"

Gabe paused for a heartbeat before nodding. He lived in the enclave. In a place where every omega and woman's only job was to service Alphas, how could he not know what went inside those closed doors?

"I do."

"What do they do?" Deroki asked, slipping even closer, if that was possible, standing right in front of him, looking down from his imposing height. His palms rested on the marble edge of the pool, effectively caging Gabe in as they bracketed both of his arms.

"They provide pleasure," Gabe answered.

Deroki chuckled. The sound vibrated in Gabe's ears.

"I like how you simplify things." Deroki pulled back a few inches and met his gaze. "Do you have someone in your mind for your initiation?"

"I don't know who would participate in the 'taking'."

"Everyone. Every Alpha is frothing at the mouth to get inside the new Omega cunt."

Gabe's face turned red with heat.

"I can make it easy for you," the King added.

Gabe frowned, not understanding the King.

"Choose any number of Alphas you like. Let them compete for your initiation. Whoever wins gets to bed you."

"You want them to fight with each other?" Gabe asked.

"Not each other; that would be too easy. They would have to fight a beast. A minotaur specifically."

Gabe blinked a few times, unsure why the King wanted Alphas to fight for his initiation when he could simply choose one guy.

"I don't think that's the right process of the choosing."

"Whatever I say is the process. Don't think about it too much. Let us have some fun. It would be great to see those Alphas compete for the new vaisa, wouldn't it?"

"I am not sure..."

"I insist," Deroki said, his voice low and commanding as he slipped a finger under Gabe's chin, tilting his face upward. The touch was light, but the authority behind it was undeniable. His gaze locked with Gabe's, and the intensity in those dark eyes left no room for argument. It wasn't a request; it was an unspoken order, delivered with the weight of someone who wasn't accustomed to being defied.

"As you say, your majesty."

Deroki's lips curled into a satisfied smile as he stepped away, his gaze lingering on Gabe for a moment longer than necessary. "Best of luck, then," he said smoothly before turning and ascending the steps out of the pool. The water cascaded down his sculpted form, highlighting every taut muscle of his broad shoulders, lean waist, and powerful legs.

Gabe's breath hitched as his eyes trailed over Deroki's naked butt, each ripple of muscle illuminated by the soft light. His jaw slackened, and a deep flush spread across his cheeks, unable to look away.

How could he ever find another Alpha appealing after laying eyes on the most captivating man in existence—the embodiment of beauty, power, and danger, all perfectly intertwined?