My Sweet Mortal | Chapter 8

Gabe's preparations for his service were meticulous, almost ritualistic. The lavender scent of his soap lingered on his skin, a soothing fragrance meant to calm him as much as it was to please others. His hair was styled into an intricate bun, a few soft strands framing his delicate face. He'd chosen a deep red robe that clung to his lean frame, the shimmering fabric enhancing his elegance. The special lotion on his skin gave it a radiant, almost ethereal glow—his appearance a deliberate art to captivate and allure.

Seated on the plush silk sheets of his bed, Gabe adjusted himself with care, crossing one leg over the other to present an elegant silhouette. Though his heart raced, his exterior was composed, exuding the calm confidence expected of a vaisa. He smoothed the sheets absently, keeping his posture poised as he anticipated the arrival of Alpha Marrison.

When the door creaked open, revealing Marrison's rounded form, the air shifted. The Alpha hesitated on the threshold, his face flushed and his brow slick with sweat. Pulling a handkerchief from his pocket, he dabbed at his forehead before stepping into the room. Gabe greeted him with a practiced smile, his eyes glinting with the serene assurance drilled into him over years of training.

The Alpha lingered at the doorway, shifting awkwardly, his sweat-dampened forehead a clear sign of his nerves. He hesitated before finally stepping inside, clutching his handkerchief like a lifeline.

"Hi," he greeted, his voice uneven, the greeting more of a squeak.

Gabe inclined his head in a practiced bow, his movements fluid despite the tension curling in his stomach. "Good evening, my Lord. Please come in and make yourself comfortable. May I offer you a drink?"

The Alpha chuckled nervously, his eyes darting around the lavish room. "Uh, yeah. Something strong. That'd be nice."

Gabe turned to the drink table, his fingers brushing over the chilled crystal as he poured a generous glass of whiskey. The sharp scent hit his nose, making him wrinkle it slightly. He had never drunk alcohol before. He didn't intend to do so ever. God knew why people burnt their insides with the vile stuff. 

"Here you go, my Lord," he said, handing the drink to the Alpha.

The man accepted it with clammy fingers and downed it in one gulp, coughing slightly before holding out the glass. "Another, if you don't mind."

Gabe didn't know how he felt about the Alpha getting drunk but he didn't question him as he made him another glass. 

Gabe nodded, refilling the glass while stealing a glance at the Alpha. He was fidgeting, his damp forehead glistening under the room's soft light. "Would you like me to open the blinds? You seem warm," Gabe offered gently.

"No, no," the Alpha waved the suggestion off. "I'm fine. Just, uh... sorry if I seem... nervous. This is my first time with a vaisa."

"It's alright, my Lord," Gabe replied softly, trying to soothe the unease radiating off the man. "There's no rush, no pressure." He forced a small smile, though his chest tightened with the weight of obligation. "I'm new to this as well."

The Alpha let out a weak laugh, running a hand over his flushed face. "What, um... what do vaisas usually do?"

Gabe hesitated, his training warring with his instinct. His voice, though steady, carried a trace of hesitance. "Would you like to touch me, my Lord?" The question felt foreign on his tongue, even though he'd practiced it countless times.

The Alpha's gaze swept over Gabe's frame, lingering too long in places that made him want to shrink away. "Yeah, sure. Of course."

Drawing in a steadying breath, Gabe moved to the bed and sat beside him, his limbs heavy with an invisible burden. The Alpha's nervous energy filled the space, making the silence stretch painfully thin between them.

The Alpha's gaze roved over Gabe's exposed form with an almost bewildered intensity as if encountering an omega for the first time. His erection strained visibly against his trousers, making Gabe's throat tighten with unease.

Forcing himself to follow the script ingrained in his training, Gabe untied his robe with trembling hands, allowing it to fall open. The Alpha's eyes widened at the gesture, his expression a mix of awe and nervous anticipation. Noticing the man's hesitance, Gabe gently took his hand and placed it over his chest. "Go on, you can touch me," he said softly, willing his voice to remain steady.

The Alpha's hands trembled as it trailed down Gabe's bare chest, stopping at his nipple. The instant his fingers brushed the sensitive spot, he shuddered before pulling his hand away.

"I'm sorry!" he blurted, his face flushing a deep crimson as he averted his gaze.

Confused, Gabe tilted his head, concern flickering across his features. "What's wrong?" he asked carefully. Had he made a mistake?

The Alpha shook his head, his voice barely above a whisper. "Nothing... just, please don't tell anyone about this."

Gabe frowned, his eyes scanning the Alpha's face for answers. Then, realization dawned. His gaze drifted downward, noticing the wet stain spreading across the front of the man's trousers.

"It's just... you're so beautiful," the Alpha stammered, his embarrassment palpable. "Your skin is so smooth, and I... I couldn't hold back. Please, can we try again tomorrow? I... I really want to do this right."

Gabe pulled back, feeling bad for the Alpha. The bitter irony of the situation didn't escape him. If Gabe were deemed inadequate, unworthy of his role as a vaisa, he would face immediate expulsion from the enclave. Cast out into the merciless streets of Hestros, abandoned vaisas often met grim fates—prostitution or begging being their only options. Gabe had witnessed others lose their status, but the Alpha before him would walk away without consequences. The unfairness gnawed at him.

He frowned, a pang of shame seeping through. This wasn't how he was supposed to think. His teachings had always emphasized gratitude for his position, a privilege bestowed by the gods. So why were these rebellious thoughts creeping into his mind now?

"I'm sorry, my Lord," Gabe began, his voice steady despite his unease. "But I have many others awaiting my services. I can't guarantee when your next appointment will be."

The Alpha's eyes hardened, his demeanor shifting into something hostile. "What do you mean? I paid a fortune for this," he snapped. "I'm not leaving until I get what I deserve!"

Gabe's frown deepened, his earlier sympathy quickly eroding. "I don't control the schedule," he replied evenly. "The administration determines my time. If you'd like, you can speak to them directly."

"Damn right I will," the Alpha growled, his voice laced with entitlement. "They ought to listen to me. I didn't even enter you!"

The vulgarity of his words struck Gabe like a slap, and his body stiffened. He forced himself to remain calm, his training taking over. "Are you ready to leave now, my Lord? Or is there anything else you require?"

The Alpha sneered, his gaze raking over Gabe with disdain. "Now that I think about it, you're not that special. I should've asked for someone else."

Gabe clenched his teeth, his jaw aching with the effort to hold back a retort. "Thank you for today, my Lord," he said, bowing with a rigid formality. "The door is that way."

The man muttered something under his breath about entitlement before storming out of the room.

As the door clicked shut, Gabe slumped onto the bed, exhaling a shaky breath. His heart pounded, his nerves frayed. "Could've been worse," he murmured, though the bitterness lingered like an uninvited guest.

Gabe shrugged off the heavy service robe, replacing it with a simple, white cotton garment that felt soft against his skin. The familiarity of his regular attire offered a small comfort as he made his way to his bedchamber. At least tonight, he'd have the luxury of his own bed, free from the suffocating presence of a smelly, entitled Alpha.

The thought sparked guilt almost immediately. Criticizing his lovers, even silently, was forbidden—an act of ingratitude. Gabe had been taught that servicing was a sacred duty, a pathway to divine favor, not something to resent. He shook his head, trying to redirect his mind as he slid under the covers. Thoughts of guilt and duty wrestled within him until sleep finally claimed him.

The next morning, a sharp knock shattered his rest. Startled, he stumbled to the door, opening it to find one of the enclave guards standing stiffly in the hallway.

"Your teacher is here," the guard announced.

"Teacher?" Gabe frowned, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"You requested the King for an education, didn't you?"

Gabe's heart leaped. "He appointed a teacher for me?"

The guard nodded. "It seems so. The King is very generous. He's a god, after all."

"Where should I go?" Gabe asked, barely able to contain his excitement.

"The Royal Library."

A thrill coursed through Gabe as he rushed to prepare, hastily combing his hair and straightening his robe. This was his first step toward knowledge, a privilege he never thought he'd have.

The Royal Library was magnificent, with vaulted ceilings and towering shelves filled with books bound in leather and gold. The scent of parchment and ink lingered in the air. The librarian silently directed him to a secluded reading room, its entrance framed by intricately carved wooden panels. Gabe's heart raced as he approached, eager to meet the one who would unlock the world of learning for him.

When he entered, the sight before him left him breathless. Seated in a chair with an enormous book in his hands was none other than the King himself. One leg rested casually over the other, his relaxed posture contrasting sharply with his divine aura.

"Your Majesty!" Gabe exclaimed, bowing deeply. "I—I didn't realize you would be here. I'm sorry for interrupting your reading."

The King glanced up, a small smile tugging at his lips. "You haven't interrupted anything," he said smoothly, closing the book with a soft thud.

Gabe straightened, confusion flickering in his gaze. "But why... why are you here, Your Majesty?"

The King's voice was steady, laced with an edge of amusement. "I don't think you understand. I am your new teacher. Welcome to your first class."