We’re being cautious

Soren

The sun had almost set, casting a golden hue over the garden. My friends and I were already tipsy from all the wine and food we had indulged in.

Just as I was about to take another sip from my cup, I heard a familiar, commanding voice. "Hello, ladies," Tarian called, striding towards us with confidence oozing from every pore.

I turned to see him, my heart skipping a beat. He had traded his royal golden knight uniform for more comfortable attire: a cream-colored shirt, loose black trousers, and a dark cloak that flowed behind him. The outfit suited him, highlighting his muscular frame and making him look every bit the hero the kingdom saw him as.

"Love," he said, his voice softer now, reserved for me. Before I could respond, he swept me into his strong arms. As he kissed me, I inhaled deeply, catching the scent of his pheromones. The intoxicating smell made my head spin.

The girls around us giggled and teased, but I barely heard them. All I could focus on was Tarian—the warmth of his body, the strength in his arms, and the way he made me feel safe and cherished, even if I sometimes doubted our engagement.

When he finally set me down, I was breathless, my cheeks flushed. Tarian looked at me with those piercing blue eyes. "I missed you."

"I missed you too," I replied.

"Alright, alright, enough with the pheromones, you two. You're making us all dizzy," Brioni joked. Even being a beta, she could smell the pheromones, though they didn't affect her like they did alphas or omegas.

Tarian chuckled. "I wish you could escape to the annex palace, but I'll be on night duty tonight," he murmured, sending shivers down my spine. He looked at me with those ocean eyes I couldn't resist.

"I know we'll have more time after the ceremony."

Tarian took my hand and kissed it gently. "I noticed new knights and guards around the palace. Is there something going on? Father didn't mention anything."

"We're being cautious. Arvelon is sending representatives, and we want to be prepared," Tarian said.

"Oh, that's something new," I replied, noticing a worried look flash across Tarian's face. Lyra, who had been quietly observing, suddenly looked away, letting out distressed pheromones. Her hands trembled as she fidgeted with her bracelet. Tarian seemed tense at her reaction, a sight that made my heart clench with unease.

I had never seen Tarian react like that. I cleared my throat, feeling a knot form in my stomach. "Don't worry, I can defend myself and protect everyone here."

The girls started to laugh. Despite my small stature—almost half the size of Tarian—Father had trained me well. He always said that someday, when I had my own child blessed by the Solaris goddess, I could help them discover their true potential.

Tarian kissed me again, longer this time, and said, "I need to go, duty calls. Be ready for tomorrow."

"Sure, love. The girls will stay with me tonight."

"Then I'll take my leave. Miladies," he bowed to them.

Picking at her nails, Lyra suddenly said, "Tarian, wait. I'll walk you out. I need to speak with Mother."

"You're not staying with us tonight?" I asked Lyra.

"I'm sorry, brother," she replied, giving me a quick hug, saying her goodbyes, and walking off with Tarian. It was understandable; I guess it was shocking for her to hear that Arvelon representatives would be here. I would be, too, if I knew I would be married off to someone I despise.

As Tarian and Lyra walked away, I noticed Rialla's frown deepen, pulling my attention back to the present. A servant accidentally dropped the cups and plates on the floor while cleaning. The poor boy looked scared, but Rialla asked if he was okay. They both had a look on their faces that I could not decipher.

"Everything good here?"

"I'm sorry, my Majesty," the boy said, cowering.

Rialla waved her hand. "We're all too tipsy; it was a mistake."

I sat down as the boy cleaned up everything and excused himself. "Thank you, Milady, Majesty."

"Are you sure everything is okay?" I questioned Rialla again.

She shook her head as if clearing any thought that was clouding her mind. "Soren, yes, I'm thinking too much. Drinking always makes my head spin around and think in Loric." There was a faint twitch on her face, a telltale sign that she was lying and uncomfortable.

"Have you spoken again with Loric about mating?"

"I love him, but he is too much of a coward. We've been married almost a year, and he's scared that if he mates with me, I will be left unable to find another alpha. He is everything that I need, yet he doesn't feel enough. My parents are getting uncomfortable with the situation and are even thinking of nullifying our marriage and marrying me off to another house."

Brioni and I gasped. We did not know the situation had gotten so bad in such a short time.

"We should marry someone like Tarian; he is too good, Soren."

"Eww, Brioni, the guy has too much ego. Poor Soren," Rialla feigned suffering, but we knew she was joking.

"Do you think Arvelon's prince is a monster, as Lyra said? I don't know. Royal alphas sure are out of this world, like Galad from Norendal."

"For the goddess' sake, what is wrong with you? The wine has made you like another person. Please bring me back, my friend Brioni."

"Let me speak my heart, you fiend. Besides, I have a question for Soren," Brioni said.

Rialla and I were all ears because Brioni always got serious when she said those words.

"I've always wondered about Tarian. People talk, you know. Has he ever… shown interest in men?"

"Brioni, that's really personal. We shouldn't speculate about Tarian like that. We shouldn't forget that we are speaking with the first Prince of Elysara, House of Drakon," Rialla called out.

"Rialla, it's okay," I said, taking her hands. "We are here as friends, not on duty. But how can I say… It's not something I've thought much about. Tarian is complicated, but he's always been devoted to me," I tried to explain.

Tarian and I had even done… a few things. In reality, Brioni was not that far from what she was saying. Everyone in the kingdoms knew what type of man Tarian was. He had never been seen with just one person steadily, so it was a pleasant surprise when he declared himself to me two years ago.

As for me, I saw it as normal since this is my normal, being a male omega. But it seemed like a sin for others in the kingdom and even commoners. We were seen as sinners, so I did not receive the blessing. In a way, I was sheltered because my father did everything possible to make me feel normal. So that's why I never questioned whether Tarian was okay with me. He never showed me that he hated me. He said he loved that part of me.

"Did he suck your D?" Brioni asked. She definitely was too interested, and I felt warm in my cheeks. They always talked about sex, but being a virgin, I always shied away from talking about it. I shook my head, and the girls looked at me with horror.

"It's time to go and refresh ourselves. Tomorrow is a big day," Rialla reminded us. "And you, Brioni, need a cold shower," she said, rising from the chair and grabbing us by the arms.

"As you wish, Milady," I said, and we all laughed.