Mating?

Elliot's morning was off to a terrible start. He had planned to spend the day painting in his study, lost in the rhythm of his brushes and colors. But then Vincent had to invade his space, bombarding him with questions about mating.

What did he expect? Just because they were married didn't mean Elliot would let him bite his neck. The idea was absurd, almost insulting.

Trying to shake off the irritation, Elliot retreated to the garden. The sight of flowers usually soothed him, grounding his thoughts. As he wandered among them, he spotted his mother in the gazebo, but he wasn't in the mood for company. He needed solitude to regain his composure.

Vincent had a way of getting under his skin, especially when it came to matters Elliot was trying to avoid. He knew well how suppressants affected his body, after all, it was his own body, and he'd been taking them for years. But it seemed Vincent never quite understood that. He let out a weary sigh as he plucked a red rose from its stem, then made his way to a secluded bench, sinking into its comfort as he tried to find some peace.

Sure, Vincent was right that he wasn't meant to rely on suppressants forever, but that didn't change his resolve. He refused to be mated to him. Getting married was one thing, mating was something else entirely. Elliot was willing to make any sacrifice to avoid it. The thought of asking an Alpha to help him through his heat was unbearable; his pride wouldn't let him sink that low.

He heard voices drifting from the gazebo, his mother's gentle tones blended with Vincent's. They were exchanging polite pleasantries. Elliot would have loved to eavesdrop, but he couldn't stomach hearing Vincent's voice any longer, or seeing him, for that matter. With a sharp breath, he stood and left the garden, seeking solitude elsewhere.

He returned to his study and noticed Alfred diligently polishing the grand piano. Alfred had been with him nearly his entire life, his family, a long line of Beta pandas, had served the Leightons for generations. Elliot sat down on the piano bench, watching him work. 

He couldn't imagine a life without Alfred by his side. They had been playmates as children, inseparable and carefree, until the day Alfred had to take on the mantle of service to the family. 

"What do you think of Vincent?" Elliot mused, his voice laced with curiosity.

Alfred paused, his hand lingering over the piano, then replied, "He seems... nice."

Elliot hummed thoughtfully, a hint of frustration in his tone. "He's full of himself." His fingers idly pressed random keys on the piano, his frustration seeping into the sound. "He thinks he knows what's best for me," he scoffed.

Alfred, continuing to clean, spoke quietly, "I think he was just scared, after what happened last time."

Elliot's fingers faltered as Alfred added, "He was frozen in place, you know."

Elliot knew that Alphas typically lost control the moment they caught the scent of an Omega in heat. These days, it was becoming increasingly rare for both Alphas and Omegas to experience such a sudden shift, both growing rarer with each passing year. He figured it was likely Vincent's first encounter with an Omega in heat, which explained why he had been frozen in place. The scent had probably overwhelmed him, paralyzing him in uncertainty.

It wasn't his problem, though. If Vincent couldn't control himself, and keep it in his pants, that was on him. Elliot hadn't expected his heat to arrive so suddenly, it had caught him off guard, likely triggered by the stress he'd been under and possibly the fact that he'd been in close contact with an unmated Alpha. The thought made him shudder. He was proud to be an Omega, but the complications that came with it were still difficult to manage, even after twenty-five years of living with it.

Elliot chose not to respond to Alfred, instead letting his fingers drift over the piano keys, creating a melody. Alfred stepped back, silently watching as Elliot lost himself in the music. When the last note lingered in the air, Alfred broke the silence, clapping softly in appreciation.

"I still don't like him," Elliot muttered.

"You don't have to," Alfred replied calmly.

One of the maids entered, announcing the arrival of his siblings and their families. A smile spread across Elliot's face at the news, he'd been eager to see them since the reception, but his duties had kept him occupied. He rose from the piano bench without hesitation, motioning for Alfred to follow as he made his way to the living room.

His older sister, Anne, an Omega cheetah like him with strawberry blonde hair and piercing green eyes, was the first to wrap him in a hug. Her daughter, Rosalia, followed close behind. "It's so good to see you, Anne!" Elliot exclaimed, returning her embrace and planting a kiss on her cheek. He turned to Rosalia next, kneeling to her level and giving her a warm kiss on the cheek. "You too, Rosalia!" he smiled.

Next came his older brother, Camden, a Beta lion with dark blonde hair and golden eyes. He opened his arms, waiting for Elliot to make the first move. Without hesitation, Elliot stepped forward, pulling him into a strong, heartfelt hug. After a moment, Elliot turned to greet Camden's wife, Emilia, a Beta lion as well, offering her a warm smile.

"The family is here!" his mother exclaimed, stepping into the room with Vincent trailing behind her. She gave a quick glance around before turning to the maids. "Prepare some tea and snacks," she instructed, her tone all business.

The siblings and Emilia settled on the sofa, with Elliot sitting between his sister and brother. He carefully placed Rosalia on his lap. His mother took the armchair, while Vincent settled into the one opposite her. Soon, the table was filled with tea, sweets, and pastries, the comforting scents filling the room.

Elliot shot Vincent a brief, lingering glare before redirecting his attention to his niece, determined to avoid him.

"Now, we all know why we're here," his mother said, pouring herself a cup of tea. "Elliot has been matched by the queen with none other than a Whitehall Alpha." She gestured toward Vincent with a slight nod. "His name is Vincent."

Vincent offered a slight nod to the siblings. "Nice to meet you all."

His mother's expression darkened as she spoke, her tone laced with disdain. "Given our history, our family has always despised the Whitehalls. They care nothing for preserving prestigious bloodlines, all they're interested in is progressiveness." She shot Vincent a pointed glare. "No wonder he's the last and only Alpha heir of the Whitehall line."

Vincent opened his mouth as if to argue, but Elliot watched him clamp it shut, his lips pressed into a thin line. Elliot couldn't help but snicker at the sight.

"We will still proceed with the courtship as tradition dictates," his mother said, her voice firm. "It may be unconventional since they're already married, but I refuse to disregard our customs." She took a sip of her tea, then added, "I've already explained it to him."

Camden smiled warmly at Emilia before speaking. "I'd love to witness his trials, but I have to attend to my family." He held his wife's hand and added. "I did manage to see Anne's, though, and it was absolutely hilarious." He chuckled, shaking his head at the memory.

Elliot remembered well, three Alphas had vied for Anne's hand, each undergoing trials of strength, wit, and loyalty. The Alpha she favored had a clear advantage over the others, but in the end, it would come down to who finished first. It was a longstanding tradition: only the most exceptional Alpha would be allowed to marry a Leighton Omega.

"Say hi to George for me," Vincent grinned at Anne, his tone light.

The family meeting didn't drag on for long, as his mother had already gone over the details of the courtship with Vincent in private. Now, it was time for the siblings to get to know Vincent on their own. Camden, being the friendly soul he was, immediately struck up a conversation with him.

Elliot, feeling the need for some privacy, turned to Anne. "I have a question," he said quietly.

Anne shifted, as she took and held Rosalia in her arms, her attention focused on him. "What is it, Elliot?"

"Do I have to mate with him?" he whispered, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Anne's expression softened as she gently cupped his face, offering a reassuring touch. "Oh, Elliot," she said, her voice warm, "you don't have to do anything you don't want to." She continued, "I had my choice, and I fell in love with George as the time passed, he was my first choice and I was lucky." She smiled at the thought, "perhaps you will too."

Elliot grimaced, his expression one of clear disgust. "No, not with him."