A Choice Between Life and Death

Soren stared at Mrs. Dain for a long moment, his heartbeat slow but heavy in his chest. He wanted to believe she was bluffing, that she was merely testing him, but the cold, assessing way she watched him told him otherwise.

She meant every word.

If he didn't give them an heir, they would get rid of him.

He swallowed, her demand settled like iron chains around his throat. There was no room for argument, no space for negotiation. To her, this was inevitable, his fate had been sealed the moment he was purchased.

"…Give me time."

Mrs. Dain scoffed, tilting her head slightly, as if she had misheard him. Then she let out a humourless laugh. "Time? What is there to think about?"

Soren exhaled through his nose, forcing himself to stay calm. "I don't need time to think. I already know my options." He met her gaze. "I need time to process. To prepare myself mentally for the responsibility that comes with raising a child in a world that's falling apart."

She said nothing, only studied him.

Soren didn't wait for her response. He turned on his heel and walked away, refusing to let her intimidate him any further.

Once he was out of her sight, Soren's steps quickened, but, still, his mind felt sluggish.

He needed to see Kieran.

Not for reassurance, not for protection, but because, in that moment, Kieran was the only person who could calm the chaos in his mind.

When he reached the commander's tent, he pushed the flap aside without hesitation.

Empty.

His office was empty. His barracks empty too.

A heavy sigh left Soren's lips as he pulled off his boots. The scent of Kieran clung to the space. It wrapped around him like an invisible embrace, making his limbs feel heavier.

Without thinking, he moved toward the nest, which still remained untouched.

It was still arranged the way he had left it, as if waiting for him to return. As he laid down, his eyes landed on something peeking from Kieran's pillow.

A sock. His sock.

Soren's nose scrunched in mild disgust. Of all the things Kieran could have kept, why that?

They wore boots all day. Their socks were the least desirable thing to hold onto.

Shaking his head, he sat up and pulled off his vest, the fabric probably smelled of sweat from training, but it was better than a dirty sock. He grabbed the sock and shoved it into his pocket before replacing it with his vest.

Then, finally, exhaustion won.

He curled into the nest, Kieran's scent thick in the sheets, and let sleep pull him under.

___________

Soren woke to warmth.

To Kieran's warmth.

A heavy weight settled over him, broad arms bracketing his sides as heat pressed flush against his back. The scent of an alpha in full claim surrounded him, intoxicating, making his body hum in response.

Soft lips grazed the shell of his ear.

"Hello, my dearest pup," Kieran murmured, his deep voice melting into Soren's bones. Warm breath ghosted over his sensitive skin, sending a shiver down his spine.

A slow kiss landed on the nape of his neck. Then another, softer.

Soren exhaled shakily as Kieran's hands traced down his body, peeling away layers patiently. His jacket slipped off his shoulders, followed by the brush of Kieran's lips trailing lower, his mouth mapping the ridges of his spine.

"I didn't see you at evening training."

Soren turned onto his back, their faces now inches apart. Kieran's eyes searched Soren's for an answer.

Soren hesitated, then said, "Mrs. Dain told me I wasn't a soldier."

Kieran's jaw tightened.

Soren let out a quiet breath. "And I don't want to find out what happens if I insist on training with the others."

That wasn't a lie. But it wasn't the full truth, either.

Kieran could tell.

His fingers traced along Soren's cheek, his thumb brushing against the corner of his lips. "That's not all that's bothering you."

Soren didn't answer. Instead, he leaned forward, capturing Kieran's mouth with his own.

The kiss was slow. His fingers slid into Kieran's dark hair, tugging slightly as he pressed closer.

When he pulled back, his lips were flushed, his breathing uneven. "Kieran…" The alpha's name came as a breath. "Make love to me."

"Yes, my dear."

Then, his lips crashed against Soren's again.

Kieran's hands around Soren, lifting him and moving to his bed. He guided Soren onto his back as he pressed kisses along his collarbone, down his chest. Each touch leaving a trail of heat.

Soren arched as Kieran's tongue flicked over a nipple, his sharp gasp swallowed by the next kiss. His body responded instinctively, back arching, thighs parting slightly.

Kieran's hand slipped between them, teasing, testing. Soren bit his lip, breathless as the slow build of pleasure coiled inside him. His instincts flared, craving, needing...

And Kieran knew.

"I can never get enough of you," Kieran murmured, his fingers slick with the natural slick Soren's body provided. He worked Soren open with agonizing patience, pressing against the sensitive bundle of nerves deep inside him, sending sparks of pleasure up his spine.

Soren whimpered, clutching at Kieran's shoulders. "More…"

Kieran's belt hit the ground. His uniform followed.

And when he finally pressed inside, Soren exhaled a shaky moan, the stretch pushing him to the edge of pleasure and pain.

Kieran moved slowly at first, letting Soren adjust. But as the omega's body relaxed around him, his pace quickened, each thrust deep, claiming.

Soren clung to him, the sound of skin against skin filling the tent. His legs wrapped around Kieran's waist, pulling him closer, deeper.

Kieran kissed along Soren's jaw. "I won't last long."

Soren barely heard him over the rush of pleasure. "Don't hold back."

A deep growl rumbled from Kieran's chest. His thrusts turned rougher, more desperate. His fingers gripped Soren's hips, dragging him against each deep stroke, forcing his body to take everything.

The pressure built. Tighter, sharper.

Then... Kieran's knot swelled, locking them together.

Soren gasped, eyes wide as pleasure exploded inside him, waves crashing through his entire body. Kieran followed, his release spilling deep inside.

For a moment, neither of them moved, bodies locked together.

Kieran brushed damp hair from Soren's forehead, kissing him there. A part of him wanted to whisper words of affection to Soren, how he'd love to hold him longer, be with him always, damn, maybe even build a home together. But those weren't words a soldier could say. 

Soren's lashes fluttered, exhaustion creeping in.

But just as his body started to relax, Kieran's voice cut through the haze.

"What did my mother say to you?"

Soren's stomach clenched.

And just like that, his peace was shattered.

"I just remembered I have to meet Riven." Soren pushed off Kieran and got dressed.

"Soren, come on. I hope you didn't ask me to make love to you so..." Kieran took Soren's hand, hesitating to say the next words. There was no way they could've just made a baby just now right?

"Kieran, please, I need your trust okay? Just bear with me for now." Soren gave him a lingering kiss on the lips before leaving.

As he made his way to the omega barracks, he met Mrs Dain, arms crossed with a satisfied smile to show that she'd been watching him. "Soren, I'm glad you wasted no time."

Soren forced a smile. "I'm not doing it for you."

Soren had devised a plan. His body was still affected by the contraceptive he was given during his mission. So he would take advantage of it, playing the Dains little game. 

It wouldn't be his fault that he couldn't fall pregnant after trying a few times. He hoped at least that Mrs Dain wouldn't try to use deadly methods to get rid of him.

"I'm doing it for Kieran, maybe you'll get off his back," Soren kept his smile.

But as he turned to walk away, Mrs Dain spoke, "You and I are going on a little trip tomorrow, it only makes sense that we get to know each other."

Soren paused, turning to look at her with wide eyes. "A trip?"

"Yes, a few days. Shopping for clothes, warmer sheets. I saw where you sleep, it isn't suitable for someone who'll be with a child, especially with winter coming." She smiled but more like she bared her teeth.

Soren tried to force a smile, but it fell. A trip, with her? He didn't need to get to know her, the woman was a devil with an agenda.