Stare

"Are you going to keep staring at her? You haven't watched a single performance..." Kael's voice echoed through Zen's mind, half amused, half exasperated.

Zen didn't answer right away. He turned his head slightly, casting his brother a flat look.

"I'm bored."

Kael scoffed, the sound echoing in his head with a dry chuckle. "Uh huh. You're bored? If you could manage to lift your eyes off the little omega you've just claimed as a slave, you might notice the entertainment wasn't that bad."

Zen's gaze returned to the girl — still kneeling, still quiet, just as he had left her. His voice in Kael's mind came slower this time, laced with irritation. "I haven't claimed her... yet. Kael, I want to leave."

He felt Kael's warning echo through his head and knew a lecture was already on its way,"We came here for a purpose, Zen. Or did you forget we're trying to trace who's been feeding rogues from inside Moonville borders?"

But as Kael began, Zen gave his brother a droll glance, then stood up with fluid ease. His tone was clipped as he muttered mentally, "You handle the mission. I have other matters to on my mind."

Kael smirked in his head. "Other matters? Or has your brain shifted to a lower part of your anatomy, brother?"

Zen's lips twitched. "You know it has. Look at her. All I want is a taste..."

Karl laughed at that and sighed, "Sometimes, I don't know how you manage to be an enforcer with your mind only on one thing..."But then he sighed and gave a glance towards the Omega,"But you are right, I wouldn't mind a taste either..."

That had Zen raise his brows in surprise. While as part of triplets, they might share the same looks, in terms of liking women, both of them had completely opposite preferences...

As their conversation tapered off, Zen rose to his feet. Immediately, the atmosphere changed. Conversation stopped. Musicians faltered and a hush rolled through the gathered wolves like a cold wind.

At the center of it all, Alpha Soier stood abruptly, his voice cautious. "Your Highness. Is something the matter?"

Zen didn't even spare him a glance. He stepped down from the dais with the same composure he always carried and walked away.

But as he stepped at the bottom-most step, he paused and turned around. The Omega was still sitting there, in the same position, her head bowed, unaware of the surroundings. 

He sighed, turned around and snapped his fingers at her," What are you waiting for?" he asked, his voice cool and even, but loud enough that the nearest wolves could hear. 

Still kneeling, the little Omega looked up at him, startled. Her lips parted, but no words came out as she stared at him blankly.

Zen's expression didn't shift. "Have you already forgotten what your place is? Get up. You serve me now."

Her eyes widened. She wasn't sure what he meant exactly so she could only look on in confusion. What did he want to do? But she fared not question it. Hurriedly, she stood up and almost lost her balance as her knees buckled under her... Thankfully, the prince did not react to her stumble and she coudl follow even more closely.

Beside the podium, Alpha Soier stood awkwardly in place. His smile didn't reach his eyes.

Kael's voice entered Zen's mind again, now dry and low. "Subtle, brother. Remind me again how this helps us find the traitor among Moonville?"

Zen didn't answer right away. He walked ahead with the omega trailing behind him, his cloak brushing the stone, his boots echoing across the chamber. Only when they reached the darker corridor that led to the waiting chambers behind the hall did he speak.

"It doesn't. But it keeps them watching me instead of what we're really looking for."

Kael exhaled a small laugh in his mind. "You always were good at being the distraction. Just don't get too caught up in your own performance."

"I won't," Zen replied curtly. But his eyes flicked once to the girl behind him.

She had kept pace, even barefoot, even confused. Her scent was still soft. Still clean. Untouched.

And still, infuriatingly, tempting.

Once inside his room, Zen lounged on the large couch and then watched as the Omega walked in slowly. He smiled. Finally... As she came to a stop a little distance from him, he answered straighaway," Take off the clothes."