Count Vauhnir's mansion was less crowded with the departure of some nobles, but the Imperial Family remained there to help repair some damage. The Emperor left the hunt with his daughters, ensuring that they and their knights would fetch the hunted prey and bring meat to the village for winter. Cassander and some volunteers took care of the wounded with the help of doctors, and Prince Cadec, together with the Emperor, took care of the prisoners in the dungeons.
At least... It was what should be happening in theory.
The prince with dark hair and eyes like the sea at night was lost in thoughts as he watched the rain fall. The arms crossed and the imposing figure did not reveal the noisy mind that insisted on repeating the events of two days ago.
In fact, it was the first time that Cadec saw himself stuck in the memory of a smell of an omega. When he helped Magnus search for Lucian in the forest and they came across Jesse, Eugene, Victória Shang and some imperial knights facing the rebels and mercenaries, Cadec was responsible for ensuring their safety when returning to the mansion.
It was laborious since the riders were exhausted and wounded, falling on Cadec and Victoria to prevent the advances of surprise attacks. At some point the enemies pulled Eugene to use him as a hostage, pointed their daggers at his chest and squeezed their arms around the boy's neck.
Obviously Cadec saved him and left the young Grimwood hidden on his back. Only at that moment he felt the sweet smell emitting from him.
For the first time Cadec smelled Eugene's pheromones.
It took a lot of willpower and self-control not to be dominated by instincts. It was expected that omegas would release the pheromones when they felt threatened. Just Eugene's smell made his alpha instinct want to protect him, as if Cadec were the leader of a pack that protects his omega.
Such thought was too scary for Cadec, who always had control of his instincts.
And now, two days later, he could still feel that pheromone.
"Your Highness?"
That timid and soft voice woke Cadec from his dreams. He saw Eugene Grimwood standing in the hall looking at him worried and hesitant, leaving Cadec confused for a moment. The prince began to lean against the wall, as if moving was enough to drive away those intoxicating thoughts from his mind. But still, the clear eyes were turned to assess the expression of young Grimwood.
Eugene didn't seem to be afraid of the invasion, at least not now. In fact, even when he was in that forest being protected and before becoming a target, the boy turned all his concern to the Eighth Prince who was missing. And even when they arrived safely at the mansion, Eugene seemed determined to help the village doctor take care of the wounded.
In fact, Eugene was still without his coat. He had taken it off when decided to volunteer. The sleeves of his white shirt were rolled up to the elbows, showing the untouched porcelain skin. Swallowing dry, Cadec looked back at the face of the boy before his thoughts were dominated by instincts.
"My lord, is there a problem?"
"No. I just wanted to know if His Highness is all right."
Eugene took small steps towards Cadec, until he arrived in front of prince and also faced the rain that was falling outside. Just from being there, the prince could smell the floral scent of his pheromones. Was Eugene still emitting? Breathing in disguise, Cadec felt his hair from the back of the head shudder and a shiver run through his body.
A sweet and strong aroma, expected from an omega. Turning his head to face the rain that splashed on the window, Cadec forbade himself to think of anything. He lightly covered his nose and refused to let himself be dominated by instinct, which would surely grab that young boy and...
"My brother has woken up, have you heard?"
Waking from his own daydreams, Cadec realized that he was staring at Eugene's neck again. The blue eyes fled to the window in search of a refuge from being controlled by instinct. He should not act in such a way with the boy just because he is an omega. That was disgusting.
"I assume he is with Lucian."
"Yes. His Highness seems quite shaken, I think my brother will be able to comfort him in some way."
Cadec sighed low imagining the impact of the situation on his younger brother. Surely your father must have given some sermon to Lucian, and considering his introverted personality, he would certainly be shaken. It was a pity that he could not provide any kind of comfort to his brother, as a family should do.
Especially because Lucian seems to hate him.
His eyes narrowed slightly when he remembered every interaction they had in the past few months. So few and yet so far away. There was a wall between them. This made the heart of Cadec break.
Eugene looked up at Cadec, noticing his silence and distance. The omega looked back at the window and sighed low gaining the alpha's attention.
"Something bothers you, my lord?"
"No, nothing bothers me", Eugene replied calmly, although Cadec clearly saw that something was wrong "Thank you for coming to save us, Your Highness. And for protecting us."
"No need to thank me."
"There is always. Your Highness is always saving me from situations", Eugene looked at him and smiled slightly embarrassed "I feel a little pathetic for always seem involved in trouble."
"It's not your fault, my lord. It is natural that I help you when you need it. We are not always strong enough to face all the world's problems."
Eugene held his gaze in silence. A restlessness reflected in him was noticeable, only that Cadec hesitated to question. Maybe Eugene was really scared of the whole situation and didn't want to admit it, since he was releasing his pheromones. Although there was a calm and determination in these last days, Eugene was still a young man who had been protected by his older brothers all his life.
The prince understood him well. So it was better to avoid touching on the subject of invasion. That boy did not need to remember bad things, especially if he was struggling to hold on. And knowing Magnus as Cadec knew, obviously he would give the emotional support that young Eugene would need.
"Certainly Your Highness helps me only because I am the younger brother of your best friend, no?"
"What?"
Eugene widened his eyes and covered his mouth with his fingers. Surprised, Cadec looked at him slightly realizing that the boy thought aloud. Only that your question sounded strange to the prince.
When their eyes met, Cadec noticed the shame in Eugene's countenance. The pink tone covered his cheeks and the floral smell became present. The prince was surprised by Eugene's timid reaction, and imagined that he was more embarrassed than appeared. Especially when he felt his smell become more intense, making the personal hell of an alpha even worse to restrict.
A sweet smell.
A young and inexperienced boy. Who had never been touched and dominated by an alpha. He was so tempting that he could attack him now even if Cadec did not restrain himself. Cadec clenched his fingers forming white knots, trying as much as possible to ignore his instinct and his intrusive thoughts to win that battle.
Softening his voice as much as he could, Cadec looked at him calmly trying to avoid alerting him further.
"I imagine you are referring to your brother. Do you want to become stronger so as not to depend on anyone's help?"
"But of course!", Eugene responded promptly, then stepping back a step to control the euphoria "I mean, Mag is the strongest omega I know. Several of my academy colleagues admire him, and so do I, of course!"
"But you know that your brother had to go through a lot of trouble to get where he is, don't you?"
"I know... I always followed him closely, even when he was sneaking out to train."
Cadec smiled internally at the timid Eugene. He was lovely as a younger brother could love his other brother so much. The prince came to feel a bit of envy from Magnus, but he drove away that feeling by stroking Eugene's shoulder.
"Your journey will not be the same as that of your elder brother, yet I'm sure you will be strong in your own way, my lord."
"Your Highness..."
"Cadec" both of them looked at the back of the corridor. Magnus put his gloves and looked at them coldly, "Let's go."
Magnus was wearing his dark clothes and walking as if he had not taken arrows or been hurt before. Cadec saw the same behavior as always in him, which was not at all surprising.
"Let's go", replied Cadec giving a last pat on Eugene's back before following his friend.
It took a lot of force for him to take his hand away from Eugene, but Cadec noticed that the smell of Eugene's pheromones was so strong that it permeated his glove. When the prince passed by Magnus, he was sure that he also felt, especially since Magnus stayed behind only to speak to Eugene:
"Eugene, keep an eye on Lucian. If that dove shows up, don't let him make any jokes."
Eugene blinked stunned and uttered a gracious laugh.
"All right, brother."
Magnus raised the tip of his lips in a half smile and then turned into the corridor following Cadec. The First Prince knew him well enough to know that Magnus ordered it as a way of keeping Eugene inside a room away from any other alpha. Although that Lucian was an alpha, but probably he must have already bitten Magnus and created a bond, becoming someone safe.
The two crossed the halls of the mansion quietly, going down the stairs and passing by the servants and other few nobles who remained there to care for the wounded. They marched away leaving behind any other matter than the one they were about to settle.
Every storm inside Cadec on a certain pheromone was replaced by the cold and contemplative expression. Now it was time to follow orders.