The torrential rain drenched both, intensifying the emotional storm that was boiling inside each. However, no drop of that rain was able to cool the scorching heat that took over the alpha's body. And the floral pheromones of Eugene, mixed with the smell of rain, made everything seem like a feverish dream from which Cadec could not escape.
He was on the verge of incontrol.
Eugene, standing before him with his eyes full of hope, was at the same time the object of his torment and the only thing that could bring relief. Cadec felt the primitive instinct roaring inside him, crying to take Eugene for himself, so that he would end that useless fight and let himself go. But Cadec fought — for him, for Eugene, for everything else that was at stake.
Every word Eugene said seemed to bring Cadec to the bottom of an abyss. The young omega had no idea how irresistible his presence was.
"Please don't run from me, Your Highness" said Eugene, his voice low, almost a whisper.
Those words hit Cadec hard. Can he fight it? Run away? Never. He would never run away from a fight, be it physical or emotional. But looking at the look of Eugene, the sweetness of those rosy eyes, Cadec realized that he was in fact running away. Fleeing from something that terrorized him more than any battle: what he felt.
"Run away from you?" Cadec's voice came out rough, almost fierce, as he forced a facade of control "Do you think I'm a coward?"
Eugene took another step forward, the rain trickling down the strands of hair glued to his skin and leaving his clothes soaked. He is so close now, that Cadec felt his breath mix with his own, warm and soft, a constant reminder of everything he wanted but shouldn't have.
"I do not consider you a coward" Eugene replied, his voice low and full of determination "but you're avoiding giving me an answer."
The tension between them was almost palpable, as if the air itself had turned into something dense, too heavy to be ignored. The smell of Eugene became stronger every second, and Cadec felt his own body begin to tremble, not from cold, but from desire. He clenched his teeth, struggling to keep control that he knew was slipping through his fingers.
"I have already given an answer" said Cadec, his voice wavering for the first time.
"No, Your Highness" Eugene insisted, getting closer "You just mentioned that I'm Magnus' younger brother. But there's more to it, isn't there? I feel it..." Eugene took a deep breath, and Cadec noticed the tremor in his voice "I know you do too."
Eugene's words seemed to disarm him. Every time he tried to raise a barrier, Eugene broke it, not with force, but with that innocence and conviction that made him seem invincible. Cadec felt crushed inside, the struggle to contain himself becoming unbearable. He tried to look away, but his body seemed stuck at that moment, stuck in the vicinity of Eugene.
"You are an omega, my lord" Your voice has failed again "It is natural that my alpha instinct reacts to your pheromone. Do not confuse these feelings."
It was a lie. A lie Cadec will repeat to himself, after all he suppressed his alpha instinct for years just to focus on his goal of getting the throne. For years his alpha instinct was forced to shut up about his own desires, and now Cadec had reached the limit.
Eugene looked at him with pain in his countenance, but also with unwavering determination.
"Please be honest. Is there something in me that repudiates you?"
"What? No!" The answer came too fast, revealing a truth that should not be admitted. Cadec ran his fingers through the wet hair, trying to find some reason in the middle of that storm, but all he felt was the overwhelming pressure of desire.
"Then tell me what is really going on" begged Eugene, now so close that Cadec could feel the warmth of his body radiating despite the cold rain "I can't wait any longer, Your Highness. Not after all."
Cadec felt his world crumble from within. He was on the verge of giving in, on the verge of losing the fight he had been fighting against himself. Each word of Eugene pierced the little self-control that remained.
"It's not about you" he said frustrated "It's about what I am. I'm in the middle of a fight for the throne. I can't drag you into this. I can't..."
The image of Elyon impaled in prison, in a brutal scene, appeared in his mind freezing his body. He could not take more risks. It should not.
"I know about the risks, Your Highness" Eugene firmly interrupted "but I'm not a fool."
"My lord..."
"I love you, Your Highness!" Eugene exploded, the pain overflowing in his words. The rain ran down his face, mixing with tears that he could no longer hold. "I love you so deeply that it can be painful! I know the risks, but I can not accept to be with someone other than you."
Cadec was silent. The two stared at each other for a long moment, the rain hammering around them. The smell of Cadec became more intense, the fists clenched in a visible effort to keep control. Eugene hesitated for a moment, but finally reached out his hand, holding Cadec's gently.
The soft touch made Cadec tremble, his desire to retreat being overcome by the instinct that pulled him towards the omega.
"I don't want to be like that man, Eugene" muttered Cadec, his voice almost inaudible. The sound of his name, pronounced by the prince, made Eugene tremble. "If I yield to this desire, I will be like Moutuni... Taking advantage of your youth."
"Is that the only reason to hesitate? Do you think you feel desire for me just because I'm younger?"
"Of course not!" braved Cadec, his emotions to the skin. "What kind of monster do you think I am?"
"So I see no reason to reject me. I'm an omega, I'm single, and I'm a Grimwood. I have the power and influence to support you in your fight for the throne" Eugene looked at Cadec, his eyes begging for a chance. His voice softened, almost a desperate whisper. "And I will not be a cold companion, because I love you. I love with all my being. Please... give me this chance."
The rain fell heavily, soaking both of them, but Eugene didn't seem to mind. He looked at Cadec with those rosy eyes, shining with a combination of hope and anxiety. The omega, despite the storm, was focused only on the man in front of it.
"Why do you hesitate so much, Your Highness?" Eugene asked, his voice soft but charged with emotion. "If I am a Grimwood strong enough to face these dangers, then... why can't I be by your side?"
Eugene's hands, thin and light, left Cadec's hand to hold his face and bring him closer. The prince let himself bow towards him, feeling a relief by the touch of the omega and the smell of his pheromones. That tiny closeness satiated a drop of Cadec's torment, making him look for more.
"I don't want you to suffer because of me" Eugene whispered, his voice laden with genuine affection "All I wish is to be on your side. About the rest of the world... we can face together."
Cadec closed his eyes for a moment, absorbing Eugene's words. He wanted to believe it, but the struggle within him consumed Cadec. The soft smell of Eugene, the delicate touch of his hand, all contributed to intensify the desire that tried to repress. He opened his eyes again, now shining with something that Eugene could not fully decipher.
"Eugene..." Cadec's voice was low, almost a whisper. "I'm not the man you think I am."
Eugene shook his head, determined.
"You are exactly the man I see, Your Highness. Someone strong, righteous... and someone worth fighting for."
"I..." Cadec started talking, but stopped when Eugene released more of his pheromones. The conflict was still not resolved, but none of them wanted to give in there, in that rain, that night "Omega... My omega..."
The pupils dilated and the intense smell of alpha covered Eugene with strength and possessiveness. Cadec took a step forward, gluing their bodies together by firmly holding Eugene's waist and pulling it up against himself. The stewed body of the alpha was not cold. Eugene shuddered at the heat he felt coming from him.
Had to be careful. Get back in control!
"Yes, alpha. I'm here."
It was enough. The soft sound of Eugene's voice, the glow of rosy eyes and overwhelming closeness broke Cadec's last line of resistance.
And then he gave in.
Cadec's lips met those of Eugene with an urgency that surprised both. The rain kept falling, but at that moment neither of them seemed to feel the cold. The kiss was deep and intense, full of everything that Cadec had been repressing for so long. Eugene, on the other hand, responded to the kiss with an almost naive sweetness, but also with a passion that overflowed the feelings he wanted so much to confess.
For a brief moment, everything disappeared — the responsibilities, the internal conflicts, the struggle for the throne. All that existed was Eugene's touch, his soft taste and the feeling that they were finally together, if only for that instant.
But at the same time, there was a dangerous force in that kiss. Both knew they were crossing a line. Eugene's body molded to that of Cadec, the heat that spread between them, and his instincts screaming to go further. But even as his lips moved over those of Eugene, a flash of rationality emerged, a small spark of control that made the alpha remember who he was — what he needed to protect.
He stopped the kiss abruptly, moving away with a heavy sigh, as if every centimeter of distance between them required an immense effort. Cadec's eyes were full of conflict as he gasped, struggling to regain control. Eugene looked at him, his eyes wide and his face red, still breathing fast, as if the air had been stolen from his lungs.
"I... should not have done that" Cadec said, his voice hoarse and broken. He ran his hand through his wet hair, clearly frustrated with himself. "I'm... sorry, Eugene. I should control myself."
But Eugene shook his head, the eyes were still stuck in those of Cadec.
"No... Don't be sorry, Your Highness." He took a small step forward, still feeling the heat of the kiss on his lips. "This is not a mistake. I want to be with you, and I know that you have feelings for me too. Don't deny it."
Cadec stood still, his body stiff, still processing what had happened. But he felt his body suddenly cool when he noticed that from the side door of the academy hall, Lucian was watching them coldly.