The sky was grey, announcing a possible rain for late afternoon. The light wind rocked the curtains of Eugene's room, who sat in an armchair next to the window. His rosy eyes, usually gentle and serene, were fixed on the horizon, but the inner restlessness was evident. The approach of his birthday brought a series of conflicting emotions. But, above all, there was a certainty that hammered in his mind.
He wanted Cadec.
At the academy, Eugene had heard stories about colleagues being kissed by their partners before they even got engaged, breaking the expectations of chastity imposed by society. All spoke in whispers, with that tone of secret shared among close friends. For never having been kissed, Eugene felt a mixture of curiosity and envy. Everyone seemed "grown-ups," steeped in the complexities of relationships and voluptuousness, while he was left behind.
But now, everything had changed.
Since the kiss in the rain, something new was burning inside Eugene. The hesitation that previously accompanied him dissolved, replaced by a growing desire to conquer the First Prince. There was something deeper than physical attraction: Eugene wanted Cadec's heart, his loyalty and his protection. And above all, he was willing to do whatever it took to achieve that.
"I used my pheromones purposely to lure him to me..." Whispered the omega, feeling a slight flushing up his cheeks, but not regret "And it worked."
He knew the effect that the sweet and floral smell of his pheromones had on Cadec. He had felt the change in the air since the hunting festival. Every time he released his pheromones, he saw Cadec's body become stiff and he hesitated to stand by his side. Cadec became even sharper with the intense way in which he looked at him when they met, finally becoming aware of Eugene's presence as a potential partner.
Using your pheromones purposely was a dirty and low game. But unlike most of the omegas, who might feel guilty for using such a weapon, Eugene did not regret it. He felt empowered to realize that Cadec, as authoritarian and restrained as he was, reacted so intensely. It meant something.
Eugene didn't just want to be wanted. He wanted to be chosen.
Days after graduation, the memories of Cadec's touch still accompanied him. The warmth of the embrace, the intensity of the kiss... It was his first kiss, and had been everything he imagined. Intense. Caressing. Unforgettable.
Knocking on the door interrupted his thoughts. The voice of Carsen, the butler, sounded firm but always polite.
"Milord, His Grace calls you to the office."
"Mag?" Eugene muttered, already getting up from the chair, intrigued. "Okay, I'm going."
Leaving the room, he followed the dark corridors of the Grimwood mansion to his brother's office. A heavy atmosphere seemed to hover there in recent times, something Eugene could not fully understand. Maybe it was the tension around the temple and Lucian. Something was going on.
When he entered the office, he found Magnus and Jesse talking, both immersed in a pile of documents.
"Did you call me?" Eugene asked, with a bit of curiosity.
Magnus, tired as usual, raised his crimson eyes and pointed his head to Eugene to approach.
"We need to discuss your birthday party" said Magnus, straight to the point. "Lucian is arranging the details, but due to recent... events in the temple, he is unable to leave there at the moment. Jesse has been helping, but you will have to deal with the rest of the preparations with Carsen."
"What happened to His Highness?" Eugene asked, frowning.
Magnus sighed, rubbing his forehead.
"In fact, it seems that the Emperor found some ancient ruin and that damned infernal dove took Lucian there to perform what they call a forbidden ritual" Magnus rubbed his lured fingers on the forehead "I accompanied them on this absurd journey, and at the end the priest collapsed along with Lucian."
"My goodness!" Eugene exclaimed, surprised. "Is they all right?"
"Lucian is recovering, and my bite helps him to stay calm" said Magnus, as if it were an irrelevant fact.
Jesse and Eugene exchanged glances and then went back to face Magnus.
"You marked His Highness? I'm impressed given your coldness about him when you got engaged."
"He bit you too, Mag?" Asked interested Eugene.
"No. Anyway, the bite I left on him allows him to feel safe while I'm away. But I should not be long, soon I will return to the temple to stay with him and ensure that that dove remains in bed for the rest of life."
"Please avoid unnecessary conflicts with the temple" asked Jesse crossing his arms.
Eugene watched his brothers talk as he thought of something.
That word — bite — echoed in Eugene's mind. Bite. The ultimate symbol of union between alpha and omega. When an omega bit an alpha, or vice versa, the bond became unbreakable. Eugene had always heard about it, but always with a touch of fright. The bite was something powerful, irrevocable. Even Jesse warned him to be cautious at the academy, as alphas could try to tag him if they lost control of their instincts.
What if he...?
Eugene felt his heart racing. What if he marked Cadec? He could use the same pheromones to make sure Cadec didn't belong to anyone else. The idea was audacious, perhaps even dangerous, but it did not leave his mind.
"Being bedridden, I assume that His Highness is taking care of his duties. Carsen seemed very busy when I arrived."
"He's a diligent husband, that is undeniable. Anyway, Eugene needs to make the guest list for his coming-of-age party."
"Oh, yes!" Eugene replied waking up from his daydreams, and trying to disguise the blush on his cheeks.
"About your companion" Jesse asked, looking at his younger brother "Have you thought about who it will be?"
"Actually, I..."
Before Eugene could answer, there was a knock on the door. Carsen entered, making a brief bow before announcing:
"Your Grace, the First Prince has just arrived."
Eugene's heart jumped. Cadec? Here?
"Send him in" Magnus ordered, without raising his head.
When the door opened, the imposing Cadec entered the office, filling the space with his authoritarian and controlled presence. Eugene felt the world around him be silent. It was as if everything disappeared, leaving only him and Cadec at that moment. The invisible tension between the two was palpable.
"I see you're busy" said Cadec, keeping his tone cold and distant.
"Discussing some family matters" replied Magnus, without blunts. "I imagine you have news about the investigations."
Cadec nodded lightly, but Eugene barely recorded the content of the conversation. He knew that with Cadec there, he had a unique opportunity. Before he could lose the chance, he turned to the prince and, with a sweet and firm voice, made the invitation he had been planning:
"Before I leave, and taking advantage of the presence of Your Highness... I would like to invite you to be my companion at the coming of age party."
As he spoke, Eugene approached a little closer to Cadec, almost imperceptibly. There was a confidence in his look that seemed to go beyond his age — the look of someone who knew his own worth and the power he held. With every word, he knew that he was trapping Cadec in an invisible encirclement where no 'no' would be an acceptable option.
The surprise went through Cadec's face, but only for a second. Eugene touched his arm softly, which seemed an innocent gesture in the eyes of his brothers, but that for those two was something intimate. Both would feel the electric current of tension and desire that felt for each other. It was not just an invitation, it was a calculated move.
"Be your companion?" Cadec questioned, his voice lower and loaded with something indecipherable.
"Not a bad idea" Magnus intervened, with a sigh. "Cadec is no stranger to our family. He can keep the vultures away from Eugene during the party."
"Indeed" Jesse agreed. "This would also help strengthen the alliance between our house and the First Prince. Rumors will inevitably arise."
Eugene filled his chest happily.
It was evil on his part to use the prince's hesitation to win him over. It was a path that narrowed with every choice. Because Eugene was an omega whose pheromones Cadec was unable to resist, that invitation was irresistible. If he gave in, Eugene could use the chance to publicly make Cadec his own. But if he dared to hesitate, the fact of being a Grimwood would be the ropes that would bind him to such an inevitable compromise.
Eugene would not let it go.
Making the invitation in front of his brothers, would make it impossible for Cadec to reject it. Especially if he wanted to keep secret from Eugene's brothers.
"Ha... I'm not a good match, my lord. Parties are definitely..." Cadec started, but was quickly cut by Magnus.
"Come on, Cadec. It's not like the women are going to chase you at Eugene's party. Just do this favor, since on this day Lucian will be returning to the mansion."
"Are you trying to use my brother's presence as a bargain?" Cadec questioned raising his eyebrow.
"Considering the event, you would have to come. And this is linked to the investigations. Being an escort of Eugene is the ideal disguise."
Eugene felt a wave of relief and victory. Magnus, unwittingly, had helped him to trap Cadec further in his web.
"Haa... so be it." Cadec finally responded, turning to Eugene with an intensity that only he could sustain "so I accept your invitation."
Eugene's heart exploded. Cadec was now officially on his side, even if by force. The next step was to make the prince give in completely.