"Where is the little Omega?"
Zen didn't bother opening his eyes. He just grinned and stretched lazily on the bed. "You can talk outside of people's heads?"
Prince Kael stepped into his brother's room, took one breath, and stopped dead in his tracks. His nostrils flared as the scent hit him. He inhaled again, slower this time, eyes narrowing as the heady mixture wrapped around him like a noose. Heat. Slick. Pure omega need, laced thick with unfulfilled desire.
Kael cursed under his breath and immediately stepped back, as if burned. He turned his face away, jaw clenched.
"Fuck's sake, Zen," he muttered, voice low and strained. "You reek of her. It's like walking into a damn breeding den."
Zen let out a slow, satisfied chuckle from where he sprawled across the bed, arms behind his head. "Jealous?"
Kael didn't answer at first. He stayed by the door, spine rigid, breathing shallow now as he forced himself not to inhale too deeply.
"Only you, would roll around in a cloud of that and call it fun. You're torturing your wolf and everyone else's."
Zen laughed again, deliberately stretching. "She smells divine, doesn't she? Mmm.. All mint and heat. It's driving my wolf mad. He's been pacing for hours. Wants to claim her."
Kael let out a sharp breath at that and shook his head, stepping farther back into the hall because his wolf seemed to be quite agreeable to that idea! Which was not good. They were the Stormhold Princes. They did not mark any Omega...Ever."
"I'll wait outside," he said tightly. "Take a damn shower and air this place out before I forget I'm your brother and pound you into the ground."
Zen smirked, eyes glinting with mischief. "Aw, Kael. Didn't know you had such delicate self-control."
Kael didn't smile.
His eyes darkened, the air around him shifting with a cold, quiet threat. He took one step forward, just enough to let Zen feel the weight of his presence.
"Push me again," Kael said in a low voice, "and I'll remind you exactly what happens when someone forgets who the stronger Alpha is."
For a beat, neither of them moved as Zen's smile disappeared and then Kael walked away.
Zen groaned. " Feral Spoilsport." He kept his eyes closed, letting himself sink into the mattress for another moment.
The scent of her still clung to him and he liked it. His wolf growled in frustration, demanding more, nipping at the edges of his mind. He looked down at himself and sighed. His body was still hard, still aching. Too bad she was off-limits. For now.
Mischievously, he connected to his brother through their connection and muttered, " Would've been fun to have her sobbing under me… begging. And even better if she was sandwiched between... " He left off there with a laugh as Kael growled in his head and then stood up from the bed.
But Kael was right. If he didn't do something fast, the scent alone would make him snap. With a muttered curse, he dragged himself off the bed and headed for the bathroom.
A cold shower. How wonderful...
***
Once outside, droplets still clinging to his hair, Zen sauntered into the lounge, towel slung around his neck and threw himself onto the couch.. Kael was already seated on the couch, arms folded, jaw tight.
The moment Zen flopped down beside him, Kael's glare cut straight through him.
"Next time you pull a stunt like that," Kael said, voice quiet but seething, "I'll let my wolf tear you apart."
Zen leaned back and smirked. "Ha. We'll see who tears whom apart, Cranky Pants."
Kael's stare didn't waver. "You think this is funny? You nearly drove every single wolf in that area insane. An unmarked omega on the edge of her heat, and you dared to seduce her in public."
Zen raised a brow. "I didn't seduce her. As you well know."
Kael glared at his brother sharply, "You pressed her against a pillar and inhaled her scent like she was already yours, teasing and seducing her so that she was aroused. You might as well have mounted her right there."
Zen chuckled darkly, unbothered. "That was the only way to draw the guards' eyes. You wanted access to the Ruins, didn't you? Well—distraction delivered."
Kael stood abruptly and began to pace, jaw clenched. "You nearly threw the entire place into chaos."
Zen shrugged. "I gave them something to think about. You needed a clean window, I gave you one."
Kael spun to face him, eyes blazing. "You toyed with an unmarked and underage omega in heat, in the open, in nearness of our people and theirs. You know what kind of instincts that trigger. If even one of those wolves had lost control-"
"They didn't. Because our wolves are trained better. And the Moonville ones? If they dared to look in that direction, I would have torn them apart.
Kael didn't look amused and Zen knew that he wanted to say more so he changed the subject swiftly, "You got in, didn't you? You saw the ruins. I did my part. You're welcome. So, what did you discover?"
Kael stared at him a long moment, then finally let out a slow breath even though the tension in his shoulders didn't ease. "Yes. We got in far enough."
Zen straightened, all traces of amusement and playfulness gone from his face, "And?"
Kael's tone shifted and he sighed, "It is definitely tainted. Not just with blood. Pain. Rage. You can feel it in the stones. Whatever happened there- it wasn't just death. It was punishment. And worse still…"
He paused, as if choosing his words carefully.
"There are traces of black magic. Heavy.. It's wrapped around the ruins like a ward, but it's not defensive. It's containing something. And it's woven with rogue scent."
Zen's smirk faded.
"You're serious."
Kael nodded. "We couldn't get any closer. The magic pushed back. It's not just Moonville's. There's something else. Something darker."
Zen exhaled slowly, already putting the pieces together. "Then we'll need someone from inside. Someone the magic might let through."
Kael stiffened. "If you're thinking of using her then don't. The Omega is too young...
Zen smiled faintly. "Tsk Tsk, brother. She's from Moonville. And she's already caught in the middle of this. You know that this is not a coincidence, right? So, curb your protective instincts."
But Kael only shook his head and answered pointedly, "I think you need to stay away from her."
Zen raised a brow and laughed," You are so wrong..."