The strong scent of crushed roses hung heavy in the air, it's petals scattered on the marble floor were not from love or celebration, but they were casualties of Ren's anger.
The omega stood in the middle of his Alpha mother's grand office, his white silk robe fluttering as he trembled. His mother, Duchess Elara Verren, an Alpha of renowned political cunning, sat behind her desk, her eyes sharp as cold steel. Her scent, sharp and commanding, pressed against the room like invisible chains.
"You will attend the debut ceremony tomorrow," Elara said with a voice smooth, unwavering. "The Duke of Orlen's son will be there, and you'll ensure he notices you." she added.
Ren's hands curled into fists at his sides. "So that I can be sold off like a prized pet?" he asked in anger.
Elara's lips curved into something that wasn't quite a smile. "So that our house survives the next election of the High Council. Do not mistake sacrifice for shame." she answered not batting an eye.
Ren's chest tightened, the faint scent of his own pheromones, honeyed and faintly floral, brushed the air, trembling like suppressed emotion. Omegas were taught never to let their scent escape without control, but right now, he didn't care.
"All you ever see me as is a tool. A pretty trinket you can trade for votes." He said quietly
"You are an omega," Elara replied sharply. "Your beauty and composure are your weapons and all you got, so use them and shut up."
Her words struck like a whip and for a moment, Ren's gaze wavered, then his lips curved into a small, bitter smile, elegant and yet, dangerous.
"Then perhaps you won't mind if I should learn to wield them better than you ever expected." he said looking his mom in the eye
Elara brows furrowed in confusion "Ren..." She aimed to speak, but Ren was already walking towards the door, his soft voice floating behind him like a promise wrapped in silk.
"I'll go to your precious debut, Mother. But the partner I attract…" He looked over his shoulder, eyes glinting like moonlight on glass, he smile, telling of dangerous stories to come. "…might not be one you can control." he concluded.
The door closed gently, perhaps, too gently for the storm brewing behind his calm.
*****************
Later that night, the mansion slept, but Ren did not. He stood by his window as the moonlight painted his silver hair pale and ghostly.
In the reflection of the glass, he didn't see the fragile omega everyone else saw, he saw the shadow of someone sharper, someone waiting for a stage.
His best friend Lian's words echoed in his mind from earlier that day:
'Ren, if you keep playing with knives, one day you'll bleed.'
He had smiled then, and he was till smiling now, so faintly that it could be missed.
"it's better for me to bleed from my own blade than from someone else's chain." he whispered to himself.
He turned from the window to his mirror that hung from the celling to the floor and began to prepare his mask for tomorrow. Soft smiles, lowered eyes, a trembling voice, just like Alphas expected from omegas. This was a performance he perfected from years of pretending to be weak and obedient.
******************
Morning came and with the hum of gossip and perfume, the Noble Omega Debut Ceremony, a grand affair where noble omegas were displayed before powerful Alphas and Betas, like rare jewels for purchase began.
Ren arrived late, deliberately so that all Eyes could be on him. And all eyes he got, as people turned immediately he entered and whispers trailing after him like silk ribbons.
'Is that the Verren omega?'
'He's beautiful, but they say he's delicate… useless in politics.'
"Rumor says The Duke of Orlen's son is his goal for tonight ."
Ren hid a smirk behind his fan. Perfect, notice me and talk about me.
He glided through the hall, bowing with grace, every move measured and his silver hair shimmered beneath the chandeliers, his pale skin glowing like the moon making him look more delicate, but behind that angelic face, his mind was already turning, watching, calculating.
Every smile exchanged between nobles, every cold glance that came his way, every lingering gaze from an Alpha too arrogant to hide his interest, Ren catalogued it all.
If he was to be displayed like a treasure, then he would make sure no one could ever afford him.
*********************
"Ren."
The familiar voice made him pause.
Lian, his best friend, dressed in his Beta attire with a crisp collar, approached with two glasses of sparkling wine.
"You look ready to burn this place down," Lian murmured, offering him a drink.
Ren accepted, smiling faintly. "Would you stop me if I did?"
Lian sighed. "Probably. Then I'd help you escape."
Their quiet laughter was interrupted by a sudden hush across the hall. The grand doors opened and the scent of dominance, sharp and commanding, filled the air as every Alpha straightened instinctively and the noise in the hall died down instantly.
Ren looked up to the source of dominance and his eyes met King Kael.
*****************
Kael was every inch as the legend the whisperers promised, he was tall, broad shouldered, and dangerously calm. His aura pressed against the hall like a living storm. His eyes where cold, deep gold as they scanned the crowd without a flicker of emotion.
Even among Alphas, his presence was crushing as every Alpha tried not to flinch and very omega in the room unconsciously lowered their gaze.
Ren, however, tilted his head slightly, very intrigued by Kael's presence.
'So this was the man bound by the council to find a bride.
A man feared by all, yet trapped in a gilded cage of duty, just like him.' Ren thought.
Kael's eyes briefly met his and something quiet and unspoken sparked between them. It was not submission, not awe but surprisingly recognition.
Ren's lips curved.
"Interesting," he whispered under his breath while gave him a looking warning him not to play with fire.