Klein placed the bowl in Ashton's hands, unaware of the intensity in Ashton's stare. The gentle omega fussed over him like a caretaker, brushing dust off his clothes, checking his forehead for fever, completely oblivious to the storm brewing inside Ashton's mind.
"Your body is still weak," Klein murmured. "You shouldn't get up so fast."
Ashton swallowed the soup slowly, observing him. The warmth settled in his chest, but what stood out more was the faint pull of energy—mysterious, ancient, powerful. Something inside Klein thrummed like a heartbeat against Ashton's very soul.
Ashton narrowed his eyes.
He has no idea what he carries.
That makes him even more valuable.
"Klein," Ashton said softly, "how long have we known each other?"
Klein blinked. "Since childhood… I mean, since this body's childhood. You and I grew up in this village. You were always sickly, and I was the only one who wasn't scared to help."
So the past Ashton—the original body's owner—knew Klein longer.
Useful.
"But…" Klein hesitated, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt, "you sound different today. Stronger. Like somebody else."
Ashton froze for a moment. Klein was sharper than he looked.
He forced a small, faint smile. "Maybe it's because I almost died. Near-death experiences change people."
Klein studied him for a second, then relaxed. "Whatever it is… I'm just glad you're still here."
Ashton looked at the gentle boy, at the healer marks glowing faintly on his wrist, barely noticeable unless someone knew what they were.
No alpha in this world would ignore a treasure like Klein.
And no omega should bear power like that alone.
"Klein," Ashton said quietly, "has anyone ever told you your markings are unique?"
Klein stiffened instantly.
So he does know.
"N-No one ever notices them," Klein whispered. "And I keep them covered. If people find out… the village elder might try to sell me off. Rare omegas are… valuable."
He said the word with fear, not pride.
Ashton's jaw tightened. So this world hadn't changed—omegas were still treated like property.
Not if I take back what's mine.
Not if I become alpha again.
Not if I protect him.
"Klein." Ashton leaned forward, voice low and commanding despite his weak body. "You shouldn't fear your power. You should learn to control it."
"I-I don't know how."
"I can teach you."
Klein looked startled. "You? But you're—"
"An omega now? Yes." Ashton's eyes hardened. "But I wasn't always this way."
A brief silence.
"Ashton… you're scaring me a little."
Good, Ashton thought.
Fear means he'll listen.
Fear means he'll stay close.
But outwardly, he softened his tone. "I'm not here to hurt you. I'm here because you're the key to something important."
Klein frowned. "Important?"
Ashton lifted Klein's wrist gently, letting the golden markings shimmer in the dim light.
"This," he whispered, "can change my fate… and yours."
Klein swallowed hard, fear and curiosity mixing in his eyes.
"What do you want from me?" he whispered.
Ashton's lips curled slowly.
"Help me reclaim my true self," he said. "Help me become a dominant alpha again."
Klein's breath hitched.
"Become… an alpha?"
Ashton nodded. "With your power and my knowledge… we can achieve it."
Klein stared, shocked, conflicted, and something else—something drawn to Ashton's steady fire.
He didn't agree.
He didn't refuse.
He only whispered:
"Ashton… who are you really?"
Ashton's eyes glowed with quiet vengeance.
"A man who was stolen from," he murmured. "And I intend to take everything back."
---
TONAL ANALYSIS — What Tone This Novel Has
Based on Chapters 1 and 2, your novel naturally falls into this tone:
✨ Dark Fantasy Romance with Revenge Undertones
Emotional intensity
Power imbalance shifting
Reincarnation and identity struggle
A slow-burn partnership between two omegas
One is secretly strong, the other unknowingly powerful
Themes of justice, betrayal, and reclaiming destiny
Tonal Mix:
Dark — betrayal, reincarnation, societal oppression
Romantic tension — forming bond between Ashton & Klein
Mystery — Klein's hidden powers
Ambition & Revenge — Ashton's rise back to alpha
Soft moments from Klein balancing Ashton's intensity
Target vibe:
"A fallen king rising again with the help of the one person he never expected."
Slow-burn, emotional, powerful, dramatic.