"That was close!" Julius fell beside his master. Stealing two bottles of wine from the cellar was the easy part. Nearly bumping into Rufus was their reason for running.
" How come you're not out of breath?" Jules consoled his heaving chest with deep gusts.
" I am a Braddock; I never get tired," Arlen smirked. His profound boasting nearly earned him a knock on the head. This was his doing.
"Whatever, let me quench my thirst. Here, have this." Julius drowns that urge with mercy. He handed the first bottle to Arlen and rushed the second down his throat.Arlen wiped the excess booze trickling down the corner of his mouth. A silent grin perched on his face when he tried to determine why that alpha looked so stiff. 'Luca Beaumont, I bet you would look scarier with a smile on that face. Who else can survive such a miracle if not me?' He sent the bottle to his lips, keeping to his thoughts.
***
Claude Loughty was a quiet man, kind and understanding. Many say his lack of a strong personality matched his wife's fierceness. Having guests were expected. The distinction was that Theoden Beaumont rarely asked for assistance or dug for knowledge outside his territory. Not only did he visit with his sons, but his sister, Roxanne, also made an exciting appearance.
Roxanne was not just an alpha with a title; she was the brain behind Damaris' fast-growing economy.
Rufus was okay with having Theoden or his second son around. It was the other two he could not stand. To him, the variety between them was the elder bearing a sharp tongue and a different organ between her legs.
"Traces of the plague has reared its head in the remote areas of Tremainia and Cloverdane. A few have been sighted in Damaris, but nothing cannot be handled. I do, however, have a recurring issue about sirens in one of our fishing communities," Theoden said.
Claude: "Yes, I know the young masters are here to learn how to deal with them effectively. My son will see to that. He is the best in that field."
Theoden: "Thank you, old friend."
Roxanne: "My brother says this is another plague effect, but I disagree. This is a vivid sign that Caeser is on the move. Instead of pruning the overgrowth, why not uproot the tree? The world would be a lot safer with his demise."
"With all due respect Madam Roxanne, there is no solid evidence that Caeser Braddock is responsible for this," Rufus interrupted. His eyes locked on a cup of tea deters him from glaring rudely.
Roxanne: "Well, do you know of any other beastman that could control darkness?"
Rufus: "There are imitators out there trying to learn the arts. If this was his handiwork, wouldn't he do worse than deploying a few puppets?"
"Does Master Rufus defend the enemy? Has your father not told you of the day the packs invaded Ingram and what horrid things we saw?" There was a disapproving pitch in Roxanne's tone. That did not shake Rufus out of his opinion. "I know my father stood with you and the others to save us," Rufus stressed. " However, I find it disturbing that we celebrate the massacre of women and children like an honourable achievement." He stunned those present with his bold remarks.
"It seems you have forgotten about the innocent ones who died because an alpha wished to become more powerful," Luca chipped in, his poker face fixed on his age mate.
Rufus tilted his head, holding a growl when he said, "If King Caeser was that powerful, why couldn't he stop your father from murdering his wife, burning down half of his kingdom and constantly slandering his name?"
"Rufus, enough! This is no way to talk about your elders." Claude said. He knew the passion and hate that scorched his son's pride each time he heard such tales. More so because they knew the Braddocks had been wrongfully accused and misjudged.
"My apologies; I did not intend to overstep my bounds with unreasonable opinions." Rufus lowered his head, cutting short the argument.
Theoden: "It's fine. We are entitled to have thoughts, but we must not forget the truth. Claude, let us not ruin the day with bad memories. Roxanne and I will be meeting Prescott on our way back. I trust that my sons are welcome in your abode."
"Always," Claude answered with a grin.
**
The quest to make a stranger smile leads Arlen down a destructive path, and he drags Julius down with him. As usual, the servant refused to be his accomplice, but heaven knows how fickle his resistance was. They had no idea which room belonged to whom when they snooped around the guests' rooms at the main house, but Arlen guessed with Julius as his lookout.
The first thing his eyes landed on was one of those uniforms he saw on the Beaumont brothers. For some reason, Arlen thought he would sniff it to see if his nose could capture a bodily scent. He smothers the jacket, rubbing his face like a curious cat. He would have made out the man's scent with little effort if he had been an omega or an alpha.
Arlen stops when his eyes flash over a stack of books in the bedside drawer. He drops the uniform on the round table in the sitting area and ventures beyond. Arlen flips through a few, then grabs another when he gets bored.
He then turned his attention to the giant bed fit for two. Grazing the sheets with his fingers, the young man resists lying down. Suddenly something which sparkled against the sunlight boring through the window caught his eye...
*
Arlen stares at his souvenir on the way back, rubbing the silver crest between his fingers.
" You should not have taken that," Julius pointed out.
"I needed it," Arlen said.
"For what?" Julius stood in the other's path. "Master Arlen, I know that alpha is handsome, but you cannot fancy him."
"It's not what you think. I'm just having fun." Arlen smiled sheepishly.
"Axel is not the problem here; you're the future of Ingram and..."
"Axel?" Arlen raised a brow.
"No...no way. Do not tell me you're like this because of the ice-cold Luca!" Julius raises a fist with eyes that could fall out of their sockets.
"Relax, I just..."
"Luca Beaumont does not have a love interest, and I doubt he ever will!" Julius stressed.
"Oww, is that so?"
"Wipe that smile off your face. You'll be an alpha someday; you can't love another male- alpha!" The servant massages his temple, feeling perplexed.
"Jules, stop talking about what I know nothing of. And for the record, my mother always wanted an omega." Arlen snickered.
"Your mother was an alpha!" Julius shook the featherweight vigorously before finding his breath. "Please, Arlen, let this be the last time we speak of the Beaumont brothers. Whatever infatuation you have, kill it before it's too late," he advised.
Love was a phenomenon that never came to Arlen, not even in his dreams. He did not think he had any infatuation with Luca Beaumont either, but at that hour, he began to wonder what was written in the stars for him. Would he fall flat on his face in love with someone with a soul? And if that happened, would he be accepted for who he was?
Dwelling on that thought dampened Arlen's spirit. No one could lie with an omen like him. He wanted to believe in love, that it could free him of his bondage and even change his name. But it can't.
Three days later... Arlen woke up way past his usual time. Julius saw him wince in response to the painful throb in his head. "Finally awake? Have some camomile tea. You look like you pulled an all-nighter, yet you slept early last night," Julius said. As the Master sipped on the hot contents in his cup, Julius went for a basin and a towel. 'I should take it easy on myself.' Arlen hissed, overthinking it worsened the pain. "You seem unwell. I'll send for the doctor." Julius wiped the other's cheeks. " Auch! There's no need for that." Arlen flinched when the towel ran over his face. "Sorry." Julius slowed down and dabbed gently. Arlen was not sick at all. He suffered the consequences of using another strategy to see the Widower of Beaumont Castle at night. Shapeshifting into rodents and insects gave him the privilege of spying on Luca. Such methods came with high risks. Although Arlen could regenerate, whatever happened to him in that state would reflect on his original body. Not
It was rare to see his Master turn down food in the morning or at any time. Julius could not stand the constant eye roll and pouts directed at a silver metal Arlen stole. 'Where from this look? Is he still unwell?' he wondered. Within a split second, he sees the pout transform into a smile, then a sigh. "Surely, he must be losing his mind," the servant said. "What?" Arlen flashed him a look after that unintended gesture. Julius dragged one of the heavy wooden chairs in the room toward the bed. "Master Arlen, if you're like this because of that alpha, I suggest you don't waste your time." Arlen has a moody look on his face when he lies down, interlocking his fingers on his chest to ascertain that he will no longer touch the food. Julius steps away and returns briefly. "Oh! I overheard an angry bird say that the Beaumont brothers are leaving today. To chase after water spirits." A smile crawled up Arlen's face when he saw Julius holding up a commoner's outfit. His body rolled off t
"Why do we have to put him on this boat!" Julius flipped. "Because I can't let my cousin see me, you know this." Arlen climbed on. "Throw him back in the water and let him float to his own." Julius folded his arms in opposition. "Don't be mean; we're closer to land. Just paddle." "No, I say we throw him overboard before...Arlen, he's waking up!" Julius pointed at the alpha's sluggish movements. Luca's hand slowly came up in search of something. His eyes were heavy, but his lips whispered distinctly, "Axel." Arlen did not fret. He stood behind the alpha to whistle a short tune, watching Luca grab his ears in suffering till he keeled over again. "He hates noise." The young man shrugged. Julius swiped a hand over his face, reanalyzing why he had to babysit a crazy Master. What else could he do but row closer to the forestry? "Help me carry him." "Arlen, his kind is heavy." "Right." Arlen fixed two fingers in his mouth and whistled for assistance, summoning two corpses- male and
Nobles and servants alike bowed to the hellhound of Candor, Basma Loughty. Her stature, poised and dignified with femininity, was not for show. She was ruthlessly strong and held much power from the tip of her fingers to the ends of her teeth. Basma was out with her daughter at night to feed the youngest in the house some medicine. The guards quickly gave way when she reached the quarters and stepped inside. She could hear the dispute between Master and Servant right outside Arlen's door. "Nephew, open up." Her voice was graceful yet firm. The chatting ceased instantly. "Your Eminence." Julius bowed and stepped aside after getting the door open. Her right foot went in first, then the left. Basma usually wore black, but she appeared in a stunning green midi dress with a touch of grey tonight. She smiled broadly and played with the metallic ring on her finger as he strode in. Arlen stood and saluted properly, his upper body stiff like a pole. His unwrapped locks slid over his shoul
Claude darted to the guest room when he heard that Luca was awake. He would not wait for the young man to come to him. "Your Majesty." Axel drew close on sight. " We were heading to your place," he said after saluting. "It's good that I came sooner, then. How is your brother?" " He woke up this dawn. So far, he seems perfectly fine. Please, come in." Axel stepped aside. Luca stood immediately after Claude walked into his room. "There's no need, child, sit. I'm glad to see you up and running," Claude said. Luca moved from the spot to let the man sit at the head of the small table, then found a place next to Axel. Claude: "You were planning to see me this morning?" "Yes, my brother has been having some stalking issues." Axel glanced at Luca. "Stalking?" A stern look flashed on Claude's face. "Someone has been spying on me for days. I have not seen that person's face, but I am certain it is a male with no secondary distinction," Luca said. Claude: "A beta? You are not a stranger
Claude saw no need to keep the Beaumonts around. He could not wait to send them away for Arlen's sake. He only had to point out that the brothers had learned enough and could try the hunt some other time. On the night before their departure, a special dinner was held in honour of the guests. Basma went all out to leave the impression that their doors would always be opened to the Beaumonts, but Rufus was ready to spit them outside the front gates. "Where's that kid when you need him to blot out the moon? He might encourage the sun to rise early if I spook him enough," Rufus muttered to Ari while their parents made small talk with the Beaumonts. "Careful brother, Father might hear you." "Tch! Whatever," Rufus hushed down. Luca returned to his room briefly after dinner. Bound to set off in a few hours, it was his last chance to make sure he left nothing important behind. The trip to Candor was a partial disaster. He did learn a lot, and the virgin lands reminded him of his childho
"Has my brother come by?" Rufus suited up in the morning, polished and ready for duty. "No, your highness," the guard answered. "Why did I even ask? Of course, Arlen will be snoring away when he knows we have plans," Rufus muttered as he took a turn out of the main house. He intended to attend breakfast with the youngest, so he had to go get him. The alpha barged in without knocking- a habit between brothers. Only this time, Arlen did not like it. "I said get out!" He thought it was Julius. Arlen scurried to one side of the bed, pulling the sheets over his body when his brother came into view. Eyes damp, he appeared roughed up. Rufus scowled as he noted an open window and the faint fragrance in the room. "Arlen?" "Brother, it's you." Arlen lowered his eyes fearfully, searching his mind for an excuse. Luckily there was no sign of Julius to tell on him. Rufus took ten steps in, looking pissed. "Did you bring an omega into your room?" "Huh?" "Stop acting dumb! You let her escape
The next day came, but the outing would not come off. Arlen caught a fever during the night. Julius' nose was filled with soft pheromones. Indeed, it was no ordinary fever, and if he stayed put, every alpha nearby would come knocking. "The suppressants didn't work. SSorry, does it hurt badly?" He used a cold towel on Arlen's skin. His Master could barely make out words. Arlen's breath was shallow yet faint, and it frightened him. Julius needed clarification. He could not leave Arlen in this state, yet whom would he call for help if not the Loughtys? Out of the storm came a saviour in the form of a princess. "Julius...Arlen?" Ari showed up at the door. She had been waiting for her cousin for hours and had to come around to find out what was eating his time. "Julius, are you burning fragrance again? It's pretty strong." Ari made a forced entry after knocking so many times. "Arlen!" She rushed to the bed in seconds, triggered by the youngster's whimpers. "What's wrong with him? Have