7 - Choices Given

The darkness outside meant that Kari could see nothing of their surroundings as they made their way to the keep where this Lezzker resided.

All he could do was keep his head down and feel the sways and bumps of the carriage. Earlier, he had been dragged into the bath by Enid and scrubbed within an inch of his life before being doused in scented oils. He had then been dressed in nothing but a large black cloak and he felt incredibly exposed even though he was fully covered.

It felt like his nakedness under the heavy fabric was somehow visible and it made him uncomfortable. Enid had reminded him gently that he was a pleasure slave now- his body no longer belonged to himself and he would be inspected before being accepted by his new master. The man had probably meant it to be a comforting thought somehow but the very idea that his body was no longer his own was disquieting.

All too soon, the carriage rolled to a stop and Kari disembarked along with Oran. It was just the two of them making this trip in the dead of the night. The quiet stillness of the night gave the entire journey an eerie feeling.

Kari tried to see and take in what he could but the courtyard was dimly lit and he had to almost jog to keep up with Oran’s strides as they approached what appeared to be a small side door into what must surely be a castle.

A disgruntled looking man in rumpled clothes met them at the door and led the way further inside. He stayed silent except for a curt greeting. Kari ignored the suspicious look thrown his way and kept his hood up and head down like Oran had instructed him. For all that taking orders irked him, he was deep in enemy territory now. 

A foreigner in a strange land with unknown customs and culture.

He had to play it safe until he had enough knowledge of the people here to be able to formulate an escape plan. He was not one to bow down and give up his freedom so easily.

The halls they walked through were nicely furnished and clearly well maintained. The furnishings and ornaments were not overly fancy in their design but there were multitudes of them and each were made with obvious care and quality. It spoke of wealth and power beyond Kari’s wildest dreams.

The feeling of dread only heightened as they walked deeper into the castle through the maze of corridors and staircases. Kari felt each footstep echo through his skull and forced his wooden legs to keep moving forward. Each step led him closer to his answers but he wasn’t so sure he wanted to find out what awaited him.

They finally came to a halt in front of a dark wooden door and the man leading them knocked quietly. They waited in silence until a deep voice called for them to enter. Their escort opened the door and stepped aside to let Oran stride through, head held high with confidence while Kari scurried after him.

The omega stopped dead in his tracks after one look at the man standing before them.

The man leaned against a desk with a glass of clear liquid in one hand and dressed in a loose robe that did nothing to hide his height and width. His casual yet powerful stance and obviously muscled build just shouted warrior. Dark messy hair flopped forward onto his forehead framing golden eyes that glittered with interest.

When he strode forward to clasp Oran by the forearm in greeting, he moved with the feline grace of a predator. His very aura demanded respect and screamed command.

But none of this was what made Kari’s heart stop and jump into his throat.

The man was an alpha. That changed everything.

Perhaps it was because both Oran and Enid were betas that Kari was lulled into a false sense of security. Most of the world’s population were betas. A far smaller but still notable percentage were alphas. There were few omegas like Kari since they were relatively rare.

Back in his home village, there had only been one other omega that Kari had met- a soft-spoken, sweet girl. He had always been warned to watch out for greedy alphas. He had learned why soon enough and it had only been even more obvious during his brief stint in the army.

He was being given as an omegan pleasure slave to an alpha.

Suddenly his plans of escape seemed like the dim daydreams of a wilful child. He was brought back to the chilling reality by the sound of voices. Lezzker’s, Kari noted dully, was far deeper than Oran’s and made something twist deep inside of himself. He shivered, uncomfortable with the feeling.

“I would speak with you alone, if I may.” Oran’s voice was soft and gentle. A deceptive tone for such a conniving man.

The alpha nodded and gestured for their escort to leave. The two men stood silently observing the other while they waited for the soft click of the door to indicate the man’s departure.

“Now, what business do you have with me that my steward could not be present for, Oran?”

“I brought a little gift. One I’m sure that you will be exceedingly interested in.” Kari could almost hear the greedy smirk he was sure adorned the beta’s face. He shot a glare at the man’s back from the depths of his hood.

“Really now? And just what would a notorious pleasure slave trader have with me who has no outward interest in such things?”

Oran moved around to stand behind Kari. “I brought a perfect little treat for you. Young with soft skin, pretty blue eyes, and silver ash-colored hair. A little omega that is completely untouched and ready for training with a wilful spirit that I was sorely tempted to beat out of him. I’ll leave his discipline to your capable hands though.”

“And somehow, that makes you think I would wish to purchase him?”

“Ah, not purchase. He is all yours. A gift from myself.” Kari felt Oran’s hands on his shoulders and tensed.

“Oh? And what, pray tell, is the catch? Surely you wouldn’t come all the way here personally to gift me with a pretty omega. The bragging rights for you, if I were to show at court with one of your slaves, is not worth so much.”

“This is a gift to clear all debts between us.” The alpha’s eyebrows jumped in surprise. “How about I show you the offer?”

Kari squeaked as Oran disrobed him in one grand movement.

He wrapped his arms around his naked form and felt the tell-tale heat suffuse his cheeks. He could feel the alpha’s gaze burning into his flesh and kept his eyes riveted on the plush carpet at his feet. Oran’s arms reached around his left elbow showing his delicate silver tattoo that adorned his left wrist. The omega risked looking up and found the man’s golden eyes locked on his tattoo.

“How the hell did you get hold of an Aithyean Daiyan?” the alpha exclaimed, clearly shocked. Whatever he had expected, it was not Kari.

“Such an exotic treasure, isn’t he?” Smug satisfaction laced the beta's tone. “He was brought to me half dead, an extra thrown in because the people who picked him up didn’t want him on their hands anymore. Imagine my surprise when the hideous scarring on his wrist changed as he healed. It was soon very obvious what he was. To me, at least. I doubt many would understand the implication of such marking. I knew you would though. And look how he blushes under your stare, isn’t he precious?”

Ryedir’s gaze moved higher and he locked eyes with Kari. The omega quickly grew uncomfortable under such a heated gaze and his eyes slid away. He could feel his cheeks heating up even more. Oran’s words made him all the more aware of his naked state. He was exposed and up for inspection like a prime piece of meat.

“So, Prince Lezzker, how about a gift to clear all debt?”

The alpha took a moment to reply. “I’m surprised you brought him to me and didn’t sell him on the free market. You would stand to make far more than even your debt with me is worth.”

“I considered that,” Oran admitted. “But that would just end with another broken useless Daiyan, don’t you agree? This way I clear my debts with you and perhaps you can be the first Niamrean to tame a wild little Daiyan to your hand. I would be very interested to learn what this one can do. You might be interested to learn that he was found near the location of our halted forward advance. Now, do you accept my exotic little gift?”

Ryedir nodded slowly, his eyes still looking over Kari’s frame. “Yes. All your debts to me are paid upon this exchange and we are once more working upon a clean slate,” he intoned formally.

“Excellent.” Oran moved out from behind Kari and stepped forward holding out a small plain box to Ryedir. “A symbol to seal the exchange.”

Kari could not see what was inside from where he stood rooted in place and the man’s face gave nothing away. They two clasped each other’s forearms again and Oran saw himself out. The beta looked like a cat who got both the cream and the bird.

The omega was left standing naked and vulnerable in the middle of a strange man’s study. In front of him was the large and imposing figure of his new master.

He shifted uncomfortably under the unreadable stare and wished that Oran hadn’t taken the cloak with him. He didn’t feel the cold like normal people did but that intense gaze boring into his skin once again sent shivers down his spine. He wanted to sink through the floor and away from those burning eyes.

“So, little omega.” Kari glanced up again from his further inspection of the carpet. “You have a choice to make.” The man held up a white leather collar that he had pulled from the small box.

“You can become mine in all ways- I will mate and bond you, or you can be sold as an exotic little pleasure slave to the local brothels. I will have you willingly or you will be broken so that no one can have you. You have until your next heat to decide.”