At dawn, the Beaumont brothers set off with their prisoner. It was the first Arlen had seen or entered an airship. Such inventions were best pioneered by the people of Damaris. Candor had its fleet, but Claude kept him away from such technology for his sake. Luca continued to harbour the omega in his bunker during their three days journey in the skies. Axel felt like a third wheel to the suspense that refused to fade. The omega had his eyes on the ground the entire time they sat together to eat, and Luca was constantly stealing glances at him. To an extent, Axel was amused because Luca did not realise he was being watched. Each time they made a stop, the prisoner became Luca's responsibility- glued to each other through and through. On the second day, Axel became invested. Luca had described the youngster as talkative, but Julius had not said much so far. Not to rebuke, rant, mock, or plead. "Julius." Arlen's heart clenched when a soothing voice called out a name he had borrowed

"Julius, have a seat." Axel pointed a spot beside his brother. Arlen was uneasy but said nothing after the greeting. "Im glad you came; we were just talking about you," said the second Prince. The omega did not find that amusing. "In two weeks, Princes, Princesses and elites from across Slora will troop in to continue their studies. My father has agreed to let you join a class." Axel went straight to the point. Arlen remained silent, his eyes fixed on Axel, pretending the Crown Prince was not beside him. Axel took matters into his hands when his brother continued to behave hostilely. "Julius, would you be kind enough to grind some ink for me? I prefer the old-fashioned way to modern pens and whatnot," he said. "Sure," Arlen folded his sleeves over his wrist and got to work. Luca's expression tightened, staring at the omega's hand. Axel smirked discreetly when his brother's plain face twitched into a visible frown. If Luca did not care, he should not be mad at a couple of cuts and

The training ground was two hundred and eighty yards long and two-thirty in width, enclosed by an egg-shaped roof a hundred feet high. A maximum of three classes could practice at a time, depending on the level of activity. When Luca gave them the order to demonstrate what they learnt the previous week with a short duel, both students hesitated. David had no interest in fighting anyone, and Arlen knew it. "Just follow my lead, attack, and I'll try to block you," Arlen whispered. "What! I can't do that." David's eyes widened. "Are you two going to take all day to fight?" Luca's voice was as stern as his Aunt's. "Just trust me on this." Arlen winked at his friend. And so David drew his sword. The fight had not begun, yet everyone knew who would lose. There was no confidence in Conri's grip on that weapon, and his footing was all wrong. Yet when he charged at the omega, there was a different result altogether. Arlen played defence, making it seem he was at the losing end. For a mom

"You're that soldier from Ingram?" "Conri..." Arlen's voice shut out like a cork was stuck in his throat. So much that his eyes watered. "Why didn't you tell me?" David did not sound pleased. On his way to the auditorium, he forgot to hand Arlen the snacks they bought, so he came back. But now he wasn't sure anymore. "It's okay. I won't tell anyone." "Yo...you're not angry?" "No. I am shocked and feel a little betrayed, but I can't blame you for hiding such a heavy secret. Is Julius even your real name?" That question hit too close to home, and Arlen felt it. A silent strand of tear slid down the left side of the omega's face. At that point in time, he should have told David who he was, but fear got the best of him. Arlen was overwhelmed when David walked up to him with knitted brows. "You don't have to answer that. I don't mind. You're not a bad person Jules. And even if you were, it has nothing to do with our pact, right?" "But...why?" Arlen did not understand how a person f

Arlen's whole world was centred on a kiss. The attention he received from Luca was marked by love and lust, a game played with body and pheromones. "Pffft! For a second, I thought you were serious about having me as a snack.""I was not joking.""Haha! You're Luca. You can't even stand hearing the word 'sex'. Your ears redden, and you start to stutter.""..." Luca shut the omega up with his mouth, kissing so roughly the other fell short of air. "Luca...wait." Arlen put pressure on Luca's chest.In their natural world, there were standards. To win a mate, an alpha would exhibit traits and use his appealing features to enchant an omega of choice. Their eyes glowed like stars, and their bodies appeared larger- amongst other things. Arlen was mesmerized when Luca popped out a pair of pointy ears covered in fur. "Your splendour has long won my heart, your Highness. You don't have to morph to impress me.""I have to make you want me as much as I want you," Luca said.Arlen wriggled like