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The party was growing increasingly dull, as it always did—noble ladies gossiping in hushed tones while noble men droned on about their latest ventures. I felt out of place and uncomfortable, not to mention overwhelmed by the potent pheromones wafting through the air. Pheromones are subtle yet captivating scents that enhance one’s presence, drawing others in with an irresistible allure. They blend with your unique chemistry, creating a magnetic effect that feels organic and effortless, evoking curiosity and attraction without being overpowering. But when it comes to an Alpha and an Omega, those pheromones become even more potent, almost intoxicating.
“I just want to go home,” I thought, feeling trapped. But my so-called fiancé wouldn’t want that, nor would my father, who was hell-bent on me marrying the Crown Prince of the empire. If only he knew how I felt…
Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t notice my sister, Iris, approaching me in the secluded corner where I had placed myself.
“Lucian, why are you all by yourself again?” she sighed, her expression a mix of concern and frustration.
“You should be beside the prince, showing your face and getting accustomed to your duties as the future queen of the empire!”
“Oh please, sister, I’ve had enough of this party as it is. I don’t need you nagging in my ear about the duties of a future queen! I never wanted this, and I never will.”
“Lucian, you have to realize that we all have our roles in the family. You are an Omega male—a rare kind—and the Royal Family personally proposed marriage to you! You, the son of a Duke! The sooner you accept that you have no choice but to marry the prince, the better. Get your act together.”
She shook her head in disappointment and stormed off, keeping her social smile while chatting with the other noble ladies. Iris had always been like that. Ever since our mother—a fellow Omega—died, she had taken it upon herself to act like a mother and nag me incessantly.
I stared into the golden champagne in my hands, letting my thoughts roam free. I never imagined I would be one of those people marrying for political reasons. My world turned upside down when we received a letter from the royal palace stating that the Crown Prince wished to marry me. My father and sister were overjoyed, of course, but I felt trapped. Why would I be happy? I didn’t know the prince, had no idea what he was like, and I couldn’t shake the fear that he might be one of those pompous and prideful royals I had read about in stories late at night.
This was our second meeting with the royals, and it just had to be at a party. I looked up and caught sight of the Crown Prince, Aleron—golden hair, piercing blue eyes—the very embodiment of royalty. He was an Alpha, a dominant one at that. I could see the envious gazes of ladies and the lustful looks of a few male Omegas around him. He was built like a tank, 6’2″, with a body that would put gods to shame, all encased in his official attire. Yes, he was undeniably attractive, exuding a powerful, commanding aura.
But no matter how I looked at him, my decision stood firm: I did not want this marriage. Did I even have a say in the matter? No, because I was merely a weak Omega, and my father had the final say in the household.
Our eyes met, and he held my gaze as he excused himself from the officials he had been speaking with. He began walking toward me, and I tried my best to hide deeper in the shadows. “Stupid,” I thought, as a whiff of his intoxicating pheromones reached me.
Imagine a scent that combines warm amber, soft vanilla, and a hint of musk, creating a smooth, sensual base. Lightly layered with fresh bergamot and a whisper of jasmine, it gave off an airy brightness. This was a scent that felt both comforting and intoxicating—subtle enough to intrigue yet distinct enough to leave a lasting impression. As he got closer, the scent intensified, and all I wanted was to be out of there because his pheromones smelled better than anything I had ever encountered.
“Lucian, you look dashing tonight,” he said, a smile lighting up his face as he kept his eyes locked on me.
I placed my unfinished champagne onto a silver tray held by a passing servant. “I greet you, Your Highness, the Crown Prince,” I said, bowing curtly to him out of respect before retorting, “But I must say, I guess even royalty can have poor taste.”
“Ah, perhaps,” he replied smoothly, “but I suppose you are not as blind as I thought.”
I looked up at Aleron and caught a smile full of mockery. His expression held no sincerity. It baffled me; during our first meeting, we had barely spoken. My father and sister had done all the talking while Aleron, the king, and the queen chatted amongst themselves. I hadn’t felt the need to butt in, and God knew I never wanted to be there in the first place.
Not wanting to give up, I shot back, “Blindness might be preferable to being tied to this betrothal.”
I stared straight into his eyes, needing him to understand that just because he was a royal didn’t mean I would bow to him easily. I knew he sensed my reluctance to accept his proposal. My plan had never been to marry at this age. I wanted to travel the world, marry someone I loved, and live in a small cabin in a quaint town. But all those dreams had been foiled by this so-called Crown Prince.
Aleron didn’t lose his smile; he seemed unfazed by my sharp retort. “Keep in mind that I am also being forced into this marriage. Stop acting like you are the only one suffering.”
I noticed Lord Eldric, Aleron’s advisor, approaching. Probably here to pass on some information or such.
“My lord,” he greeted me before turning to the prince and whispering something in his ear before disappearing into the crowd.
“I hope you enjoy the rest of the party, my betrothed. As you can see, the king is already calling for me. I do not wish to leave you all by yourself, but I must go.”
He took my right hand and placed a gentle kiss on it. I watched him walk away, feeling the warmth of his lips linger on my skin. I knew all too well that the kiss was merely a farce to maintain appearances. It didn’t take long for me to realize that others were staring. I held the hand he had kissed, feeling a strange sensation coursing through me. His words echoed in my mind; knowing that the man I was to marry didn’t even want me in any way felt comical and ironic.
But deep down, I sensed Aleron’s reluctance as well. He didn’t want this marriage any more than I did. Yet here we were, bound by duty and expectation.
I always covered my eyes with my black hair, blending into the crowd. I was average at most, the son of Duke Vallen. I couldn’t let my heart be trampled just because a bored prince sought to conquer me and claim me as his trophy husband. I knew how these things worked. Though I might not have a say in the marriage, I sure wouldn’t give in as easily as anyone wanted.
As I stood there, feeling the eyes of the crowd on me, I pondered what the future held. This betrothal felt like a noose tightening around my neck, each expectation and obligation a heavy weight I had to bear. I wanted to scream out that I was more than just a pawn in a political game, that I had dreams and desires beyond this gilded cage.
But who would listen? My father was too consumed by ambition, and my sister was too entrenched in her own role as a dutiful daughter to understand the turmoil I felt. I stole another glance at Aleron as he conversed with his father, the king, his laughter ringing like silver bells. The image of him looking so carefree stung sharply. Here was a man with all the power in the world, yet he, too, was trapped by duty.
I shook my head, trying to dispel the conflicting feelings swirling within me. I had fought against this marriage with every ounce of my being, but now it seemed futile. The reality settled in my chest like a stone—I was going to marry the prince, whether I wanted to or not. Acceptance washed over me, but it brought no comfort.
I drew in a deep breath, grounding myself in the reality of my situation. This was not the life I had envisioned for myself. As the music swelled and the guests twirled gracefully across the dance floor, I took a step back, seeking the shadows once more. I didn’t want to be just a pawn; I wanted to live life on my own terms. But it seemed those terms had been dictated long before I even understood what it meant to have a choice.
I watched as couples danced, their laughter echoing around me, and a sense of melancholy enveloped me. Aleron and I would soon be bound together, our lives entwined by duty, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was losing a part of myself in the process.
Yet, in that moment of resignation, I also felt a flicker of determination. While I couldn’t change the circumstances, I could still choose how to navigate this new chapter of my life. Perhaps I could find a way to carve out some small piece of freedom within this constraint, to discover who I was beyond the title of the Crown Prince’s fiancé.
With that thought lingering in my mind, I stepped away from the shadows and into the light, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. I might not have the power to change my fate, but I could still find a way to make my voice heard, even in a world that sought to silence me.
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