Content Warning: Mature content

"Y-You have a piercing?.." Zayden asked.

Ren looked down, then at his nipples, before nodding.

"Is something wrong?"

Zayden swallowed hard and shook his head. He wasn’t going to ruin the moment he had been waiting for by asking questions about the small metallic rings glinting on Ren’s skin.

Right?

Where—and why—did he even get them?

He could only imagine, slowly lowering his hand over Ren’s already swollen bulge.

"Finally," he breathed.

"If you wanted this so badly, why did you keep resisting?" Ren murmured, pulling him closer, wrapping his arms around Zayden’s neck.

Zayden smiled against Ren’s throat, kissing the warm skin there. His fingertips traced down Ren’s stomach, grazing the omega’s hard cock through the fabric.

Ren let out a helpless moan despite himself—soft—his cheeks flushed a deeper red than they already were. He was the one who had pulled Zayden into the room, but letting those sounds escape still made his heart race, and made him embarrassed.

The alpha didn’t stop. Before Ren even noticed, Zayden had unbuttoned and unzipped his pants, pushing them and his underwear down in one smooth motion.

Ren instinctively covered himself, gaze rising to Zayden with a mix of shyness the alpha never imagined.

Zayden chuckled softly and kissed him again—slow, hungrily as if trying to claim him.

"You are so adorable."

Ren’s hands fell to Zayden’s shoulders as the alpha deepened the kiss.

Zayden’s palm drifted down again... but this time he didn’t stop at Ren’s length. His hand slid lower, between Ren’s thighs. The moment his fingers brushed Ren’s entrance, they were already damp with slick.

Ren gasped into his mouth, his knees almost giving out.

"Already?" Zayden whispered, voice low with hunger. "You’re dripping..."

The omega grabbed the front of his shirt, breath unsteady.

"I told you," he murmured, eyes half-lidded. "Dominant alphas make me like this..."

Zayden’s thumb stroked over the slick again, slow yet a little more aggressive.

"Alphas?" he demanded, his voice sharp.

The omega’s body responded instantly, heat pounding and his hole opening for this man purely on instinct.

"N-No, I mean... you," Ren corrected, a few tears forming at the corner of his eyes from the rising heat of his body, his vision blurry.

"Good. I should be the only one you react like this to," Zayden said, voice tight, possessive, but unbearably gentle.

Ren’s answer was a breathless whisper. "You already are."

Zayden smiled, lowering himself until he faced the omega’s swollen cock. He gently licked the skin, then the tip, and soon he put it in his mouth.

"W-Wait!" Ren gasped, covering his face with both hands.

With one hand, the alpha held Ren’s cock, sucking on it, while with his other hand he removed the omega’s hands from his face.

"Let me see your face," he whispered.

"D-Don’t speak!..." The omega’s toes curled, his face turning crimson red.

Zayden’s fingers brushed the entrance of Ren’s hole for a moment as the alpha sucked his cock. Then, as soon as Zayden slipped a finger in, Ren let out a loud moan.

Another finger inside.

"Z-Zayden," another moan followed.

Lewd sounds filled the room along with Ren’s relentless moans. The omega’s hands ran through Zayden’s hair, gently caressing it as he pulled the man’s head closer, deeper, until he came.

Zayden pulled away, wiping off the white liquid with a grin on his face.

"I didn’t expect you to force me like that," he chuckled, swallowing the liquid.

Ren gasped, quickly sitting on his knees on the bed.

"I-I am sorry! But why do you drink that?!—You should have spit it out."

Letting out a soft laugh, Zayden cupped his lover’s face in his palms.

"Relax. I was just messing with you," he smiled, reassuring the man. Then he licked his lips. "And it was tasty."

"Well then... now, your turn—" Ren said, but Zayden immediately stood up.

The omega frowned, confused.

"What’s wrong?"

"Nothing. But... I will handle this on my own," Zayden replied, pointing at his boner.

Ren tilted his head to the side, confused.

"Let me help you."

"No," Zayden shook his head. "I’m afraid I won’t be able to control myself tonight. This will go away soon," he grinned, as brightly as he could, although his boner had been paining him.

"But—"

"I’m fine, Ren. I just wanted to give you some pleasure. We can continue this another time."

Having said so, Zayden dashed out of the room as if he were running for his life, leaving the omega naked on the bed.

"You could have at least..." Ren sighed. Then he shook his head. Maybe Zayden was hurting because of his boner. After all, as a man, he could understand that much.

A low, quiet laugh left his mouth.

How adorable of him to prioritize me over himself.

Alphas weren’t like that. If they were given such a chance, they wouldn’t have wasted another minute before ravaging an omega without considering their mental state.

Ren had rushed things, and maybe that was why Zayden didn’t want to go all the way this time.

***

No matter how beautiful snow is, it still becomes ice once the rain falls. Even the softest thing turns hard once it survives enough storms.

The long-awaited day had finally arrived. Rihaan stepped into the banquet hall—vast and grand, adorned with fresh flowers. Gigantic chandeliers hung from the ceiling, illuminating every noble that stood beneath their glow.

But tonight, all Rihaan felt was darkness. It was as if every shadow in the world had fallen over him. No light could brighten his life if this engagement truly happened.

In Devraay, an engagement held the same weight as a marriage. Once the commitment was made, it was nearly impossible to break—unless there was an extreme, undeniable reason. But love would never count as a critical reason.

Not to his father.

Not to his kingdom. There, they believed marriage was a holy act—a privilege reserved for the fortunate. They called it the purest connection between two people.

However, was it truly such a noble act?

To force someone against their will into a life of unhappiness, where love had no place between the two people bound together?

Just then, the sudden sound of applause snapped him back to his senses. He had been wandering aimlessly around the hall, barely registering anyone who greeted him.

When he turned, he found Soren—dressed in the traditional attire of his kingdom. A short top ending just above his navel, a thin veil covering his mouth, the fabric draping loosely over his arms.

For a moment, Rihaan couldn’t take his eyes off the ethereal-looking man. Surely, he was beautiful. But he quickly shook his head. It was normal to find someone attractive—marrying them was another matter entirely.

When Rihaan took a step toward Soren, a firm grip tightened around his arm. He frowned and turned, only to find his father glaring at him.

"Was locking you up not enough? Keep quiet and finish the ring exchange without causing unnecessary trouble," his father hissed. Although his tone remained controlled, fury laced every word.

Rihaan let out a short, defiant huff and pulled his arm free. He ignored his father completely and walked toward Soren—and toward the imperial family accompanying him: the Emperor, the Empress, the Queen, the Imperial General, his partner, and their son.

Their outfits were perfectly coordinated, every detail matched in silver and gold.

They all looked beautiful, one more than the other.

Even the crowd grew silent as Rihaan approached. Only the music echoed faintly in the distance, a delicate melody that felt strangely cruel.

Soren saw him coming, hazel eyes focused on him as if no one else in the room existed. Had he not known the truth, he would have mistaken that gaze for love.

"Your Imperial Highness," he greeted softly.

Rihaan nodded, tugging a polite smile on his lips.

For a breath, they only stood there. The world continued around them, unaware of the heaviness between the two men.

Rihaan spoke finally, voice low. "There is something I need to discuss with you."

Soren nodded, a cold expression masking his unease.

"Of course."

He had to accept. Otherwise, the nobles who might have overheard would spread gossip.

"Privately." Rihaan’s eyes flicked toward the dark blue curtains behind which the terrace was. "On the terrace."

A flicker of surprise crossed Soren’s face, but he nodded. "Alright then."

Rihaan turned and walked away, moving through the crowd without sparing anyone a glance. The nobles parted for him like water as he stepped outside, the cold evening air brushing against his skin.

The terrace was quiet. Lanterns lined in a row, casting a soft glow over the snow below. The night sky felt larger than the hall. Perhaps large enough to hide himself. He leaned against the railing, letting the chill settle over him.

Behind him, the doors closed. Soren’s footsteps echoed across the marble floor as he approached.

"Your Imperial Highness," Rihaan said without turning. His voice was calm, but something trembled beneath. "Please. Cancel this engagement."

Soren remained silent. All this time, he had been repeating these words countless times. But this time, it seemed there was a lot of force.