Chapter Text
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“What is that?” Mydei asks as his gaze falls upon the filthy creature restrained by the guards. They have barged into his private quarters unannounced and with too much fanfare. By the wretched smell assaulting his nose, he can instantly tell they’ve brought him an omega, but he will feign ignorance for now, gauge as much information out of them as he can.
“A gift from your father,” one of the guards says, and Mydei arches a fine brow.
“A gift from the King? How kind. Might you explain, though, why my gift is hissing?”
~
In the land of Amphoreus it is a well known fact that the people of Castrum Kremnos are proud alpha warriors. They are strong without equal, proud as well, their noble bloodlines continued through formidable unions. The crown prince, Mydeimos, the most renowned amongst them all, is second only to his father, the King. But on the battlefield, Mydei’s undefeated, rallying his men toward victories.
As celebrated as his prowess and strength, his disdain for omegas is equally well known.
~
The guard flushes at his question, making Mydei chuckle at this spectacle of foolery.
“So my father has gifted me a wild beast?” He studies the creature brought before him. Instead of being perfumed and dressed in silks, it looks as though it’s been dragged from a swamp — face smeared with dirt, clothes torn, hair a tangled mess of dull grey. It’s… unremarkable, until their eyes meet, and Mydei’s struck by the iciest blue he’s ever seen.
Cold, defiant and deadly.
“The King sees it fit to send his son a challenge.”
“Oh, so this isn’t a declaration of war?”
Of course his father would find the most feral, most unmanageable creature to send him as a “gift.”
“And what, exactly, warrants the honor of me receiving such a precious thing?” Mydei sets aside the report in his hands; clearly no further work will get done. He moves, circling the creature slowly, its vibrant blues eyes following his every step.
Oh, this omega holds no love for him. There’s nothing but disdain in that gaze.
“The king wishes for his son to prove himself not only on the battlefield but also in court. He demands your attendance at the upcoming celebration — together with the companion he has so graciously provided.”
Mydei chuckles, a sardonic smile on his lips. “Oh, father, what a ridiculous man you are. If you cannot orchestrate my downfall in a battle, you will look for trivial victories elsewhere.”
It seems the King has grown more delusional the longer Mydei has been away. The more his popularity surges, the tighter the grip of fear on the old man’s heart. His father wants him dead, has wanted him dead since his birth, and it’s never been much of a secret. It’s why he took an alpha as his Queen, hopeful she would not bear him heirs.
Yet fate has a funny way of defying expectations, and Mydei was born, strong and resilient. His father had tried every trick up his sleeve to undermine him and his reputation. But fear blinds even the greatest of men, and the old King cannot see the truth. By sending Mydei to fight his wars, he has handed him the loyalty of his troops.
~
The prince thinks omegas meek, submissive things and the very sight of them repulses him.
It is well known that the King adores them greatly, keeps a couple of them at his feet. They are dressed in gaudy clothes and put on display, changing every couple of weeks. Mydei despises the very notion of it, clashing many of times with his father.
~
Still, within the city walls, the old King holds power. There he sows deceit and distrust, ensnaring his son in tangled webs of lies. So it’s no surprise when Mydei returns — battered, exhausted and in no mood for games — he finds guards and an omega in his quarters.
“Inform the King that I will not be accepting this generous ‘gift’ of his.”
The omega snarls, loud and hateful, drawing Mydei’s attention towards him. He can’t deny a flicker of curiosity, yet he has neither the time nor patience for such nonsense. The northern border demands his attention far more than this creature does.
“What shall we do, then?” a guard ask, clearly dreading the thought of hauling the omega back. If the wounds on his face are an indications, the wild beast has put up quite the fight.
“I do not care for what happens to it,” Mydei replies with a dismissive wave, “set it free for all I care. Or bring it back to wherever you found it.”
“The King was very specific,” the guard stammers, growing more restless with every word. “This omega is not to be let free. His Majesty seems to be quite fond of it.”
“Even better!” Mydei snaps, rolling his shoulders, to ease the stiffness. “Send it back right to his Majesty and consider the whole matter settled.”
He craves nothing more than a hot bath, to relax and wash away the blood and grime. He is not going to play his father’s games, he will pay the price for disobedience later.
The guard hesitate but, seeing the prince’s patience spent, moves to grab the omega by its collar.
“No!”
Mydei freezes.
Oh, so it can talk?
He cannot recall ever hearing one speak — let alone shout at a guard. They never talk, they never disobey, and they always wait for their master’s orders.
“Let me fight you,” the omega demands, those blue eyes piercing through to his soul. And, for the very first time in a long time, Mydei does not know what to answer.
Fight?
Is the creature mad?
How dare he make such an absurd proposal.
“You want to fight… me?”
The omega glares. “You… or whoever you deem worthy. Let me fight. Grant me this wish. Guarantee my safety if I win.”
Mydei, still too stunned to speak, regards the omega in utter silence. A strange thrill sparks in his chest, he has never seen one of its kind fight. He would be lying if he said he wasn’t at least a bit curious of its prowess.
Yet he also knows his father — shrewd, ruthless, calculating — has sent this creature to him for a reason. Can he discern what it is in those defiant, blue eyes?
Is this omega truly untamable? Not even by the King himself? Was he sent to Mydei as a punishment? As revenge? Or, maybe… temptation? How little must the King think of him if that’s the reason why it’s been brought to him.
“Fine,” Mydei says at last, tone final, looking from the omega to the guards. “I shall accept this ridiculous challenge. Tell my father I’m deeply grateful for his ‘gift’.”
~
They say Mydeimos takes after his mother, a proud and veracious alpha. And when the King, half mad with fear of more heirs, had plunged a knife in her back, he had sealed his own fate of demise, bringing forth the foretold prophecy.
For he is to be cut down by his own son, in an act of bravery, not revenge.
~
The guards, visibly relieved, depart in haste.
As the door behind them closes, Mydei circles the captive beast, dropping to one knee for a closer look.
The omega’s features are caked in filth, his hair the colour of dusty grey. Mydei can tell he is well proportioned — long legs, well defined muscles, a balanced frame. Probably good for bearing children, not that he would care for those. Mydei does not plan on having heirs, he’ll let this cursed bloodline end with him.
The eyes of the omega are its most striking feature, sparkling like finely polished gemstones. He sees why his father may have wanted to keep it. Too bad, he’s not giving it back.
“So, you want to fight me?” Mydei asks as he reaches out, hand steady. The creature snarls as he moves to seize its neck, making Mydei stop in his tracks. He was of the impression that omegas relished being kept in a possessive hold, but this one seems downright murderous, like it’d rather rip his hand off.
“Don’t you touch me,” the omega warns, baring teeth with intent. Mydei would have to be a fool to take it as an empty threat.
“I mean you no harm,” he explains.
The omega laughs, bitter and sharp. “As if I’d ever believe a prince.”
Mydei rears back as if burned. The hateful tone stings his pride. He has done no wrong to its kind, so why is the omega snarling at him?
“I should have let them take you back to my father.”
“No.” The omega shakes its head, gaze unwavering, as if it has a say in this matter. “You are a more honourable man, I know that you will give me a chance. You or any of your men, I do not care for who it is. If they win, they can do as they please. If I win, you grant me protection. And,” it’s voice falls to a whisper, “a promise to not touch me without my permission.”
“Don’t flatter yourself,” Mydei spits. “I wouldn’t touch you even with your permission. It would have to be mad to want to embrace such a hateful creature.”
“Ha!” the omega spits back, mocking. “So you say, but once you alphas are in rut, you’re all no better than—”
“Enough!” Mydei roars. “Don’t you dare to finish that sentence or any deal you’re hoping to strike is gone. I’ll throw you out on the streets and see how long you survive on your own.”
“Setting me free is meant to be a threat?”
“You have no idea what awaits you out there,” Mydei rubs at his eyes, weary. He wants this to end, he wants his bath. He wants this creature to stop snarling at him. “You wouldn’t make it past the city gates before you’d be restrained by the guards. If I know my father, and I know him well, he’s already put a bounty on your head.”
The omega falls silent, those blue eyes dropping to the ground, thoughtful, calculating. It’s suddenly observing Mydei’s carpets as if they are the most curios thing in the world. Mydei can almost hear the gears turning in the omega’s head. Then, unexpectedly, it lowers itself, sitting down on its heels.
A clear act of submission.
“I... apologise,” it says, smiling at him. Mydei blinks in surprise. “I did not intend to anger you when you extend your hand to me in kindness. All I ask from you,” it looks up, something wicked underneath that gaze, “is that you give me a fair chance to prove myself. Let me fight, let me show you my strength. I’ll submit to any of your requests if you win, I’ll do it even if you lose, just promise me protection from your father, the King. Do not send me back to him.”
The omega quiets then, biting its lip, the words fading into hesitation.
”Does that— does that seem like a fair deal, my Prince?”
It really does not, Mydei thinks, yet it’s not like he’s sending the omega back. He is not such a cruel man to condemn a man to such a fate. While the look in those sapphires is defiant, underneath there’s also resides fear. The omega is terrified of his father and Mydei would rather not find out why.
“Fine.” He extends his hand, feeling somewhat placated. “You have my word, I’ll let you fight.”
The omega looks at his hand, confused, unsure of what to make of it. Finally, he takes it and Mydei pulls it to its feet, their faces now level as their eyes meet. The omega is quite tall, he did not expect it, nothing like the frail creatures he’s seen before. Its hands are rough and calloused, clearly from wielding a weapon of some sorts. Its face, though smudged with blood and dirt, holds a semblance of handsomeness beneath the grime.
“My name is Phainon,” the omega says, squeezing Mydei’s hand tightly. “Remember it well, for it will be the last name you speak if you break the promise you’ve made.”
How ridiculous. Mydei barks out a laugh. Oh, this is going to be entertaining.
~
Respected by warriors, adored by people, the heir is destined to ascend the throne. Rule the lands of Castrum Kremnos and usher in a new age of prosperity.
However, what the prophecy has not foretold, is that there will be an omega by his side.
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tbc