Chapter Five: The Omega's Fate

Kaelia’s second day as Prince Alarion’s personal assistant dawned with a knot of anxiety tighter than the laces of her new boots. The boots, a gift from her mother to replace her worn-out servant’s shoes, felt like lead weights anchoring her to the ground. Everything felt too new, too grand, too… exposed.

She’d barely slept, the Prince’s face, framed by the moon, replaying in her mind like a forbidden melody. The memory of Alarion calling her name sent shivers down her spine, a phantom touch more intoxicating than any drug.

She arrived outside the Prince’s antechamber, a massive oak door etched with the royal crest, precisely five minutes early. She adjusted her tunic, smoothing out imaginary wrinkles, and swallowed hard. She was about to knock when she heard voices and approaching footsteps, and for some reason, Kaelia’s head asked her to hide behind the large piller.

"She's utterly unsuitable, Mother. A commoner plucked from the kitchens? Alarion is the Crown Prince, not a charity case." That was Prince Casian, Alarion's younger brother, his voice dripping with honeyed venom.

Kaelia froze, her hand hovering in mid-air. She shouldn't be eavesdropping, but her feet felt rooted to the spot.

"I agree, Casian. The girl is… insignificant. Alarion is simply going through a phase. This whim will pass. Once he finds a suitable mate, this… Kaelia will be forgotten. I believe his mate wouldn't let him keep peasants around him." That was the Luna, her voice cool and dismissive, laced with an undercurrent of steel.

Kaelia's heart plummeted. She knew she was out of his depth, a fish gasping for air in a royal pond, but hearing it confirmed so bluntly was like a punch to the gut.

"He needs guidance, Mother. Alarion always was… sentimental. Perhaps a gentle reminder of his duties and expectations?" Casian's voice suggested something vaguely sinister, and Kaelia felt a prickle of unease.

"Leave it to me, Casian. Alarion understands his responsibilities. He will choose wisely. He always does." Luna's tone brooked no argument.

“You suddenly want him to find a mate so bad? I thought you adored me.” Casian said surprising Kaelia. He doesn't want his own brother to find a mate?

“Of course, I adore you, my capable Alpha son. He certainly won't be doing that anytime soon and the moment you get an heir, there'd be no chances of him being your father's successor and you, my dear, would be the Alpha King instead of him.”

“Now that's my mother speaking.”

Kaelia was left dumbfounded. She can't believe her ears. It seems Prince Alarion's mother, the Luna, doesn't like Prince Alarion very much. She clearly has a favorite and it's Prince Casian.

Kaelia, finally breaks free from her paralysis as they walked by, far away enough to not notice her. She rapped lightly on the door.

"Come in," Alarion's deep voice rumbled, and Kaelia pushed the door open, forcing a polite smile.

Alarion was seated at a large desk cluttered with documents, his brow furrowed in concentration. He looked up, his eyes, the colour of a stormy sea, meeting Kaelia’s. The brief flicker of warmth in his gaze sent a jolt through Kaelia, quickly followed by a fresh wave of anxiety.

"Good morning, Kaelia. Are those reports on the Northern territories compiled yet?"

"Yes, Your Highness," Kaelia replied, her voice a little too high-pitched for her liking. She placed the neatly stacked documents on the desk, careful not to meet Alarion's eyes. "I also brewed you some tea. I believe you prefer chamomile in the mornings?"

Alarion raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement playing around his lips. "Very attentive, Kaelia. Thank you."

The day crawled by. Kaelia navigated the labyrinthine corridors of the palace, running errands, delivering messages, and trying to anticipate Alarion's needs. She felt like a puppet dancing on strings, constantly aware of the scrutinizing eyes of the other courtiers. She was an outsider, a pretender, and everyone knew it.

She kept replaying the conversation she had overheard, the Luna's dismissive words echoing in her mind. Insignificant. ‘Alarion is simply going through a phase.’ She was a fool to even entertain the slightest hope. Alarion was a Prince, destined for greatness, and she was… Kaelia, a nobody with a secret that could shatter her life.

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the palace gardens, Kaelia found herself summoned to the Luna's private chambers. Her stomach clenched.

She bowed deeply before the queen, her heart pounding against her ribs. "You summoned me, Your Majesty?"

The Luna sat on a plush velvet chaise lounge, her expression cool and unreadable. Casian stood beside her, a smug smirk playing on his lips. “What is your name?”

“Kealia. Your Majesty.”

"Kaelia," the Luna said, her voice sharp. "I understand you are now assisting my son, Alarion."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Kaelia kept her gaze fixed on the patterned rug at her feet.

"You seem… ambitious for a kitchen servant."

Kaelia’s breath hitched. “I… I only wish to serve the Prince to the best of my ability, Your Majesty.”

Casian chuckled softly. “Indeed. Serving the Prince in what capacity, exactly?”

The implication hung heavy in the air. Kaelia felt a flush creep up her neck.

"I am merely performing the duties assigned to me, Your Highness," she stammered.

"See that you remember your place, Kaelia," the Luna warned, her eyes narrowing. "Alarion has certain responsibilities, expectations he must fulfill. Do not presume to… distract him from them."

Before Kaelia could respond, Alarion strode into the room, his expression thunderous.

"Mother, Casian," he greeted them stiffly. "What is the meaning of this?"

"We were merely offering the girl some… guidance, Alarion," the Luna said smoothly.

Alarion's gaze flicked to Kaelia, his jaw tightening. "Kaelia is under my protection. She requires no “guidance” from anyone but me." He stepped forward, placing a protective hand on Kaelia's shoulder.

"Alarion, really," the Luna sighed, her voice laced with exasperation. "Must you be so… dramatic? We were simply concerned."

“Concerned about what, Mother?" Alarion’s voice was dangerously low.

The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife. Casian, sensing the shift in the wind, discreetly retreated towards the door.

"I believe I have some pressing matters to attend to," he said, offering a shallow bow. "Good evening."

As Casian disappeared, the Luna rose from her chaise lounge, her eyes fixed on Alarion.

"Very well, Alarion," she said, her voice regaining its icy edge. "You are the Crowned Prince. You will do as you see fit. But do not say I didn't warn you."

She swept past them, her silken robes whispering against the floor. Alaric watched her go, his expression unreadable.

"Are you alright, Kaelia?" he asked, turning to Kael, his voice softer now.

"Yes, Your Highness," Kaelia replied, her voice barely a whisper. She was still reeling from the encounter, the Luna's words echoing in her mind.

"Good. Come. I need to review those trade agreements before dinner." Alarion steered him towards the door.

As they were about to leave, a servant entered, carrying a large bowl filled with steaming water.

“Your Majesty, I have prepared your pedicure water,” the servant announced to the Luna, oblivious to the fact she had already left, as the servant was looking at the floor, probably because no one dares meets the queen’s eyes.

Alarion frowned. “My mother is no longer here. Just… leave it.”

The servant placed the bowl on a small table near the door and scurried away.

Alarion sighed, rubbing his temples. “The day is not ending.”

Just then, Casian reappeared, a malicious glint in his eyes.

"Oh, Alarion, Mother asked me to relay a message," he said, his voice saccharine sweet. "She said… ensure the girl understands her place."

Before Alarion could react, Casian grabbed the bowl of hot water and hurled it towards Kaelia.

"Casian!" Alarion roared, lunging forward to block Kaelia for the attack.

However, Kaelia reacted faster. Acting on pure instinct, she threw herself in front of Alarion, shielding him from the scalding water. The water splashed across her back, her shoulders, her face... It stung, it burned, but she barely registered the pain. She only knew she had to protect Alarion.

Casian hissed and walked out.

Then, the pain became secondary. As the warm water soaked through her tunic, washing away the carefully applied layers of scent blocker, a wave of primal fear washed over her.

Her disguise. It was gone.

The air crackled with a new energy, a potent blend of cinnamon, honey, and wild flower… and something else, something… sweet, intoxicatingly sweet.

Alarion froze, his pupils dilating. He inhaled sharply, the scent flooding his senses, overwhelming him. His wolf roared in his head, a single, earth-shattering word: Mate.

Kaelia heard it too. A faint echo of the same word resonated within her, a dormant instinct awakening with a terrifying force. Mate.

She looked up at Alarion, her eyes wide with terror. The Prince’s expression was almost unreadable, a mask of shock and… something else, something that made her heart pound in her chest.

Alarion's gaze locked onto her's, and Kaelia saw the truth reflected in those stormy eyes. He knew. The Prince knew her secret. The impossible had happened.

She is a Lupherian Omega, and the Alpha Prince is her mate.