Chapter Text
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“What is this?” Mydei asks as his gaze falls upon the filthy creature restrained by the guards. They have barged into his private quarters unannounced and with way too much fanfare. From the wretched smell assaulting his nose, he can instantly tell that 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 beyond equal, undefeated like the Titans, their noble bloodlines continued through formidable unions. Their crown prince, Mydeimos, the most renowned amongst them all, is second only to his father, the King. But on the battlefield, Mydeimos is unrivalled, rallying his men toward victories.
As celebrated as his prowess and strength are, his disdain for omegas is equally well known.
~
The guard flushes a dark shade of red, making Mydei chuckle at this spectacle of foolery.
“So my father has gifted me a wild beast,” he says as he studies the creature brought before him. Instead of being perfumed and dressed in silks, it looks as though it’s been dragged through mud — 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, absolutely murderous.
“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 unhinged creature to send to him as a ‘gift’.
“And what, exactly, warrants the honour of me receiving such a precious gift?”
Mydei sets aside the report in his hand, clearly no further work will get done. He gets up, circling the creature slowly, its vibrant blue eyes following his every move.
Oh, this omega holds no love for him; this omega holds no love for anyone. There is nothing but disdain in that gaze, pure hatred directed at him.
“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 celebrations, together with the companion that he has so graciously provided.”
Mydei chuckles.
“Oh, father,” what a ridiculous man he is, “if you cannot orchestrate my downfall in a battle, you will look for trivial victories elsewhere.”
It seems that the King has grown completely delusional during his time away. The more his popularity among the people has surged, the tighter the grip of fear has been on the old man’s heart. Not that he's ever been a good father; Mydei holds out no hope for that. His very birth had been a surprise, with his mother having been thought barren.
And yet—
Fate had a funny way of defying an old King’s expectations.
Mydei was born, strong and resilient, with every intention to survive. On that day Castrum Kremnos had gained a boy who was the King’s superior in every sense of the word.
“And what are the consequences of disobeying this order?” Mydei turns his gaze back to the guards. They look at each other in confusion, not having expected such a response.
Mydei draws in a slow breath.
What a bunch of complete fools. All they know is to obey orders without a drop of individual thought. He’s never longed for such obedience, yet his father refuses to see the truth. As for the old man there is nothing more important than to cling to his position as the King.
~
The prince thinks omegas meek, submissive creatures 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, replaced every couple of weeks. Mydei despises the very notion of it, clashing many of times with his father.
~
“If there are no consequences, then inform the King that I won’t be accepting this ‘gift’ of his.”
Mydei has more urgent matters to attend to instead of playing his father’s games. These days he spends all his time away, fighting one too many battles — long, gruelling campaigns on the outer boarder that have left his soldiers exhausted and his resources depleted. He must come up with a new plan, must regroup, must find reinforcements. Attending festivities while in the city is the last thing on his mind.
“I do not need or want a companion, my father should be well aware of that.”
At that, the omega snarls in disgust, and the sound draws Mydei’s attention. He cannot deny the flicker of curiosity that sparks in his chest as he watches the creature. He’s never seen an omega quite like this one, so getting to know it may be interesting. Maybe if the borders were in a better state and didn’t demand all of his attention— maybe if the attacks from outside were growing less frequent and were more predictable— maybe…
But right now Mydei has neither the time nor the patience to entertain such nonsense.
“What shall we do, then?” a guard asks, clearly dreading the thought of hauling the wild thing back. If the wounds on his face are any indication, the omega has put up quite the fight.
“I do not care,” Mydei replies with a dismissive wave of his hand. “Set it free for all I care, or bring it back to wherever you found it.”
“But—” the guard stammers, voice growing tense. He’s clearly afraid of defying the King’s orders. “This omega is not to be freed, His Majesty was very specific in that regard.”
“Even better!” Mydei snaps, rolling his shoulder to ease the stiffness. The last thing he wants to do is to argue with the guard on some insignificant details. “If the King is so fond of this unruly creature, send it right back to him!”
It is absurd that the first thing he’s met with after being away for weeks is this farce. All he truly craves is a hot bath and a long soak after a good scrub — to wash away all the blood and grime that clings to his skin like a lingering illness.
“Leave now,” Mydei commands as he turns, indicating that he’s done talking. The guards glance at each other before they arrive at an understanding. After another moment of awkward silence, they move to haul the omega away.
“No!”
The shrill voice freezes Mydei. Oh, so the creature can talk?
“Don’t dare to touch me, filthy savages!”
And use such foul language at that?
Mydei cannot recall the last time he heard an omega shout at anyone; let alone at the King’s guards, and let alone with such a disrespectful tone! They never dare to raise their voices, never disobey and never struggle. To show anything but gratitude to their master would go against their very nature.
“Let me fight you,” the creature demands, those blue eyes piercing through to Mydei’s very soul. And, for the first time in a long time, the alpha is left completely speechless.
Fight? He must have overheard.
“You— you want to fight me?”
Has the creature lost its mind? Or does it not realise its place? Omegas are built for submission and pleasure, not for fights in the ring.
The creature glares at him in return, clenching its jaw before it speaks. “You… or whoever you deem worthy. Let me fight. Grant me this wish.”
Silence follows as Mydei tries to process the words he’s just heard. A strange thrill sparks in his chest, curiosity surging through his veins. A fight… he’s never seen an omega fight. Never even thought one capable of such a feat. If he agreed— but of course he can’t agree— but if he agreed…
No. No. Of course he can’t.
This must be part of his father’s plan, one of his unhinged schemes. That shrewd, ruthless, calculating man must have sent him this thing for this very reason. Is this a punishment? A challenge? Revenge? Or maybe… a test of his alpha nature?
Oh, how little the King must think of his intelligence if he expects Mydei to fall for this trap. He will just have to prove to the old man wrong and show him that he is not that easily baited.
“Fine,” Mydei says with his tone final, looking from the omega to the guards. “I shall accept this ridiculous gift. Leave, and tell my father I’m endlessly grateful.”
~
They say Mydeimos takes after his mother — a proud, smart and veracious alpha. And when the King, half mad with fear, had plunged a knife in the Queen’s 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 depart, visibly relieved, muttering something amongst themselves. Mydei ignores their senseless chatter as he waits for the door to fall shut behind him. Then, he finally makes his move and drops down to one knee before the omega. Now he has the time to take a closer look at the creature.
Dirty. Oh, so unbelievably dirty, the omega’s features are caked in filth. Nonetheless, it’s well proportioned — it’s got a pleasant, symmetrical face. Mydei’s eyes drop lower to the wide shoulders, then to the long legs and the thick things. It’s a good quality for bearing children, not that Mydei plans on having any.
His gaze returns to the omega’s face, lingering on one particular feature. The eyes are its most striking feature, sparkling like finely polished gemstones. Suddenly, Mydei can understand why his father may have found an interest in this thing.
“So, you want to fight me?” he asks as he reaches out his hand, the omega shrinking back. It snarls as Mydei moves to seize its neck, making him stop in confusion. Does this one not like to be held? Is it too broken for attention? Instead of accepting its new master, it seems to want to bite his hand off.
“Don’t touch me,” it warns as it bares its teeth with intent, ready to attack. Mydei would have to be a fool to dismiss those words as an empty threat.
“I mean you no harm,” he explains, “I just want to take a look at your neck.”
“As if I’d ever believe the words of a spoiled kremnoian prince.”
Mydei rears back as if burned. What kind of omega acts this way? He has done no wrong to the creature, it has no reason to snarl at him.
“I should have let them take you back to my father. Obviously, your mind is broken.”
The words seem to shut the other up as the omega stares at Mydei dumbly. It seems to have suddenly realised that its actions may lead to unwanted consequences. Then, after another lingering moment, it shakes its head in disagreement.
“No.”
A long pause follows. Mydei grits his teeth but waits.
“You will not do that, prince of Castrum Kremnos, I’ve heard you are a more honourable man.”
Mydei cocks his head to the side. So suddenly he is the better man? The omega clearly has heard of his deeds and yet it’s decided to speak so carelessly.
“Let me fight you or any of your men, I do not care for who you choose.”
And it still insists on fighting him? What a wildly inappropriate behaviour.
“If you win, you can do as you please, but if I win, you grant me protection.” The omega’s voice falls to a whisper then, as if it’s less sure about its next demand. “And give me a promise that you won’t touch me anywhere without my explicit permission.”
Mydei chokes out a laughter. Oh, what shameless, presumptuous words. “Don’t flatter yourself,” he spits out. “I wouldn’t touch you even with your permission.”
He would have to be completely mad to want to embrace such a hateful thing.
“Ha!” the omega spits back, “so you say, but I do not believe you one bit. Once you alphas are in rut, you are all no better than mindless beasts—”
“Enough!” Mydei roars. He’s had enough. Enough of this entire conversation. All he wanted was a quiet evening, but even that isn’t granted to him. Instead he finds himself arguing with this dirty, mean thing over alpha nature.
“Don’t you dare to finish that sentence if you want to make a deal with me. I’ll throw you out on the streets and see how long you’ll survive on your own.”
“Setting me free is meant to be a threat?”
“Setting you free is a death sentence.” Mydei rubs at his eyes. He wants this to end. He wants his bath. “You wouldn’t make it past the city gates before you’d be stopped and restrained. If I know my father, and I know him well, he’s already put a bounty on your head. So if you’re that eager to go back to him, please be my guest and leave me alone.”
The omega falls silent at that, those blue eyes dropping to the ground. It’s suddenly observing Mydei’s carpet as if it’s the most curios thing in the world. Then, unexpectedly, it lowers itself, sitting down neatly on its heels. A clear act of submission, not something Mydei expected to see.
“I... apologise,” it says, smiling, the shift in its tone painfully fake. Mydei grimaces in disgust, despising this act more than the insults before.
“I did not intend to anger you, prince, not when you extend your hand to me in kindness. All I ask,” it looks up, something poisonous underneath that gaze, “is for you to give me a fair chance — a fight to let me show you my strength. And then I’ll submit to all of your demands and do as you wish of me.”
The omega falls silent after, its gaze turning empty as it stares into distance. Clearly it doesn't desire to serve him, yet seems to hold an even greater hatred for his father. So maybe that’s how they can work together as that’s the one thing they have in common.
“Fine,” Mydei huffs, extending his hand, his alpha pride somewhat placated. It’s not like he was going to send the omega back to his father anyway. He may be blunt but he’s not a man so cruel to condemn another to such a fate.
“You have my word, I’ll let you fight, but don’t you think I want your submission.”
The omega looks up at Mydei’s hand confused, unsure of what to do. The alpha groans and grabs the omega, pulling it forcefully up to its feet.
“I’m agreeing just because I am curious and I want to see my father’s scheme fail. As for you? I don’t care for a mate and I want nothing to do with you.”
The omega scoffs but straightens up, suddenly coming eye to eye with Mydei. It comes as a shock as its build is nothing like the frail, emancipated creatures he’s used to seeing. The skin on its hands are rough and calloused, clearly used to wielding a weapon. Its face, though smudged with blood and dirt, holds a semblance of tender handsomeness.
“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 your promise.”
The prince barks out another involuntary laugh, truly this is a most ridiculous situation. He may not have wanted any of this, but he sure is starting to grow amused.
“I never break any of my promises,” he replies as he squeezes the other’s hand even tighter. He bets that his father didn't think that he would make such an arrangement with an omega.
~
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 a loyal omega standing by his side.
🔅
tbc