Chapter 3
Sebastian
I felt utterly ridiculous as I stared back at my reflection. Why did it matter what I wore? I was the king, for heaven’s sake! Whomever my advisors had picked for me would—and should—be honored to be chosen. I shouldn’t have to go through this ordeal of picking out the perfect outfit!
Slumping back on my dressing chair, I allowed my heart to calm down and my nerves to settle.
This would just be like any other heat, I tried to convince myself, but it was fruitless.
This would obviously be so much more. This alpha would be the father of my child, my heir, the future king.
If all eyes weren’t already on me, they definitely would be now.
Elias came into my dressing room looking eager. His smile was blinding, and his eyes held so much glee I started feeling a little worried.
“Seb!” he exclaimed, wobbling further into the room. I knew he would’ve run to me if not for the big belly. “He’s here!”
Swallowing down my nerves and the breakfast that was trying to make its way up again, I nodded woodenly. “And? Is he um…?” Decent? Big? Strong? Terrifying? Well-endowed?
“The biggest alpha I’ve ever seen? Oh, yes! Definitely,” Elias gushed, looking almost giddy with excitement, like I’d just been sent a new toy. “A rather impressive-looking young man.”
“Did he seem…” I was going to ask if he seemed kind, but no alpha was; they couldn’t be. So why did I even bother asking such nonsense? Instead, I asked, “Handsome?” Please let him be handsome and not some orc.
“Very,” Elias nodded, smiling impossibly wider. “You’re in for a real treat with him.” Then, my best friend winked at me.
I felt less like the king and more like a nervous teenager.
I hadn’t been this worried since my first heat.
Maybe I should just act like this was exactly just that—another heat, nothing more.
He was just an alpha to service me through my heat, and then a baby would be born because of it.
Just a means to an end, nothing more. That actually seemed to help my erratically beating heart.
“Okay, then,” I stated, then stood and took one last look in the mirror.
I had my golden crown on, my favorite navy outfit with gold stitching.
Glued to my lean body, it looked like it’d been painted on.
I felt handsome in this, impressive even, and it somehow felt like my armor, protecting me and emboldening me for this meeting.
“I was sent to grab you, so we’d better get going,” Elias said, gesturing for me to take his arm.
I seriously doubted they were in a hurry if they sent Elias.
I loved my best friend, but he was currently the slowest omega in the castle.
Even our head cook, Milfred, was faster than him, and he was ancient.
Accepting Elias’ arm, we walked in silence down the many hallways before descending the big staircase leading to the foyer. I had to help Elias with each step; his belly was truly a hindrance to his daily life, but I was more than happy to help.
As I’d expected, my advisors stood proudly in the foyer at the end of the staircase, looking livelier than I’d ever seen them. It frightened me, to be honest. Whatever their gleaming eyes conveyed couldn’t be good. Nor could the fact that the alpha wasn’t waiting with them…
“Your Majesty,” Clive greeted as they all bowed. “We are delighted to announce that we have found the perfect alpha for you.”
“And the kingdom, Your Majesty,” Nicholai added, stepping forward to help me with his son. “An heir is secured!”
They truly must be pleased with their choice, since they’d started speaking before Elias and I had even fully descended the stairs, something that was considered rude to do.
This truly didn’t bode well for me.
I eyed the otherwise empty foyer and raised a questioning brow in their direction. “And where is this perfect alpha?”
Their smiling faces never wavered as they turned and gestured for me to follow.
I did, somewhat reluctantly, as if I was being led to my demise.
They stopped in front of the first sitting room, then waited for one of the royal guards to open the door.
It was the only position inside the palace that was occupied by alphas exclusively, since no omega would be able to stop an intrusion with our weaker bodies.
I had to trust the magic would keep them from harming us, and after several decades with no incidents to us omegas, I actually felt safe in their presence.
Not that I would ever seek them out for my heats.
That would be too close to home, so to speak.
Not like Elias had done. I shook the thought away and followed them inside.
The alpha sat on the vintage couch in the middle of the room, looking lifeless as he stared straight ahead, seemingly at nothing.
My first impression was that he was massive.
Like giant, massive. Everything—from his head to his hands and thick trunk-like arms and thighs—was huge, bulging with layers upon layers of muscle.
He was clearly a farmer; his blue overalls were well-worn and dirty, with a large rip down one leg.
His blond hair was shaggy-looking and rested around his face, brushing his shoulders.
And either he was allergic to something, or he’d been attacked by a swarm of insects, because his skin was filled with red, angry-looking welts.
I turned to stare at my advisors in disbelief. Surely this couldn’t be the alpha they deemed worthy of fathering the future king?
“Is this supposed to be a joke?!” I hissed through my teeth.
“Hal,” the alpha whispered, gaining all our attention. “Careful.” There was a moment’s pause, then he croaked, “Bees.”
The raised eyebrow I shot my advisors hopefully conveyed my question perfectly. Him?
They only appeared prouder at my reaction, which turned my confusion into anger.
“You cannot be serious!” I snapped at them, then shot a look at the alpha, who seemed to be in his own head as he ignored my raised tone completely.
Clive nodded eagerly. “He is simply the perfect alpha, Your Majesty.”
“Strong,” Jerold added, his smile just as bright and confident.
“Simple-minded,” Brennan agreed.
“Harmless,” Nicholai supplied.
“Handsome,” Elias quipped with a wink.
“Honey,” a hushed voice sounded, so quiet it took me a second to realize it came from the alpha. “I just… wanted honey. I’m sorry.” His head dipped, and his blond locks fell in soft waves around his face as he sighed; the sound filled with anguish.
I squeezed the bridge of my nose, inhaling deeply as I tried to stave off an impending headache.
“Can someone fetch him some…”—I waved my hand in the air—“honey?” I was so done with this day.
Yes, the alpha was handsome and strong. He was also, as Elias had stated, the biggest alpha ever, but he was too…
passive. I feared he couldn’t do what was needed, and I was in no mood to teach him how to breed me.
It had to be instinctual, I knew that, but something about his youth and timidness made me fear I would have to take matters into my own hands.
Something I very much didn’t want during my heat.
Gods, I needed a breeder, not someone who looked like he could burst into tears the next second.
“Find me another,” I demanded, my anger rising.
“But, Your Majesty,” Clive argued. “He is perfect! I assure you. If you’ll only allow—”
Holding up my hand, I indicated that I’d heard enough.
I eyed the alpha and found him shaking as he scratched absentmindedly at the insect bites.
Nibbling on his bottom lip, he looked nothing like the pumped macho alphas of my dreams, but young and innocent, almost. Instantly, my anger dissipated, and I felt almost sorry for him.
Was he forced here? Then a horrifying thought hit me: Did he not want me?
Frustration and a strange uncertainty built inside me.
Didn’t he realize what an immense honor it was to be chosen as my alpha? The king’s alpha.
“I want a moment alone with the alpha,” I declared as I moved to sit on the couch opposite him. He was still a stranger and so, so big. I wasn’t going to take any chances.
“Is that wise, Your Majesty?” Clive countered.
“He will be fine,” Jerold stated, ushering the others out, with the alpha guards being the last to leave.
The room was suddenly much too quiet, so I figured I would act like the king I was and demand some answers.
“Did they force you here?” I asked, trying to keep my tone poised. Regal. The question seemed to confuse the alpha, because he just gaped at me. So, I tried rephrasing it. “Do you not wish to be here?”
His eyes snapped up to meet mine, the bluest blue I ever saw. “Hal,” he croaked as he blinked back tears, digging his teeth into his bottom lip. Who was this Hal?
“Is that your name? Hal?”
He shook his head.
“Is this Hal someone important to you?” I questioned, hoping to pry out further information this way.
He nodded. “Brother,” he whispered. “Like brother.” I knew many alphas formed communities in the countryside as a substitute for the families they’d left behind. Perhaps this Hal person was like that.
“And did he not wish for you to go?”
His blue eyes seemed so innocent and honest as he searched my gaze. “I tried to find him. I couldn’t. So many bees.”
The alpha seemed to be in some state of shock, so I continued with forced patience, hardly believing my own ears as I continued, “We can write him a letter? Will that help?”
I knew many alphas never learned to read or write; they simply had no use for it, but perhaps this Hal could. Or the farmer he worked for would be able to assist. Surely, a letter with the royal seal could not be ignored.
Just then, a servant came in pushing a trolley with various desserts and one glass jar of honey with a spoon in it, like they expected the alpha to just gobble it all up straight from the jar.
The servant quickly bowed, eyeing the alpha nervously, but I just waved them off. As soon as the servant closed the door behind them, I carefully placed the glass of honey in front of the alpha.
“What’s your name?” I attempted a smile this time, hoping kindness would help.
“Gus,” he whispered, eyeing the honey.
“Gus. What is it short for?”
“Can’t remember,” he murmured, accepting the honey with shaking hands.
How could he not know his own name? Was he truly a simpleton, or had something happened to him?
And why did I even care? I internally chastised myself.
He was an alpha; I was the king, and the sole purpose of his being here was to breed me so I could produce an heir.
I shouldn’t care one way or another if he couldn’t remember his full name.
“Then I’ll simply call you Gus,” I declared.
Looking at the big alpha eating the honey straight from the jar with his thick fingers, I knew now would not be the time for more answers. I’d gotten his name and knew of this Hal person. Tonight, once he’d had time to settle into his new surroundings, I would demand more of him.
“It seems the journey here has left you rather drained,” I started. “We can talk again tonight over dinner. I’ll have a servant show you to your room so you can rest and…” I took in his disheveled and dirty form, “bathe. Did you bring anything with you? Any extra clothes?”
Gus shook his head, his lips glistening with honey, sticky fingers buried in the jar, which was already half-empty. A desire-filled groan escaped me, but I quickly disguised it behind a cough.
“I don’t own anything,” he muttered, cradling the honey like it was a precious artifact. Then, his gaze dropped to the jar. “Can I…”
“Yes, yes, whatever,” I waved at the jar. “By all means, keep it.” And why on earth did I find it so damn endearing that he was asking for my permission to keep a bloody jar of honey?
Sighing, I stood and ran my hands over my navy blouse, feeling somewhat saddened that he so far hadn’t seemed interested in my appearance.
“Too lovely,” Gus muttered, his deep voice filled with awe, and I stupidly thought he was talking about the honey, but no, when I glanced at him, his eyes were on me, shy and curious.
I swallowed and felt the telltale tingle of my impending heat spread over me. I really needed answers tonight. If Gus wasn’t willing—or able—to breed me, my advisors would need to leave first thing tomorrow morning to find another one.
Still, as I left Gus in the sitting room, I felt myself hoping he wanted to stay.
“Meeting now!” I demanded as I located my advisors in the adjoining sitting room.
Unsurprisingly, they were celebrating with wine and tiny appetizers, talking eagerly amongst themselves, patting each other’s shoulders.
I sat down on the armchair located between the two couches they were sitting on, glaring at them until they placed their wineglasses on the table.
“Your Majesty? Is everything well?” Clive asked, confused.
“You truly believe the alpha you’ve picked is the best suited for me? For the kingdom?!” My voice was loud as I let my feelings about their choice be known. “He did not even appear to want to be here!”
Jerold held his hands up pleadingly. “He is just confused, Your Majesty. His simple mind needs to catch up. That is all.”
Shaking my head, I pointed in the direction of where I’d left Gus. “The alpha in there is not simple-minded; he is afraid! Did you force him here?!”
They all spluttered.
“I beg your pardon?” Nicholai choked. “Um, Your Majesty,” he hastily added.
“He is shaking!” I snapped. “Did you even ask him his name? And what on earth happened to him? He’s covered in insect bites.”
The four men, who before were all happy smiles and smug expressions, turned instantly sheepish. Their cheeks reddened with embarrassment, their gazes dipping to their laps.
Sighing, I slumped back in my chair. “You failed to get something as crucial as his name? I thought I could trust you with this important task, but I see I was wrong.”
“Now, now,” Clive began, but I cut him off.
“And you didn’t even ask him for his consent!”
Consent was important to me, considering what my grandfather went through with his forced marriage. I wanted a willing alpha. My advisors knew my thoughts on this.
They seemed to be out of words, so I continued. “I will ask him for his consent tonight at dinner. You are no longer allowed to approach him until I let you know otherwise.”
“Your Majesty!” Jerold argued. “That is highly—”
I held my hand up, quieting his objection. “I will not repeat myself!” I snapped, then grabbed an unopened bottle of wine and left the room.
I would need something to dull this headache.