Chapter VI:

Karel knows that things were not going well for Erwin in any way. The alpha seemed like a caged animal, furious and at the same time resigned, as if the weight of his existence alone was enough to choose to lie down and try not to die enduring such a thing. In fact, if the beta didn't know him well, he might not have noticed it at all. First of all, the previous day hadn't been the best.

Before they confirmed that the prince of Asmax had arrived in the lands of Craenia, until that precise moment, Erwin Feret had fought with all his might to convince his father and king not to go ahead with the marriage, using strange excuses related to "The independence and the own right of a strong, attractive alpha like himself to choose his own destiny, and the sacrilege of marrying someone at his age with a whole future ahead" to which Eric paid no attention at all and simply silenced him with a icy look that almost made Karel choke on the juice he was drinking at the time.

However, everything was already in motion.

Erwin was going to marry, and Karel had to admit, for his mental health and unnecessary need for excessive honesty, that Axe was beautiful, incredibly attractive in a way that was strange to his taste. Axe was a tall, slim, elegant and very beautiful omega, with a challenging look and a presence that made even the gods pale in comparison.

The dark-haired omega was like something no one had ever seen before, and just the sight of him was enough to impress Karel completely and for the rest of his life. With his long hair and that smile full of secrets that hid all the poison he let loose when he spoke, something that Karel found absolutely amusing was seeing his father so disturbed by the omega and trying to hide it.

In Craenia, staring at an alpha being of lower rank could be considered an offense and even a declaration of war. Many betas as well as omegas, men or women, in supposed power disputes, had been killed or subjected to torture because of it, and it was considered completely normal. Then this man appears and stands before three alphas with such arrogance, clearly stating his points and without any fear. Karel could hardly contain his excitement right there.

Karel has heard a lot about the subjects of Asmax, savages who still live with their most primitive side in complete synchrony with their wolf. Karel being a beta didn't even have one, in fact, he was the only caste that didn't possess a second soul, even if they were lycans like the rest.

However, in Craenia, such practices were seen as a total disgust. The mere thought of changing and running around on all fours was considered madness.

Karel chuckled to himself and almost felt sorry for his brother. Axe would not be easy to persuade, and he could swear he would give Erwin a terrible fight. Even his entourage was scary, including that omega guy with white hair, tall, with defined muscles and a fierce look, completely opposite to what an omega should be. And it's not like the redhead boy wasn't equally attractive. Karel swallowed hard and crossed his legs. «Damn it, calm down, Karel», he needed to go out and clear his mind, see some familiar faces. Yes, that would be nice.

Karel jumped slightly when an angry Erwin sat down near him, huffing like a raging bull. Karel watched him, amused and fearful at the same time. His brother was scary when he wanted to be.

Erwin looked up, staring into nothingness as if it were going to give him some sort of answer. His scent filled the room, so much so that even for Karel, who barely sensed smells, it was becoming difficult to tolerate.

Right now, to define Erwin Feret's state, using the word "anger" would be an understatement. It was worse for many reasons, big and small: First, he's forced into an arranged marriage with the prince of Asmax, translation, "with a wild and talkative omega", who didn't even attract him. His wolf growled at those words, and Erwin swore he saw it raise an eyebrow as if it were tired of hearing the same thing. The dark-haired alpha rolled his eyes and pushed the image away, returning to his own mind, feeling the fury corrode his veins.

After having to finally accept it-because he has no choice-he meets this Axe Noir, or rather, they're introduced to each other only to be surprised that he's an omega with some strange caste superiority complex-when he's at the bottom of the pyramid-and a somewhat twisted sense of courtesy filled with cynical smiles and sweetly poisonous words. Nothing can go well for him. He just has to wait for the wedding and then, with all authority, entrust that omega to a life as lonely and silent as possible, as it must be. Yes, that's what he would do. Erwin had no plans to make things easy for that omega, with that overpowering scent, those big shining eyes, for the goddess' sake. He looked away, finding Karel's green orbs focused on him, and he sighed.

Stop looking at me as if I were a time bomb, and just say it - he urged, obvious annoyance flowing through his entire body. He knew his scent must be filling the room, specifically with gunpowder, for some reason when he was very angry or stressed, it came out in spurts and turned spicy.

Karel pressed his lips together, raising an eyebrow, trying not to smile because of the calamities that were plaguing his older brother, which was proving to be more than difficult.

The Feret brothers had woken up early and had held two meetings, one with the royal guard and another with the council of the kingdom, and now they were preparing to rest in one of the many lounges created for the enjoyment of the crown and its guests.

Karel suppressed the laughter that threatened to escape his throat and replaced it with a serious and serene expression as he watched his older brother.

"Oh, my dear Erwin" the dark-haired one looked at him with an animal and threatening gleam, "Fenrir is making you pay for all the sins you've committed in a thousand lives with this marriage."

Karel laughed happily, releasing bursts of a coffee aroma even if he himself didn't notice it, excited to see his brother so stressed over an omega.

"The devil came out of hell to greet mortals. He has black hair, smells delicious, and is your future husband," He patted his back casually, "Congratulations, heir prince; may the moon bless your union with a long and happy married life."

Erwin ran his hand over his face and growled lowly. Right now, giving up his title as "Heir prince" doesn't sound so bad.

He cursed indignantly. Who was he trying to fool? He wouldn't do it, especially not for a loose-tongued omega. «He's an omega, Erwin,» he said to himself, «Just a simple omega, and you're an alpha. Luck and power are on your side. The omega prince should be the one worrying about his future, one that you will decide as you please.»