Nico

Disappointment ran cold in my veins as Kallin led me back to the ballroom. I didn’t know who he was, but he seemed like a mess and a half. In a way, I felt numb to what I had just witnessed. In all reality, I wanted to forget what had happened. I wanted to forget what I had seen and wished that I had met him under better circumstances. 

It wasn’t so much of the fact that he had sex with someone that wasn’t myself. It was more of the fact he didn’t care who saw. I shook my head at my thoughts and focused on what I was about to walk into. When the doors opened to the ballroom, I was quickly brought over to my parents, and my dad signaled that he was going to make an announcement, causing the room to go quiet. 

“First off, I wanted to thank everyone for coming here tonight. It’s a very special event for not only Wynter and I but for our son Nicolas.” My dad reached his large hand out to me. I gingerly grabbed onto his hand, and he held it up for everyone to see. “Today, I announce that my omega son Nicolas Devonshire will be the crown prince of the kingdom. Meaning the day I shall perish, or the day I resign will be the day my son will take the crown.” 

The room erupted with cheers, and I felt like I should have felt something at the moment. I mean, if I hadn’t seen what I had in the gardens, maybe I would be blushing in excitement. Possibly grinning like a fool to all of those that stood before me. But I felt numb. I pulled my lips up in a fake smile and shook my dad's hand in reassurance. 

My dad leaned close to my ear, “Now it’s time for your debut.” He kissed me on the cheek. 

I swallowed, letting go of my dad’s hand. Waiting for the cheering to simmer down before I made my speech. 

“First, I would like to say thank you to my parents for giving me all of the wisdom that I would need not only to rule this country but to rule the people in a just and respectful manner.” I cleared my throat. “I also will serve my people just as my parents have, and I will serve you until my dying breath.” I gave a halfhearted smile. 

The people in the crowd cheered for me. In a moment, I was supposed to feel proud. It was a moment I felt complete and utter dread. But I had to keep the mask on. I could cry later on in the privacy of my room. 

Once my dad had stopped speaking, the festivities continued, I was asked to dance again. The pain of some of the Alpha’s feet trampling mine now felt numb. They’d babble in my ears about how much they’d like to escort me, to date me, blah blah blah. 

I wasn’t interested in them, though. I only had one alpha in mind, and that alpha was fucking ridiculous. 

“Earth to Nicolas.” The alpha I had been dancing with waved his hand in my face to get my attention. 

“Hmm?” I hummed, raising my brow in interest. 

“Did you even listen to what I had to say?” He asked. 

“Sorry, I was daydreaming,” I responded lackadaisically. 

“I just wanted to know if you’d like to go somewhere a bit more private?” He asked, gripping my hand a bit tighter than he previously had. 

I furrowed my brows, “Do you take me for a fool?” I asked. 

“What do you mean?” He mimicked my facial expression. 

I ripped my hand out of his. “Why would you want to go somewhere private?” I raised a brow. 

“Uhh, to get to know you a bit better?” He looked taken aback as if I were insinuating something heinous.  

“No, thank you,” I shook my head, stepping away from him. I needed something to drink. When I turned away from him, I ran into someone.  

Instantly recognizable from his scent, I knew it was him. He put his hands on my shoulders to steady me, and I looked up to meet his auburn eyes.

He cleared his throat. “May I have this dance?” He asked. I could tell he was still drunk but obviously more sober than he had been when I first laid eyes on him. 

I wanted to say no and plan my great escape back to my bedroom so I could sleep off the eventful night. But no, the omega in me wanted nothing more than to touch, to feel, and to be around the alpha.

“Yes.” I responded stupidly, letting the alpha wrap his arms around my waist, and I wrapped mine around his shoulders.

The smooth music the band played in the background set the tempo for us, and he danced better than the rest of the Alphas I had danced with, and he was still intoxicated. Which meant he obviously had paid attention in his lessons. 

“I’m sorry you saw me like that.” His hot breath tickled my ear.

I clenched my jaw, not saying anything in response. I didn’t know what to say or where to even begin with what I wanted to say to him. 

“I honestly didn’t think anyone would see, let alone my true mate.” He frowned. 

Again, I remained silent, unsure how even to approach the situation.   

He swallowed, “I’m Prince Javon of the Cashum kingdom.”

“I figured you were from there.” I finally responded. “Nothing but a kingdom of mutts.” I snipped. 

“Honestly, I deserved that.” Javon let out a sigh. 

“Oh, you don’t say?” I raised my brow. My voice was thick with sarcasm. 

 “To be quite honest, I didn’t think I’d end up meeting my mate today… And I had an urge. An itch, you might say.” 

“To fuck another omega?” I responded. 

“To be realistic, it could have been a beta or another alpha. I don’t, or well, I didn’t discriminate against anyone when it came to getting my needs met.” He shrugged his shoulders, looking upwards in thought. 

“The goddess is a cruel cunt to pair me with such an insensitive bastard.” I hissed through my teeth.

“I’m trying to apologize for that.” He replied, letting go of my hips, and he put his hands up in a defensive manner. 

“Well, apology not accepted,” I replied, stomping my foot down on top of his.

“Fuck, Nicolas.” He grunted. I took my hands off his shoulders, and I turned to leave the room. Javon placed his hand on my shoulder, keeping me from parting from the room. “Stop being stuck up for a second.” 

“Stuck up?” I felt my eyes widen in anger, and my voice rose an octave. “Stuck up? Are you serious right now? Me? Stuck up?” I laughed crazily. “I don’t think you realize how much I want to deck you in the face at the moment, but I’m trying to leave the situation before it gets out of hand, and you– you’re being the typical snot-nosed alpha who thinks I owe you something.” I felt eyes on us. Clearly, grabbing the attention of spectators. 

I ripped myself out of his grasp and departed from the room as quickly as I could. 

I honestly hoped that he tripped over his big stupid cock on the way out of the room. I pulled my still-damp cape around my shoulders like a blanket and quickly walked to my room. Ballgoers and staff looked at me with concern in their eyes, but no one dared to stop me in my pursuit of my room. 

When I did get to my safe space, I quickly ripped off my suit and took off all of my royal regalia, and put them in the safe where they belonged. Once I was stripped down to just my t-shirt and underwear, I climbed into bed. Breathing in the scent of the clean sheets. 

I then let all of what I had been holding in out. I let out a low cry of sadness.

Why him? 

Why now? 

Today was supposed to be one of the most important nights of my life, and he ruined it. Not only that, it almost seemed like he was trying to make me out to be an overdramatic omega. 

It was as if he didn’t want to listen to me, but demanded I listen to him. 

Leave it up to a Cashum to act like an all-mighty alpha. I knew the books I had read on the kingdom. They treated Omegas as cattle. Only using them to fuck and take care of the household. Nothing more. 

It probably burned him. 

Knowing that I was the crowned prince of my kingdom. That one day, I would be the king, versus the typical role of queen most omegan wolves would take on. It's why tonight was meant to be so special to me.       

I didn’t care he had fucked another person. I’d be able to deal with that. But I knew Kallin had seen him and would already have a bad taste in his mouth about Javon. 

And to be Frank, I had a pretty sour taste in my mouth as well. 

I let myself cry it out until I tired myself out.