— I fell in love, — Etienne concluded as soon as he woke up. Through the grand, intricately adorned windows, draped with heavy raspberry curtains, the morning sun pierced, casting a pleasant golden light across the spacious room. Although the second son of the Rutias family was currently more preoccupied with his morning boner than the decor of his own chamber. The memory of that particular scent had become an addiction for him. Why the hell has he, an idiot, woken up with some unsuitable omegas? Why hadn't he immediately pulled the bearer of the marvelous fragrance into his bed, and subsequent, to the altar? He has encountered his chosen one! And yet, he had managed to lose him so absurdly! Now he agonized over it, feeling like the most consummate fool!

There was a stream of people behind the wide, imposing doors — the mansion was beginning to accept the first applicants for the role of the groom. The evening promised a gorgeous dinner, at which Etienne could choose a worthy candidate from among the respected ones, finally seeing everyone not in photographs, but in person. He sighed.

— We certainly hope that the omega in question will be a distinguished individual with an impeccable lineage, one with whom we can strengthen our business ties, — his father told him recently. — However, this is not of paramount importance. The chosen one is a matter of destiny, not wealth or high standing.

— Let it be a servant, for all I care! —  thought Etienne, lazily dressing himself. It mattered little to him.

He’s dated a lot of people of various social standings. The only difference lay in the intensity of their passion. Remarkably, Etienne was a seasoned romantic. Yet, the thought of an impending marriage spurred him to engage in fleeting romances—so many candidates ahead, and so little time! But now, he felt a desire to settle down. Not due to the customs of his family, but because of his chosen one.

— I fell in love, — Etienne said resignedly again, walking down the wide corridor side by side with Runour, from whose pleased face one could make a simple conclusion that his night was a success.

— Isn't it too early? We haven't reached the candidates yet! — he grinned cheerfully, — Or are you subtly hinting at me?

— Go to hell, — Etienne sent the guy grumpily. — I'll find him and get married. I have already given the order to bring everyone from that club who can match the parameters.

Runour whistled, jokingly drawled:

— That club? Well, then we'll be stuck here with the groom elections for at least a couple of years.

— Yes, you will all get stuck. And I'll die of spermotoxicosis, — Etienne promised gloomily, entering the office. — Go to work, don't get on my nerves.

Runour looked in surprise at the heavy door that slammed shut. As far as he knew Etienne, he had never seen him like this before. Could he have been serious about being "in love"? Runour shook his head, setting off to find his cousin and recalling his nocturnal adventure. Everything had been perfect, except for one thing - the omega's scent was sweet, tender, but not quite as Runour would have liked. He had noticed for quite some time that he was drawn to rather specific scents, but where could one find such among omegas and betas?

His cousin was found in the conference room. After giving instructions to the guys guarding the money and the peace of the Rutias family, he addressed Runour in a businesslike manner:

— You did a good job with your dick, now let's use your feet and hands. Please, once again patrol the mansion grounds, we don't need any unwelcome guests.

— You're too sharp-tongued for omega, — Runour marveled once again, not intending to oppose the offer, — That’s because you don’t fuck!

— I’m being fucked in the brain, — Dasse retorted sarcastically. — And please, don't mix work with personal life.

— As if anyone has one! — Runour shouted, running down the steps into the garden, chuckling.

Dasse put his hand to his forehead. Damn it, he's a healthy, mature alpha, but sometimes he acts like a kindergarten kid! Dasse himself may not have anyone, but Mr. Etienne is effectively engaged in this matter. Dasse did not think about what would happen to him when Etienne finally chose a husband. Rather, he was afraid to think about it, diligently focusing on his work. He was fussing since the morning, infecting everyone around with his workaholism.

After checking the guest and distant relatives' rooms, the young man headed to Etienne's room. He knew perfectly well that there was no alpha there (if there had been, Dasse would have entered only at gunpoint) and involuntarily sniffed the air. Oh, the perfect scent! The whole room smelled of it. Dasse almost drooled but caught himself in time—that's not why he came.