His breath came in sharp, ragged gasps as he sprinted through the forest, his bare feet barely making a sound against the damp earth. The cold night air bit at his skin, but he didn't stop. He couldn't.

His heart pounded violently in his chest, echoing in his ears like a war drum.

Why was he there?

Of all places, of all people—why did he have to be the one to appear?

The king.

The man he was forced to marry. The man he loathed.

Caelum had only wanted a moment of peace, a brief escape from the suffocating palace walls. Here, by the river, he could breathe. He could exist without the weight of duty pressing down on his shoulders. Without the constant gazes watching his every move.

But now…

He gritted his teeth, anger bubbling beneath his panic.

Why had the king chased him? Had he suspected something? Did he think Caelum was some spy sneaking around his kingdom? Or worse—had he recognized me?

No. That was impossible.

The king had never seen my face.

Even on their wedding night, Caelum had remained masked, his identity hidden beneath layers of tradition. The king had barely even looked at him. He had coldly stated his disinterest in their union before leaving him alone in that grand, unfamiliar room.

Yet tonight…

Tonight, the king had looked at him differently.

Not with indifference.

Not with disdain.

But with something else.

Something dangerous.

Caelum swallowed hard, his feet slowing as he neared the hidden path leading back to the palace. His legs trembled, his body still humming from the adrenaline of his escape.

The way the king had stared at him, as if he were something precious—something he wanted—sent a shiver crawling down Caelum's spine.

Why?

Why now?

He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms.

He didn't want the king's attention. He didn't want to be seen by him.

And yet, he had been foolish. Careless.

He had let himself be free—just for a moment.

And now, he had drawn the attention of the one man he wanted to avoid.

Caelum exhaled shakily, his resolve hardening.

I won't return to the river for at least ten days. Maybe more.

He couldn't risk another encounter.

He had spent his entire life unseen, untouched. His beauty was a curse, hidden beneath silks and gold, protected by the traditions of his people.

If the king ever found out the truth…

If he ever learned that his omega—the bride he so coldly rejected—was in the river

Caelum's entire world would shatter.

And he refused to let that happen.

No matter what, the king could not know.

Not now. Not ever.

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