Javon

I made every attempt I could to talk with Nico. He’d either ignore me outright or he would turn around and leave the room, not wanting to look at me, let alone be in the same room. Wynter had even attempted to help me with Nico, but he would leave the two of us alone to sit in silence. 

If anything, it made me a bit impatient. He was stubborn as hell and hard-headed, much like his father. Elias had treated me the same way, wanting to ignore my presence altogether. 

“I wish he would sit down and talk to you.” Wynter sighed, placing his hands in his. “I don’t want your first–” He paused, looking down at his lap. “Time to be together while he’s in heat. I want you to know him.” 

“I agree, but he’s stubborn.” I crossed my arms, leaning my head back on the couch. 

“He honestly gets that from Elias,” Wynter replied. 

“You don’t say,” I responded sarcastically, rolling my eyes, looking over to the elder omega. 

“I mean, he spent more time with Elias after a certain age to prepare to take the throne.” Wynter rubbed his arm. 

“He has an entire lifetime to prepare.” I retorted. “We’re on borrowed time, and I know he’ll resent me more than he already does when his heat arrives, and he needs my help.”

“You’re not wrong there.” Wynter nodded his head. “He’s very opinionated and strong-willed. If you were to break his trust, you might as well kiss him goodbye.”

“At this point, I won’t be able to kiss him at all.” I groaned, rubbing my hands on my face in frustration. 

“The goddess will bring you together whether he likes it or not. It’s a fate you can’t escape; you can prolong it, but that’s the most you’ll be able to do. Elias and I didn’t have much of a choice when I fell into my heat. It was so strong that even Beta’s could smell it.” Wynter crossed his legs. His eyes were far away in his memories. He blinked a few times and shook his head. “Nico is–” He thought of the words to say. “He’s dedicated and loyal. I’m sure when he first saw you, he was….” Wynter cleared his throat. “Less than impressed, which he has made clear. I think it’ll take a while for him to warm up to you.” 

“If I had known, I wouldn’t have done what I did that night. It’s just….” I frowned, trying to think of the correct words to say. “It’s just that I was upset that night. I know you’ve met my father.” I sneered. “I’m his illegitimate child, but I’m the only alpha son he has, so that’s why I’m supposed to be the crowned prince of our kingdom. I was upset that he didn’t come to the ball with me like he was supposed to. He promised.” I furrowed my brows. “I know I’m supposed to be an adult and to be grown. But it still hurts when your father doesn’t come to important events because there’s something better that he could be doing.” 

Wynter bit down on his lips and frowned. “I’m sorry to hear that, Javon.” He leaned forward, holding his hand out for me to grab. I hesitated, but I sat up and grabbed hold of the omega’s small hand. “We’ll treat you with respect. I promise.” 

Wynter’s kindness felt warm and genuine. It filled my heart with a fuzzy feeling of acceptance. “Thank you,” I replied quietly. 

“Of course,” He rubbed his thumb over the top of my hand. 

There was a knock on the parlor door, and a beta stuck his head inside the room. 

“Your majesty.” He bowed, walking into the room. “The king requests your presence in his quarters.” 

Wynter gave me a sad smile and patted the top of my hand. “I guess I’ll see you at dinner.” He released my hand and got to his feet. 

I was soon left alone in the parlor. 

I frowned, leaning back once more. I rested my head on the back of the couch. 

“You know, he’s probably never going to like you, right?” Theo, one of Nico’s brothers, responded. The door to the room opened wider, and the alpha crossed his arms. He was a stark image of his Father. “You seem too reckless. It’s a gamble.” He replied, walking into the room, flopping himself on the couch next to me. 

I ground my teeth together. 

“My dad’s just too nice to tell you otherwise.” He chuckled. 

“I didn’t ask for your opinion, kid.” I sneered, rolling my eyes. 

“I didn’t ask for your opinion, kid.” He mocked. “I know Nico better than my dad. Remember, I’m the brother. I know the secrets. Well, there’s not much. Other than Nico kissing the stable boy when he was like fifteen or something. Or that one time when he went skinny dipping in the lake a few years ago, right after a lesson. Other than that, he’s pretty squeaky clean… Unlike you.” He glared. 

“Look, I have already gotten the ninth degree from everyone,” I replied. “Last thing I need is for you to tell me what is and isn’t right. I know I’m not good enough for him or whatever. And he had to witness me doing fuck shit before even knowing me. You don’t know anything about me either, so fuck off, kid.” 

Theo cackled, patting my shoulder a few times, and then he got up to his feet. “You’re doomed, dumbass.” 

— — —

I paced outside Nico’s bedroom, waiting for the omega to get back to his room. What did I try to do this time? I mean, I knew the likelihood of him slamming the door in my face would be the likely outcome of this approach. 

I sighed. What would I try to say this time to hopefully end the conversation in good standing to where he would finally listen to me. Then it dawned on me. I stopped in my tracks and stared at the two grand doors to my mates room. 

If he wouldn’t listen to me in my general pleas, I would have to force him to listen to me. I would need to corner him. Of course, I wouldn’t do anything bad to him. I just wanted him to listen to me. He already knew he could escape me through the doors to his room and lock me out… But he couldn’t lock me out if I was already inside. 

I took a deep breath, walked across the hall, and opened the door to his room, slipping myself inside. I just wanted to talk with him to get my point across. 

To apologize to him for witnessing me in one of my low moments. 

To ask him to give me a chance.

I leaned up against the wall so I would be behind the door when he got into his room. 

I waited for around twenty minutes until I heard him approaching his room. I could hear him talking with the beta. I thought his name was Kota, going over details on what he would need to work on the next day. The door opened, and I held my breath for a second. I didn’t know what I should do. I hadn’t planned this far ahead. I just knew I desperately wanted him to listen to me. 

“Tomorrow, make sure you move up the appointment for the guests from the Bonnet kingdom.” Then Nico lowered his voice. “I think it's coming faster than I had originally thought.” He sighed. “Please make sure that we have the elixirs ready just in case it comes earlier than thought. The Bonnet Prince is an alpha, and I’d prefer not to be assaulted in my own home.” 

“Nicolas, don’t you think it is time you start talking with your mate?” The beta’s voice was concerned. 

“I’d rather walk on cacti.” He replied. 

Damn, what a shot to the ego. 

“It’s just you know how your heat will be, your highness. Omega’s heats are not to be messed with. That’s why we have separate quarters for them.” The beta’s voice strained with the importance of what he was talking about.

“I’d rather die of heat stroke than deal with a ravenous heat shared with a harlot of a mate.” I furrowed my brows and cocked my head to the side. 

He’s fucking kidding me, right?

Harlot? 

What is it? 

The fucking 1800’s or some shit? 

“Nico.” Kota sighed. 

“Kota.” Nico mocked the gesture. 

“I think you need to at least talk with your dad about this. He’s been… Worried. Kallin said that your mom has talked with Javon a bit and says he’s not a bad guy.” Nico’s pale hand grabbed onto the door, and he tapped his index finger against it. 

“I thought about it….” He replied. “Yeah, I don’t think I wanna, see, I thought about it.” 

“Nico, seriously.” The beta replied. 

“I’m serious, as a heart attack. I have better things to do than to worry about the prince of the Cashum kingdom.” His hand gripped the door, ready to close it. 

My heart fluttered with anxiety, ready to act. 

“We’ll talk about this again in the morning.” Kota cleared his throat. 

“There’s nothing to talk about,” Nico replied. 

“Yes, there is.” 

“Nope. Good night, Kota,” Nico closed the door. 

I didn’t give him time to react to me being in the room. I automatically shoved him gently against the door, chest to chest. Putting both of his hands above his head and I quickly put my hand over his mouth to stop him from calling out to someone. 

“Please, just let me talk.” I pleaded.