The wedding of Jesse and Victoria Shang was simply beautiful. The votes were thrilling, and it was clear how these two perfectly matched each other. Victoria was the most beautiful bride of that Empire, with red cheeks stamping her happiness to be getting married, with that brightness that every bride has.
Jesse also seemed happy, receiving the compliments of his guests after the ceremony was over. The noble aura he exhaled suited so well the surname Grimwood. He now belonged to the Shang family, devoting himself to protecting them while Victoria would become head of the family since she is an omega.
The wedding dinner soon began. The Grimwood hall had a classic sound of musicians making it luxurious. Of course, we are talking about the only Grand Duchy of the Empire. Elegance and wealth were reflected in every corner. That would be gossip among the ladies who love to boast when they were invited to such events.
Especially when it happened after a great gossip.
Eugene walked the hall happy to see everything going well. His brother seemed happy now that he was married to the woman he loves. Magnus seemed annoyed by Lucian's provocations, but he wouldn't let go of the alpha's waist. For a moment, Eugene was happy to see good people giving life to his brothers.
Finally they could get away from that gloom that fell on the Grimwood after their parents' death.
"Ah, there you are, young Grimwood."
That voice made Eugene shiver completely. The blood disappeared from his face when he realized who it was.
A person who insisted on following him for months.
"Good evening, sir Mountuni."
The man, probably almost twenty years older than him, smiled and puffed his chest looking satisfied by omega's polite compliance. Eugene knew he could use his family name and title to impose something, but Moutuni became a supporter of Cadec, so Eugene couldn't just be rude.
Only that it was a real nuisance.
"I see that you are not using the gift I sent..."
"Did you send anything?" Eugene asked with his head slightly tilted "Forgive me, my brother is the one who takes care of the mail at home..."
"You are no longer a child to have your correspondence confiscated, my lord. You should complain about this Grand Duke's overprotection."
Ah... Eugene really wanted to call Magnus and let him take care of that guy. He even looked around searching for his brother with some discretion. But damn, Magnus and Lucian were on the other side of the hall. Too far to look in your direction in time.
"Sir Moutuni, I am my brother's responsibility as long as I do not marry someone. The Grimwood's rules must never be broken, regardless of the age of its members."
"Humpf, these rules are outdated, if you know what I mean. The Grand Duke himself has dishonored the eighth prince and there are rumours that he marked him. So, what are these rules for?"
Eugene blushed slightly because he did not want to hear about his older brother's intimacy. He knew very well about the rumors that circulated, his friends from the academy told him everything. And even contributed to a version more "fairy tales" was spread to fight, which gave Eugene a lot of work.
Maintaining the integrity of the Grimwood was his duty as a youngest.
"Sir, please be careful what you say. My brother is not patient with anyone who mocks our traditions."
"He would not hear from here, do not worry. You can be honest with me, young Grimwood" The man took a step closer to Eugene and released his recessive pheromones on him "I can give you the freedom you need, and I've been very generous in recent months, you know?"
The smell of the recessive alpha made Eugene hesitate and tremble slightly. For months that abused tried to persuade him, make the youngest of the Grimwood give in to his pheromones and get stuck. Eugene knew very well that kind of technique, Magnus and Jesse warned him several times when he was alone.
So, Eugene asked Magnus to postpone his debut in the society. As soon as he was out, Mountuni would not waste time in asking for his hand. He needed to buy enough time to gather evidence to get rid of that guy. Of course, Eugene could just reject it, but the political implications could be huge. Did not want the first prince to lose a support at this moment so important.
Especially by him...
"Sir Moutuni, by chance are you using your pheromone on an omega?"
The voice serious and stoic made the noble hesitate. Eugene shuddered as he felt the other pheromone overlap, a strong woody smell, reflecting his dominance and hostility. The omega's heart sped up when raised his rosy eyes to the strong body and serious expression alpha. A figure he knew very well and has been the focus of his thoughts in recent months.
"Your Highness?"
"I asked a question. Answer."
"I was just having a friendly chat with young My Lord Grimwood. It seems that Your Highness would like to join us... again."
Cadec frowned lightly. Indeed, it was not the first time that Cadec had intruded into the conversation between Eugene and Moutuni. During the victory banquet, just before the Grimwoods left, Cadec saved Eugene.
The omega would never forget that, how Cadec seemed so "giant" to hide him on his back and cast that fierce look. It was the only time in Eugene's life that he felt his heart racing. Cadec protected him until Eugene's older brothers returned. After that, Moutuni left the political neutrality to support Cadec as heir to the throne.
Just to court Eugene.
Unfortunately, Moutuni was persistent and always sent letters and gifts. Eugene took refuge in the academy where he studied, or at the Grimwood mansion, where Magnus kicked out all the annoying alphas. However, Eugene knew very well that the peace would not last. Moutuni would take advantage of any social event where Eugene could go despite not having debuted.
Likewise, Eugene did not expect that he would have the luck of Cadec to save him for the second time. But there he was...
"On the contrary, I think it inappropriate that you are courting young Grimwood, who did not even debut in society and just within their territory."
"Well, Your Highness, I'm just making things easier. An omega should be claimed by an alpha."
"And my sword is thirsty for blood" growled Cadec, taking a step forward, hiding Eugene on his back "Are you mocking me? I am the prince of this Empire, and have authority to rip off the head of anyone who dares to touch an omega that has not yet debuted."
"You shouldn't threaten me, your highness" Moutuni whispered trying to sound threatening. "I'm one of the few who supports you..."
"Do I look worried about that?" cadec growled back.
The mad dog. He who was not afraid to brandish his sword. Cadec became the favorite to the throne precisely because he had several achievements to protect his Empire. Eugene heard all the stories about Cadec, as if just by hearing it could feel your heart racing. It was true that Cadec lost his composure when it came to his morale. Cadec would do anything to fight for what he thinks is right.
He was like a fairy-tale prince.
"It will not be so, your highness" growled Moutuni "He will be mine."
Moutuni gave a fierce look to Eugene before he left. The omega's legs shook and he thought that he would soon fall to the ground, if Cadec had not held him carefully, making the omega blush intensely.
"Are you all right, my lord?"
"Y-Yes!" Eugene replied promptly "Thank you, Your Highness. And I'm sorry that you have to protect me... again."
"It is not necessary to thank me. Although it is worrying that this man is so obsessed. Did you tell your brother something?"
"No... I didn't."
"But you should. Magnus wouldn't let this man live if he knew what he was doing."
Eugene even wanted to tell, but his brothers were busy with their own lives. Jesse's marriage... the rumors about Lucian... the duel with the first prince. The rosy eyes rose up to the prince's bright eyes, Eugene felt his heart speed and some of his scent flow, timidly.
"Your Highness, are you still avoiding my brother?"
Cadec's face became serious and cold, as always. But it was... beautiful.
"I still haven't forgiven him for dishonoring Lucian. I believe that would be an inappropriate conversation to have on a festive night."
He would leave.
Eugene felt that and he wanted to avoid it at all costs.
"Your Highness, please, is there anything I can do? You helped me twice, I wanted to reward you somehow."
"I did not help you to be rewarded."
"Please, please..."
Eugene's eyes shone with hope, longing to have something to hold on to. Something to be the reason to see him again.
Sighing low, Cadec smiled lightly to his best friend's brother.
"If you wish, feel free. As long as you do not expose yourself to danger or disobey your brother."
"Yes! Oh, thank you, Your Highness. Then allow me to prepare a gift. I will deliver it at the next opportunity."
"So be it, young Grimwood."
When Cadec was gone, Eugene sighed feeling his heart racing. May the heavens smile on him so that such an opportunity would come soon. Or else, Eugene would miss those bright eyes.