Chapter 34: You Will Be Punished
Koda;
His eye twinkles with so much light, it looks like a ruby. I stare at his other, still shut eye, and my hand finds his face.
He doesn’t flinch or move away; instead, he leans into my touch.
"Does it hurt much?" I question as I stare at the state he’s in, and he smiles. A big, bright smile that gives him a disarming edge.
"It hurts less now," he replies, and I blink at him.
My eyes dart over to Rhydian, who’s sitting opposite me. He looks up at me, and then away.
"It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have been roaming about pointlessly. I’ll take better care of myself from now on," he says, still maintaining his smile and confusion, clothes me.
Why?
Why is he acting so differently?
Much softer and receptive now.
He looks innocent and happy, but something still feels wrong. The few days I’ve studied him, all I’ve gotten to know is that he’s remarkably stubborn.
This side of him, though...
He suddenly scoots closer to me like everyone else at the table isn’t present.
"I was wondering if you’d be busy tomorrow. I’d like to spend some time with you. I get bored staying in my room all day." He whispers, and I freeze.
I blink at him in dumbfoundment, and he places his small hands on my thigh.
"Please?" He pushes, and I raise a brow as I study him.
The sound of a chair scraping suddenly rents the air, and we all turn to the source of the noise.
Lioran.
He looks pissed. Visibly annoyed. But by what?
He bows curtly to Father and steps away from the table.
"I’ve had my fill. Goodnight." He says before turning around, and we listen to his heels click as he marches away.
That’s odd...
I look back down at Elian, and he turns to me.
I stare at him for a bit, and then I ask.
"What do you want to do tomorrow, Little Cub?" I question, and he pouts.
There. There it is. The Elian I know. The stubborn one who’s quite expressive of his dislikes.
His pout, however, vanishes almost as quickly as it came, and that’s when I’m beyond certain that something is going on in that mind of his.
"Whatever you want. I just want a chance to know my Alpha better." He replies, batting his lashes, and I smile.
He’s up to something.
"Alright. I’ll send for you tomorrow morning." I say before turning to my meal, and from the corner of my eyes, I see a massive, triumphant smile on his face.
Alana arranges his meal in front of him, and dinner goes in silently for a few minutes till Father speaks.
"Elian, I heard you got involved in an accident today." He speaks, and everyone pauses.
"Unlike your usual self-inflicted accidents... I was told this was caused by one of my sons. Am I right?" He continues, and I look over at Rhydian, who is staring at Father.
"Yes... Your Majesty." Elian replies, and his scent shifts.
His scent deepens into that deep minty mist he usually smells like when angered. It’s adorable how clueless he is about the fact that the smell of his pheromones gives his emotions away.
Almost every omega knows how to mask their scents for their safety. But this one... this clueless, little one has no idea how vulnerable he is.
"Does that make you angry?" Father questions, and there’s a pause.
"No," Elian replies with his gaze on his food. The scent is stronger now. I can feel it filling my lungs.
He’s beyond angry. He’s livid, and still lying even though we can smell it.
"It’s my fault I got beaten. I shouldn’t have trespassed." He continues, and I look up at Father.
What is Father playing at? Why all these questions? I thought he didn’t care what happened to Elian.
"Hmm... Yes, you were wrong to trespass." Father speaks, and I pause.
What?!
Elian’s scent deepens, and I sigh.
Is Father deliberately messing with him so Elian’s scent will affect us??
"But it was worse for my son to lay his hands on you. He will be punished for it." Father says, and we all snap our heads in his direction, in shock.
"What?!" Rhydian growls. And I just stare, stunned at Father.
"Other Alphas may abuse their omegas, but that is not the law of my household. Your mother might be the only Alpha I’ve ever been with, but that doesn’t give you the right to be crude. In my home, Omegas are respected. I respected all your brothers’ mothers, and I will not raise a brute." Father replies, and my jaw drops.
"But Father, he..." Rhydian begins, but Father cuts him off.
"Anticipate... your punishment. I got you boys an Omega, not so you could abuse him. I want an heir out of him, not welts and bruises!" Father snaps, and the table falls silent.
Rhydian turns to Elian, but Elian just keeps eating like nothing just happened.
"This is madness!" Rhydian then snaps before standing up and storming off, and Zephan stands up softly.
"I’ll be taking my leave now, Father." He says with a bow, and before he turns around, I notice his gaze linger on Elian.
Like he wants Elian to notice him... to look at him just once, and although I can bet a fortune of harvest that Elian can feel Zephan’s eyes on him, not once does he acknowledge Zephan.
Instead, he shuts his eyes as he savours that taste of the food.
I watch the disappointment that floods Zephans face as Zephan turns away and walks off, and then a few dots I may have missed earlier connect.
Does Zephan like Elian?
"I’ll be going back to my chambers," Father says as he stands up, and I nod.
"Is Zethar back from his trip yet?" He questions, and shakes my head in negation.
"No. He ought to be back tonight, but think there’s a delay. He should be home by tomorrow." I reply, and Father nods as he turns around.
"At least the boy didn’t cause trouble for us this time. It’s an improvement. Let me know the moment that storm sets foot in the estate." He speaks as he walks off, and I smile.
"Will do, Father."
Despite the tension between Father and Zethar, I can easily see how much Father loves the chaotic thunderbolt.
I turn back to Elian, who’s still eating, and I let out a breath. I wonder how Zethar’s presence will affect Elian.
He thinks he’s met the worst of us... He’s in for a shock.
It’s a good thing he asked to be with me on the day my omega-consuming younger brother will be returning home.