DESIRE

CHAPTER ONE

LOWVALE

**********

“I heard there are a lot of people in the capital, I can't wait to see them,” Roshan giggled happily.

Roshian is a gamma and my one and only friend. We have been friends for so long that I can't even remember when we started it. For me he is my father, mother and only family.

“Is it only the pretty people you can think of?.” I asked with my feminine voice.

I look so small like an Omega and my voice is as feminine as an Omega. Pheromones don't work on me but I can scent pheromones so I can't possibly be a ‘Beta’, I am so much stronger that I handle 4 alpha and two beta at once so I'm neither an Alpha nor a Gamma.

“I think you are the only one not excited about going to the capital” Roshian muttered

Our nation is built on ranks. We peasants are of the lowest rank so we have a small village we live in called ‘Lowvale’. Only peasants are found here.

The capital belongs to the half breed and true bones. Half breeds are those whose one of the parents is a peasant. While true bones are noble borns. Half breeds are the middle rank while true bones are the highest rank.

Days ago the King's'envoy’ came and announced that everyone was all permitted to come to the capital to celebrate the king identification ceremony.

“Why should I be excited?” I asked with clearly no interest.

“You are so boring," Roshian grumbled. This rarely happens.“It's ourr first time going to the capital, we get to see nobles” he added, all excited again.

“Whatever.” I muttered.

“There you are, "Sofia groaned walking toward us.“I have been searching around for you”.

“Sofia!,” Roshian stood up quickly with a little smile.

Clearly Roshan once had a one-sided crush on Sofia but ended the moment he found out she was mated to Ryan.

Mate is also known as a strong bond between two individuals which is done by the goddess. It is a bond that makes them exclusive to each other.

Every soul has a mate. That was what Hilda told me which made me wonder, will my mate accept me? I'm just a peasant and an orphan with no name.

“I came not quite long. Aunt Hilda asked me to call you and I've been searching for you for eternity” she said after breathing heavily.

Sofia is an omega, omega are known for their fragile nature but not her. She is wild and strong.

“Mum wants us…like both of us?” Roshian asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Yeah…strange right?” Sofia responded again. “Like she was really strange and she seems to be very anxious, you guys better get to her now” she added in one breath.

“Thanks Sofia” I greeted her , in return she gave me a nod.

We walked back down from the mountain.

The most beautiful and peaceful place in Lowvale to me, is this mountain. It chases away my worries and silences every dark thought buried inside my mind.

It makes me forget how lonely I am. I have always felt like something useful is missing in my life. Hilda once told me it is the bond between me and my mate that is making me feel…lonely

Roshian was the only friend I had. No one in Lowvale was willing to associate with a nameless, genderless orphan. Pathetic, right?.

“Where have you two been?” Hilda asked.

“On the mountain mom” Roshian replied quickly.

“The capital is open by tonight. Before dawn everyone is expected to be in the capital” she said again.

“Yes mom we know.”

“I'm not stopping you from going to the capital to have fun. But promise me you both won't involve yourself with anything concerning the royal family.” She said her voice was cracking a little.

“What do you mean mom?” Roshian asked "We are peasants there is no way the royal family will have anything to do with us” He muttered again under his breath.

“I don't want to hear that, just promise me.” She said a little more quietly.

“Shouldn't we know why Hilda?.” I asked her.

“Please.” She pleaded.

However I couldn't help but close my mouth. It was because this was the first time that Hilda would show her emotions.

Hilda is an alpha woman, stern and always keeping a straight face. This is the first time she showed emotions in front of her son or me. Everyone always talked about how strict she was and how she always kept a straight face.

What is with the royal family?....

THE PALACE

The meeting room

“Your grace, we beg you to help talk to his majesty to reconsider this” Lord Derek, minister of war, shouted while bowing in respect.

“It is the king's request, why do you think I can stop him?,” Queen Dowager said “if the king wants it, you Ministers should support it” , she added gracefully.

Queen Dowager Elvira sat in the high chair, speaking with the calm authority and quiet grace that only years at the heart of power could give her. The way she speaks and moves all screaming elegance.

“But Your grace this is extremely ridiculous” Lord Alaric minister of Nobility affairs stated, “how can nobles and peasants be together?” He added a snort.

“Mind your behavior minister of Nobility affairs, respect yourself” Queen Dowager said coldly.

“Forgive me your grace” Lord Alaric bowed in respect.

“What do you say Minister of Justice?” Queen Dowager asked with a little smile.

“Your grace, I say this is a good bonding moment for everyone. I think the ranks of peasants and nobility are totally absurd if you pardon me.” Lord Silas said bowing in respect.

“Are you saying the former king’s decision is absurd, minister of Justice?” Derek asked with a smirk.

“We respect the former king but don't let us forget that now there is no more King Aiden on the throne. We should learn to respect the one sitting currently on the throne.” Lady Vera, minister of Omega welfare retorted.

“Are you saying we should disobey the former king's rules?” Derek fired back.

“How dare you all!!”, I'm sitting here in front and you dare display this behavior in front of me.” The Queen Dowager said coldly her voice screaming authority.

“Forgive us your grace.” All ministers all chorus and bow in respect.

“I can't change the decision of a king, don't forget his majesty is the one on the throne now. He rules the subjects.” she retorted coldly, “If you have any more things to say, say it to him directly and stop calling emergency meetings, Minister of War, you don't have the authority only the king does.”

“But your grace, this is clearly disobeying the former king. You are his queen shouldn't you be supporting him?.”

“How dare you speak to Her grace like that?.” Minister of Omega welfare retorted coldly.

“Dismissed” Queen Dowager muttered.

She stood up gracefully with a straight face and walked out with 2 maidens following her.

“Minister of war, You won't have it this time” Minister of Justice said and also walked out.

‘No, you are wrong I will have it and keep it for myself this time around’

THE PALACE

The king’s chamber *******

Third Person Pov:

“Her grace handled it already, Your majesty” Zarek, the king's personal guard said with a bow.

“Okay.” The voice replied coldly.

“Your majesty, why do you want to open the gate to the capital for peasants?.” Zarek asked.

“I have told you to call me by my name when we are alone, Zarek.” The voice said again.

“Your majesty, pardon me but I can't.”

“Then I command you Zarek to call me by my name.”

“Your majesty…”

The glare from the other made him stop.

“You were already on the edge and yet…”

“I know but they are my subject aren't they?” Lucian replied with a slight smile.

“You are really brave your majesty, I admire your braveness.” Zarek said with a smile. “I hope the moon goddess gives you a great mate who deserves you.” He added.

“What is the notice on FarrowkeepHe said ignoring Zarek's last words.

Zarek shook his head with a sign. “King Raven's health isn't getting better. Your…Lucian, the disagreement between Silla and Farrowkeep must come to an end before the 68th birthday of King Raven or else it won't end well for Silla.” Zarek said.

“I know…I don't know what to do yet but for now everyone is safe, peasants or no peasants, everyone is under me now. Where can I see them. I have to protect them.” Lucian replied.

Zarek is Lucian’s bodyguard and his best friend. They have been friends since little. But as Zarek always repeats the same sentence ‘I'm sorry your Majesty, but a slave and his master can never be friends.’

“What secondary gender do you think my mate would have?"

“Pardon?.”

“I am an alpha. My mate being an alpha like me is just impossible right?"

“Your majesty…”

With a sad smile he asked “Would they be safe with me?.”

“Your majesty doesn't think like that.” Zarek said quickly with a Snort. “Even if your mate is an omega, I believe you can protect them. And don't forget that you will always have me to protect you so all you need to do is protect your mate and people, I will protect you myself.” he added with a slight smile.

“Don't say words to make me feel better.”

“No I'm not your majesty, I believe you will.” He quickly said.

“You are also an alpha, are you…”

Lucian didn't get to finish his question when they heard a knock.

“Come in.” Zarek said.

“Your majesty, Lord Derek was seen entering the house of pleasure with Prince Orion.” The guard said professionally and kept his head bowed in respect.

“Immediately he left the palace, he went to Orion…they must have had an appointment before Derek came to the palace.” Lucian muttered.

“You can go. But still keep an eye on both of them.” Zarek said with a nod to the guard.The guard bowed in respect to Lucian again before he left.

“Your majesty, whenever Lord Derek and Prince Orion meets, things always go heinous,” Zarek muttered under his breath “I still can't believe someone would rather betray their brother to have a position” he shook his head disappointed.

Orion Nyx. The king's first son. His mother was a royal consort. The king couldn't crown a consort child as crown prince, so he chooses his second son to become the king.

‘Blood ties don’t stop a man reaching for a crown’. There can't be two moons in the sky, so one has to fall. But what happens when the fallen one tries climbing back up.

One have to be the sun and the other have to be the moon but what if the moon decides that the sun is what he wants to be.

THE HOUSE OF PLEASURE

Gibang Room

********

The room was at least big enough to accommodate hundreds of people. Paper doors glow with candlelight from brass lanterns, making everything look softer. A low table with mother-of-pearl sits in the middle, with tea cups, snacks, and a small heater sitted around it was Lord Derek and Prince Orion.

Folding screens with paintings of flowers and birds block the view. Silk cushions in red and gold are placed around. A string instrument in the hand of a lady that played it with elegance.

“He is biting more than he can chew.” Prince Orion muttered angrily. “It hasn't even been that long since Father died and yet he is showing his ability to yield the power given to him.”

“That is why I said you deserve to be in that seat, it was always yours to begin with.” Lord said with a light smirk. “You are the older one and yet your Father did favouritism and picked your younger brother to rule over you, that is just absurd.”

“He won't be on the throne for long.” Prince Orion muttered, His eyes showing murderous glint. “It will be mine soon again.”

“Yes your highness, I will help you in every area you need and all you need to do is make sure you are available when the throne is ready.” Lord Derek said drinking from the cup with a smirk.

Lowvale

Roshan and Nameless’s Room

**********

“Why can't midnight come so fast,”Roshan mumbled. “The king has a knack for bad timing, I mean why pick midnight when we can just go during the day.” Roshan muttered.

“Why do you think Hilda said we should not involve ourselves with the royal family?” I still asked totally what Hilda said in the mid-day.

“Well I don't know, maybe because she knows nothing good comes out of entangling yourself with the royal family.” Roshan said. “I heard she was once a servant in the palace.” Roshan whispered as if scared of anyone knowing what we were discussing about.

“A palace servant?” I never knew she was once a noble servant. So that was why she could read, write and do things peasants can't do. She is literally the only person that can read and write in Lowvale Because of her being able to Read and write me and Roshan could do it too.

“This rumor is circulating throughout the lowvale, maybe if you spend less time at the mountain you would have heard about it.” Roshan mumbled. I grin at that “Why do you grin? Did I say something funny?” He asked quickly.

“I don't know if you know it yet but your pheromone is leaking and in large quantities for that matter.” I muttered to him.

“Oh my… why are my pheromones gushing out now? My rut is supposed to be in the next two weeks. So why?” He asked no one in particular.

“Take your medicines and try sleeping it off,” Roshan hummed. “Speak with Hilda to let her know what is happening to you.” I added.

“I'm sure it is going to be fine, No need to tell her,” He muttered. “And I'm not going to sleep. we have only 3 hours before midnight.” He added all the jumpy again with excitement.

“Concerning what you said about the King's timing is very strange and weird. It's like he wants to sneak us out without anyone knowing.” I said with my observation so far. The King's behavior is kinda strange. Firstly he is breaking the rules that have been passed down from generations saying peasants should only remain in Lowvale. But now he wants us to come to Silla just for an identification ceremony that has been done for many years without the peasants.

“I knew it, maybe the rumors are true.” Roshan quickly replied.

“What rumor?” I asked with a raised brow.

“Well…the rumors say that we might get in a war with Farrow-keep Soon.” Roshan whispered.

“War?,” I asked clearly lost. “Where did you hear that from?” I quickly asked again.

“How am I supposed to know the source, it's supposed to be a rumor.” Roshan shared. “Try spending more time with people and you will get all different kinds of rumors and know more about things.”

“I will rather stay alone, you can learn things for me and get rumors out there for me to hear.” I replied with a grin.

“Suit yourself but I'm not telling you a thing any more.” Roshan muttered and snuggled against me.

We chatted about random things till Roshan fell asleep with his head on my chest while I just thought about what Roshan said concerning Hilda. ‘if she was a palace servant how did she end up in Lowvale?’

I was almost dozing off when I heard Hilda's voice telling us to come out.

I wanted to shake Roshan awake but before I could shake him, his eyes were already open.

“Are you okay?” I asked how pale his face was.

“Yeah, but I feel like I'm a stranger in my own body.” He said his voice was coming out weakly.

“Can you stand?” He shook his head in which I advyance and carried him in a bridal style.

“Where are you taking me to?” He weakly asked. His eyelids almost shutting close.

“To Hilda…” I carried him with no stress and took him outside. Maybe he is running a fever. His skin is warm…too warm and almost hot. But he was okay before he slept. So what is the problem. Immediately I took him outside, all eyes snapped at me.

“Why are you carrying him like that? If he is still sleepy pour him some water to wake him…” Hilda said immediately she saw us.

I cut her off to let her know she is mistaken. “He is running a fever…I think.” I muttered not so sure it was a fever.

“Canyouholdhimforsomeminutes? Let me check on him.” Her words slurred together before getting cleared. It wasn't a problem. I have carried Roshan a lot of times. Yes he was bigger than me but I don't mind. As I said earlier my strength wasn't ordinary. I could tell she was panicking but she isn't showing it.

Hilda is one of the Lowvale physicians. Immediately she checked him and squeezed her brow together in…confusion?

“What is it?” Sofia quickly asked.

“Maria…come check him up.” She asked Maria one of the co physicians to check Roshan again. Maria also frowned her face immediately and checked him.

“Did he show anything strange when you were together?” She asked me.

“Nothing strange, he was perfectly o…Pheromones leakage.” I responded to her after remembering he was gushing out a lot of Pheromones before he slept. “But he took his drugs and it stopped.” I added.

“Mating fever,” Maria continued. “He should be fine within half an hour or so.”

Everyone seems to breathe in a sign of relief. That is when I looked around and saw all the villagers staring at us.

“What is a mating fever?” One of the teens asked. Well to be sincere I also want to know the meaning.

“Well…mating fever is when a body weakens due to the fact that they are craving for a touch and pheromones of their mate but can't find it. Alphas have it during their ruts. It is rare for Gamma to have it.” She explained.

“So…” Sofia was interrupted when some guards entered our mist. I think they are the guards that are supposed to escort us to the capital.

“If you are all ready please let's be on our way, we need to reach the capital before the day brightens.” The one who seems like the leader of the guards said.

Everyone nodded in understanding and like that we started the journey to the capital.

During the journey Roshan said he was okay to walk and I put him down.

It was a very long way