Chapter 1
Rain hammered against the marble roofs of the capital like a warning from the gods.
Lior pulled his hood lower as he slipped through the narrow servants’ corridor beneath the western palace wing. Water dripped from the edges of his dark cloak, leaving faint marks across the stone floor. The palace above glittered with gold and music tonight—nobles drowning themselves in wine during the emperor’s winter masquerade.
Perfect timing for secrets to crawl out of hiding.
Lior pressed himself against the wall as two guards passed nearby.
“…heard the shipment arrived tonight.”
“From the southern labs?”
A pause.
“Keep your voice down.”
Their footsteps faded.
Lior exhaled slowly.
Southern labs.
There it was again.
For months, whispers had spread through the underground network about missing Omegas—poor ones, orphaned ones, unwanted ones. People who vanished without investigation. The rebellion believed the royal family was funding illegal experiments related to secondary genders.
And tonight, Lior intended to prove it.
He reached into his sleeve, pulling out a folded map stolen from a drunken court official three weeks ago. According to the blueprint, the hidden archive chamber should be just beyond—
Footsteps echoed sharply behind him.
Too close.
Lior cursed under his breath and slipped into the nearest doorway without thinking.
The room beyond was dark except for the glow of a fireplace.
Warmth hit him first.
Then scent.
Cedarwood. Smoke. Something dangerously sharp beneath it.
Alpha.
Powerful one.
Lior froze.
A tall figure stood near the window, half-shadowed in black formal wear embroidered with silver thread. Broad shoulders. Sword belt discarded carelessly nearby. One gloved hand held a crystal glass untouched by the firelight.
The stranger turned slowly.
Gold eyes met Lior’s.
And the entire room seemed to tighten.
Not just an Alpha.
The Alpha.
Prince Kael.
Lior’s pulse stumbled once.
Kael studied him silently, gaze flicking over the soaked cloak, hidden face, tense posture. Predatory calm radiated from him—not loud or aggressive, but controlled in a way that felt far more dangerous.
“You’re either very brave,” Kael said at last, voice low and smooth, “or incredibly stupid.”
Lior recovered quickly.
“Maybe both.”
One dark eyebrow lifted slightly.
Most people lowered their heads around the crown prince. Most people avoided eye contact entirely.
Lior did neither.
Kael stepped closer.
Instinct screamed immediately.
Even suppressants couldn’t completely silence Omega instincts around dominant Alphas. Lior hated that his body reacted before his mind did—the sudden awareness, the sharpened senses, the tension crawling beneath his skin.
Kael noticed.
Of course he noticed.
His gaze sharpened almost imperceptibly.
“You’re not palace staff,” Kael said.
“And you’re observant.”
A dangerous answer.
But strangely, amusement flickered briefly across the prince’s expression.
“Who sent you?”
“No one.”
“Then why are you sneaking through restricted halls during a royal masquerade?”
Lior smiled faintly beneath the hood.
“I could ask why the crown prince is hiding alone in the dark instead of entertaining nobles.”
For the first time, Kael looked genuinely interested.
Silence stretched between them.
Outside, thunder rolled across the city.
Lior knew he should leave immediately. Every instinct warned him this was a mistake. If Kael recognized him—if the prince discovered his family name or his connection to the underground movement—
Finished.
But Kael made no move to call the guards.
Instead, he watched Lior like he was trying to solve a puzzle.
Then Kael’s expression changed suddenly.
Subtle.
Barely visible.
But enough.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
“Your scent…”
Lior’s blood ran cold.
Damn it.
The rain must have weakened the scent blockers.
Kael took one slow step closer.
Not threatening.
Worse.
Curious.
“Interesting,” Kael murmured.
Lior forced himself not to retreat.
“Personal space exists, Your Highness.”
“And yet you entered my private chambers.”
“…By accident.”
“I don’t believe that.”
“Not my problem.”
Another flicker of amusement.
Then—
Voices echoed from the corridor outside.
“Search the west wing!”
Lior stiffened instantly.
The guards.
Kael noticed.
“You’re being chased,” he observed calmly.
Lior glared. “Your investigative skills are remarkable.”
The prince ignored the sarcasm.
For one long second, neither moved.
Then Kael crossed the room, opened a concealed panel beside the fireplace, and revealed a hidden passageway.
Lior blinked.
“…Why are you helping me?”
Kael’s expression became unreadable again.
“Maybe I’m curious.”
The corridor voices grew louder.
No time.
Lior backed toward the hidden passage but paused before entering.
“Thank you,” he said quietly, surprised to mean it.
Kael leaned one shoulder against the stone wall, golden eyes unreadable in the firelight.
“Careful,” he said softly. “The palace eats careless people alive.”
Lior held his gaze for one dangerous heartbeat too long.
Then he disappeared into the darkness.
And Prince Kael remained standing alone beside the fire, the faint scent of rain and wildflowers lingering in the room long after the stranger was gone.
