The alpha, the sultan and the omega

Seshat.

Noah knew she would defend herself to the death, he knew she was strong, and that she didn't have much to worry about but she did, she did. She was his wife, his main wife, and yet after the ceremony and the wedding night, he had never been able to have her. He hurt, he was always in love with her. Even if he believed that what happened and his confession had changed his mind, it was not like that. But... He knew that he was going through Soleil's head, he knew it well, and yet he could not fully understand it.

—Noah, there's something else —Gale tried to tell him but Idris pressed the beta's arm before he could. The red-haired looked at him confused, Idris shook his head and Noah raised his head.

—What?

—Oh... Um, no, nothing —the sultan raised his eyebrow and he cleared his throat—, I mean is nothing about Soleil... Um, Emma will be back to classes and I think it'll be a good idea that you go out with her to it.

—No way. I can't leave, much less now that our alpha left —he denied.

—Okay then, I'll go with her if you approve it —he said.

Noah looked at him for a while and nodded.

—Are you excited? —Reyham looked silently to Narges and Ayze.

The first was a pretty brown-eyed woman, and the second a blue-eyed blonde. The three of them were in the garden enjoying a quiet morning having tea and cookies, but she couldn't concentrate. She had heard that the Alpha's mating season was beginning, and coincidentally, the sultan had refused to attend to her that morning to leave the palace for some part of her. He wasn't far, according to her scent, but ...

—What do you think? I like the idea —Ayze was smiling.

Unlike them, Reyham was not interested in being with them but it was almost a requirement that the sultanas get along, one that Noah had imposed, and of course, they had to listen to him. For Narges and Ayze there was not much problem, both were very good friends and were happy with their lives, they dedicated themselves to their friendship and their children.

She had different plans.

—Well, it's true. It has been a while since the sultan gave the title of favorite to a woman —Narges added with a smile too—. I'm glad that he likes someone else, it's just great. He is always with the same people but did not move any of them like her.

—She has to be good —Ayze raised suggestively her eyebrows and both started laughing.

Reyham frowned and turned to see her.

—What are you talking about, pair of parrots?

—Of the new sultan's omega —Ayze answered with her drink in her hand while showing her a triumphal smile. She has always been her loyal rival and they hated each other but she held back from doing something to him just because Ayze's daughter was the sultan's firstborn, which didn't suit her at all—. Emma Collins.

—Emma Collins? —Reyham blew—. How could she be a favorite? Just looking at her name...

—She is in the sultan's chambers since last night —Narges said—. The sultan allowed her to sleep and be there until he comes back. I know he's going to give her a name soon.

—Right but... It is strange that the alpha and the sultan are lost or what? —Ayze looked at Narges.

—You're right —they both laughed. Reyham stopped eating when she heard her.

It was not for her to sit around waiting for one of those two women to find her man. Yes, Noah hadn't caught her attention until he became sultan, that was true but she didn't see anything wrong with having goals. And her goal was to be sultan of that reserve, to be recognized by everyone as the mother sultan, more than anything in the world.

She didn't even want to go to the outside world.

—Emma, you can't go out like this —Gale was behind her.

The sultan had sent her back to the palace to make sure Emma was okay, Reyham was known to be very jealous and territorial, she had kicked many women off the reserve just to be considered favorites. Now all of them were happily married and for that alone, Noah had not cast the sultana from him, that and because it would be bad for his children to separate them from his mother, even if she was a bad woman. Of course, the Sultan did not know the latter.

—Who says that? —she pushed.

Surprised, Emma had come out not only from the sultan's room but also from the palace and was near the garden, where she had smelled the sultanas and princes nearby. She couldn't even answer him when a prince and princess approached him.

—Gale! —Faith shouted approaching her and ignoring the woman's presence. Faith was a cute little girl with blonde hair and blue eyes just like his father, Gale was her teacher, sort of.

—Princess —Gale bowed his head—. Is something bothering you? How can I help you?

—Brighton is bothering me —she crossed her arms in front of her chest—. Scold him.

—Prince Brighton —he looked to the young boy, blonde and blue-eyed too—. Why are you bothering the sultan? She is your sister, you're not supposed to tease her but caring her.

—That! —affirmed the little girl.

Emma was silent until she saw them and couldn't help but giggle a couple of times. They were cute kids and although she was quite surprised to see them, it was not very difficult to know that they were Noah's children.

—Excuse me, but... Who are you? —the girl wrinkled her nose.

—She is Emma, sultan, the new sultan's favorite —Gale introduced her, making her nervous. The kids knew what that term means? She was ashamed.

—Oh —the girl looked her upside down—, I see.

The little girl made a face.

—My mom is cuter than you, maybe daddy needs glasses —she said.

—What? No way, she's a beauty —Brighton looked at her—. Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?

Emma looked at him silently with a smile. That child was a sweetheart, and she didn't need to know that perhaps that was because he was the son of the sultan, the first prince as she understood. The prince, according to what Gale had explained, was the son of Sultana Reyham. So, Brighton, she thought.

—Yes. Did it hurt? —Emma looked how the girl was smiling—. Because you fell on your face.

Emma blinked a while before start laughing, which made the girl frown. Sultan Faith did not like the idea of people laughing at her, yet she passed it by because she seemed to be in trouble on her own.

—Such a sweetie —she ended laughing and looked at Gale—. Now, can you let me go?

—I'm not doing that, omega —the beta ignored the confused look in the princes—. You're not allowed to go out if the alpha isn't here. Got it?

—Is the angel having a baby? —he asked with a smile.

Faith's eyes widened when she heard her half-brother say that and she turned to see him, as she hit him, not only because of the innuendo but also because of how impolite it was to interrupt a conversation between adults.

—Shut up, Brighton, don't say that —she complained softly—. What's wrong with you?

—What? I was just asking —he raised his shoulders while sobbing his head—. She looks like mother Soleil in a sort way, it reminds me of her somehow.

That made Faith look at her. It was true, although her features were more feminine and calm, her snowy skin and straight dark hair and those black eyes gave her a certain resemblance to the Alpha.

—My name is Faith —she said while stretching her hand to Emma—. You have to tell me, Sultan Faith or princess, now kiss my hand —she ordered.

Emma raised an eyebrow trying not to laugh, but still, she kissed the girl's hand as she demanded. Almost instantly, the other boy extended her hand with a gallant smile that made her roll her eyes before kissing his knuckles.

—Great —he yelled—. I won't wash my hand in years. By the way, I'm Brighton, the eldest prince.

—What a curious name —she was joking, Gale laughed—. It's so different.

—His name was chosen by the sultan in honor of her younger brother Bright. Although he just added the on. If they're together they call Brighton, "B".

—It doesn't sound too complicated —she said.

Gale nodded and wrinkled his nose at the new scent that was approaching them, Emma on the other hand just looked at the children with interest. They were the two eldest sons of his majesty, Sultan Noah, both were very similar to him although apparently, they were quite different in their features.

—Children! —soon they saw a young man in his twenty running with a rush to where they were and both princes complained while Gale turned to see the man—. I told you to not go away! —he complained, as he rested his hands on his knees and took a few minutes to take a breath. She was sweating.

Emma and Gale looked at him incredulously.

—Bright, what are you doing here? —Gale was the first to speak, calling the young man's attention. The red-haired raised his eyebrow, "speaking of the devil" he thought.

—Oh, Gale! So good to see you... I was just, you know, walking by —he scratched his cheek before his eyes met the young lady—. Who is this Persian beauty? —and he smiled flirting.

—She is the new dad's omega —Brighton said with a smile.

Bright whistled.

—She is cute —he blinked her the eye and Emma laughed softly—. I'm Bright, sultan's younger brother but you can call me the love of my life instead if you want to.

—What are you doing here? —Gale repeated.

—Oh, man, chill down a little! I was spending time with the demons, I mean my nephews —he laughed—. Anyways, what were you two doing? Going for a walk?

—Yep —Emma affirmed—, we're going for a walk in the garden. Oh, maybe can I ride, Gale?

—Do you have a horse? —Gale sighed.

Certainly, he could not deny the new favorite something like getting out of her confinement, at least she pretended to be in the garden, even so, he would not leave her. Idris was busy attending meetings with the outsiders Isaac and Dianne, the Alpha's brother and his mate, who apparently intended to start their own pack within the place, which was a surprise.

—Well —Emma thought a little.

There were so many things to do and he was babysitting her, he exhaled.

—Um... Did the sultan take Abbott? —she asked with a smile.

—No —he answered and then looked at her—. Are you insane? That's the alpha favorite.

Emma laughed.

—She gave it to me, well, sort of —she moved her hand—, besides he won't get hurt.

—I'm not sure —Bright whistled again—. Nobody touches Abbott, that's the rule but maybe you could ride Costello or Donatello.

—I already rode Abbott and the sultan never said no to me —she raised her hand. For some reason she felt that she didn't get along with Bright, still, when she sniffed the place, a sweet scent of strawberries made her wrinkle her nose—. What is that smell?

—Sultan Reyham —he said.

Bright and Emma made a face of disconformity while the kids looked at Gale.

—Tell the girl to come with us —Brighton looked at his uncle—. Our mothers would be pleased to meet her, and I saw you liked her too.

—What do you mean by "too"? —he frowned.

—I'm a better match than you —he stuck out his tongue—, come on. Let's walk.

Emma had to contain her laughter when she heard that "secret conversation", as she walked to one side of the blonde and the redhead, while the children went ahead. When they reached the garden, they saw a small tent with furniture set up in a corner of the garden, where the children quickly went. Emma could notice two silhouettes inside the tent.

—Are you coming in? —Bright asked her.

—Ah —she looked at Gale and he shook his shoulders—, well, yes.

Emma approached next to the blonde towards the tent, and the silhouettes soon began to make sense, then she saw the sultanas by pairing, at least two of them. The first was brown with black eyes and the second blonde with blue eyes, Prince Brighton was next to the first, while Sultana Faith was next to the second. It didn't take long for her to know which was Narges and which was Ayze.

—Sultans —she bowed.

Bright only whistled and smiled at them, as he took a dessert from the table where they ate. Ayze was the first to get up to see the girl closer to her, she gave her the feeling that he was sniffing her, well, she was actually sniffing her but it made her uncomfortable in a certain way. Then she smiled.

—I'm Ayze, nice to finally meet you —she said—. I see you met my daughter Faith, I hope she treated you well and we get along together. Oh, I like your clothing, it's cute.

—I'm Emma —she smiled, blushed—, and I tell you the same, sultan. You are a really beautiful woman, they showed me a couple of pictures from the two of you but it didn't make justice to your beauty.

—Oh, my!

Ayze looked at Narges with a straight face before both screeched.

—Is such a cute! —Ayze squeezed her cheeks—. I hope you get pregnant soon and you become a sultan too. It would be wonderful to have you with us.

—Ah... Thank you, I guess.

—I'm Narges —said the brown-haired girl, calmly—, I'm prince Max's mother. The one of that corner —she pointed at a boy with dark hair and blue eyes running after the twins, one with blonde hair and the other with red hair—, and I hope you're comfy at the palace.

—Ah, I am —she looked at Gale sideways—, yes. Thank you very much, nice to meet you, sultans.

—Oh, stop with the manners, babe. Now you are a favorite, just call us Ayze and Narges, don't be afraid —Ayze smiled—. Here, take a seat and drink tea with us. Would you? And talk to us about you.

Why does everyone want me to tell them about me? She wanted to sigh, but smiled and nodded, as he entered the tent with the other sultans. She couldn't hear what Brighton said to Narges but he dragged her uncle Bright away from her, and he just smiled sheepishly as he left. Gale, on the other hand, sat outside the tent next to Sultan Faith.

—So you decided to keep using your name because you don't feel comfortable or the sultan and alpha hadn't decided on a name for you? —Ayze asked while giving her a cup of tea. Emma looked at her, confused—. Oh, you haven't had that class. Have you?

Emma denied it and drank a little, Narges smiled at her.

—These aren't our real names, honey. Each one of us had a name before living in the palace, and some others like Narges before living at the reserve —Ayze pointed.

—I wasn't raised here like Reyham and even Ayze used to live in the town before —Narges told her—, I used to live in an east pack but then we were hunted and only my mother and I survived. I got here when I was sixteen and then our alpha chose me as an omega of the palace.

—She was the one who gave me my name —said Ayze.

—What was your name before?

—I was Irina but I don't recall much of that time. My parents moved in here when I was a little and Soleil chose me as an omega of the palace, she gave me the name Ayze the first time I was in the golden hallway.

—I was Talia —she made a face—. The sultan gave me the name when I turned into a favorite.

—If you ever leave the reserve, which I believe are your intentions, you will continue to use your name and real identification —the blonde said.

—Ah, now that you mention it, I had to use it before when I was out —she mumbled back.

—Yes. Like everyone here, they have a second name that corresponds to their second life, either before or after booking. Some like us are not interested in going out because here we have everything we have always wanted —Narges smiled.

—What about the other sultans?

—Well, as you know, Soleil is Summer and... Reyham used to be Melody.

—And they only change our names? —Emma was smiling.

—Not actually. Everywhere you go inside the walls of the reserve you'll find people with new names, given by the alpha or the sultan —she raised her shoulder—. As I said, these are our names in here but out there you still be Emma Collins. Always.

—That's great.

The three of them were laughing and chatting for a while longer, at least until it began to get dark and they excused themselves to go to their rooms respectively. Emma was accompanied by Gale to the Sultan's quarters, where upon entering, she found the blond man on his back on the bed.

—Your majesty —she bowed. Even if he couldn't see her.

—Go ahead —his voice sounds rough—. Before enter, tell Idris to bring us food, please.

—I heard you! —Idris growled from the outside.

Emma laughed and blinked her eye at the brown-haired man before closing the door. Noah turned to see her and Emma screeched when she saw the wound on his chest.

—N-Noah! What happened? —she was terrified—. Are you okay?

She approached him, worried.

—Yeah, relax, it's just a scratch —he faked a smile—. They have already healed me and it will be fine in a couple of hours. Don't worry about it.

—You sure?

—Yeah. How have you been? I heard you spent the afternoon with the sultans, I'm glad you get along well with them —he smiled cheerfully. That man was a sun for Emma.

—I am too, they're great, for real —she sits next to him on the bed—. I had a good time with them.

—I'm happy to hear that —Emma stay quiet when he approached his nose to her neck—. You smell so good —she said—, like roses, cinnamon and vanilla —he smiled and she blushed—. Tell me, Emma, are you ready to be part of this pack?

—I thought I already was.

Noah laughed and she was happy to hear his laugh.

—Of course, but I meant...

—Oh, you're going to give a new name? —Noah was surprised—. The sultans told me. It looks like Reyham wasn't happy with my actual name. Do you know?

—You're going to be Seshat —he said with a strong tone and a smile—. From now on, you'll live in the favorites chambers. You're the only one so I assume it won't be awkward.

—Seshat?

Noah bowed his head.

—Seshat was the goddess of the writing and history back in the ancient Egipt —he was looking at the necklace he bought her—, I heard you want to keep studying even if you already know how hard it'll be to have a double life, that's something to admire —he smiled.

She was happy to know that he remind it.

—Do you like it?

—The name? —Noah affirmed—. I love it.

—That's good. Soleil and I picked it when we found you but we weren't that sure what you could choose in our pack —he confessed.

Emma was surprised by that. Had they chosen her name even before she knew who she was? It was a bit stalking and awkward, but certainly cute. She smiled then.

—I'm glad to know. You can be sure I'm gonna wear it with honor. Seshat... Sounds great.

—I heard you met my brother Bright too —he smiled—, and my older children. What do you think of them? Arent they cute?

—They're really cute, your majesty —she looked at him with a smile.

Noah stroked his black hair as he thought of that day they had found him. It had been a mere chance of fate, Soleil and he had decided to go hunting with her most faithful guardians and companions. They had moved away from the reserve and had begun to travel, they knew several herds from the south that allowed them to enter the forests without a problem, and then they came across that aroma of roses and fear, briefly tinged with blood. They had rushed to meet them at once.

—Are you okay? —Kenneth laughed.

—Shut up —Nathan was blushed.

—Oh, come on. You're not that clumsy, if you feel bad I can help you —he said—. Maybe a tea could calm her.

—Are you kidding me? —he asked incredulously —. Why didn't you tell me that before?

He almost cried. His back was itching and his body ached from the physical effort, but it was all worth it when his nightmare left the room, with black eyes, hair in a small ponytail, and a calm smile

—Oh, you're awake. How are you feeling?

—I'm fine —she yawned—. And I'm hungry —she pouted.

Nathan silently appreciated him while Kenneth took it upon himself to put a plate of a well-made breakfast on the table in front of the black-haired woman. If years ago they had told him that he would have been in that moment, enjoying the human and animal side of him at the same time so vehemently, he would have told them that he did not believe it.

—I heard that Isaac and Dianne are back on the town —Kenneth told them, then Soleil looked at him—. And they want to see you so... How are you going to explain that you won't be back?

—I won't do it —she ate her sandwich.

Nathan blinked.

—You're not going back to the reserve?

—We... We are not going back —she told him, looking him directly—. Or do you want it to? I won't force you to stay by my side if you want to go back. Kenneth is going back on the weekend, so it wouldn't be weird if you...

—What about you?

—I'm staying on the human realm for a while —she answered—. Noah is the alpha and in case my brother agrees, he will be in charge. I'm not sure how are they going to do anyway.

—You're going to abandon them just like this? —he looked at Kenneth—. Are you letting her?

—The conditions in the clan are very good, the Alpha has the right to be absent for a while. It will not be a problem also if something bad happens, she will return to her place immediately —he said, looking at her sideways—. In all cases, it's like she says. There two alphas so it won't be a problem.

—She didn't say anything.

—And I'm sorry, for real but I can't go back... At least until I get sure of something —she said.

—Sure or something?

Soon the girl's black eyes were replaced by the red jewels that indicated that her waiting time before her inner animal took control of her body again was over. Despite the bundle of confusion that Nathan was at the time, he took it upon himself to drink some more water and drag the animal back into the room. Kenneth just sighed.

There were only four more days until that nightmare ended.

—Alright, children, bedtime —Reyham looked at the creatures quietly.

Brighton spoke with the Sultana Faith, while her second son, Leo, played alongside Narges's son, Prince Max. And his third son was carried by Sultan Noah to say goodbye. She had a calm smile as she stroked her bulging belly, thinking of her. when she had recovered from the delivery of her new daughter, she could hope for promotion.

If she became a beta, he would have more authority, and perhaps this would attract more attention from the sultan.

—Dad! —Brighton and Faith approached the sultan when he sent the younger brother to the bed. Noah raised his look and smiled at them—. Tell us, who is your favorite? Is it me or Brighton?

—Ah? —he laughed—. I don't have any favorites, my kids. I love you all.

—I told you —Brighton smiled—, it's Khan.

The eldest of the brothers looked at her suspiciously.

—Is it true that the alpha will have another child? —Noah's calm face changed to a tense one, and Brighton stared at his sister in disbelief, not understanding what she meant—. It was only a joke, dad. It is your favorite will have a baby?

—It soon to know that —he said and then looked thoughtfully—. I'll ask Idris to check her anyway. Why? Are you two jealous?

—Not at all —Brighton crossed his arms—. Were going hunting?

—You're still a little boy —he smiled—. But maybe it is good if we go out and do something.

—I want to go outside! —the sultan Faith ordered—. Would you take me?!

Noah wide her mouth and Reyham laughed.

—Your majesty, ignore her —Faith looked at her, mad—. She is young and she obviously is curious but you know that the rules impede her to go outside. She is not Khan.

—Ah, you're right —Noah sighed looking at his daughter—. Is your mom okay? I haven't seen her.

—She is alright, your majesty —she hugged him and clicked her tongue—. I'm going to bed.

—Okay, sweetie. Rest well —he kissed her forehead and looked at Brighton—. You should go to bed too, champion. We are going to the town tomorrow, okay?

Brighton bowed his head and embraced him.

—Can your favorite go too? She is pretty and I like her —he mumbled. He did not want his mother to listen to him, it was well known that the love she had for his father had driven her almost to madness because of jealousy. Noah looked at him in surprise and then smiled, nodding—. Okay, see you tomorrow!

Reyham said goodbye to him too, while ordering Leo to come over to say goodbye. Soon the twins approached to say goodbye to the sultan, being led to their respective rooms with the help of Claire, until Reyham was left alone with the sultan, watching him in silence.

—I heard you were outside today —she said.

—Ah, yes. I went out with Idris —Noah smiled and approached her, grabbing her wrist—. How are you feeling? Are you eating okay? How is our little Agape? Do you need anything?

Noah felt that he should be happy, he had three women who had given him six wonderful and healthy children, and four of them belonged to the woman who in the past he believed to have been his first love. But he wasn't exactly happy, yes, he was freaking out and he liked his life, but he was missing something that he would never find in that reserve. Something that he lost long ago and he was never able to regain, no matter how hard he tried.

—I was just thinking, Noah.