ALPHA'S FORBIDDEN MATE

So obvious

Chapter 015

DARIUS

I woke up the following morning to find my bed empty. The space beside me where Sebastian had slept was cold, and when I looked around the room, I noticed the cups of drinks from last night had been cleared already.

I knew it was Sebastian who had done it. He must have woken early to tidy up before resuming his post.

I shifted the curtain to check the weather, and that was when my heart began thrashing violently in my chest.

It was barely dawn. The sky was still grey with pre-morning light, too early for anyone to be up and about unless they had duties.

"Why was Sebastian awake this early?" I had not given him any jobs that would require him to rise before sunrise.

I stood at the window for a moment, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling. It was probably nothing.

"Maybe the kid just could not sleep. Maybe he wanted to get a head start on his duties."

I waved it off as nothing really important and moved away from the window. Today I had a meeting with the elders to discuss several pack issues, as well as some personal matters that had been going on for years without any solution. I needed to focus on that, not on why my omega guard was awake before dawn.

I changed into my training clothes, planning to get some exercise in before the meeting. Physical exertion always helped clear my head, and I had a feeling I would need all the clarity I could get for what was coming.

After dressing, I stepped outside my chambers.

Sebastian's post was empty.

Again.

Anger flared hot in my chest. This was the third or probably thousandth time in as many days that I had found him absent from his duties. What was the point of having a personal guard if he was never at his post?

"Do not be too harsh," Kain said immediately, sensing my anger. "He might have gone to do something important."

"Like what?" I muttered under my breath. "What could be so important that he abandons his post while I am asleep?"

"You were asleep," Kain pointed out." What harm could come to you while you rest?"

"Any number of things," I snapped back. "What if someone had tried to kill me? What if they had snuck into my chambers and framed me with something? What if they stole documents or took vital information? Sebastian is supposed to be there to prevent exactly that."

"You do not sleep like a baby, Darius," Kain said dryly." Your reflexes are active even in sleep. Anyone who tried to enter your chambers would not get far."

"That is not the point," I argued. "The point is that he has a duty, and he is not fulfilling it."

"Be lenient," Kain urged. "Investigate the matter properly before you punish him. There might be a good reason."

I did not respond, but I made a mental note to deal with Sebastian later. Right now, I had training to attend to.

I walked towards the training ground, my mood dark. On the way, I encountered Torren, who fell into step beside me.

"Early morning?" he asked, glancing at me.

"I need to clear my head," I said shortly.

"The meeting with the elders?"

"Among other things."

Torren nodded, not pressing for more information. That was one of the things I appreciated about him, he knew when to speak and when to stay silent.

As we got closer to the training ground, I began hearing voices. Loud voices. Mocking tones and insults being hurled at someone.

"What is going on?" I asked, my pace quickening.

"Sounds like the guards are having some fun," Torren said, but his expression was troubled.

The voices grew louder as we approached.

"Come on, omega! Get up!"

"Is that all you have got? Pathetic!"

"Maybe you should stick to cleaning chambers instead of pretending to be a warrior!"

Laughter followed each jeer, cruel and harsh.

My blood ran cold. I knew that tone. I knew what it meant.

I stepped onto the training ground, and the scene before me made my anger evaporate instantly, replaced by something far more complex.

Sebastian was in the ring.

He was covered in dirt and dust, his clothes torn in places, and there was a fresh bruise forming on his cheekbone. He was breathing hard, clearly exhausted, but he was still on his feet, facing off against a guard twice his size.

The guard, a burly man with a scar across his face, was grinning cruelly.

I stepped into the ring before the guard could move.

Everyone went silent.

The scarred guard immediately dropped his hands and bowed his head. "Alpha."

I ignored him, my eyes fixed on Sebastian. Now that I was closer, I could see the extent of the damage. Multiple bruises were forming on his arms and torso. His lip was split. One of his eyes was swollen, the same purple eye I had noticed yesterday.

So this was where it had come from. Not from a single incident, but from repeated attempts to prove himself. Or from bullying. Who knows?

I understood now why Sebastian had wanted me to train him so badly.

"Sebastian," I said, keeping my voice level. "What are you doing here?"

Sebastian straightened up, wiping blood from his lip with the back of his hand. He met my eyes, and despite everything, there was no shame in his expression. Only determination.

"I wanted to train alongside the guards," he said clearly, his voice carrying across the now-silent training ground. "But they wouldn't. But now you're here, I would love you to be my personal trainer."

His words were bold, almost challenging. He was putting me on the spot in front of everyone, forcing me to either accept or publicly reject him.

"Smart kid."

I studied him for a long moment, aware that every guard on the training ground was watching this exchange. Whatever I said next would set the tone for how Sebastian was treated going forward.

"Hope you have got the balls for my exercise," I said finally.

Relief flashed across Sebastian's face, quickly replaced by determination. "Yes, Alpha."

I turned to address the gathered guards. "Everyone else, continue your training. Torren, oversee them."

"Yes, Alpha," Torren said, immediately moving to comply.

I turned back to Sebastian. "Pick a weapon."

Sebastian looked at the weapons rack, his eyes scanning the options. Swords, spears, staffs, all standard training weapons.

He reached past the swords and picked up a fairly long dagger instead.

Interesting choice.

"A dagger?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes," Sebastian said. "I am faster than I am strong. A dagger suits me better."

"All right," I said, moving to the centre of the ring. "Show me what you can do."

We began sparring, and I quickly realized that Sebastian had been correct about his strengths. He was fast, faster than most omegas I had seen and he had good instincts. He knew when to dodge and when to strike.

But he lacked training. His form was sloppy, his strikes lacked power, and his defence had too many gaps.

I pushed him harder.

"Your stance is wrong," I said, sweeping his legs out from under him. He hit the ground hard. "Get up."

Sebastian got up.

"Your grip on the dagger is too tight," I said, disarming him easily. "You will tire yourself out. Again."

Sebastian adjusted his grip and came at me again.

Each time he made a mistake, I corrected it. Each time he fell, I made him get back up.

I pushed him to exhaustion, testing every limit he had.

But he never gave up.

Even when he could barely stand, even when his breathing came in ragged gasps, he kept coming at me.

The other guards had stopped their own training to watch. I could feel their eyes on us, their surprise at seeing the Alpha personally training an omega.

Finally, after what must have been nearly an hour, I called a halt.

"Enough," I said.

Sebastian dropped to his knees, his chest heaving. Sweat poured down his face, mixing with the blood from his split lip.

I walked over to him and extended my hand.

He looked up at me, surprise clear in his grey eyes.

"You did well," I said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Most guards would have given up after the first ten minutes. You lasted nearly an hour against me."

Sebastian took my hand, and I pulled him to his feet.

"You have courage, Sebastian," I continued, still addressing him but speaking to the entire training ground. "That is worth something. More than strength alone."

I could see the impact of my words on the gathered guards. Some looked thoughtful. Others seemed uncomfortable, probably realizing that they had been mocking someone the Alpha clearly valued.

Sebastian looked like he might cry from sheer relief and exhaustion, but he held it together.

"Thank you, Alpha," he said quietly.

I nodded and turned to leave the ring, signalling that the session was over.

But as I walked away, I heard it whispers: Low voices that thought they were being discreet but carried just enough for my enhanced hearing to catch.

"The Alpha is playing favourites."

"Of course he is. Did you see how gentle he was with the omega?"

"He never spends that much time training any of us."

"There is definitely something going on between them."

I kept walking, my expression neutral, but inside, I was furious.

Not at the guards for noticing. But at myself for being so obvious.