ALPHA'S FORBIDDEN MATE

Are you going to discard me

Chapter 016

SEBASTIAN

I still could not believe it.

Darius had agreed to be my trainer. In front of everyone. He had stepped into that ring, sparred with me for nearly an hour, and then publicly acknowledged my courage.

I was standing at my post outside his chambers, replaying the entire scene in my mind for what must have been the hundredth time.

"He only did it because he could not stand seeing you bullied," I muttered to myself, trying to make sense of it all.

My wolf, Alisander, stirred inside me. "Are you sure he even heard the insults?"

"Of course he did," I said firmly. "Why else would he agree to train me? He specifically told me last night that he would not do one-on-one training. But then he shows up at the training ground and suddenly changes his mind? He must have heard what they were saying to me."

"Maybe," Alisander said, sounding unconvinced. "Or maybe he just wanted to train you all along and needed an excuse."

I shook my head. That did not make sense. Darius had been clear about his reasons for refusing. He did not want to be seen with me in public, did not want people to notice anything between us.

But then he had done exactly that—trained me in front of the entire pack guard force.

"He heard them," I said again, more to convince myself than anything. "And he could not let them continue. That is the only explanation."

Before Alisander could respond, I heard footsteps approaching down the hallway.

I looked up to find Pete walking towards me, carrying trays laden with snacks. My eyes lit up as soon as I saw him, and I hurried over to help.

"Pete! What are you doing here?"

"Bringing you food, obviously," Pete said with a grin. "You look like you need it after this morning."

We settled down at my post, sitting on the floor with our backs against the wall. Pete set the trays between us, and I realized just how hungry I actually was.

"So," Pete said, his blue eyes sparkling with curiosity. "I heard what happened at the training ground."

I groaned. "Already? Word travels fast."

"Lightning fast," Pete confirmed. "And I have to say, Sebastian, it is really cute that you got the Alpha to accept training you."

"It is not cute," I said, heat rising to my cheeks. "And it is not what you think."

"Oh?" Pete raised an eyebrow. "What is it then?"

I took a deep breath, not wanting Pete to get the wrong idea. "The guards at the training ground mocked me. They insulted me. They called me names and laughed when I said I was there to train."

Pete's expression shifted immediately, the playfulness draining away. "What did they say?"

"Everything you can imagine," I said quietly, staring down at the food. "They said omegas do not train, that I should stick to cleaning chambers. They called me the Alpha's pet. They laughed at me every single time I got knocked down."

"Sebastian," Pete said softly, his voice full of sympathy.

"It was horrible," I continued, the words pouring out now that I had started. "I felt like the ground should open up and swallow me whole. I have never been so humiliated in my entire life."

"I am so sorry," Pete said, reaching over to squeeze my hand. "I was fast asleep this morning. If I had known you were going to the training ground, I would have come with you. I could have helped you deal with those guards."

I managed a small smile. "What would you have done? Baked them aggressive biscuits?"

Pete laughed despite the serious moment. "Hey, never underestimate the power of a well-thrown biscuit."

That got a real laugh out of me, and some of the tension in my chest eased.

"But seriously," Pete continued, "I wish I had been there. What happened after they started mocking you?"

"Alpha showed up," I said, and just saying his name made my heart beat faster. "He stepped into the ring with me, and you should have seen their faces, Pete. Every single one of them went silent. They looked terrified."

"I bet they did," Pete said with satisfaction. "And then what?"

"He asked me what I was doing there," I explained. "And I told him I wanted to train alongside the guards and that I would love him to be my personal trainer."

Pete's eyes widened. "You said that? In front of everyone?"

"Yes," I admitted. "I do not know where I got the courage, honestly. But I did, and he agreed."

"He agreed," Pete repeated slowly, a grin spreading across his face. "The Alpha agreed to personally train you in front of the entire guard force."

"Yes."

"Sebastian, that is huge!"

"I know," I said, grabbing a piece of bread from one of the trays. "He sparred with me for nearly an hour. He corrected my form, pushed me to my limits, and then at the end, he told everyone I had courage. That I lasted longer than most guards would have."

Pete let out a low whistle. "I really did miss a lot this morning."

We ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes, both of us enjoying the food. Then a thought occurred to me.

"Pete, you should not be doing this," I said, gesturing to the food. "If Darius catches us, I could lose my job. Or if the chief guard sees us here like this—"

"We will not get caught," Pete interrupted confidently. "I have been sneaking food around this palace for six months. I know all the quiet times and the blind spots."

"But—"

"Sebastian," Pete said firmly, "you need to eat. You had an exhausting morning, and you need your strength. Let me worry about the consequences."

I sighed but nodded, too hungry to argue further.

"Did you steal these too?" I asked, biting into what tasted like a honey cake.

Pete winked at me in response, and I could not help but laugh.

We continued eating, talking about lighter things, Pete's latest baking experiments, a funny incident with one of the maids, the weather.

Then Pete straightened up, his expression turning serious.

"Sebastian, I need to warn you about something."

My stomach dropped. "What is it?"

"Rumors are spreading," Pete said carefully. "About something going on between you and Alpha Darius."

I felt my blood run cold. "What kind of rumors?"

"The usual kind," Pete said with a shrug. "That there is more between you two than just an Alpha and his guard. That he is showing you favouritism. That you are—" he hesitated.

"That I am what?" I pressed.

"That you are his lover," Pete finished quietly.

I stared at him, my appetite completely gone now. "Already? But it has only been—"

"People talk fast," Pete said. "Especially when the Alpha does something completely out of character. Like personally training an omega in front of everyone."

"It is normal for people to talk," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "People gossip. They spread rumors. If this has not been done to someone, then they have not started living their life yet."

"That is very philosophical of you," Pete said, but his eyes were concerned. "But Sebastian, these rumors could be dangerous. For both of you."

"I know," I whispered.

"Just be careful," Pete said, standing up and starting to clear the plates. "Watch what you do and say in public. And maybe talk to Darius about it."

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.

Pete squeezed my shoulder before leaving, balancing the trays expertly as he disappeared down the hallway.

As soon as he was gone, the panic set in.

Rumors already.

Darius had been so clear about wanting complete secrecy. He had said he did not want to be seen with me in public, that he did not want people to notice anything between us.

And now, less than twenty-four hours after making that arrangement, rumors were already spreading.

Because of me.

Because I had gone to the training ground and forced his hand. Because I had asked him to be my trainer in front of everyone.

I had broken the very first rule of our arrangement without even meaning to.

"What if Darius heard the rumors? What if he decided I was too much trouble, too much risk? What if he discarded me because of this?"

My chest tightened with fear, and I found it hard to breathe. I tried to calm myself down, to think rationally, but the panic just kept building.

"What had I done?"

I was so lost in my thoughts, so consumed by worry and fear, that I did not notice when the door to Darius's chambers opened.

I did not notice him standing there, watching me.

Not until he spoke.

"Sebastian."

I jolted terribly, my entire body jerking with surprise. My eyes widened as I looked up to find Darius standing right in front of me, dressed in fresh clothes, his dark eyes studying my face.

"Alpha," I managed to say, scrambling to my feet. "I did not hear you—"

"Clearly," Darius said, his voice neutral. "You were somewhere else entirely."

I swallowed hard, trying to get my racing heart under control.

Darius's eyes narrowed slightly. "What is the problem?"

The question was direct, demanding an answer.

But I could not tell him about the rumors. "Could I? What if he did not know yet? What if I was the one who brought it to his attention and made everything worse?"

My mouth opened and closed, no words coming out.

"Sebastian," Darius said, his voice taking on an edge of impatience. "I asked you a question."

The fear and panic that had been building finally burst out of me in a single desperate question.

"Are you going to discard me?"