For a few more days, Asher was able to hold off attending social gatherings. He occupied himself in his room with games and lots of food. Esther sometimes came to visit, along with William and Meshai, so he couldn't escape them. However, things took a drastic turn on a Saturday, when his father took ill after intense preparations had been made for the Queen's birthday ball.
"I can't leave him while I party," Ruth complained when he persisted that the preparations shouldn't be canceled. "He needs me more than ever. And I'm not going to be at peace in a gathering, knowing fully well that he's sick."
"But the doctor said it's nothing to be worried about, and Father just needs some time alone to himself. We both know how difficult it is to satisfy Dimitri. He's the one weighing Father's energy down."
Dimitri was one of the twelve wolfs of royal birth, passed on from so many werewolf generations through a long line of kings ruling each of the twelve states of Jo. They were ageless, much more powerful, and they took so much energy surfacing whenever they were called open. "He needs to stop shifting for a while, Mother. And the party's just one night. You can decide to stay for an hour only and the citizens will understand."
So he had to attend the party himself, to serve as emotional and physical support to his mother in front of the guests.
By 5 PM, he got dressed in blue princely robes and white cufflinks, his black hair styled back in such a way that they showed off his eyes completely, and made his jawline appear firm. He also applied some pink lip gloss, just a little, to help bring out the faint blush in his cheeks. When he was done, he headed for the Queen's quarters, nodding in approval at his appearance in the glass walls he passed.
Ruth looked positively radiant, dressed with a sea of endless midnight chiffon around her. Her frown seemed to deepen by the minute as the stylists fretted over her hair, applying make-up here and there.
"I never thought I could say this, but this is my worst birthday ever," she said aloud with a sigh when he stepped into the room. The stylists froze mid-action, their eyes gradually filling with pity.
"If you'll excuse us, young ladies," Asher said with a strained voice, going over to sit beside her. The stylists bowed curtly to him, along with a chorus of "Your Highness." then they exited.
Taking her hands in his, he squeezed them softly. "Cheer up, Mother. We can always throw another ball when he gets well. The reason why we can't avoid this is that the invitations have already been sent out, and it's the only thing the citizens seem to be looking forward to all week. Father's breakdown was sudden."
She sighed, placing a hand on his shoulder and forcing a smile. "I won't be able to last in there for an hour. Thirty minutes is fine, then I have to leave so I can speak with him before he goes to bed.
Asher nodded in understanding. "That's fine. Thirty minutes is enough for everyone."
"Look at you, all grown up, smart and handsome," she chuckled; a genuine one this time. "Feels like yesterday when I held you on my lap and told you stories about unicorns and knights."
Asher beamed at the memories too, tears springing up abruptly. He wiped them away quickly. "Yeah. That was...fun. We should do that again sometime."
She nodded, holding onto his arm as she stood, ruffling the chiffon that was all over the place. "Of course."
"Come on now, everyone's waiting," Asher chuckled, leading her to the door that was pulled open by two omega guards. From the main corridor, the chattering in the hall got intense as they neared, as well as Ruth's facial expression. "What's wrong?"
She sighed, dabbing away the sweat that had gathered on her forehead. "It's nothing son. I'm just a little nervous. It'll pass."
"The Queen of the Third Kingdom of Jo is nervous?" Asher said incredulously. "Never thought I'd see the day."
"Oh, shut up," she playfully nudged his side, "I've never been good with crowds and you know it. Especially now that your father is ill. There'll be a lot of people to holla at and exchange pleasantries with."
"I can assist you with that, you know?" He wrapped his arms around her shoulder. "Don't worry. I'll be your wingman for tonight."
"I don't want to stand in the way of you having fun and interacting with your mate, son," Asher suppressed an eye roll and Ruth continued. "The both of you have barely talked to each other these past two weeks. Your mating ceremony takes place two months from now."
"Mother," Asher called softly in a strained voice, the hurt of the broken mate bond making his breath hitch. His heart began thudding wildly and he could feel a headache rolling in. "It's your birthday. Your day. Let's not make it about me."
Even though his mother was the closest confidante he'd ever had, aside from Esther, he couldn't afford to break her heart by telling her about the rejection. She'd be shocked and angry at first, demanding answers and when he'd give those answers she'd go numb and heartbroken. She was most excited about Dominic being his mate because it added to the popularity of her father's bloodline. Having a son who was Grand King Consort was no mean feat. It was heavenly, hence it could kill her if she found out about the truth.
He let out an exhaustive sigh when they eventually reached the hall doors. The two omega guards in position curtsied. "Good evening, Your Highnesses. Happy Birthday, Your Majesty."
Ruth beamed. "Thank you, Ashael and Azreal."
"Long live the Queen!" They said as they drew the doors open.
"Ready, Mother?" Asher asked, squeezing her soft palms in his lightly. She swallowed, before pasting on her signature smile.
"Let's go."
— —
Ruth managed to last for an hour, and then she was gone.
The celebration continued, but Asher barely paid mind to any fun thing happening. He was so distressed, and uncomfortable, seeing that everyone was either laughing as they conversed with their mates and partners, or dancing. The chattering made his ears burn, and cause his head to ache the more. So, to cope with the discomfort, he hid in a quiet corner, coming out occasionally only to snag a drink from the waiter or greet one or two acquaintances he couldn't escape. He wished Esther had attended. It'd been months since they last saw each other, due to her cramped responsibilities as both Queen Consorts of Melissa and Giordan, and recently heavy with pregnancy.
At last, he got tired of avoiding everyone and went out onto the little balcony above the palace garden, watching the sunset as it rose above the horizon. The cool night breeze soothed his skin and eased his mind for a bit.
"Pity. You're doing a bad job staying away from everyone," Dominic's scathing voice in his head made him jump. "It's only so long now before everyone suspects that something is up."
Asher shut his eyes, his nose flaring in irritation as he turned to look toward the direction of the hall where Dominic was with his family. "I swear to the Moon Goddess if you don't get out of my head..."
Dominic cut in. "I'm only being concerned. Until our betrothal contract is finally broken, you're my responsibility. If you rat yourself out, you rat me out too."
"Then stop being a chicken and come outside. Stop invading my thoughts when you can talk to me physically."
The mind link went dead, and Dominic ambled out into the corridor like a ninja. He looked stunning, per usual in a blue three-piece suit, his hair up in a little ponytail this time.
"You don't look so bad," Asher commented, turning his face away to hide the blush on his cheeks. With Dominic standing near, he felt an unusual sense of calm. Instead of tiny bells, Dominic's voice sounded like a novelty — a beautiful piano tune.
"I didn't ask for a compliment," the Crown Prince snorted, falling in place beside him. They watched the sunset sink, together. Asher held his breath when Dominic snaked a hand around his waist, his breath tingling the hairs on the back of his neck.
He turned to face him but that was a brutal mistake. Dominic was so close now that with any little movement, their lips could collide. It didn't help that his heartbeat raced wildly when Dominic brought his finger up to cup his cheek, their noses bumping together.
"W-What are you...what are you doing?" he managed to rasp, swallowing hard. "Is this the reason I asked you to come outside?"
"It can be a reason, if you let it," Dominic murmured, his dark eyes twinkling like black diamonds, unsettling Asher the more. He pushed back feebly.
"Get a grip of yourself. We can't do this here. What if we get caught?" Asher groused, darting a cautious glance around. Dominic wasn't discouraged in the slightest, but pushed the Prince even closer to him, then leaned down and inhaled Asher's neck deeply.
"You smell glorious."
"Stop messing around."
"Messing around?" Asher gasped when Dominic clamped a firm hand around his crotch, tugging his balls. Asher swallowed hard, his breathing hitched and sweat trickling down his forehead. His cock danced furiously in mad excitement, probing Dominic possessive hand. "You're enjoying this," the Crown Prince snarked, a teasing leer in his tone.
Shutting down the little voice urging him to grind against Dominic's hand, he managed to push the Alpha away, then swiveled round to give his cock sometime to go down. He glared at him over his shoulder. "To what end do you hope to gain from this? What do you want to achieve?"
"I'm only helping you out. I know how uncomfortable and horny the broken mate bond has made you."
The fucking nerve. Asher's cheeks coloured in embarrassment. "Those are your assumptions. I'm not horny, or uncomfortable."
"Sure," the Crown Prince snorted, "and if so, why have you been staying away from everyone for the past two weeks? Get off your high horse. We both need each other. To break this shit off once and for all."
"Yes, but having sex isn't gonna do the job now, is it?"
Dominic's lips curled into a mischievous smirk, infuriating Asher the more. "No, it won't. We're only doing it for fun."
"Forget fun, I hate you no matter how hard you sugar coat your words."
"And I keep telling you that it's possible to have an attraction with someone you hate. Why is that so hard to comprehend?"
"You can say whatever you like," Asher scoffed as he made to brush past. "If I want sex I know where to find Enoch. He's gonna give me what I want without rubbing it in. Unlike a certain someone."
He only made it that far before he was slammed hard against a hard, brick-walled chest, Dominic seething down his neck. "You. Will. NOT have sex with anyone else but me."
"Fuck you." Asher grunted, suddenly overwhelmed by the coursing hormones and jutting his rear against Dominic's crotch. The Crown Prince hissed, pulling his hands back and thrusting forward, between Asher's arsecheek. He moaned as he trailed hot kisses down the little snot's neck, biting and tugging aggressively. Like a maniac.
"Meet me in my quarters tomorrow evening. Five."
And with that Dominic released him and left to join the partying citizens, leaving Asher shocked, angry and extremely horny.