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It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single alpha in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a mate.
And there wasn’t another alpha in the ton that possessed a greater fortune than Mark Lee.
Therefore it was only natural that the alpha would end up taking the hand of one of the most sought after omega by the closing of the season. Despite how scandalously the omega acted, there was no denying his beauty. With skin kissed by the sun and a constellation of stars on his cheeks, Donghyuck was a beautiful omega. And he had an equally bright personality to match his appearance too.
All the guests could only look on in awe as they witnessed the grandest wedding of the century to occur.
“Mr. Lee certainly didn’t spare a single expense for his omega, now did he?” Miss. Choi whispered to her companion, eyeing the elaborate flower arrangements laid out around the church. “It’s as if he picked all of the flowers from the Queen’s garden and placed them here. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many sunflowers in one place.”
“I heard that he went to every florist within a fifty mile radius of the town to gather such a magnificent amount.” Ms. Park swooned. “Apparently they signify a long life and happiness. Isn’t that the absolute sweetest?”
“Oh, the flowers are nothing!” Another omega exclaimed. “Did you see the dress he was wearing?”
“Dress? No, no. He definitely wore a suit for the ceremony.” Ms. Park frowned. “I definitely would have remembered if he wore a dress at the altar. All eyes were on them after all. I wouldn’t have missed it. Not that I could have even if I tried, for the amount of diamonds his alpha had dressed him in. God, the omega was shining like the literal sun on Earth. I swear diamonds were laced into the threads of his white suit.”
“Diamonds, yes.” The bystander commented. “Suit, definitely not. I just saw the blushing bride enter into the foyer in the most gorgeous gown. It was to die for!”
“Really?”
The omega nodded, fanning herself. “It must have cost a fortune! An outstanding amount that only Mr. Lee would be capable of possessing. You ought to see it!”
And as if they had heard their call, the couple finally blessed the entire ton with their presence. Led by his alpha, Donghyuck’s entrance into the room had everyone speechless.
His gown was a brilliant white with diamonds that sparkled in the light, wrapped intricately all around his bodice and down to hems of his skirt. The ton took another collective gasp though when they saw how short the hemline was, scandalously so, to show off an equally brilliant string of diamonds draped across his ankles. Even more shocking, the newly married omega had opted to leave his neck bare, his unmarked scent gland on full display.
It was common courtesy to hide one’s scent gland until a claiming mark was placed on it, usually during the honeymoon period. Most would use either a thick necklace or collar to wear. Aside from providing a form of decency, most omegas wore them to protect themselves from any unwanted bites. So Dognhyuck had the ton clutching onto their pearls half-way through the season when he had shown up to Lady Zhou’s ball with nothing but a flimsy cut of ribbon tied around his neck. A poor, yet undeniably stylish attempt to cover his unmarked neck. The ribbon necklace was the talk of the ton for weeks on end.
But the indecency wasn’t all that new to some in attendance for ever since Donghyuck had been courted by the alpha, they had witnessed the gradual heighted hem length. Thus, it was only a matter of time before the omega began to act out in other ways. They’ve just learned to accept that it was the new normal when it concerned the said omega. But for others, it was resoundingly baffling.
Used to the antics of the scandalous couple, one of the Han’s betas asked, “I wonder if it was made by a modiste in town? I would love to have a similar one made! Do you think my ankles would look as pretty if I shortened my hemline by a couple centimeters? It is awfully annoying to drag such a long train around everywhere.”
“For prosperity's sake, I think it would be best if we kept our hem length as is.”
“Surely a few centimeters wouldn’t make that much of a difference.”
“Exactly. Why risk our father kneeling over in shock for a few pointless centimeters. You know, the next alpha of kin is our distant cousin in Scotland. And I heard he’s a handful to deal with.”
“Oh, alright. I’ll keep my hem length as father wishes.” Then with a long sigh, the siblings couldn’t help but stare at the beaming couple in jealousy.
It was nearly unheard of for a bride to have multiple suits or gowns for a single wedding, let alone to have one of each. For some, a single wedding dowry was barely enough to cover the cost of a simple gown and the cost of a marriage license. More often than not, the expenses that came with each season was more than enough to drain each household’s funds to the point that some would have to dip into the dowry money to make do.
Mark had spared no expenses when it came to his omega, that much was clear. The alpha even went as far as gifting everyone in attendance a diamond anklet —certainly nothing as grand as the string of diamonds that his omega had adorning his sun-kissed skin— but the gesture didn’t go unnoticed. For most of the ton, the anklet would probably end up being worn as a bracelet as no one dared to be as shameless as the blushing bride.
As scandalous as it was, Donghyuck did make a beautiful bride.
There were even little diamonds laced into Donghyuck’s soft curls, making him even more radiant than usual. Mark had made it be known that he was a good alpha, leaving his omega to want nor need anything.
“Donghyuck must have been a saint in his previous life…,” someone whispered. “He’s surely been blessed by the heavens to end up in a position like this.”
“God, isn’t he a lucky bitch.” Renjun sighed rather loudly as he snuck up on group, earning him a handful of gasps. Eyeing the gossiping bunch, he waved his fan dismissively. “Oh, don’t get your breeches in a twist. Donghyuck knows he’s a lucky bitch. Trust me, he loves to rub it into my face every chance that he gets.”
And no one could really blame him. For if they had managed to snag such an eligible alpha off the market, they would have surely sang it off the top of every rooftop in town. Prosperity be damned.
-♡-
Usually the lacings of an omega’s corset were either done by other omega family members or by the omega maids if one’s family could afford them. Even after marriage and being bonded, it was frowned upon to have an omega’s corset laced by anyone that wasn’t of the same secondary gender. (Which made absolutely no sense, because it’s not like these omegas haven’t laid naked in bed with their alphas before, for which they have seen everything.)
So could you imagine how dumbstruck the house staff of the Lee’s Manor had been when they had gone in to help the new Duchess with his corset one early morning to find the Duke already there, pulling on the strings of the corset.
Their screams, which surely gathered the attention of everyone in the household, had the the mated couple laughing heartily. Donghyuck even had tears in his eyes from laughing so hard.
Basked in the early morning glow of the rising sun, Donghyuck waved his gloveless hands at them, saying, “Oh, darlings, no need to be so shocked. I promise that Mark will be sure to tighten my corset as tight as society demands it until my ribs have snapped in half.”
Fingers running reverently down the exposed back of the omega, Mark kissed him softly on the nape of his neck. “After that fainting incident last year, I don’t think I’m going to be tightening your corset any more than it needs to be, sunshine. Plus, you’re a married and mated omega now. You don’t need to show off to any of those leering alphas or give them anything to look at.”
Giggling, Donghyuck asked, “So you wish for me to wear a potato sack to go out into town?”
With a fond roll of his eyes, Mark shook his head before going back to the task at hand, carefully tugging on the laces of his corset. “No, I didn’t say that. You can wear whatever it is that your heart desires, sunshine. I just want you to breathe while doing so. Can’t have you turning me into a widow only a couple months into our marriage. I would not last in this world if your light is now longer gracing this Earth.”
As appalled and mortified as they were, the staff couldn’t help but melt at the Duke’s words.
“Well, aren’t you a sweet talker?” Donghyuck teased. “Trying to get lucky are you?”
“Possibly.” Mark smirked back at him, eyes alight with desire, the scent of arousal spiking in the air.
The staff averted their eyes to the floor, all of them blushing like mad at the show that their masters were putting on. Not a single day went by without one of the house staff witnessing a moment of indecency between the mated pair. Whether they had wanted to or not, they have (un)fortunately seen either the Duke’s heavenly blessed ass or the Duchess’s soft thighs once or twice in the past couple of months. And they all may or may not have developed a slight exhibitionist kink as a result.
Smacking away his alpha’s wandering hands, Donghyuck said, “Oh, stop it. We were supposed to be in town an hour ago! No more canoodling for you sir!”
Oh, they did a little more than canoodling, the staff could tell you that much. With how often the pair was locked up in their room, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the omega was already with child. It was only a matter of time before the manor would be filled with pups running around and wrecking havoc as they pleased.
Placing another placating kiss on his omega’s neck, Mark smiled down at him. “Yes, yes. To the town we go.” Then under his breath, he muttered, “Yet you were the one that pulled me back into bed for another round…”
At his alpha’s words, Donghyuck flushed a brilliant red, appearing embarrassed for the first time since the servants had entered the room. Trying to mask it with a smile, the omega looked at them, saying, “I apologize for not telling you all sooner but you don’t have to help me with getting dressed to go out every day unless I call for you. I’ve been so used to it being the only two of us during our honeymoon that I forgot I had your help for things. Which I do appreciate but please don’t waste your time on this silly omega when you have other things to attend to.”
Hearing their shouts of protests, Mark simply laughed and waved them off for what seemed to be the umpteenth time that morning. “Oh, please, I know you love him but pardon this newly mated pair, will you? I can’t stand to be apart from him for even more than a second. And lacing a corset isn’t anything that’s new to me, isn’t that right, my dear?”
They could only watch, ever the more appalled, as the omega leaned up to plant a kiss on his alpha’s cheek. “Hm, oh yes. Plenty of experience. Quite skilled with your fingers aren’t you?”
-♡-
Whenever he was around Jaemin, Jeno couldn't help but feel like everything was okay in the world. With the earthy grass against his back, the afternoon sun kissing his face, and the sweet scent of sugar filling his senses, he felt the corner of his lips tug upwards into an easy smile.
“What are you smiling about?” He heard Jaemin ask him softly and it just made his smile widen even more. He felt Jaemin’s fingers dance across his cheeks, before he felt the soft touch of flowers being placed on top of his head.
Peeking an eye open at the omega, who was holding a bunch of daisies in his hand, Jeno whispered, “You.”
Jaemin threw his head back and laughed, his angelic voice filling the whole clearing, gathering the attention of some of the nearby couples. When he looked back down at Jeno, his cheeks slightly flushed, eyes twinkling, he replied, “You’re so silly, Jeno.” As he said this, he lent down even closer, so close that Jeno could count every single one of his individual lashes. He was so close that Jeno would see the golden flecks within those dark, brown eyes. So close that his senses were completely overwhelmed with nothing but the sweet scent of sugar.
They held eye contact with one another for what seemed like an eternity. Smiles were still ever present on their lips as their breathing became one. It was moments like this that Jeno loved and cherished the most. Where it was just him and Jaemin as everything around them disappeared all together. Moments like these made it a little easier to breathe and his heart a little warmer.
“I know, but I’m only a fool around you.”
Jaemin laughed again, his voice making the warmth in Jeno’s chest bloom even more, the beginnings of a rumble within his chest forming. He watched as Jaemin finished the flower crown that he had been working on, tying the final daisy in its place. Then leaning forward, he placed it on Jeno’s head, a beautiful contrast against his dark, ebony hair. “You’re so beautiful, Jeno.” Jaemin said as he rested his chin on Jeno’s chest, gazing at the alpha.
“I could say the same about you, Nana.” Jeno whispered, relishing in the way the omega’s sweet scent intensified around them. Eyeing the omega’s pink lips, he lowered his voice, asking, “Do you think I could steal a kiss without anyone noticing?”
Giggling, Jaemin licked his lips, watching the way Jeno’s eyes followed the movement of his tongue like a predator. “Our lovely chaperones probably wouldn’t even noticed if we ended up fucking out here in the fields. Everyone else, I couldn’t say anything on their behalf.”
At the mention of ‘fucking,’ Jeno’s pupils were blown wide. Jaw clenched, Jaemin watched as the alpha closed his eyes and sucked in a deep breath before he opened them again. Glancing over the omega’s shoulders at their supposed chaperones, Mark and Donghyuck were up all over each other. Jeno fell back against the grass with a long, weary sigh. He was sure he saw Mark’s hands fumbling up the back of Donghyuck’s skirt before he gazed back at his omega.
“Must we wait another month before our banns are read? Haven’t we waited long enough?”
“Since we’ve waited this long, what difference does another month make?”
“Alot!” Jeno whined in a very un-alpha-like manner. “After our banns are read, it will be another three months before we can be truly married. With our much fussing our dams are making with the decorations, it wouldn’t surprise me if the wedding is delayed well into next year.” Grasping on his omegas gloved hands, Jeno placed a lingering kiss onto his knuckles, mumbling, “That’s simply too long to be apart from you, my love…”
“I know…,” Jaemin sighed. “It is difficult…”
“Even more difficult when I have already spent a heat with you and know what you’ve tasted like,” Jeno added hotly, eyes ablaze for a second time that afternoon. “Isn’t your next heat coming up soon?”
Cheeks flushed, Jaemin tried averting his eyes away from his alpha’s intense gaze, choosing to lock onto their improper chaperones instead. Coughing away the heat that was pooling between his thighs, he took it upon himself to change the topic of their conversation. “Have they always been this… unseemly?”
Eyes blinking once, then twice. Jeno looked at him funny before the alpha realized that they were no longer talking about Jaemin’s heat. Sitting up from his lying position, the alpha looked back at their friends, who were laying side by side on a picnic blanket, lips locked in a heavy make out session. Choking on his own spit at the sight, Jeno muttered, “Good God, don’t they know they’re out in public?”
“The mated life surely is treating Donghyuck well, isn’t it?” Jaemin laughed. “I’ve heard the ton have caught them in quite a few compromising positions before. Donghyuck had claimed once in passing that the summer weather made him extra horny .”
“Just because they’re married and mated doesn’t mean it’s acceptable to fuck out in the open like this!” Jeno flushed.
“Oh, please. Don’t be such a prude, love.” Jaemin swatted at him. “I know for a fact that you were thinking about doing the same exact thing not more than a couple minutes ago.”
With the tips of his ears burning red, Jeno stumbled over his words as his scent thickened in the air. “Well—.”
“Don’t even bother. I know exactly what you were thinking about.” Jaemin teased. Then leaning in close, so close that his nose was nearly pressed up against the side of Jeno’s scent gland, the omega whispered, “You were thinking about pressing my face down into the fields, grass staining my knees, as you spread my slicked cheeks wide, and eating me out, weren’t you, alpha?”
Too far occupied with their own frivolous acts, their chaperones barely noticed when their charges snuck out of the fields to make out behind the high garden hedges in the back.
-♡-
Despite the great fortune that he had married into, Donghyuck decided that he wanted to be an entertainer— a singer to be exact— at one of the gentlemen's club that his husband owned. A choice that brought shock waves through the entire ton as one could never imagine a married and mated omega of such proper standings succumbing to such a lowly affair. And even more shocking, Mark had allowed his omega to do as he pleased. The alpha even accompanied him on the piano on occasion. Although the alpha had mentioned in passing that he would much rather be off the stage to admire the beauty that was his omega.
“He was meant for the stage, for all the lights and the glamor.” The alpha had told them. “I’m sure that Donghyuck would have been a world-class singer in another life. Sometimes, I feel as though I might have stolen that glory from him by mating him— forcing him to stay here in this town, when he could be traveling the world and blessing everyone with his angelic voice.”
Entertainers usually had a track record for being unfaithful lovers, for the frame and popularity of their profession tended to get into their heads. Though unfaithful as they were, they were also very passionate lovers, making everyone they laid down in bed feel as though they were the only person in the world.
Concerns for the Duke’s marriage were brought up almost immediately after the gentlemen’s club announced that Donghyuck would be singing as the opening act for the rest of the summer. Leeching mothers jumped on the opportunity to shove their unmated sons and daughters in the direction of the Duke, hoping to secure their children a role as a backup Duchess in case their marriage got dissolved.
Mark simply laughed it off and politely declined all of their invitations. All that he had to say on the matter, much to the embarrassment of his omega was, “Passionate lovers they are. I can attest to that statement.”
No matter the rumors, Mark had paid no heed to them. He ignored all the pointless chatters, focusing only on making sure that his omega had everything that he needed before the start of the show. He made it a priority to ensure that Donghyuck would desire for nothing. There was nothing that the omega could want that wasn’t out of his reach. And if it was a perfect stage that he desired, then Mark would give it to him in a heartbeat. No questions asked. The alpha didn’t even bat an eye when the bill from the modiste arrived for that week’s shows and it wasn’t a small amount either. The other alphas nearby choked on their drinks when they heard the staggering amount.
“Ah, pocket change.” Mark laughed it off. “Whatever my omega wants, he gets. Happy omega means happy life. You gentlemen know that, don’t you?”
Oh, do they? They knew it quite well actually, for the Duchess’s lavish lifestyle had been the ban of their existence as all of their partners wanted whatever it was that the omega had. Be it the gowns he had custom made or the jewelry he had shipped in from faraway exotic towns, they wanted it all. And of course, the only person with a sum large enough to afford all of those things was none other than, Mark Lee, the Duke of Netherfield.
It was truly a major blow to their egos and status as alphas. It was shameful to be unable to provide for their partners as well as the Duke provided for his. The alpha had it all, from his never-ending fortune to his savvy business tactics. He was handsome too, to which he had an equally beautiful omega hanging off of his arm.
One would think that the alpha would be hesitant to show off his darling omega to the world, but Mark loved the nights that Donghyuck was up on stage. His mate was truly meant for the stage, for the only other time Mark had seen him shine so brightly was on their wedding day.
Donghyuck was dressed in a lovely gold gown, spun of silk. It was just him and a spotlight, no piano or band to accompany him tonight. Despite the usual diamonds that Mark had loved to drape him in, the omega was bare of any jewels. It wasn’t done without purpose though, for everyone could see the gorgeous mark that rested at the base of his throat.
He was mated. He was Mark’s omega.
So, no matter how many looked or coveted the omega, that was all that they could do. For Donghyuck belonged to Mark, and him alone.
-♡-
“You would not believe what I just heard the other day when I was at the perfumery in town.” Ms. Park interrupted the flow of the current conversation as she entered the ball excitedly. Cheeks brightly flushed, she fanned herself before lowering her voice, saying, “I overheard the clerk mentioned that Lee Donghyuck was getting a custom scent made for himself.”
“Well, that’s not all that surprising.” One of the other omegas commented dismissively. “Ever since he had gotten married to the Duke, he’s been spending his alpha’s fortune quite lavishly. I’ve heard that his closet takes up half the manor because sometimes he wishes to change his outfit halfway through the day! I’m sure a new perfume for him is nothing worth gossiping about.”
“No, no. You haven’t heard the best part of it yet!” Leaning closer to everyone, she whispered, “He was making a new perfume out of his own slick .”
“My goodness!” One of the Han siblings gasped, eyes nearly popping out of her head. With a hand held to her chest, she said, “Surely, you must have misheard!”
Ms. Park shook her head adamantly. “I thought my shock had caused me hearing problems but I asked one of the workers later on and they confirmed that the omega wanted to put traces of his slick into the perfume!”
“And the perfumery agreed to do something so scandalous? Do they have no morals?”
“Apparently the omega was paying them a fortune to do it.” Ms. Park reported. “I guess anything can happen when given a certain price.”
“Insanity. Complete insanity.” Another half of the Han siblings mumbled, still in shock to death at the news.
As they all took in the news, one of the more quiet omegas dared asked, “Do you think that it would work?”
“Miss. Kim!” Fully scandalized, the group of omegas shushed her. “You mustn't speak of it!”
“But I mean, if it really works, wouldn’t it make the courting season a little easier for us?” She continued on softly, wringing her gloved hands together nervously. “This is my third season out and I have yet to find a suitable alpha to take. And the end of the season is rapidly approaching. The next season might be my last before Papa sends me off to live in the countryside with my Aunt.”
“You’re a beautiful omega, dear.” Everyone nodded in encouragement. “Sure you’ll find a match before then. Most of the alphas in the ton have had their pride wounded by the Duke’s extravagant courting and nuptials. They know they can never outdo the Duke, so most are likely just waiting until the next season before announcing their intentions.”
“Well I sure hope so. If I have to spend another forsaken heat alone, I would rather die.”
All the omegas in attendance nodded, for they too understood how painful heats were. And before they could continue on with their gossip, the couple of the hour had finally arrived.
As always, Donghyuck arrived in the most splendid gown, holding onto the arm of his alpha. Their appearance parted the crowd like the Red Sea, but the couple paid no mind to any of the guests for they were far too occupied with each other. And if rumors were correct, it wasn’t hard to imagine why they were unable to untangle themselves from one another for even just a mere second.
The ton watched as Mark pulled his omega onto the dance floor, placing a tender kiss onto his gloved hand before sweeping him off his feet. They watched in anticipation as the couple drew closer and closer to one another. And they knew the exact moment that Mark caught onto Donghyuck’s new perfume when the usually graceful alpha nearly tripped over his own feet on what was an easy step to a waltz.
The alpha’s entire form froze as he looked into Donghyuck’s eyes, shocked. Though as subtle as he tried to make it, they all gasped when they noticed the deep breath he took, his nose all but pressed to the side of Donghyuck’s cheek. It was a show of the alpha’s poor attempt to hide his desire to scent his omega back.
They watched with bated breaths as the alpha muttered something into his mated’s ears, posture tense and rigid. In a stark contrast to the alpha’s dominating mood, the omega in his arms threw his head back and laughed. Donghyuck smiled at him prettily before he got up on the tip of his toes and whispered something back in response. And they surely did not miss the flick of the omega’s tongue on his alpha’s ear as he came back down to the ground.
A single, low growl was all that was heard before Mark whisked his mate off the floor and out onto the open terrace.
“Oh, my god.” Ms. Park fanned themselves. “What do you think is going to happen? Mixing one’s slick into their perfume is insanity.”
“Well, based on Mark’s feral reaction, I bet they’re going to have a great fumble out on the terrace.”
“Here? Right now? In the eyes of the ton?” The omega gasped. “Surely they wouldn’t!”
“Oh, they certainly will.” Another retorted. “I mean did you not see the crazed look in Mark’s eyes. It was feral. That’s the look of a feral alpha on the cusp of his rut. And Donghyuck may or may not have just kickstarted it.”
“Well, one thing for sure. They’re definitely not coming back to the ball.” Someone laughed, it was an alpha that joined the gossiping omegas’ conversation that time. “I’m honestly surprised that they even made it out of the house. If my omega had rubbed himself all over with slick, there’s no chance in hell that I would make it outside without having to bury my knot into that sweet little hole of his.”
His vulgar words were met with the expected gasps and mortified looks, but he merely shrugged his shoulders. “I’m just saying what we alphas would do. And it’s not like that wasn’t what Donghyuck was intending to do when he had that little concoction made at the perfumery.”
“You’ve heard about it?” The omegas gasped.
“Oh, darlings, everyone knows. Us alphas are just as bad when it comes to gossip.” The alpha laughed. “Apparently, Mark has been quite stressed lately due to one of his business partners falling short on their end of the deal. And you know what stress is like when it comes to an omega’s heat. It either makes it worse or delays it. Same thing with an alpha’s rut. Donghyuck is just trying to play the role of an attentive mate and help him through his rut.”
“I’m sure Donghyuck could have done it without the excuse of Mark’s rut. They’re truly an insatiable pair. They just can’t keep their hands off of one another. And it’s been long since their honeymoon ended.”
Out of nowhere, the Han siblings swooned, fanning their fans even faster as they gazed out into the open balcony. “I want a love like that.”
A mated pair nearby scoffed at their lovestruck tone. “Oh, please. They are nothing but a bunch of fools. Embarrassing, truly. I would not be able to look anyone in the eyes if I acted like that.”
“A bunch of fools they may be,” the siblings agreed, “but happy fools they are.”
“Don’t you wish to have a love as great as that? So foolishly in love with one another that they have not a single care for the rest of the world. Their happiness is theirs and theirs alone. They’re not ashamed of it, but rather they embrace it. Neither one is afraid of showing off their love to the world. If anything, I must say, I’m quite jealous of them.”
“Theirs is a love that isn’t easy to come by.”
With a sigh, the pair could only agree to the rest of the fawning ton, for a love like that was truly a once in a lifetime blessing. A blessing that could only be granted if all the stars aligned.
And for our dear couple, the alignment of the stars couldn’t have been anymore perfect.
Since the fates have deemed them to be nothing but a pair of fools in love, they should act in any manner or will as they please, as it is their love and happiness at the end of the day.
Both of which are their own and no one else’s.
-♡-
“Are you out of your goddamn mind?” Mark growled in his ears, sending a delicious shiver down his spine. “You created a perfume out of your own slick ?”
Donghyuck hummed, leaning into his alpha’s chest, smiling sweetly. “Doesn’t it smell good?”
“The best—,” the alpha started to reply before he caught a hold of himself getting lost in Donghyuck’s sweet scent. “No! This is on a whole nother level of your usual insanity, sunshine!”
Pouting, Donghyuck rose onto the tip of his toes to gaze lovingly at his alpha in the eyes. “You don’t like my scent?”
“What? No— I love your scent. I love everything about you, Donghyuck. You know that.” Mark sighed, trying his hardest to regain control of the conversation. But he knew it was going to be a fruitless battle the moment Donghyuck pulled out his big, round eyes on him. “Sunshine…”
“You’ve just been so stressed lately,” Donghyuck mumbled, draping his arms around his alpha’s neck, pulling him down for a slow, chaste kiss. “You come back so late into the evenings that sometimes it’s at the cusp of dawn. You never stay long either, leaving again before you’ve even gotten any proper sleep. I worry about you, you know?”
Sighing heavily and dropping his head miserably against Donghyuck’s shoulder, his alpha asked dejectedly, “I have been a terrible alpha, have I not? What kind of alpha neglects his omega like this, all because of some silly business plan that’s sure to fall through since the beginning.”
Running his fingers through Mark’s perfectly coiffed hair, Donghyuck brought his alpha closer to his scent gland. “You’ve been nothing but a wonderful, attentive alpha, Mark Lee. Stop criticizing yourself so much. I just wanted to give you some comfort because of the hardships you’ve been through lately… Your struggles are my struggles, you know that, don’t you?”
With a soft kiss against the healed mating mark, Mark whispered, “I know, sunshine…. But I can’t help but want to keep you away from all the miserable aspects of high society, especially the nasty politics and business dealings.”
“I knew exactly what I was getting into when I accepted your hand in marriage, Mark.” Donghyuck laughed. “And you act as though I haven’t spent my entire life in high society, as an omega at that too.”
“Ah, yes. How very foolish of me to forget such a thing.” Mark admitted, a small smile finally easing onto his lips.
“Not the only thing you’ve forgotten it seemed…”
Confused, Mark questioned, “I’ve forgotten something else…. It’s the twenty-fourth of July… it’s neither our birthdays or anniversaries of any sorts…”
“Your rut, you dumb alpha!” Donghyuck hissed, hands perched on his hips, glaring. “You’ve been on a consistent schedule with it ever since you spent that one heat with me. So, don’t think I haven’t noticed that your rut is overdue by a whole three weeks. Three weeks, Mark! And my omega is stressed . I can hardly sleep at night either…”
“Fuck…” Mark ran a tired hand down his face, sighing deeply, before he scooped his omega up into his arms. Peppering kisses all over Donghyuck’s skin, he said, “I’m sorry, sunshine. I didn’t mean to give you such a hard time. What can I do to make you more comfortable?”
Gripping at the nape of Mark’s neck, Donghyuck forced their face together so he could kiss him properly. “Let loose, dear. Forget about the business, forget about the numbers. Just forget about everything but me. Focus on me, my scent, and how much I need you. How much I need my alpha to take away the emptiness I feel and pup me the fuck up. Breed me, alpha. ”
Those words had Mark growling and nipping at his scent gland like a feral, newly presented alpha. Mark’s hands were all over him, burning through the silks of his dress, leaving behind a blazing fire in its tracks. He began kissing him with a vengeance, not caring about how breathless he was getting or how his knees were buckling underneath him. The alpha merely continued on with his onslaught of passion by lifting him up to be seated on the edge of the balcony railing.
Squealing at the sudden coldness on his ass cheeks, Donghyuck gripped onto the lapels of Mark’s suit for dear life. “Are you crazy? This is at least a three-story fall from here!”
“Crazy for you, yes.” Mark shut him up with a deep kiss. Then tugging Donghyuck closer to him and settling in between his thighs, Mark said, “And don’t worry, I’ll keep you safe.”
“But—,” Donghyuck protested, eyeing the great distance between the balcony and the gardens below.
Mark let out a growl as he roughly pushed the skirts of Donghyuck’s dress up before dropping to his knees, fingers digging into the flesh of his thighs. Not a second later, Donghyuck gasped, feeling a warm, wet tongue exploring him as he scrambled for something to hold onto at the sudden intrusion.
“You are intoxicating.” Mark murmured, licking up all the slick in between his thighs. “A drug, I tell you. I’m addicted.”
Donghyuck tugged on his hair a little harder, knuckles growing white as the alpha moved his mouth further south to give his rim some attention. “ More , I need more.”
“You’ll need to be a good omega before I give you more, darling.” Mark smiled into his skin, teasing him, prolonging the emptiness he felt.
“ Yes ,” Donghyuck cried out. “I’ll be a good omega. I’ll be so good to you, alpha.”
Mark’s eyes were dark. His scent thickened with a raw, possessive edge to it. In one fluid move, Mark stood up and brought Donghyuck crashing against him, kissing him fiercely. Donghyuck was a helpless mess, moaning like he was in heat as he tasted himself on Mark’s lips. “I think that you’ve been quite naughty, omega. ”
A keening whine left his lips as Mark gave another sharp bite to his mating mark, leaving him limp in Mark’s arms.
“Yet, you’ve daringly made a perfume out of slick and you left our home— our nest, smelling like this? You’ve let other alphas smell you when they have no right to do so. Don’t think I didn’t notice how some of them looked at you, or how they tried to come close enough to scent you. You are mine, and mine alone, omega.”
His alpha’s voice was nothing but a low growl, one that shot to the very core of him, making him lax and pliant. The fire within his veins was an inferno, his garments thoroughly soaked. Donghyuck was sure that every single alpha in a mile radius of them could smell him at that point. The slick infused perfume was pointless now. For his scent was as potent as ever, courtesy of Mark’s teasing and talented hands.
“Do you understand, omega? ” Mark growled, cupping him through his dress. Eyes blown wide, nearly black. His rut was practically here. “Tell me, do you understand?”
Reconnecting their lips, Donghyuck whimpered fervently, “Yes, yes. I understand. I promise I won’t leave the house smelling like this again. So, please, please, fuck me, alpha. I need your knot. Now!”
The words barely left his mouth before Mark ripped apart the front of his dress and unbuckled his trousers before he thrusted into Donghyuck’s warm, wet heat without restraint.
“Yes!” Donghyuck tilted his head back, waves of bliss wrecking his entire body. He felt like he was soaring through the sky with pleasure.
Mark continued thrusting into him with precision and care, hands gripping his thighs, propping him up for better access. His fingers dug into the cool, marble railing, bracing himself against each powerful thrust his alpha gave him. Along his exposed neck, Mark began trailing kisses down it, placing little nips with every other kiss.
Arousal rushed through his veins, his face flushed as he looked down at the spot that they were connected. Donghyuck bit his lips at the sight, moaning at the slowly forming knot at the base of his alpha’s cock. His own cock was left neglected between their bodies, getting friction only when their clothed chests would rub together. Between the two of them, they were making an absolute mess of themselves.
But what a delicious mess it was.
It was driving him onto the brink of insanity. His mind was hazy with lust, thinking about how good Mark’s knot would feel as he squeezed the alpha for every last seed he could get. Filling him up so thoroughly that surely he would be swollen with a pup before his next heat. The mere thought of it had him hurling towards his own release at a break necking pace.
He hadn’t been all that quiet with his moans but at a particularly hard thrust, modesty left him as he screamed in pleasure, one hand scrambling to the nape of Mark’s neck, holding on for dear life.
There was no place he would rather be in that moment. It was absolute bliss to be filled by Mark, to take his knot. His alpha’s cock sank into Donghyuck so perfectly each time they made love. Since the first time they had tumbled into bed together, Donghyuck knew that Mark was a skilled lover, ever so attentive to his needs and wants. He knew exactly how to roll his hips, where to kiss, to give his omega pleasure beyond what was imaginable.
Despite how many times they have done it, Donghyuck could never get used to it. He could never get used to the attention, the passion, nor the happiness that flowed between their bonds.
Donghyuck trembled within the arms of his alpha. Wrapping his legs tightly around Mark’s hips, he forced the alpha to sink into him harder and deeper. “Ah, right there. Oh, my god, please don’t stop, I’m begging you.”
His alpha moaned his name, shaking his head. “Never. Not until you come, love.” They both groaned at the feeling of his knot catching onto his rim, pushing deeper with each thrust. The wave of slick running out of his hole only helped it glide closer to home.
He knew that the alpha only had a couple thrusts left in him before his knot would pop, locking them together. Wishing to be knotted up without a moment longer, Donghyuck tore off his gloves with his teeth and reached down in between them, gathering his slick onto his fingers. Pushing his soaked fingers into his alpha’s mouth, he whispered, “Give me your knot, alpha, now!”
Mark moaned loudly around his fingers, licking up every single one of his digits dutifully as he pushed his knot into him fully, making him scream and coating the inside of him with his spend. Donghyuck milked his knot for all that it was worth, taking every seed that Mark was willing to give. The alpha slumped against him, his breath coming out in short puffs against his neck as he kissed the area around his mating mark lazily. “You’re perfect, sunshine…”
Blissed out of his mind, Donghyuck could only let out a weak giggle as he tried to catch his own breath. “I’m well aware, darling.”
“I adore you.” Mark kissed him. “Truly the luckiest alpha in the entire world.”
“And to think you could have lost me due to that foolish mouth of yours.” Donghyuck teased. “Ha! My hemline was too short? Now all you ever want is it to get even shorter! Causing me grief wherever we go because everyone is positively scandalized by the sight of my bare ankles.”
“Please, do not remind me… it was rather an ungraceful moment in my life. One that I wish to not remember.” Groaning, Mark buried himself into his neck. But after a second of wallowing in his embarrassment, the alpha lifted his head, asking, “Who has been causing you grief? Give me their names and they will be dealt with immediately.”
“Such a big, ole scary alpha, you are.” Donghyuck laughed. “There is no need to act so foolishly, dear. I am only teasing because it actually brings me quite a lot joy to be the center of the ton’s gossip.”
“Surely, they have even more to talk about after tonight.” Mark snorted. “Our tomfoolery will probably make it into the rumor mills a couple towns over.”
“Fools we may be,” Donghyuck agreed, smiling. “But to be fools in love and to love like fools surely make us a bunch of happy fools, does it not? And I would rather have that than be a lonely and bitter fool like the rest of this ton.”
“I’ve never heard anything more wise, sunshine.” Mark laughed before kissing him deeply. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Donghyuck echoed. “More than you could possibly imagine.”
“I’ll love you to the point that they’ll write us in history books.” Mark promised. “Our love will transcend times, lasting until the very end of the world. Even the claws of death won’t be able to bury the embers of our love, sunshine.”