A Taste on the Back of My Neck

by eternalscout

Summary:

The first year the Hunt was held, everyone assumed it was some sort of jest or formality. Get the key from around the Omega’s neck and you earned the right to remove the collar protecting his scent glands and to claim him.

They’d shown up drunk and in their formal party clothes to find Alastor, the Omega in question, dressed like he was going to war. Some of them never fully recovered.

And so it went, year after year. The pretty, willowy Omega putting Alpha after Alpha in their place. Alastor and his realm were prizes that would elevate even the poorest of kingdoms to dizzying heights. His continued untouchability only fed the flames of desire for both, and the competition became ever steeper.

aka

King Lucifer, an Alpha, falls in love with Prince Alastor, an Omega. The only way to secure his Omega's heart is to win this year's Hunt by besting the other Alphas and forcing the Prince to yield. Unfortunately for him, just because Alastor loves him back doesn't mean the Omega plans to go down without a fight.

Chapter 1

Summary:

Lucifer arrives for this year's Hunt and has a very enthusiastic reunion with Alastor.

Notes:

Hello, friends! ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝ Welcome to my (belated) contribution for Day Seven of RadioApple AU Goggles Week, Free Day! This Omegaverse fic is brought to you by me learning about Omega collars and listening to The Challenge from Epic: The Musical more times than should be legal.

This will be a six chapter fic that I’m planning to update over the next few Sundays. Just FYI, there will be Mpreg in the final chapter (epilogue). If that’s not your jam, you should still be able to just read up to that point if you so choose!

Also, just a quick note on my take on the Omegaverse. In this fic, a person’s reproductive organs are dependent on their designation and not on their sex. In other words, Alphas have penises, Omegas have vaginas, and Betas have both.

Hope you enjoy!!!

Chapter Trigger Warnings

- Reference to attempted past non-con (very briefly)

Please let me know if I’ve missed any and I’ll add them.

Lucifer tucked the latest letter he’d received back into his cloak with a small smile. He never could have anticipated how much his life would change over the course of a single year. He never thought he’d be interested in another after the divorce with Lilith, but he couldn’t have been more wrong.

He’d entered the Hunt last year at the demand of his advisors, who insisted his couldn’t be the only country with a viable match that didn’t send a candidate. Never mind the fact he had no interest in getting married again or chasing down a notoriously un-Omega-like Omega.

The first year the Hunt was held, everyone assumed it was some sort of jest or formality. Get the key from around the Omega’s neck and you earned the right to remove the collar protecting his scent glands and to claim him. They’d shown up drunk and in their formal party clothes to find Alastor, the Omega in question, dressed like he was going to war.

Some of them never fully recovered.

And so it went, year after year. The pretty, willowy Omega putting Alpha after Alpha in their place. If they were lucky, all they left with when dawn broke was a bruised ego. The entry fee was no small amount either and the Hartfelts had made a tidy sum off of it alone over the past decade. That, combined with their shrewd leadership and the natural defenses along their borders had made theirs one of the wealthiest kingdoms.

The Omega and his realm were prizes that would elevate even the poorest of kingdoms to dizzying heights. Their treasury swelled each year, their prince growing more beautiful as he matured alongside it. His continued untouchability only fed the flames of desire for both, and the competition became ever steeper.

Lucifer had planned to keep his distance, participating just enough so his advisors couldn’t accuse him of throwing the competition.

But then he’d smelled something that made his stomach churn even as his instincts roared to the surface.

An Omega in heat.

The only Omega that should have been present was Alastor. Alastor hadn't shown any signs he was in pre-heat in the days leading up to the Hunt. There was also something…off about the scent. While it still triggered his Alpha instincts, what little rationality he had left insisted something was wrong.

While an Omega’s heat made their scent significantly more potent, it was never this strong or cloying. Lucifer could practically taste the Omega in the back of his throat, a mix of overripe flowers, rotting stems, and a pervasive sourness.

And the closer he got, the more overpowering it became.

Lucifer hadn’t been far, thankfully, and had been one of the first to arrive upon the scene. He didn’t recognize the Alpha pinning the Omega to the ground as he tried to insert the key into the collar’s lock. He seemed oddly unaffected by the scent, which meant his attempts to wrangle him were hampered by his inability to more naturally subdue him.

He was on the Omega’s back, his knees holding his arms in place as Alastor snarled and thrashed, trying to escape in order to find a mate whose body called to him in turn. He froze, however, as Lucifer’s scent reached him, a low whine sounding in the back of his throat as his fluffy ears tipped back and he stared fixedly at him, trying to tilt his head to bear his throat in submission.

Lucifer gave a low rumble in answer as he stalked forward. The key clicked in the collar’s lock and the gem encrusted piece of jewelry fell away from his throat, revealing the unblemished skin over his scent gland.

The other Alpha spared Lucifer only the briefest of glances as he ducked to administer the claiming bite.

Lucifer had unleashed his wings then, using the extra speed they granted him to tackle the bastard and send him flying into the brackish water of the bayou.

Alastor had been at his side in an instant after, skin fever hot and pupils blown. Lucifer had witnessed many heats in his years, but he’d never seen one that took an Omega so thoroughly. He didn’t think he was even capable of speech and his trousers were already saturated with his slick.

He barely managed to grab the collar, key, and omega and lift off into the air before the rest of the Alphas had come racing into the clearing. The Omega had trembled in his hold, pressing open mouthed kisses over every inch of Lucifer’s skin he could reach. He only managed to get them both back to the palace because Alastor’s fingers had been too clumsy to undress him.

The days that followed had been a blur. He’d landed on the balcony overlooking the competition below and thrust the collar and key at the Queen. His teeth ached with how badly he wanted to bite down on the exposed flesh, but he clung to the knowledge something was very wrong with every last shred of control he had left. He couldn’t bring himself to release the Omega, however he didn’t stop her from refastening the collar to protect her son.

It was too late at that point for Lucifer to distance himself. Not with his instincts screaming the Omega was his. Even if he could’ve, Alastor wouldn’t have rested until he found him or was taken by another Alpha. The Queen had led them both to Alastor’s chambers and Lucifer had him mounted almost before the door closed and locked behind her as she left.

He didn’t remember the majority of their coupling, just flashes here and there. He’d done his damnedest to get the Omega pregnant, had knotted him over and over again. Had barely been able to keep up with Alastor and whatever had possessed him and sent him into an out of cycle heat.

Over a week passed before Lucifer began to come back to himself and it had taken almost another for Alastor to do the same. He’d taken care of him as best he could in the meantime, grateful the second week had been more like a natural heat. Alastor had still needed him, had begged for his knot, but he’d been able to actually communicate again by that point and they’d gotten to know one another in Alastor’s gradually lengthening moments of clarity.

By the time he’d settled enough for a healer to come check on him, the suite and Alastor were a complete mess. Lucifer had stayed for a further few days after it ended to ensure the other man was okay and because the Omega became panicky any time he tried to leave.

They’d found out later the Alpha Lucifer had found him with, Vox, had dosed him with a potent new heat induction elixir made from the pheromones of a lowborn moth shifter he’d been known to bed on the regular. Moreover, he’d kept his own head by developing an almost equally powerful scent blocker.

It had caused quite the scandal, Vox being the youngest son of one of the wealthier kingdoms. Even if some of the alphas with more permanent injuries and grudges against the Omega had admitted they’d wished he’d been successful in private.

A generous restitution had been paid that put a dent in their coffers and Vox had been forced to mark and wed his moth, ensuring he would never have an opportunity to grab for power like that again. All traces of the heat inducer and scent blocker were destroyed, both deemed too dangerous to risk falling into the wrong hands or becoming readily available.

Meanwhile, Lucifer had been pleasantly surprised to receive his first letter from Alastor shortly after returning home. They wrote to one another often and had met in person a handful of times in the months that followed. Much of that time had been spent between the sheets or sparring, at Alastor’s vehement request.

He’d been so disgusted with Lucifer’s initial performance in their first match that he’d paid for and sent one of his best fighters to train Lucifer and report back to him on his progress in the interim. By the time he and Alastor had their last match a month before the Hunt, he’d finally triumphed over the Omega and they’d been vigorously celebrating his victory when his teenage daughter had walked in on them.

Lucifer wasn’t stupid. He knew why Alastor had done all this. Just because they were fond of one another, practically courting, didn’t mean the Omega would let him ask outright for his hand. He’d never come right out and said as much, but he’d asked several times if Lucifer would be attending the next Hunt and had warned him that, if he did, he’d better not embarrass himself.

Truthfully, Lucifer preferred the ease of the temporary arranged marriage he’d had with Lilith. It had never been meant to last. Once she helped him produce an heir, the Beta was free to terminate their bond. Lucifer had grown more attached than he should have and they maintained a solid friendship after, but he’d never thought he’d fall for someone else.

Charlie eyed him from across the carriage before rolling her eyes and giving a small shake of her head. “You’d better win, dad.”

Lucifer’s face flushed. “What?”

“I don’t think Al will forgive you if you don’t.”

Her bodyguard, Vaggie, nodded at her side. “You don’t want the hassle of him murdering his spouse so he has another chance with you, sire.”

“What?!”

The two girls shared a look. “Dad, you know he’s crazy in addition to being crazy for you, right? I don’t think someone else’s claim mark would keep him away for long.”

While it was true omegas became more docile under the influence of a mate, how docile had a lot to do with the strength of their bond and once the honeymoon phase ended, one as strong willed as Alastor would only be willing to submit again under the influence of their heat.

He’d likely unintentionally saved Vox’s worthless life a year ago, though Lucifer wouldn’t have put it past the bastard to keep Alastor in a near permanent heat with those drugs if possible. The thought alone left him feeling nauseous. His fiery Omega would have been relegated to little more than a mindless bed slave, producing litter after litter until his body gave out or Vox forced contraception or termination on him too.

Lucifer pushed the unhappy thought away, though the image of a pregnant Alastor lingered in his mind along with that of pups with oversized fluffy ears or maybe wings like his own.

Maybe both…

“Dad!”

He startled, attention snapping back to his daughter. “Yes, Char?”

“Could you please not daydream about things I am still trying very hard to forget right in front of me?!”

Mortification swept through him, his face feeling as if it were on fire. “I wasn’t!”

She and Vaggie shared another look before Charlie crossed her arms and stared resolutely out the window.

“I’m glad he makes you happy, dad, but I’d rather not know just how happy.”

Lucifer would have buried his head into his hands and proceeded to will himself from existence had the carriage not come to a halt that very moment. He smelled Alastor before he saw him, the Omega’s earthy florals and bitter citrus calling to him like a siren’s song. He nearly knocked over his driver in his hurry to leave the carriage before the man finished opening the door for him.

Alastor stood just a few feet away and it took everything Lucifer had not to drag him into a lingering kiss or a too tight embrace. Knowing the Omega, he’d do everything in his power to ensure Lucifer lost this year and was forced to wait until the next for the transgression.

Their mutual interest was still a private matter with only their nearest and most trustworthy in the know. If word got out that Alastor already had feelings for him, the legitimacy of any claim he had on the Omega might be thrown into question. There were many kingdoms that had spent a good deal of money over the years in their pursuit of his hand. There was a chance it could lead to an all out war.

Which of course meant Alastor would be doing everything in his power to best Lucifer this year regardless of his desire to be claimed by him. He, ironically, would’ve had a much better shot if the Omega wasn’t interested in him…

Fuck, he might need another decade of intensive training if he was going to even stand a chance…

Loving this sadistic man was going to be the death of him, but even as he thought as much he couldn’t stop grinning.

“Morningstar,” Alastor greeted with a nod. The only sign he was genuinely happy to see him was the fact his omnipresent smile reached his eyes.

“Hartfelt,” he replied. “I trust you and yours have been well?”

“We have. And yourself?”

Charlie and Vaggie finally joined them, curtsying.

“We have,” Lucifer answered. “Please allow me to introduce my daughter, Princess Charlotte, and her bodyguard, Vaggie.”

Thankfully Charlie managed not to roll her eyes this time, though he was sure it was a near thing.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” he answered with another nod before returning the entirety of his attention to Lucifer. “If you’re free this evening, I believe I may have some time to discuss those trade agreements my advisers have been hounding me about.”

“I am!” Lucifer answered before flushing and clearing his throat. “I mean, I believe I can make some time… I’ll have to check with my secretaries.”

Charlie looked heavenward and Vaggie reached out to give her shoulder a sympathetic squeeze.

Alastor arched a brow at the two of them. “Very well, have them let mine know and they can then coordinate accordingly. I hope you enjoy your stay and, if you intend to join this year’s Hunt, I look forward to putting you through your paces along with the rest.”

“Oh, I’m sure you do,” Lucifer drawled as palace servants stepped forward to lead them to their rooms for the duration of their stay and Alastor turned his attention to greeting the next wave of arrivals.

---

With the palace full to bursting with guests (most of them unwanted), Alastor had instructed his secretaries to have Lucifer meet him in his office. He would have preferred to have the Alpha in his chambers, but that was too risky at present. Not to mention the fact he didn’t want his determination the other man would not have him again until the night of the Hunt to waver.

Even if every part of him craved the Alpha’s touch. Wanted him buried so deep inside of him that they became one. The thought alone was enough to make him wet, and so he’d forced his attention to his work while he waited for the man to be shown in.

Or tried to, anyway. His traitorous cunt was determined to ruin him. He’d nearly given into the urge to get himself off to try to silence the damned thing, when there was a knock at the door.

One of the servants outside opened it and Lucifer stepped inside, still dressed in his finery. The blues and golds looked beautiful on him, matching his eyes and hair, though his wings were as white as fresh snow. His unique fragrance of petrichor, fresh linen, and warm sunshine swept across the room as the door swung closed behind him, sending a fresh pulse of heat between Alastor’s legs. The Alpha crossed the room to the desk, an all too familiar hunger coming to his face when he caught the scent of his arousal. The knowledge the other man could smell the slick soaking into his underthings, that he couldn’t hide what Lucifer did to him just by existing in the same space, sent a shiver through him.

Oh, this had been a terrible idea.

The Alpha was on him in an instant, easily hauling Alastor out of his chair and onto his desk despite their difference in size. The next thing the Omega knew, his trousers were around his ankles and Lucifer’s face was buried in the crux of his thighs, feasting on him like a starving man.

By the time he’d ended his forced heat a year ago, the Alpha had been able to play his body like an instrument. He hadn’t been Alastor’s first, but the Omega hadn’t been with anyone else since then, spending nearly all of his intervening heats on his own. And the two Lucifer had been able to spend with him, Alastor had been embarrassed to have to leave the key to his collar with his mother for safekeeping.

He’d been informed he could be quite…vocal about his need for the Alpha to claim him while in the throes of passion. He’d also apparently tried to get the thing off of himself more than once even without the key…

It didn’t take long for his orgasm to build under Lucifer’s enthusiastic devotion and Alastor’s claws tightened in the man’s hair as he came so hard he saw stars. It was only then that the bastard lifted his head to grin up at him and offer a husky, “I missed you.”

Alastor’s instincts surged to the forefront of his mind, as Lucifer worked him through his aftershocks with his thumb on his clit, his still spasming cunt clamping down on nothing. He had to bite back a whimper at the distressing emptiness and then had to redouble his efforts to stay quiet when all he wanted to do was demand Lucifer mount and breed him properly.

Ever since he’d reached the age of maturity, the collar had been a reassuring weight over his scent glands. A reminder that no one could force him to be theirs. It was only over the past few months that it had begun to feel more like a shackle.

“I missed you too,” he blurted, face warming when he realized what he’d said. Normally he wasn’t nearly as uninhibited with his words, he had a reputation to maintain after all, but the joy the declaration brought to Lucifer’s face cut deep and he found himself grinning back at him like a godsdamned idiot.

On paper, he never should have ended up falling for someone like King Morningstar. His was one of the most humble kingdoms on the continent and, while they shared a border (a very small one), he wasn’t sure if he’d ever even had a conversation with the man prior to his intervention with Vox.

Lucifer was thirteen years his senior, had still been married to his wife when Alastor had reached his majority. Hells, he’d been too busy raising his only daughter and heir for his advisors to bully him into joining the Hunt until the prior year.

Alastor didn’t remember the majority of his forced heat, but he did recall the moment he’d caught scent of the Alpha. How his answering pheromones had crashed over him.

Yet Lucifer had managed to keep his head long enough to get him away from Vox and to take Alastor to his mother. Had bitten his own lips and fist bloody to keep himself from sinking his fangs into Alastor’s exposed throat, even as he’d begged to be claimed. Had given the collar and the key to his mother so she could protect him. Had held Alastor down when he’d fought tooth and nail not to have the collar put back in place.

By that point they’d spent too much time together to be separated for his heat, but even then Lucifer had been a careful and attentive lover. Meanwhile his mother had to clear the entire wing of the palace because of how potent Alastor’s pheromones had become under the influence of the elixir. Only other Omegas had been allowed anywhere near him.

And now he’d somehow turned Alastor from a fierce prince who would submit to no one into a stereotypical Omega straight from the pages of a ridiculous romance novel.

His heart had leapt upon catching sight of his carriage that afternoon. He’d thought it was an overwrought turn of phrase dreamed up by lovesick fools until he’d felt the organ quite literally lurch against his sternum. He’d sworn he’d never be one of those “domesticated Omegas,” yet every moment he spent around the Alpha, his desire to please him, to submit to him, to be bred by him increased tenfold. He’d even caught himself staring wistfully at others’ pups.

Him!

Prior to that, he’d resigned himself to the fact he would have to produce an heir at some point and now he longed for an entire fucking litter with this ridiculous man!

The first thing he’d done when Alastor visited him at his own palace was insist they have a picnic lunch by the duck pond in his gardens. In his enthusiasm to show him his favorite spot, Lucifer had fallen in. The Omega had stood on the shore, dumbfounded, as the swan flailed in a panic in the waist high water. At first he thought he’d somehow forgotten he was literally a waterfowl, but no. The real reason had somehow been even more absurd.

Lucifer thought he’d ruined the paint on the gift he’d made for him. A wooden duck he’d carved in Alastor’s likeness.

A wooden duck that had embarrassingly become one of the deer’s most prized possessions. And that Rosie and his mother had both caught him talking to on more than one occasion, as if he were speaking to its creator rather than an inanimate object.

Even worse, Alastor had a feeling that the Alpha’s claiming mark would trigger an out of cycle heat for him, which should have been humiliating. Instead, he was convinced he would be disappointed if it didn’t.

Oh, how the mighty had fallen…

And suddenly his thoughts scattered to the four winds as Lucifer pressed two of his claws into his still weeping cunt. Alastor reflexively bore down on them, a godsdamned whimper escaping him as the Alpha proceeded to fuck him with them, stroking his own cock in time with each thrust.

“Y-You said I couldn’t fuck you properly unless I claimed you,” he murmured, his hot breath fanning across Alastor’s sweat damp skin.

So this was what he’d decided to do instead? Simulate the act? Make Alastor watch and feel what he could have right now, if only he would relent?

He cursed as Lucifer picked up his pace and he reached between them to rub his fingers against his own clit.

The Alpha met his eyes as he growled softly, “Tell me how badly you want my knot.”

That drew a full body shudder from him and Alastor whined as he tried to rock his hips to take his fingers even deeper.

Lucifer held him in place, his lips brushed the edge of his ear as he added, “Beg me for it like a good little Omega, and maybe I’ll give it to you.”

“F-Fuck you,” he bit out, despite the command sending a rush of heat and desire through him.

Of course he wanted it! Even outside his heat, he craved the closeness and connection he felt whenever they were locked together. Part of it was undoubtedly his Omega nature, but part of it was also because it was Lucifer. He didn’t need a knot. He needed Lucifer’s knot.

Lucifer added a third finger, spreading him wider, but it still wasn’t enough, the bastard. And then there was a…fourth?

Oh. Oh, fuck.

“Give it to me,” Alastor growled, nails digging into Lucifer’s skin, drawing small rivulets of blood that stained his clothes and left him feeling almost feral as its iron tang mingled with the scent of sex.

Lucifer stilled his hand, meeting Alastor’s eyes. And they weren’t Lucifer’s soft blue anymore, but rather those of an Alpha who expected to be obeyed. A soft whine sounded in the back of Alastor’s throat, the look triggering something primal in him. He bared his throat to the other man, claws digging even harder into his flesh.

“Please, Alpha!” he hissed.

He barely had time to prepare himself before Lucifer slipped his hand inside him, almost all the way up to his wrist. It wasn’t a real knot, but the stretch and ache and fullness…

Alastor sobbed as he came again, bearing down hard on the makeshift knot. Powerful waves of pleasure rocked through him, leaving him almost dizzy in their wake.

But Lucifer didn’t stop as the last of his aftershocks waned. Instead he began to fuck him with his entire hand, having released his own cock so he could grab Alastor’s tail, fisting and tugging at it like it belonged to him to do with as he pleased.

Alastor buried his face in the swan’s shoulder, trying to narrow his own focus. It was all so much, too much. He bucked back against him as best he could without any leverage and came a third time, sinking his fangs into the meat of Lucifer’s shoulder to stifle the scream that tore from his lips. Blood filled his mouth and he reflexively swallowed. If he wasn’t so wrung out, he thought that alone might have sent him over the edge again.

Lucifer released his tail and carefully slid his hand from inside him. Alastor hated the hollow feeling he left behind. He wished he’d had the foresight to bring one of his plugs to insert into himself to prolong that stretched full feeling. And then Lucifer was stroking himself and coming with a low, self-satisfied groan, his spend falling across Alastor’s arousal swollen lips, mingling with the slick there and claiming him in a different way.

The Omega slumped onto his back on the desk, panting for breath. He kept his legs apart, heat creeping down his throat as Lucifer admired the pretty picture of sated, eager submission he’d fucked him into despite never spearing him with his actual cock.

Another soft whine escaped Alastor as he tilted his head to bare his throat to his Alpha. Lucifer carefully gathered him into his arms, carrying him over to the thick fur rug in front of the crackling fireplace. He laid him down and stripped him of the rest of his clothes before doing the same for himself and settling against his back, a possessive arm wrapped tight around Alastor’s middle.

The Omega pressed more firmly back against him, ears and eyelids drooping with exhaustion. The preparation and onset of the week of festivities had already begun to weigh on him prior to Lucifer’s arrival. For the first time in maybe a month, his mind was quiet and his body lax. Lucifer began to scratch behind one of his ears and he promptly fell into the sort of deep sleep only his Alpha seemed to make him feel safe enough to indulge in.

Notes:

Thanks so much for taking the time to read (and to kudos/comment, if you're so inclined)! It means so much to me!!! Hope you enjoyed!!!

Major kudos to Coulombia for her help betaing this fic! If you're looking for more RadioApple/Hazbin fics, highly recommend hers!!!

Fic title inspired by Hunter by Ella Fence.

You can find me on tumblr at hismercytomyjustice. I yell about things I love on there.

Chapter 2

Summary:

Lucifer tries to steel himself for the fight to come. Alastor is fine. He's totally fine. Why wouldn't he be? No stress here!

Notes:

Happy Sunday, friends!!! ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝ Thank you all so much for your kind words and support for this fic! I am behind on replying to comments, but please know I've read and cherished every single one! I'm so excited to share the rest of this story with you all!

Now, on to chapter two!!! Hope you enjoy!!!

The next few days passed in a blur. After spending that first night with Alastor in his study, Lucifer had barely had a chance to see the Omega, let alone speak to him. Alastor was far too busy with all of his duties as host and all the demands on his time from the others present. Unfortunately Lucifer’s kingdom wasn’t powerful enough for him to demand attention from the deer without raising eyebrows, so he subtly watched from afar.

Still, he couldn’t help but notice several items of his worn clothing had gone missing in the intervening days, no doubt spirited away by the maids at the request of their prince. The realization his Omega was already taking steps to surround himself with his scent and, likely, to start on a nest only fanned the flames of his desire. He now had no doubt Alastor would go into heat upon being claimed, despite the Omega’s insistence he had more control over himself than that.

He also never saw Alastor without a snack of some kind, despite his usual preference for scheduled meals only. He’d never been able to spend the days leading up to Alastor’s heat with him, their schedules being so full. He didn’t think the deer even realized what he was doing, as deep as he already was into his instincts. Lucifer had retreated to his own rooms more than once to take care of himself in private, if only to try and calm his own instincts.

He sincerely doubted Alastor would appreciate being dragged off and sequestered from others while Lucifer ensured his Omega ate and slept as much as possible in preparation for the heat to come.

Fuck, he was already feeling possessive and protective over the deer. He was probably going to go into rut along with him once he claimed him.

Assuming he managed to, of course.

Early mornings found him sparring with Husk, the head of Alastor’s guard. The man had trained Alastor himself and had been the one sent to ensure Lucifer was in top form.

When he’d first started training with the man, he’d left every session black and blue and sore for days. Now he was in the best shape of his life and while the old cat was as swift and dangerous as ever, Lucifer was too.

During a short break between rounds, the two stood side by side, guzzling down water after sweating so much already.

Once Lucifer quenched his thirst and caught his breath, he turned to Husk and hazarded, “What do you think my chances are of winning this?”

The cat made him wait as he finished his own drink before arching a brow. “Not feelin’ confident?”

“I think if I was, there’s no way I’d beat him.”

He chuckled at that. “You’re right. That’s the problem with most of these Alphas, even a decade later. They wanna attribute their failures to anything but them being hopelessly outclassed by an Omega. The only ones who’ve ever come close to besting him were only able to do it because they treated him like an equal and prepared accordingly.”

Husk gave a small shake of his head as he continued. “Al’s one of the most skilled and ruthless fighters out there. They should consider themselves lucky he’s experienced enough he ain’t accidentally outright killed any of ‘em. Bein’ the only heir and an Omega, he’s been learnin’ how to defend himself ever since he could walk.”

Lucifer nodded as he leaned against the palace wall. “I can only imagine. He’s had a target on his back his entire life.”

“You got that right. It’s why the Queen decided to host the Hunts in the first place. And part of why she didn’t remarry after the King passed. Any non-Omega heirs she bore would wind up ahead of Al as far as the chain of succession goes. Al’s opened a lot of eyes here about what Omegas are actually capable of and she wants what’s best for him and the kingdom.

“Plenty of folks have tried to convince her to change her mind over the years. To find a new mate and produce a real heir. Al’s better fit to lead this kingdom than any other fucker out there and the only reason anyone says otherwise is ‘cause of what he is. They’d rather see Alpha trash like Vox take over and run this place into the ground than admit they should get their fuckin’ heads outta their asses and stop treatin’ Omegas like shit.”

Lucifer nodded as he dabbed at the sweat on his brow and the back of his neck with a handkerchief. “…you said that was only part of the reason. Can I ask what the other part is?” he hazarded.

He and Husk had grown close over the past few months, but even though he and the Queen were in full support of his marriage to Alastor, he was still an outsider until then.

An uncharacteristically sweet smile came to the cat’s face. “‘Cause they had a love match and she’s never stopped lovin’ him. She wants the same for Al. Or at least someone who’ll take him seriously an’ be his actual partner instead of just treatin’ him like a breeder.”

“I can’t imagine him ever allowing something like that,” Lucifer admitted. Even in his daydreams about the omega’s impending heat and carrying his pups, Alastor was always his stubborn, opinionated, and fierce self.

Who he was made it all the more rewarding when Alastor was willing to cede control and to submit to him. Like he had the other night, laid open and marked with Lucifer’s spend. Baring his throat, desperate for his knot…

Fuck. If he wasn’t careful, he was going to have to very awkwardly explain to Husk why he needed an extended break.

“You see him,” Husk offered, making him jolt.

“What?!”

The cat shot him a shrewd look. “I meant you see who he really is. Though now I know what puts that dopey fuckin’ grin on your face. Not that I ever really had to wonder.”

Lucifer’s face warmed. “…I mean, I try to. See him.”

“The Queen has a big weddin’ present planned for him,” Husk continued, meeting the swan’s eyes. “She an’ Al were never satisfied with how things went down with that asshole Vox.”

He blinked, struggling to follow this sudden shift in the conversation. “Oh?”

“Let’s just say they got plans for him and that moth he got the elixir from.”

Lucifer sucked in a sharp breath. “But…how? They’re both restricted from crossing into the kingdom, aren’t they? On pain of death.”

“Yup.”

His brow furrowed as he tried to parse out all the things Husk wasn’t saying. “Attacking them outright is as good as a declaration of war.”

“Uh huh.” The corner of the cat’s lips twitched up, revealing a smattering of his sharp fangs.

“…are they going to kidnap them? Make it look like they chose to come here?”

That earned a sharp laugh. “Oh, don’t be ridiculous, Luce. They ain’t gotta go to all that trouble. Both of ‘em are led pretty easily by the dick. They’ve already crossed the border. They’re already in violation of the decree.”

Lucifer’s eyes widened. ”…shit.”

“The guards are just waiting for the signal to haul them in. Then the Queen’s gonna give them to Al.”

Husk was watching him closely now. Looking for something, but damned if Lucifer knew what.

“Alastor will love that,” he blurted, earning a deep belly laugh this time.

And while the image of his Omega drenched in blood and viscera should have concerned or maybe even repulsed him, all Lucifer could think was how beautiful he’d be in all that red. How he would make them beg for death long before he was finished with them. How he would maim and kill to protect their pups.

“Fuck, you really do see him,” Husk grumbled, waving at the air in front of his nose. “Shoulda known you were a freak too. No wonder Al’s been pickin’ out names and shit.”

Lucifer’s face burned, the flame of his arousal gone as suddenly as if Husk had upended a bucket of water over it. Then the rest of what he said registered. “Wait, what?”

Husk held both paws up. “I’m just kiddin’, though he hasn’t been glarin’ at all the pups underfoot like usual, so he might as well be. Oh, and about your question. I’d say you’ve got a fifty-fifty shot.”

“At? Oh, shit. Really? You think it could go either way?”

He gave him a warning look. “If Al hears you excited about odds that even, best believe that’s gonna drop to a big, fat zero. An’ then we’re gonna all have to put up with him sulkin’ and ragin’ for the next year. Might just box him up and send him over to your court to have to deal with.”

Lucifer winced. “…yeah, you’ve got that right.”

“He ain’t gonna go down without a fight, no matter how sweet he is on ya. You better be prepared to bleed and draw blood in return or you’ll be lucky if he don’t straight up kill you.”

“…yay…”

“Queen’s already plannin’ to have extra medics on standby. And I can tell ya right now, if you ain’t willin’ to give it your all and if you ain’t willin’ to make him submit, your odds are also zero. You’re gonna have to hurt him, Lucifer. He wants you bad enough that he don’t want anyone questionin’ whether or not you have a claim. He’s gonna make that first year look like a fuckin’ picnic by comparison and there are folks who’re still sportin’ scars and injuries from it ten years later.”

His stomach sank as he was forced to acknowledge the truth behind what Husk said. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt his Omega. Alastor, meanwhile, wouldn’t have any compunctions of his own on that front. Even if he managed to take him down, Lucifer had a feeling that heat or not, he, Charlie, and Vaggie would be prolonging their stay just to give him time to heal.

“You got an actual strategy?” Husk prompted, pulling him from his miserable thoughts.

“Sort of?” he hedged.

Husk shifted his hold on his practice sword like he was debating on just how hard to hit him with it. “I swear to the gods, Luce, if you fuck this up an’ we gotta deal with the aftermath…”

He sank down against the wall, drawing his knees to his chest. “You’ll have to get in line behind Alastor, if there’s anything left of me by then.”

“Damn right.”

“…how badly do you think I’ll have to hurt him?”

“Bad enough he literally can’t fight back anymore. He ain’t makin’ this easy on you. And if he catches you holdin’ back? I dunno if that’s something he’d ever forgive.”

Fuck.

Why couldn’t he have fallen for a normal Omega?

“You gotta be ready to claim him no matter how bad he’s hurt too.” Husk paused. “Or how bad you’re hurt. You don’t make it official the second that collar is off and you’re gonna find yourself up against every single Alpha present. Then it’ll just be a matter of who gets their teeth in him first.”

Lucifer’s eyes narrowed into slits, his instincts roaring up within him. “They won’t fucking dare,” he rumbled ominously.

Husk nodded. “That’s exactly the kinda mindset you gotta be in. Full obnoxious as fuck Alpha. And that’s your Omega out there. But he won’t stay yours unless you claim him.”

Anger coiled in Lucifer’s gut and he bared his own fangs at the perceived threat. The cat rolled his eyes. “Lookin’ at Al like that can’t hurt neither. This is one of the very few times he’ll actually want to be put in his place. He’s gonna be in crazy killer mode, but his Omega and deer ain’t just gonna go away. Yeah he’s spent years quieting them, but they’re part of who he is.”

Lucifer gradually reined himself back in, face warming when he realized he’d gotten so worked up over literally nothing. Fuck, what had Husk just said? It’d sounded important.

As if reading his mind (aka looking at Lucifer’s face and immediately knowing what was going through his head, Husk looked heavenward and gave a world weary sigh. “How much of that did you actually hear?”

Lucifer eased himself back up into a standing position. “Something about crazy killer mode?”

“You would remember that,” he muttered. “Al’s been trainin’ his entire life to quiet his instincts, but that don’t mean he ain’t a deer or an Omega. Meanwhile, you leanin’ into your own might actually help.”

He nodded absently, his mind already going a million miles a minute. “You’re right. Thanks, Husk. Is the challenge area closed off right now?”

Husk blinked. “No, it’s open. The guards have been keepin’ an eye on it and are gonna do a full sweep prior to so we can make sure folks ain’t cheatin’, but it’s open otherwise.”

“Sorry, but do you mind if we end things here today? I’d like to go over and get a better lay of the land.”

The cat grinned. “Yeah? Make it count.”

Lucifer smiled back at him before turning to put away his sword. That done, he spread his wings and lifted off from the ground and into the sky.

It had been a while since he last stretched them and he made yet another mental note to do it more often. While his kingdom was small, there was still a good deal of work to do everyday. Maybe it was something he could do together with Husk.

Or perhaps any future pups he had, if they took after him in that way.

He flew up and over the bayou that the Hunt would take place in, not having really done any reconnaissance on it before. When he’d competed last year, it had been as a mere courtesy. His plan had been to stay out of the way of the Omega and hopefully keep all his limbs in the process.

Having sparred with Alastor and Husk, he had an idea of the kinds of tactics and moves Alastor would make. He was damned fast and had reach and height Lucifer could never compete with at close range. Not unless he managed to weaken or restrain him sufficiently first. Strategy would be his best bet, in addition to longer ranged attacks.

The two men had insisted he better his skills with a bow and arrow and other projectile weapons. The irony of them trying to train him specifically for this moment while simultaneously revealing just how difficult of an opponent Alastor could be wasn’t lost on him. Now that he’d seen the deer at his best, he was very aware of how much he’d held back in previous years. Aside from the first. That one had been brutal as he’d sought to impart a lesson to any Alpha who dared vie for his hand.

In one day he went from a pretty, young Omega they treated as their inferior to, if nothing else, a warrior they held wary respect for. But Husk was right, many were still set in their ways when it came to Omegas. Lucifer had been embarrassed to realize he harbored some misconceptions of his own. He returned to his court that first year and hired a handful of Omegas to advise him on policies and raise any potential concerns.

It helped that the Hartfelts had already laid the groundwork in their own kingdom over the preceding decade. He didn’t face nearly the same level of pushback they had as the first country to implement such changes. Much of their early work had to be done behind the scenes while they waited for public approval to catch up.

Alastor confided to him that he’d trained many of their Omega spies and fighters himself in the beginning, back before he’d been able to adopt a more prominent role in his own court. Lucifer wondered if any of them would be among the guards who would escort Vox and the moth to their execution. He wouldn’t put it past the Queen to only send Omegas, just to prove a point.

As he took in the slow moving waters and greenery below, he considered what else he knew about Alastor that he could use to his advantage. He knew his senses of hearing and smell were his strongest. That the eyesight in his right eye was poor, though he only used a monocle in private. He hoped that might change once he no longer felt like he had to keep up appearances. It didn't hurt that seeing him wearing it did all sorts of things to Lucifer, knowing the Omega trusted him enough to reveal such a weakness.

He was sure Alastor could count the number of people he trusted that much on one hand. While it was a privilege to know he was one of them, it also hurt to know so few knew what the prince was really like. He constantly projected an aura of danger, control, and untouchability.

But Lucifer had witnessed how hard it was to get him out of bed in the mornings. How much he actually enjoyed physical touch with his loved ones. That he loved reading, dancing, cooking, and music. And how much he enjoyed having his ears scratched. It was the surest way to coax him to sleep, so long as one was willing to risk being trapped underneath him in the process.

Of course none of that was going to help him when it came to the Hunt.

Husk was right though. Alastor was still a deer and an Omega. Moreover, he was Lucifer’s Omega. He felt safe around him, willing to let his guard down even if it was just a little. And, though he didn’t think Alastor had noticed it as of yet, he’d already begun to defer to him in little ways. He no longer put up as much of a fuss when Lucifer encouraged him to take a break from his work or to go to bed. He also tended to orient himself toward the Alpha whenever they were in the same space, like a flower following the sun.

Though he’d never tried it, he had a strong suspicion the Omega would be particularly susceptible to his Alpha Voice, were he to use it. Not as strongly as if they were mated, but he would likely have to make a concentrated effort to disregard it at this point.

Would trying it during the Hunt be considered cheating or unsportsmanlike? Then again, Husk had told him Alastor wanted to be put in his place, to be firmly reminded he was an Omega and he must submit. Using it could reinforce the notion or it could trip him up for long enough to give Lucifer an opening.

Regardless, his best bet was to lure the deer somewhere that would restrict his movements, and so he quietly mapped out viable chokepoints in his mind. Staying upwind of him would also be key. It would likely be a waiting game that would end in an ambush and possibly a blitz attack. He should aim primarily for his legs, though the thought of crippling him made Lucifer’s stomach churn unhappily. If he managed it, he would have to act fast so no one else could take advantage of the fallen deer.

And then once he had him, he’d mark him and then mount him. Would breed him again and again until it took. And…

Lucifer’s face flushed when he realized his instincts were getting away from him again.

Fuck, he’d wanted to do badly the other night. To properly take him. To remind Alastor where and who he belonged to. Gods, he’d been tempted. Had almost used his Alpha Voice on him to order the deer to bend over his desk and spread himself open for him…

He shook himself from his reverie with a soft growl of frustration.

Soon. He just had to be patient. He just needed a plan.

---

Alastor normally excused himself early the night before the Hunt. It was partly to give himself a reprieve from the overpowering musk and oppressive aura of too many Alphas in one place, but also to give himself plenty of time to rest and complete any final preparations he needed.

There was always a party the final evening. Very few were interested in lingering after the game was played and they’d lost. It also had the added benefit of luring the competitors into drinking too much and staying up too late the night before, helping to weed out anyone who didn’t take the Hunt seriously enough.

However, this evening, he found himself exceedingly restless but unable to make himself step away. His mother had shot him several curious looks as the hour grew later, but he’d pointedly ignored them and avoided her. Instead he’d prowled around the ballroom and its balcony, even though his head was beginning to ache from the noise and the smells and the constant stares of far too many people.

It was nearing midnight and he was exhausted, irritable, and beginning to feel a bit ill from how many times he’d refilled his plate and glass. He retreated back to the balcony, noting it was less crowded, scowling down at the bayou below from where he leaned against the railing.

He caught his mother’s scent of freshly turned earth and brackish water before he saw her and he sighed softly. “Yes?” he asked, not turning to her.

She rested a hand on his shoulder as she drew up alongside him. “What are you still doing here, baby? You look more miserable with every hour that passes.”

He sighed heavily. “I don’t know,” he reluctantly admitted.

Her hand shifted to gently rub his back. “You need to rest.”

“I can’t,” he protested, frowning as the words left his mouth.

“Why not?” she asked, gently taking his chin in her other hand and turning his head so she could meet his eyes. They were a match to his own hazel but even as he met her gaze, he felt as if she were staring deeply into him and seeing far more than he wanted her to.

“Oh, baby,” she tutted. “Do you want me to help?”

“I don’t think you can. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

Her expression softened even as her eyes glowed faintly. “Go to your study,” she said, putting her will as an Alpha behind the command.

Alastor’s eyes widened as his roiling thoughts abruptly stopped. His brow furrowed as he stared back at her, a faint whine of protest sounding in the back of his throat.

She brushed her thumb against his cheek, her eyes glowing even brighter. “Go to your study now, Alastor.”

“Yes, Alpha,” he murmured as his body moved to obey.

The sounds and smells that had been so grating before faded away as he drifted past the revelers. It was like the command had settled around him, insulating him from it all.

He made it to his study without interruption, slowly coming back to himself once he was inside. His face warmed when he realized what had happened. Yes, his bond with his mother and the trust he had with her made him more easily swayed, but not usually like this. Normally it felt more like a compelling suggestion. What the fuck was wrong with him?

Before he could become too upset, the door opened again and Lucifer’s scent washed over him. Alastor’s ears relaxed from attention, his tail wagging, as he made his way over to the Alpha.

“You didn’t spend time with me at the party,” he accused, scowling down at him.

Lucifer flushed. “I thought it might be too conspicuous. Like what if someone thought I unduly influenced you or something?”

His eyes narrowed. “Then you should have told me that was your plan rather than leaving me wanting. What are you doing here?”

“The Queen said I should come check on you. Why are you here instead of in bed?”

Alastor huffed, not wanting to admit he’d been so easily led, “I don’t know if I can sleep right. now.” While the urge to pace had eased somewhat, he still felt too keyed up to actually lay down.

Although… Now that Lucifer was here…

He sank his claws in the front of the other man’s tunic, yanking him into a bruising kiss. Lucifer reflexively reached up to cup his face as he eagerly returned it. Alastor tried to take control of the kiss, thrusting his tongue into the warm, wet heat of the other man’s mouth. If the Alpha wanted his submission, he needed to earn it first.

His claws dug into the Omega’s skin, pressing hard against the hinge of his jaw to force his lips to part and to hold him in place. Alastor shivered in delight, his eyes sliding closed as he was made to cede control of the kiss. His tail wagged enthusiastically as the pent up tension from the last few days abruptly bled from him.

His Alpha was here. Lucifer would take care of him, would keep him safe. He didn’t have to be constantly on his guard with him around. And then the Alpha’s hands were in his hair, petting and scratching his ears. Alastor all but melted beneath his touch, sagging against him as he sighed contentedly against his lips. When they both finally came up for air, he allowed himself to be led to the fur rug without a fuss.

He could already feel his slick pooling between his thighs and he ached from how empty he felt inside. “Want you,” Alastor growled upon reaching it. “Inside of me. Now.”

Lucifer shot him a sharp look. “You told me in no uncertain terms that my knot was not getting anywhere near you until I won the Hunt.”

“I lied.”

“Al…” he murmured, sitting down and encouraging him to do the same.”I think you might be going into an out of cycle heat. And I’m pretty sure if I knotted you right now, that would be the last push it needs to fully settle in.”

A low growl sounded in the back of his throat, eyes narrowing. “And I’m telling you I don’t care.”

“You might not right now, but I have a feeling you’ll want to flay me alive once it’s over if I push you over the edge the night before the Hunt.”

“Lucifer! I won’t ask again,” he warned, eyes narrowing.

The swan regarded him thoughtfully before he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small bottle. “All right. If you drink this first, I’ll give you what you need.”

Alastor snatched the bottle from his hand, uncorking it and immediately downing it. Under normal circumstances, he would have at least given it a cursory sniff, but he didn’t give a shit right now.

Some distant part of him registered the medicinal taste of an elixir and he leaned forward to capture Lucifer’s lips again, trying to banish the lingering bitterness from his tongue.

Lucifer reached up, pressing a hand firmly to his chest. “Hold on now. Did I give you permission to do that?”

He froze, ears pinning back. “…no. But I need—“

“I know exactly what you need. You trust me to take care of you, don’t you, Alastor?”

He nodded as he sank deeper into his instincts, his words and manner further lulling him into a more relaxed state. His mother had been right to send him away from the party and she’d been right to send Lucifer after him too. He already felt so much better. Calmer, more level-headed.

“Now, can you trust me with one more thing?” Lucifer asked as he gently cradled his face in both hands, meeting his eyes.

Alastor swore the Alpha’s had begun to glow. “Yes, Alpha,” he insisted.

A smile came to his face and Alastor’s tail waved back and forth as one came to his own in answer.

“Go to sleep.”

His brow furrowed, exhaustion crashing over him like a wave. He sagged where he sat, his usually perfect posture gone. “…what?” he prompted, his own voice sounding so far away. Like it was in another room somehow.

“Go to sleep,” Lucifer repeated, more of his influence behind the words.

They sank deep into Alastor’s mind as he blinked owlishly down at him.

His claws returned to Alastor’s ears and the Omega whimpered softly, leaning heavily into his touch. “Yes, Alpha,” he mumbled as he lost his fight against the command, his eyes sliding closed and his body going lax.

He was vaguely aware of being pressed gently to the floor and enveloped in Lucifer’s warm embrace. He’d hardly settled into the new position before exhaustion overtook him and he sank into a deep sleep.

---

Lucifer glanced up when the door to Alastor’s study opened. The Queen stepped inside, closing it quietly behind her. She offered him a grateful smile as she made her way over to them.

Though Alastor had fallen asleep nearly half an hour ago, he had the Omega’s head cradled in his lap, his claws still threading through his hair and gently stroking his ears.

“How is he?” she asked, voice soft.

“Better now. You were right, he was definitely about to go into heat.”

She shifted her skirts and took a seat on the rug across from him and her son. “He drank the heat suppressant elixir?”

Lucifer’s face warmed. “I may have bribed him in a way that may or may not make him angry with me when he wakes up. I guess it’ll depend on how well the elixir works.”

She tsked softly as she shook her head. “Poor boy. I thought something like this might happen with how close the two of you have grown, but he fell even harder than I realized.”

Lucifer’s expression grew fond as his gaze dropped to the sleep softened face of the Omega. “He obeyed my command to sleep.”

Her eyes widened. “Really? Goodness! Just goes to show you how much he trusts you and how safe he feels around you. I’m the only other Alpha he’s ever responded to like that.”

He nodded, smiling faintly. “I’m honored. Truly.”

“You two make a fine pair. It’s a relief to see him able to be himself around you.” She gave a small shake of her head. “I’d hoped, bare minimum, that he’d find someone who would treat him as an equal. As much as I abhor that bastard Vox for what he tried to do to my pup, I’m grateful something good managed to come of it all.”

“Has he been okay the past few weeks?” Lucifer asked, all too aware of the dark circles that seemed to have taken up permanent residence beneath the Omega’s eyes.

“He would never say as much, but he’s anxious for this all to be over. I was tempted to invite you and your daughter earlier to see if you could help soothe him prior to, but with how aggressively his heat has tried to come on, I suppose it’s for the best that I didn’t. At the rate he’s going, we’ll be lucky if the elixir hasn’t entirely burned out of his system by the end of the night.”

Lucifer swallowed hard, tentatively lifting his eyes to meet her hazel ones. “…what if I can’t win against him…? What if I just wind up disappointing him? Or what if someone else manages to claim him before I can? I don’t know if he’d ever forgive me for something like that…”

She snorted, a wide smile coming to her face. “I’ve seen the two of you spar. He’s holding nothing back with you, little bird. No one in all the years of this competition has ever been so prepared to go up against him, of that I can assure you.”

“You’re not just saying that?”

“Absolutely not.”

He glanced back down to Alastor. “…then why has he been so anxious?”

She let out a bark of laughter and Alastor’s brow furrowed. Lucifer was quick to soothe him, scratching at the base of his ear while the Queen struggled to get herself under control.

“My dear boy, he’s been working himself into a frenzy because he doesn’t want to disappoint you.”

Lucifer’s head snapped back up at that. “What?”

“He wants so badly to prove he’s worthy of you and to show you how important you are to him. He wants to do well in the Hunt tomorrow because he loves you and he wants you and everyone else gathered to have no doubt of that.”

Lucifer’s shoulders shook as he tried to suppress the startled laugh that bubbled up at the realization. “S-So you’re saying he’s been running me ragged because kicking my ass is his love language?”

The Queen grinned. “Exactly.”

“If I’d known him liking me that much meant I could lose a limb, I might’ve tried to get on his nerves a little more.”

“No, you wouldn’t have.”

“Because I’m at least as crazy as he is,” he agreed.

“No one else comes close,” she reassured him. As she spoke, she gently gathered Alastor into her arms and stood. “I’ll put him to bed. You should go and get some rest too.”

Lucifer climbed to his feet with a nod. “Thank you, Queen Hartfelt.”

“And Lucifer?”

He paused. “Yes?”

“Don’t think of the Hunt tomorrow as a fight. Think of it more like a proposal.”

“I’ll try to keep that in mind,” he insisted, though his heart did feel a good deal lighter at her words.

Notes:

Hope you're ready for the Hunt to begin next week... What could possibly go wrong! (ㆆ ᴗ ㆆ)

Thanks so much for taking the time to read (and to kudos/comment, if you're so inclined)! It means so much to me!!! Hope you enjoyed!!!

You can find me on tumblr at hismercytomyjustice. I yell about things I love on there.

Chapter 3

Summary:

The Hunt begins!

Notes:

Happy Thursday, friends!!! ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝ This early update is brought to you by a pact I made with AreaFiftyOne that, if she would give me my sweet, sweet RadioApple Selkie fic fix, then I would post an early update! If you haven't checked out Hide Away yet, well let's just say I know what you should be reading after this...

Still planning on uploading the next chapter this Sunday too!

Thank you all so much for your continued love and support for this little fic!!! It means so much to me that you all are enjoying it!!! Greatly appreciate and cherish each and every one of your comments!!!

Now, on to chapter three!!! Hope you enjoy!!!

Alastor was pointedly ignoring the fact he’d been successfully compelled not once but twice, the night before. Bad enough his mother had subjected him to it, but then Lucifer had too?

And he’d listened?

Gods, how embarrassing. How was he supposed to keep the Alpha interested if he already knew how deep of a hold he had on him?

But Lucifer absolutely knew because he wouldn’t have tried something like that if he hadn’t. And Alastor hated the fact the Omega in him was thrilled Lucifer had felt their connection was strong enough to even try.

He had to keep forcing his damned tail to stop wagging at the thought. How mortifying.

He’d spent the morning readying himself for the Hunt, warming himself up, reviewing the dossiers on those who would be participating, and then heading out into the bayou to get a lay of the land and to ensure he was ready. He liked to use the time to calm his mind and to get away from their many guests too.

This year there would be thirty Alphas competing, the most since that first year when there had been nearly fifty. Their numbers had sharply declined after that but had steadily begun to build again. As if they thought if there were enough of them, they could wear him down enough that one of them could sink their teeth into him.

Husk had expressed concern that some of them may work together this year, rather than coming at him individually. Surround him and attack in waves until he fell beneath the onslaught.

He wouldn’t give them the chance. He would take out as many of them as he could to ensure he and Lucifer weren’t interrupted.

Per usual, Alastor was armed to the teeth. Normally he preferred to lead the Alphas on a chase in the beginning, wearing them out and separating them, but this year he’d decided to take a more direct approach. He’d been honing his archery for months now, partly to prepare himself but mostly to assuage Husk who was convinced he was going to actually kill someone. As fun as that would be, he had no interest in giving another country or family any potential leverage over him or their kingdom.

Besides, he never accidentally killed someone. He wasn’t sloppy.

As afternoon shifted toward evening, the competing Alphas and spectators began to arrive. The spectators would watch from the balcony that overlooked the portion of the bayou serving as the challenge grounds. Mostly they would eat and drink and place bets while the members of their houses bound to their Alphas would keep their connections with them open in case they needed medical attention or they managed to claim the Omega.

The Hunt would last from dusk until dawn. If no one bested him by then, they would all have to wait another year to try for his hand.

He would have to wait another year for Lucifer.

The thought alone left him feeling queasy and full of nervous energy. He didn’t want to wait any longer. His instincts had grown almost impossible to ignore around the other man. He could only imagine how miserable they’d make him if they went unsatisfied.

Alastor watched from his perch in one of the many bald cypress trees, further hidden from view by the long moss hanging from its boughs. His plan was risky, but he was confident he could pull it off and get away before they could locate him. Lucifer was the only one with wings, after all, and though it pained him, he may have to damage them too if it came down to it.

There was a shrill whistle from below and then the Alphas were off. Some raced through the bayou while others proceeded more cautiously. Of course Lucifer immediately took to the air.

It was tempting to loose his first arrow at the Swan, but he didn’t want to give his position away. Instead he waited until he’d lost sight of him before he turned his attention back to the others below.

He gradually rained arrows down on them from above, targeting them only once they were far enough from one another and aiming to temporarily disable them. No one fancied an arrow to the leg or shoulder. It didn’t stop all of them, but he was able to whittle down the competition by ten Alphas by the time he decided he needed to move. Too many of those remaining had taken note of where the arrows had come from and were slowly closing in on him.

Unfortunately he hadn’t been able to target the group Husker had warned him about. The ones who’d decided to band together.

He began to climb down from the tree only to freeze when an arrow very nearly went through his hand. He caught the sound of it at the last minute and yanked it out of danger.

Fuck.

He should have relocated sooner.

“Don’t be shy, little Omega! Why don’t you come down so we can have a nice chat? Don’t wanna accidentally scar up that pretty face of yours!” one of the Alphas called up to him. He stepped from his hiding place to where Alastor could see him. He wasn’t holding a bow.

Adam. The one who’d organized the group. The Prince of one of the wealthier kingdoms, where it wasn’t unusual to have multiple mates.

He was also known to have dalliances with other Alphas, at least one of which served as his father’s war advisor and a high ranking aristocrat in his court.

High enough ranking that he should’ve fucking realized she was likely only participating in the Hunt in order to help him.

How had he missed something like that? Was she the one with the bow? Were the other female Alphas who’d joined forces with him there for the same purpose?

He thought back to the dossier and how most of them had been fairly new to their titles across a handful of different kingdoms. If they’d been granted their positions solely to qualify them for the Hunt…

Shit.

This was not good.

He’d assumed if he was cornered by them that he could use their competing desires to break apart their alliance. But if they were all working together, solely to support Adam…

Not to mention the other fourteen Alphas that were still out there, in addition to Lucifer.

Alastor took a deep breath, trying to center himself. They likely wouldn’t want to injure him while he was still so high up because they would need to either come and collect him or they might risk him falling to his death. Not that it would stop them forever, of course…

Even if dying sounded preferable to becoming the latest in the asshole’s damned harem…

“I told you to come down here!” Adam ordered.

For the briefest of moments, Alastor’s eyes became unfocused as his Omega nature was brought up to the surface by the use of Adam’s Alpha Voice. Pure rage shot through him immediately after, firmly silencing that part of him.

How fucking dare he?! Who the fuck did he think he was?!

“Come down here, Alastor. Now!” A feminine voice shouted next. Likely Lute.

He gritted his teeth as her command washed over him too, though it was easier to ignore than the more powerful Alpha’s.

“Be an obedient Omega and come down here!” Another, unfamiliar female voice demanded.

His claws dug into the bark of the tree as two more voices yelled similar orders up at him. The five of them began to alternate between one another, all of them using their Voice to try and compel him. Alastor’s ears pinned back as he struggled to think clearly under the repeated assault to his nature.

Even if they didn’t manage to brute force him into obedience, if they kept it up he would be at a severe disadvantage, should one of them get close enough to pose a physical threat.

Alastor took another deep breath as he slowly climbed down to the next branch, all the while digging into his pocket with one of his hands. He prayed to the gods his presumed weakening of will distracted them from what he was actually doing.

No further arrows came and he was quick to cram the two balls of beeswax he carried into his ears. He barely managed to get the second in and to dart around to the other side of the trunk when another arrow buried itself in the bark, clearly having been aimed at his shoulder.

The beeswax didn’t completely block off his hearing, but it significantly dulled it, making it harder to parse out what they were saying and therefore easier to ignore their commands. Unfortunately, his hearing being one of his strongest senses meant he had to put himself at a disadvantage in the process.

He abhorred how the earplugs muffled everything and hated the sensation of them pressing against the sensitive insides of his ears even more. He remained pressed against the tree’s trunk, trying to make himself a smaller target as he dug into his bag, pulling out a heavy ceramic ball. Alastor silently prayed to the gods that Pentious had finally worked out the kinks in his latest invention before letting it fall from his hand. He’d regret not lobbing it at Adam’s fucking head if it didn’t work.

He tightened his grip on the tree, clenching his eyes shut, and was grateful he had when there was a sudden burst of light as the grenade exploded below him. An explosion far more powerful than what the snake had insisted it would be. Despite the wax, the sound left his ears aching. The tree’s wide trunk took the brunt of the blow and then Alastor was falling along with it. He scrambled around to its other side, launching himself into the air just before it hit the ground.

He stumbled upon landing, nearly careening into another tree when his hooves hit mud instead of dry ground. His heart thundered in his chest as he sprinted deeper into the bayou, reaching up to remove the beeswax from his ears as he went.

He caught a flash of white overhead, glancing up to see what could only be Lucifer, flying back in the direction of the explosion. He probably wouldn’t be the only one drawn to it, which meant this was his chance to put some distance between himself and the remaining Alphas.

Maybe the knowledge he had such weapons at his disposal would be enough to make a few more of them forfeit…

He gradually slowed once he felt he’d gotten far enough away, panting for breath. One of his ankles was sore from his less than stellar landing. He slipped into a copse of shrubbery, seating himself in its center, where the vegetation would keep him out of sight.

He rolled up his trouser leg, gently probing the spot with his claws. Alastor breathed a soft sigh of relief upon confirming that, if he had sprained it, it wasn’t a bad sprain. Continuing to run around on it throughout the night certainly wouldn’t help, but it wouldn’t cripple him either.

Digging around in his bag, he pulled out his waterskin, taking a few quick, greedy gulps. He stoppered it and went to put it away only to freeze when a bright, blinding light flooded his vision. His mind went blank, the waterskin slipping from his lax fingers and falling into the bag.

The light remained directed at him, holding him in place with its intensity. A distant part of him realized it must be coming from a lantern, the glow from fire within amplified by the addition of metal reflectors. The knowledge did nothing to help him though, his superior night vision now weaponized against him. The competitive edge afforded to him by his deer qualities fell by the wayside, ironically leaving him trapped and vulnerable because of those same qualities.

Something brushed against the back of his neck, but he couldn’t see. He couldn’t move. The comforting weight of the collar…fell away. Someone pulled the collar of his tunic to the side, fully exposing his scent gland.

He was about to be claimed.

Panic lanced through him and he shot out of the bushes like a spooked deer, one hand clamped over his scent gland, as if that would be enough now to prevent someone from taking him.

”Alastor, stop!” a voice shouted from behind him.

Unlike the earlier commands, this one sank deep into his mind, a soothing balm that smothered the fear that had clutched at his heart. Unfortunately he was susceptible enough in that moment that his legs immediately stopped and he lost his balance, falling hard to the ground and knocking the breath from his lungs in the process.

He wheezed, chest, face, and wrist aching from his failed attempt to catch himself. But then there was a familiar hand in his hair, reassuringly stroking his ears. His tail wagged helplessly as Lucifer’s familiar scent surrounded him.

His Alpha.

He was safe.

The other man gently eased him onto his back and cool fingers brushed against the hot, sweaty skin of Alastor’s face.

“…I think your nose might be broken, Al. I’m so sorry about that. I thought this way might be a little less…violent? I didn’t think you’d just bolt like that. Though I guess this is better than if you’d run headlong into that tree like you were about to.”

He blinked owlishly up at him, the blob overhead slowly resolving into a more Lucifer shaped object. Those same cool fingers wrapped around his wrist and he hissed in pain.

“Shit… I think your wrist might be broken too. Godsdamnit. That’s not how I planned this would go.”

Lucifer helped him up into a seated position, pressing a handkerchief into his hand. “For your nose. It’s bleeding pretty badly.”

When he didn’t immediately lift it, Lucifer eased his hand up for him.

“Lucifer,” he murmured when he finally managed to bring his face into focus. “Did you claim me?” He didn’t feel any different, aside from a bit dizzy and out of sorts. Hard to say if that was because of the lingering effects of the command, how startled he’d been, or how hard he’d hit the ground.

What if he hadn’t? Had he changed his mind? Or was it because he wasn’t fighting him? Because he hadn’t proved himself worthy?

The Alpha seemed to catch the direction his thoughts were headed, or maybe he saw him begin to tense in order to spring upright again. Whatever the case, his lips brushed the shell of Alastor’s ear as he whispered, “Alastor, you’re safe. I have you. Just relax, okay?”

His eyelids drooped, tail wagging. He was safe. He was with Lucifer. Why had he been so upset? Why had he been about to flee? He sank heavily against his Alpha, tension bleeding from his body.

“If I mark you, it might trigger your heat,” Lucifer murmured, stroking his ears. Alastor’s tail wagged harder. “I think it might be better to get you looked at by one of the healers first. I don’t know if they’ll be able to get anywhere near you once it starts.”

“I don’t care,” he blurted, tugging his tunic to one side to bare the unblemished skin where his neck met his shoulder.

Lucifer went very still beside him, his fingers tightening in Alastor’s hair. His scent grew markedly stronger, strong enough Alastor could tell the difference despite his bloody nose. A soft, needy whine escaped the Omega as he tilted his head to give him better access.

The Alpha leaned down, his nose brushing against the sensitive skin over his scent gland. Alastor felt as if every nerve ending in his body came to life, his Omega rearing up in his mind. This was it. He was going to be claimed. He was going to belong to Lucifer.

Finally.

“Alastor, come here.”

Five voices. Five commands. All in sync with one another. His instincts were so close to the surface already, so ready to obey. Alastor was on his feet in an instant, Lucifer’s fangs only grazing his bare shoulder.

Lucifer grabbed him by the arm, hauling him backward, his grip hard enough to bruise. Adam, Lute, and the other three stood at the other end of the clearing, two of them with bows raised and pointed at the Swan.

“The fuck’re you doing here?” Adam demanded, glaring down at him.

A low, warning growl sounded in the back of Lucifer’s throat. Alastor struggled to pay attention to what was going on around them, his triggered instincts making it difficult for his more rational side to resurface.

Why hadn’t Lucifer claimed him yet? What was happening?

“I suggest you back off unless you want to find out,” Lucifer retorted, eyes glowing with how close his own nature was to the surface.

“Uh, in case you hadn’t noticed, I’m the one making threats here,” he said, gesturing to his retinue. “So unless you wanna wind up with a few new holes, I suggest you give me my fucking Omega.”

“…Lucifer?” Alastor murmured, brow furrowing.

The heady scent of Alpha pheromones was strong enough now he could smell it through his bloodied nose. The potent blend went straight to his head. Despite his best efforts, his thoughts grew hazier.

Six Alphas.

Surely between them all, at least one of them could give him a pup. Alastor panted softly, fidgeting with his tunic. When had it grown so warm out?

The urge to submit, to strip and lower himself to the ground, to lift his tail and present himself to them suddenly and inexplicably reared up within him.

Lucifer’s nose twitched, his eyes going wide. His grip tightened even further on Alastor’s arm, the bones in it creaking and making the Omega flinch.

“Alastor, run!”

His legs were moving before he fully registered the command and the next thing he knew, he was sprinting through the bayou, the pain in his ankle compounding with every beat of his hooves.

He may very well have kept running forever if he’d seen the body lying on the ground in front of him. If he hadn’t tripped over it. If he hadn’t landed on his broken wrist.

Agony radiated up his arm, yanking him from the fog of the command. For a brief moment, he had no idea where he was or what was happening. He curled in on himself, ears pinned back as he cradled his wrist to his chest and desperately tried to string two thoughts together. The moment he did, his other hand shot up, claws brushing the bare skin over his scent gland.

Panic tried to drag him back down but he forced himself to take steady, measured breaths as he slowly sat up, ears now at attention and swiveling wildly around as he took in his surroundings and completed a quick threat assessment.

So far as he could tell, there was only one other person in his immediate vicinity. The one he’d tripped over. He moved into a crouch, squinting at the body. Alpha. Alive. Unconscious. Bound.

He dug in his bag, taking out another handkerchief and gingerly mopping up the blood from his nose. Taking a deep breath he then carefully pushed it back in place. It hurt like hell, but it wasn’t his first time and it certainly wouldn’t be his last. It would heal faster this way too. With the rate at which he usually healed, it might be back to rights before the night was over, depending on how bad it was.

Until then, his sense of smell wouldn’t be nearly as strong as it normally was, though resetting his nose made it better than it had been due to the misalignment. At least now he could parse out the acrid scents of Adam and his sycophants on the prone Alpha.

How many did that leave? Had they taken out the other nine? Did that mean they and Lucifer were all that remained?

Anger roiled in his gut at the thought. While he knew they’d done it for their own benefit, no one else would see it that way. If he made it through the night without being claimed, most would insist it was because of their meddling. Regardless of the fact Alastor had always handled all of the Alphas on his own, excepting Vox,

If Lucifer hadn’t intervened then… He would’ve woken from his two week heat and found himself shackled to that damned bastard. He also had no doubt Vox would have kept him drugged to the gills for as long as he could. He’d slip up eventually, but there was no telling if it would’ve been a matter of weeks, months, or years…

Years he could’ve spent, potentially lost in the madness of heat. His body not his own. And there was no telling what the long term effects of such a powerful elixir would have been on his body or his mind.

Alastor was more grateful with every passing day that he’d never had to find out. That Lucifer had managed to exercise restraint. He didn’t know if he would’ve ever warmed up to the swan if he’d claimed him then, Alpha instincts or not. His pride likely would’ve been too wounded for him to even consider giving the man a chance to be his actual spouse.

He may have even killed him.

He liked to think he wouldn’t have, now that he knew Lucifer. Unfortunately Alastor wasn’t in the habit of lying to himself.

He took another moment to pull some medical supplies from his bag, quickly setting and wrapping his broken wrist. It wouldn’t last and it wasn’t enough, but it would at least get him through the rest of the night. That accomplished, he searched the unconscious Alpha, confiscating his own medical supplies as well as a gorgeous hunting knife he would not be returning. He took the man’s arrows too, though there was no way he’d be using his bow again any time soon. He’d keep them as a last resort instead.

Alastor cautiously stood, ready to duck back down at a moment’s notice, but the bayou remained undisturbed around him. He slipped into the shadows, slowly making his way back in the direction he’d come from. He needed to find Adam and the others before they found him first. More importantly, he needed to find Lucifer. If they’d completely disabled him too, it would be in his best interest to go to ground until dawn. As skilled as he was, he didn’t like his current odds against five Alphas while he was injured and he didn’t have his collar to protect him.

He’d gotten further away than he realized and it took him a while to retrace his steps. He caught the sound of distant voices more than once but they were easy enough to avoid. The remaining Alphas, likely Adam and his lackeys, couldn't be bothered with stealth. Their blatant overconfidence in their abilities, and underestimation of his own, made Alastor long to bury his new knife in their fucking throats.

He would never belong to that swaggering buffoon. The thought of Adam touching him, entering him… Spilling inside him…

It made his skin crawl…

He’d kill him and incite a war before he allowed himself to be relegated to the status of a pretty breeder… The bastard was alarmingly prolific when it came to siring pups. If he went into heat like he feared he might upon being claimed, it would be a miracle if Alastor wasn’t with child by the time he came back to himself…

His spiraling thoughts came to an abrupt halt when he caught the odor of fresh blood. Were he not so familiar with Lucifer’s scent, he might not have been able to identify it in his present state. Alastor was immediately on guard. Adam hadn’t killed the other Alpha, but Lucifer’s was a minor kingdom. He might be willing to risk upsetting them in a fit of pique. A low whine tried to escape him and Alastor ruthlessly shoved it down as he prowled closer.

He spotted one of the other Alphas first, standing alongside Lucifer’s prone form. And then he saw the swords pinning both of the swan’s beautiful wings to the ground and he saw red.

A very different set of Omega instincts slammed into him and he lunged at the female Alpha, only narrowly managing to avoid a killing blow with his knife at the last minute. And only then because his mate gasped out his name on seeing him.

Alastor twisted the blade into the Alpha’s back, his beast reveling in her agonized scream as he yanked it out and brought the knife handle hard against her temple, knocking her out.

“Al! Alastor!” Lucifer hissed as he darted over to him.

A low, dangerous growl rumbled in Alastor’s chest as he assessed the damage. He removed the blades as carefully and gently as he could, relieved to see they hadn’t done any permanent damage. He offered Lucifer his hand, pulling the smaller man to his feet. The swan’s arms wrapped tightly around him and Alastor pressed his face against the side of his throat, his familiar scent soothing his upset at finding him like that.

“We can’t stay here,” Lucifer murmured. “They’ll have heard her. They’ll be coming.”

“Let them come,” he shot back. He would kill them all and offer their heads up to his mate for the injury they’d done him.

Lucifer apparently had other ideas, instead gently pulling free and taking Alastor by his uninjured arm. His eyes had begun to glow and Alastor shivered under the intensity of his gaze. He gingerly pulled in his wings before jogging in the opposite direction Alastor had come from, tugging him along behind him.

The Omega panted softly, but not from the exertion. He stared fixedly down at him as they ran, skin hot and flushed despite the chilly night air. Outraged shouts sounded behind them and Lucifer steered him toward the slow moving bayou.

They waded into the cool water and moved against the current. Rather than cross over to the opposite bank though, Lucifer led him out onto the same side they’d come in from. Alastor’s boots had survived unscathed, though his trousers were soaked up past his knees now. The swan, meanwhile, managed to keep his wings aloft and dry but was otherwise sodden up to his waist.

“Alastor,” Lucifer said, turning to face him as he released his hand.

“Hmm?”

“Can you lean down for me?”

He cocked his head to one side but did as he asked only to rear back when he tried to slip his collar around his throat. Lucifer frowned up at him.

“Al. C’mon.”

“No.”

Lucifer gritted his teeth. “We don’t have time for this! And if you don’t put it back on, I can’t promise I’ll be able to keep myself under control much longer.”

Heat pooled low in Alastor’s belly, a soft whine escaping him. “Then don’t. Claim me. Knot me.”

The swan went very still, his pupils dilating. He audibly swallowed before managing, “You don’t want it like this though. I haven’t even had a chance to challenge you.”

Alastor grabbed him by the front of his tunic, hauling him close. “I don’t care,” he snarled before crashing his lips down on the other man’s.

Lucifer immediately took control of the kiss, fingers tightening into Alastor’s hair to force him to stay still as he devoured him. The deer’s tail wagged hard and he whimpered when Lucifer slid one of his hands into his trousers and beneath his underthings to brush against his already slick folds.

He wordlessly urged Alastor to the ground and the Omega was all too happy to comply, already spreading his legs for him. The swan straddled his hips as he dragged the pad of his thumb in slow circles over his clit. Alastor tried to buck up against him, but Lucifer kept his lower half pinned beneath him.

Lucifer drew back from the kiss, giving them both a moment to breathe, their hot breath ghosting across each others’ faces.

“Alpha, please!” Alastor gasped, his orgasm quickly building. “I n-need you! N-Need your knot!”

The Alpha quietly shushed him as he slipped his other fingers inside of him, giving the Omega something to bear down on as he came with a gasp of his name. Before he could collect himself, Lucifer began to pump the digits in and out of him and he tried to bear down on them, reveling in the overstimulation of his still fluttering cunt. He fell fully to his back, moaning like the bitch in heat that he was.

He didn’t register the sudden weight around his neck or the click of the collar’s lock until Lucifer withdrew his fingers from inside of him. Alastor’s eyes snapped open and he gave an enraged snarl. Lucifer shoved him back down hard enough to knock the wind from him when he tried to rise.

“Alastor, you’re hurt and going into your heat, if you’re not in it already. It’s not safe for me to claim you with Adam still out there. I wouldn’t put it past him to take advantage, whether that means restraining me or killing me and then taking you for himself.”

“He can’t if you claim me!” he protested, trying to force his way up again.

“We both know that isn’t true. As mad as he is now, I sincerely doubt he’s going to back down. Especially now. He’s never been good at impulse control and even I’m struggling.”

Alastor bared his teeth as Lucifer grabbed him by the forearms, and pressed him firmly down into the dirt.

“That’s why you’re going to be a good little Omega and stay right here while I take care of them.”

“I will not!”

“Relax,” he ordered.

He growled at him even as he stopped resisting and that damned fog settled over his thoughts.

“I’ve got you,” Lucifer crooned. “I’ll take care of you. You're hurt, Alastor. You shouldn’t be fighting anymore, let alone up against a pack of Alphas.”

“I’m fine,” he protested, staring imploringly up at him. “Alpha, let me up. I’ll kill them all for you.”

“You’re more liable to give into your instincts right now, Al. You need to stay away from them. Roll over onto your stomach. Put your hands behind your back.”

As he spoke, he lifted himself up so Alastor could comply with the command. The Omega sluggishly obeyed, growling again as Lucifer took rope from his own bag to bind his arms behind his back.

“Don’t,” he protested even as he let him do it.

Lucifer turned his attention to his legs next, trying to bring them together.

“Alpha,” he pleaded as he yanked one of his legs up and out of his grasp. He pressed his ears back in an attempt to block out the words he knew were coming.

“Stay still,” Lucifer retorted, grabbing his ankle and pulling his leg back down.

Alastor huffed in frustration. “What if they find me?” he demanded. “You’ve practically giftwrapped me for them!”

“Even if they did, they don’t have the key to the collar,” he answered.

It was only then he realized the man was breathing solely through his mouth.

“Claim me and then put it back!”

“If I claim you, I’m not going to be able to stop myself from fucking you.”

The Omega’s breath hitched at his words. “I need you,” he protested. “Lucifer, please!”

“That’s not you talking, that’s your heat,” he replied, reaching up to gently scratch behind one of his ears. “And I can guarantee if you were able to think straight right now, you’d agree with me.”

Alastor’s eyelids drooped, his tail wagging. “I’ll yell if you leave,” he threatened.

“I don’t want to have to gag you too. Do I need to stop the Hunt? Do I need to take you back to your mother for safekeeping? Can you wait another year?”

“If you force me to wait another year, I’ll fucking kill you,” he snarled only to give a startled bleat when Lucifer proceeded to roll him over like he was a damned log.

“Lucifer!”

“Hmm?” he murmured as he kept rolling him.

“What are you doing?!”

Reaching a cluster of bushes, he eased him beneath them and out of sight.

He leaned in after to press a lingering kiss to his lips that the Omega desperately tried to deepen. “Don’t worry. I’ll be back,” he said as he pulled away.

“Lucifer!”

He paused, looking down at him.

Alastor couldn’t meet his gaze as he haltingly offered, “…I can’t promise I won’t yell.”

He stroked his cheek and Alastor pressed closer to his touch.

“Thank you for telling me. You’re being so good for me, Al.”

A different type of pleasure lanced through him at the words, a low purr escaping him.

Lucifer’s eyes briefly went hazy before he shook himself from the influence of the sound.

“I’m sorry,” Alastor insisted. “I didn’t mean to.”

“I know you didn’t. But that’s why I need you to stay here.”

He rummaged around in Alastor’s bag, pulling out the bandages he’d taken from the fallen Alpha. It took everything the Omega had to open his mouth and allow Lucifer to tie the makeshift gag in place. His ears and tail drooped.

He was better than this! He wasn’t a damned slave to his instincts! And yet his Alpha had to restrain and hide him because he couldn’t get a handle on them. Tears of anger and frustration prickled at Alastor’s eyes.

Lucifer leaned down, pressing a kiss to the top of his head and giving his ears a final stroke before he stood and hurried off into the night.

Notes:

I can't believe we're already halfway through, though we still have at least Lucifer, Adam, and Lute left in the competition...

Which one of them will get to unwrap the Omega present??? ªʱªʱªʱ ꉂ ╰(°ㅂ° )╯

Thanks so much for taking the time to read (and to kudos/comment, if you're so inclined)! It means so much to me!!! Hope you enjoyed!!!

You can find me on tumblr at hismercytomyjustice. I yell about things I love on there.

Chapter 4

Summary:

Lucifer vs the remaining Suitors Alphas!!!

*CLANG *CLANG* *CLANG*

FIGHT!

Notes:

Happy Sunday, friends!!! ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝ And a happy Father’s Day to any folks out there who are celebrating!!!

I’m gonna keep this short because it’s late, I’m out of town and just got back to the hotel from a wedding, and I’m uploading this from my phone, lol.

Thank you all so much for your kind words, kudos, comments, questions, and theories!!!

Please mind the tags for this chapter!!!

Chapter Trigger Warnings

- Sexism (through an a/b/o lens)
- Bigoted views on gender and gender roles (through an a/b/o lens)
- References to desired dubcon/noncon (no actual dubcon or noncon)
- Desire for forced pregnancy (no actual forced pregnancy occurs)
- Graphic violence

Please let me know if I’ve missed any and I’ll add them.

Hope you enjoy!!!

Leaving his Omega bound and helpless and in the throes of his heat was one of the most difficult things Lucifer had ever done. Every inch of him was screaming at him to go back to soothe him, claim him, and mount him.

Truthfully, he was impressed by how long Alastor had managed to maintain his control over himself. He knew the other man wouldn’t see it that way. He would need some extra care and attention once he was out of his heat to mollify his wounded ego. It would take longer to heal than the rest of him.

Never mind the fact he managed to keep his head for so long despite being surrounded by so many Alphas. Or that he’d rescued Lucifer after that asshole ordered his underlings to pin him to the ground. Or that he’d done all this while also injured.

The Hunt hadn’t gone remotely like he’d hoped or expected. He’d been so focused on how to handle Alastor that he hadn’t really considered the other Alphas as a threat to himself. Hells, when he’d seen Adam was attending this year, he’d assumed the lazy bastard was doing it just for show.

He should’ve known better. Adam had always had a fixation on pretty things. Had always believed he deserved them. He’d been obsessed with Lilith despite Lucifer’s engagement to her and had never forgiven him for the “transgression” of wedding and bedding her. Regardless of the fact Lucifer and Lilith had been engaged almost since birth. Everyone had known the two were destined to mate.

Well, apparently everyone but Adam.

If Adam was aware of how close he and Alastor actually were, Lucifer didn’t know if he would’ve made it out of his encounter with him relatively unscathed. Thankfully the other Alpha had been more interested in humiliating him than in actually hurting him.

Fuck, if Alastor hadn’t come back for him… It was one thing to disappoint Al by not claiming him. He didn’t think the Omega would have ever forgiven him if Adam had managed to instead.

He hated to leave him like that, helpless and alone and needy. If he had it his way, he would’ve called off the Hunt the moment he realized Alastor’s heat was getting the better of him. But they were so close now. If he could just handle Adam and the remaining Alphas, he could mark his Omega and he wouldn’t have to watch him suffer for another twelve months only to be treated like a prize rather than a person at yet another Hunt.

Lucifer hadn’t thought much about the prior years’ Hunts aside from being impressed by Alastor’s skills. But then he’d fallen for the Omega and though he’d emerged unclaimed so many years in a row, he’d have to be blind not to see the toll it was taking on him.

Alastor was a fighter, but being forced to become prey every year, fighting for his literal freedom, never knowing if this would be the year someone overpowered him…

He couldn’t imagine. Especially not after seeing his many scars up close and personal. He never made it out of a Hunt unscathed and spent days or even weeks after recovering.

Lucifer understood why the Hartfelts insisted on the Hunt, but that didn’t mean he had to like it.

Now if he could just get Adam off the board…

He hazarded a glance toward the horizon, noting it had begun to lighten. He still had at least another hour or two before dawn. He’d need to act quickly.

Thank the gods the bulk of his training over the past year had involved building his speed and stamina. Alastor was no slouch on either front. The burn in his legs only grew noticeable as he came within earshot of his targets.

“Why the fuck would he even help that loser?!” Adam demanded from up ahead.

Lucifer slowed his steps, keeping upwind of the two as he strained his ears to try and pick up on the rest of what he said. Unfortunately, his hearing wasn’t nearly as good as Alastor’s.

There was a pause before Lute hissed out a curse. “Because that slut of an Omega is in heat.”

“What?!”

“His scent is different. It’s faint, but I’m sure of it, sire.”

“Fucking hells. Then why isn’t he here bouncing on Morningstar’s tiny dick?”

“If I had to guess, I’d say Morningstar took advantage of the situation to make the Omega free him.”

“This is such fucking bullshit! I swear to fuck if that bitch ass blond wins this because he got lucky… Where the fuck’re the others?”

“The Omega and Morningstar took out the cat and the wolf. The fox forfeited. That just leaves you, me, and the lynx.”

“So where the fuck is she?”

“I don’t know, sire.”

“All of them were godsdamned useless. I just have to do everything myself, don’t I?”

Their voices began to drift closer and Lucifer quickly crouched down and out of sight.

“I swear to fuck, once I get my teeth in that Omega, he’s gonna start acting like one. No more of this fighting and mouthing off bullshit. It’s bad enough he’s already damaged goods, regardless of how hot he is.” Adam continued.

Lute murmured her agreement. She sounded like she was a little ways ahead of him, which wouldn’t surprise Lucifer seeing as she was a dog. Her sense of smell was probably one of the keenest out there.

“He’ll learn how to sit there and look pretty like an Omega’s supposed to. And if he still wants to be difficult? I’ll just keep that bitch pregnant. Even the headstrong ones fall in line once they’ve got a pup in them. Finally start listening to their damn nature.”

Lucifer had to grit his teeth to keep from growling at the words. He had no doubt that was exactly what Adam would do.

“And when I become king over this place? I’m gonna get rid of all these stupid ass Omega rights laws they have in place. They don’t need fucking rights. They just need to know their place.”

“I couldn’t agree with you more, sire,” Lute answered. “It’s a shame they stopped the production of that heat inducing elixir. I heard it had him on his back for two full weeks.”

“Fuck, Lute. I mean, I like an Omega in heat as much as the next Alpha, but two weeks? I’m not fucking one Omega for two weeks.”

He couldn’t suppress his growl that time, not with his own instincts so close to the surface. and the other two Alphas abruptly stopped.

Shit.

Even if he wanted to risk going airborne with his damaged wings, he wouldn’t have been able to get up high enough before they reached him. So Lucifer didn’t run. Instead he slipped the tonfa Alastor and Husk had thoroughly trained him with from his belt. He wrapped his hands around their handles. He could hear the direction they were coming from and he crouched down just out of sight, stance wide and center of gravity low.

Lucifer waited for the first of them to burst through the bushes he’d sequestered himself behind. The instant one of them was in range, he twisted and used his momentum to swing the weapon directly for their throat.

Lute’s eyes went wide but she didn’t have time to react. She reflexively threw her hands up but it was too late and she staggered back, gasping and coughing. He didn’t give her time to recover, swinging the weapon for her temple. She crumpled to the ground in a heap.

“What the fuck?!” Adam demanded, having gotten caught partway through the bushes.

Lucifer resumed his stance, baring his teeth as he met the other Alpha’s stunned gaze. Adam recovered quickly though and he scoffed. “Lucky shot. I’m guessing if you’re here, it means that slut got away from you. No worries, I’ll make quick work of your scrawny ass and then claim my prize.”

As he spoke, he unsheathed his sword. It was an impressive weapon, but not designed for close quarters.

“You really gonna try and beat me with a pair of sticks?” he demanded, gripping the hilt in both hands. “The fuck even are those?”

Lucifer hadn’t been familiar with the tonfa either until Alastor had introduced them to him. The Omega was a collector of weapons and spent a good deal of his personal funds on locating and procuring as many different kinds as he could.

He could do this. He just needed to get under this asshole’s guard. Preferably without losing a limb in the process. Yes, Adam was almost twice his size, but so were Alastor and Husk, height-wise and width-wise respectively.

“You don’t deserve someone like Alastor,” he snapped, eyes narrowing.

Adam laughed outright. “Yeah? And how d’you figure that?”

They slowly circled one another, each looking for an opening.

“You don’t respect him, for one.”

“He’s a fucking Omega. The only thing to respect about them is their ability to look pretty, get fucked, and whelp. Of course seeing as the King and Queen only ever managed one pup, he might only be good for the first two.”

Rage simmered inside him at the insults to his mate and his family. It took more effort than he would’ve liked to keep his head rather than blindly lunge at the prick.

Adam smirked. “What’s wrong, Morningstar? Did you really think you were gonna win this? Got a little crush on the bitch?”

His hands tightened on the handles of his weapons. Adam feinted toward him but he saw it coming and held his ground.

“Shoulda figured you were a bleeding heart for Omegas. You’ve always been more like one of them than an actual Alpha. Couldn’t even keep your first mate around. Meanwhile I’ve got more bitches than I know what to do with.”

He was way off the mark that time and Lucifer snorted. It was never going to last with Lilith and had never been meant to. Especially since he wasn’t her type and neither was Adam.

Of course the asshole probably thought he could change her mind.

“Uh huh. I’m sure they’re grateful too since it means they only have to put up with you in small doses.”

Adam’s eyes flashed and this time he lunged forward for real. Lucifer dodged but didn’t have time to strike back.

“Why don’t you save yourself the trouble and just forfeit?” he sneered. “If you stop wasting my time, maybe I’ll even let you watch me break in the prissy whore.”

Lucifer saw red.

The next thing he knew, Adam was staggering backward, nearly dropping his sword as his hand went up to try and staunch the blood now pouring from his nose. He swung his sword out, missing him by a mile but forcing Lucifer back regardless.

When he lowered his hand, Lucifer smirked when he saw he’d taken a few teeth too.

“You are fucking dead!” Adam snarled, grabbing his sword with both hands again and closing the distance between them in a few quick strides.

What he lacked in finesse, he made up for in stamina, reach, and strength. Lucifer found himself on the backfoot, dodging and weaving while Adam kept trying to crowd him. He didn’t know how well the tonfa would hold up to a direct hit from his broadsword, so he focused instead on trying to take advantage of the openings the other Alpha’s slower movements allowed him.

His bloodied hand nearly made him lose his grip on his sword on the next swing and Lucifer ducked under his guard, striking him hard across the middle with the club of his tonfa.

Adam’s breath whooshed out of him and he nearly fell forward between the weight of his sword and the way he doubled over from the blow. Lucifer pivoted on his heel, bringing the weapon down on Adam’s outstretched arm with a sickening crunch of bone.

The other Alpha gave a breathless bellow of agony as his sword clattered to the ground. Lucifer made to dance backward and out of his reach, but Adam struck out faster than he anticipated. He backhanded him across the face with a desperate flail of his uninjured arm and Lucifer saw stars as he tumbled to the ground.

He only narrowly managed to hold onto his weapons, bringing one up, the longer side along his forearm, to block the kick Adam leveled at his head. Lucifer rolled to avoid the next and pulled himself up into a crouch. When Adam struck out this time, he swung for his shin with the business end of his tonfa and the Alpha screamed as bone and wood met and bone lost.

Lucifer didn’t know if he’d ever forget the resulting snap and the rupture of bone through skin.

Thank fuck he’d been too anxious to eat anything at dinner…

Adam fell in a cursing, crying heap. Lucifer’s stomach flipped as he stood, his eyes fixed on the other man’s mangled limbs. He had to force himself to look away, taking off at a lope back toward Alastor the instant he managed.

He’d wanted to use the tonfa so he didn’t have to worry about accidentally killing anyone, but now that he’d seen the kind of damage they could do… He didn’t regret it. Hells, if he’d had more time he might’ve tested how the rest of the bastard fared against them. He just…didn’t want to stick around for the aftermath. Alastor had a much stronger stomach than he did when it came to that kind of thing.

As Lucifer neared his Omega, thoughts of Adam slipped entirely from his mind and his instincts roared to the surface. It was finally time to claim what was his.

He didn’t fight them now, instead letting them overtake him. The Alpha in him demanded he make the Omega submit. That he mount him and fuck him so hard he never forgot who he belonged to. That he knot him and spill his seed into him over and over again until it took.

As he neared the place he’d left him though, another smell filtered in along with the Omega’s. An unfamiliar Alpha’s that immediately raised his hackles. He slowed to a prowl when he caught an equally unfamiliar voice interspersed with muffled, plaintive whines from Alastor.

Lucifer came to a halt in the shadows, eyes narrowing into dangerous slits as he quickly assessed the situation he’d come upon.

Alastor was fully dressed and on his stomach, now on the opposite side of the clearing from the bushes Lucifer had hidden him under. His hair was mussed and his clothes rumpled and stained with dirt. Despite being bound and gagged, he’d clearly put up as much of a fight as he was able.

A dark-skinned woman sat on his back, using her weight to pin him in place. She swore softly to herself as she worked to pick the lock of the Omega’s collar. She must be the lynx Adam and Lute had mentioned, judging by her tufted ears.

Relief flooded him at the confirmation his mate had not yet been mounted or marked. The desire to rip the woman’s head from her neck eased into something marginally less homicidal.

Regardless, he didn’t care for how close her claws were to his Omega’s throat. They weren’t poised to injure or kill, but accidents were always possible.

“Hold still!” she snapped as Alastor continued to whine and squirm.

The Omega immediately froze, panting loudly through his nose. His heat was in full swing now, his scent strong enough to make Lucifer’s head spin. Its usual bitterness had given way to an intoxicatingly sweet and more floral fragrance, so similar to that of the rare tupelo honey the Hartfelts’ kingdom was famous for.

The Alpha on his back seemed suspiciously unaffected by it, judging by her steady movements and absent instincts.

“Don’t worry, your cunt won’t be empty much longer,” she continued with a scowl, “Once I get this stupid fuckin’ thing off and mark you, Vox won’t be able to keep his dick out of you. That idiot is gonna pay double for all the fuckin’ trouble you’ve put me through.” She leaned back to rummage through the lockpicking kit on the ground beside them.

Vox.

The lynx was planning to take his mate to Vox.

Lucifer launched himself at her, slamming into the woman and sending them both flying. She gave a startled shriek, too focused on her task to realize she was no longer alone until it was too late.

He recovered first, straddling her. He’d lost his tonfa in the process, but he couldn’t have cared less. He grabbed her by the front of her tunic, lifting her partway up and slugging her hard across the face. Her head jerked with the force of the blow but he didn’t stop. He rained punch after punch down on her, giving her no time to defend herself. Lucifer didn’t stop until she was limp in his hold, her face a bruised and bloody mess.

He fought to catch his breath after, hunched over the lynx as he watched for any signs she was faking. She didn’t so much as stir, out cold. She should be down for a few hours at least, but that didn’t stop him from binding her wrists and ankles and shoving her beneath the same bushes Alastor previously occupied.

And then he heard Alastor whine again and he caught the Omega fighting against his bonds to the point he was rubbing his own skin raw. He was at his side in an instant, but he didn’t immediately untie him. Lucifer had enough sense left that he took the key out first instead, fitting it into the collar’s lock and groaning as the collar fell away, revealing the Omega’s scent gland.

Alastor went still, the scent of his arousal so strong now, it stripped Lucifer down to his very essence. He was no longer a king, a swan, or even a man. He was an Alpha rushing headlong into rut and he would not rest until he possessed every single part of his Omega, body and soul.

He straddled the deer, briefly grinding against the small of his back in a lewd promise of things to come. Alastor gave a full body shudder beneath him, whining as he tilted his head to the side, obediently presenting the unmarked skin that ran from the base of his neck to his shoulder.

It was several shades paler than the rest of him, having been hidden away since just before he entered his first estrus.

Lucifer would never allow him to cover it again.

Only then did he sink his teeth into the Omega’s scent gland. He tasted even sweeter than he’d imagined, putting the coveted honey his scent reminded him of to shame. His natural citrus was cut through with vanilla and cinnamon, culminating in a flavor Lucifer was quickly becoming addicted to.

Alastor gave a sharp cry, a sound of mingled ecstasy and pain that made the Alpha in him rumble with pleasure. He laved at the spot with his tongue after, eagerly lapping up every last drop, before rubbing his face against his mark and the back of his Omega’s neck.

His cock was almost painfully hard and he rocked his hips down against the other man, wanting nothing more than to coat him so thoroughly in his scent that there was no question who he belonged to. He shifted down his mate’s body, using his claws to shred his trousers, leaving him bare from the waist down. He growled when the Omega’s legs remained pressed together, belatedly recalling his legs were still bound. He cut the rope and yanked them apart, hauling Alastor’s hips up with an arm around his waist.

Slick ran down the younger man’s thighs, soaking into his fur. His tail waved a mile a minute and he arched his back, spreading his legs even wider for him. Lucifer didn’t bother with the gag or the ropes around his arms. He yanked his own trousers down, freeing his cock and immediately thrusted forward into that tight, wet heat.

His claws sank into the Omega’s hips to hold him firmly in place as he fucked him, each snap of his hips earning muffled cries and pleas from the other man. Alastor tried to rock back against him, but he didn’t allow it. He would submit. He would take his cock exactly how Lucifer wanted to give it to him.

His knot began to swell with his impending orgasm and he bottomed out as one particularly enthusiastic thrust forced it the rest of the way inside. He’d barely settled in his mate before Alastor came with a sharp cry, body trembling as his walls clenched down around him. It was the final push Lucifer needed to reach his own peak and he groaned as he spilled inside him.

He eased them both onto their sides in the aftermath, a possessive arm wrapped around the Omega’s waist, as if they literally weren’t stuck together until his knot went down. Alastor whined softly when the movement jostled his injured wrist and Lucifer used a claw to cut the ropes around his arms as well as the makeshift gag, finally freeing him. He was rewarded by Alastor pressing even closer to him now his arms were no longer in the way and then the Omega began to purr in utter bliss.

Lucifer returned his attention to the new mate mark, nuzzling it before pressing hot kisses along his throat. Alastor shivered, tilting his head to give him better access and the Alpha sealed his lips over his thrumming pulse, sucking at the skin there until he left a mark as dark as a bruise behind.

Despite having been mated before, Lucifer felt complete in a way he never had with Lilith. Part of that could probably be attributed to Alphas and Omegas being more compatible overall, but it was more than that. This wasn’t an arranged mating, it was a love match. This was forever. Alastor was his.

No more sneaking around and pretending. Now he could flaunt their bond and make it loud and clear that his Omega was no longer on the market.

“Alpha,” Alastor murmured contentedly. “My Alpha.”

Lucifer’s arm tightened briefly around his middle, warmth blooming in his chest at the words. His knot gradually waned and he pulled out of his mate despite Alastor’s whine of protest.

The Omega pressed back against him, grinding insistently against his cock. Lucifer had him on his back in an instant, capturing his lips in a brutal kiss that made blood bloom across his tongue. He encouraged Alastor to wrap his legs around his waist and pinned his arms down, careful of his mate’s injured wrist.

He slid easily back inside him and Alastor groaned, throwing his head back as Lucifer rutted into him, glowing eyes fixed on the Omega’s face as he gasped and panted, trying to rock back against him but unable to.

There would be time for that later, once the Alpha managed to calm his instincts. Once he could convince himself no one was trying to take him away anymore and that Alastor was safe and his.

Neither of them lasted long this time either, Alastor’s heat and Lucifer’s rut making them both far more sensitive and receptive than usual.

The sun gradually peeked over the horizon, but they paid it no heed. Lucifer pressed as deep as he could into the pliant body beneath him, sinking his fangs into Alastor’s shoulder again as his knot slipped back inside. He collapsed on top of the Omega in the aftermath, still buried to the hilt. The activity of the past few hours was finally catching up with him.

He couldn’t just fall asleep out in the open like this though. He couldn’t put his mate in further danger. For his part, Alastor had no such compunctions and had already dozed off beneath him, looking nothing short of exhausted even in sleep.

Lucifer reluctantly pulled out and rocked back onto his heels before bending down to haul the snoring Omega up and over his shoulder. His instincts demanded he find a safe place to sequester his mate. There was also a secondary concern that his mate would need food and water soon too. Every heat he’d shared with him, he’d had to hand feed the deer while they waited for his knot to go down. Otherwise, Alastor was too fixated on wringing every last drop of spend from him.

Hearing approaching footsteps, Lucifer’s lips pulled back in a silent snarl. Rosie, the palace’s head healer, cautiously approached with her hands raised, several guards behind her along with a cart.

He could trust Rosie, couldn’t he? But what about the others? His eyes narrowed into dangerous slits as he took them in. They at least had the good sense to stay back and not make any sudden movements.

“I’m just here to help you keep your doe safe, hun,” she offered, voice soothing. She’d been there to tend to Alastor when his past heats subsided too. She’d never tried anything untoward. Memories of his satisfied, sleepy Omega sinking into a deep rest after she helped soothe his aches and pains surfaced and some of Lucifer’s ire abated.

She drew closer, holding out two scraps of fabric. One bore the Queen’s bayou-like scent and the other, Charlie’s mix of rosemary and sage.

Alastor shifted in his hold murmuring something unintelligible to himself.

“I’ve got some food, water, and clothes in the wagon. And Niffty’s drawin’ up a nice, hot bath as we speak. Figured you two might wanna wash up before I take a look at you.”

Lucifer didn’t budge.

“You want what’s best for your mate, dontcha, hun? He’s been through a lot, hasn’t he? And his poor wrist and nose… Besides, he’s made the prettiest little nest for you both in his rooms.”

He eyed the guards warily and they backed up while he made his way over to the cart. The bottom of it had layers of blankets and pillows, closely resembling a nest all in its own, though it didn’t smell like Alastor. Still, it would do. For now.

Lucifer gingerly laid his Omega down in it before climbing in to join him. Rosie followed, motioning for all of the guards, except the ones pulling the wagon, to give them some space. They drifted ahead and soon the cart was slowly trundling forward across the uneven ground.

Rosie handed him two silk robes and he immediately helped his mate out of the remains of his shredded clothing before bundling him up in it. Alastor was out cold, all dead weight and lolling head as he tended to him. A low growl sounded in the back of Lucifer’s throat when he caught sight of the Omega’s swollen ankle, scrapes, and many bruises.

“Don’t worry, I’ll get him patched up for ya,” Rosie soothed, handing him a damp washcloth next.

Lucifer used it to mop up the dried blood on his mate’s face, as gentle as he could be around his injured nose. Satisfied he’d done the best he could, he leaned down to press a kiss to the Omega’s forehead, getting flicked in the face by one of his ears in the process.

He spent the remainder of the long ride trying to get Alastor to wake long enough to drink and eat, eventually having to rely on his Alpha Voice to get him to comply. The command hit the Omega far harder than usual and he instantly became putty in his Alpha’s hands, dutifully keeping his eyes open and allowing himself to be fed and watered despite the constant droop of his eyelids and how heavily he leaned against him.

Satisfied, Lucifer rubbed behind one of his ears and his mate’s eyes fluttered before he went boneless, falling back to sleep almost instantly.

When they reached the palace, Lucifer hefted him back up and over his shoulder, the deer’s head and limbs bobbing with each step he took. The way had been cleared for them ahead of time and the only other person they passed was the grinning Queen. He stopped long enough for her to check on her son and to give them both a kiss on the cheek before she stepped back and allowed him to continue on his way to Alastor’s rooms.

Even deeply asleep, the Omega began to purr softly again upon scenting his mother. The Alpha didn’t think he’d ever heard him purr this much before and it was quickly becoming one of his favorite sounds.

Rosie opened the door to Alastor’s rooms for him and then proceeded to help him and Niffty scrub all of the dirt, sweat, and blood from the deer’s prone form. Though it took some further coaxing, Lucifer eventually allowed Rosie to take Alastor from him to examine and bandage up while he washed up too.

It was only after his mate was redressed in another red silk robe and settled in his nest that Lucifer let Rosie check him over too. He kept his eyes on his mate the entire time.

Satisfied, Rosie finally leaned back, offering him a small smile. “Congratulations, Alpha. Now don’t you go bein’ too rough with him and undoing my hard work, all right? I’ll stop by again later with some more food and to check on you both. Is that okay?”

A low, warning growl began to sound in the back of his throat. Alastor’s ears twitched, a soft whine of distress escaping him. Lucifer was at his side in an instant, holding him close and running his claws soothingly along his hair and ears.

“He’ll need more pain medication,” Rosie offered as she watched. “And it wouldn’t hurt to give him some health elixirs that will help him and any potential pups if your coupling takes. But you have to let me come back in so I can give it to him.”

“Fine,” he grit out, one of his hands coming to rest over Alastor’s middle at the picture Rosie had painted,

Yes, he would need his doe in tiptop shape if he were to fall pregnant. And if Lucifer had any say in the matter, he wouldn’t be leaving their nest until he was.

Rosie offered him another smile as she stood. “You did very well, Lucifer. Thank you for takin’ care of our Prince.”

Her words soothed some deep, primal part of him and Lucifer sighed contentedly, his own eyelids beginning to droop. By the time she and Niffty had made it out and locked the door behind them, he was in nearly as deep of a sleep as Alastor.

Notes:

Only two weeks left!!! Next week, the aftermath of the Hunt!!!

Thanks so much for taking the time to read (and to kudos/comment, if you're so inclined)! It means so much to me!!! Hope you enjoyed!!!

You can find me on tumblr at hismercytomyjustice. I yell about things I love on there.

Chapter 5

Summary:

How could Alastor ignoring his Omega instincts his entire life possibly go wrong?

Notes:

Happy Sunday, friends!!! ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝ And welcome to the penultimate chapter of this little fic!!!

Thank you all again for all of your kind words, support, and love for this story!!! It means the absolute world to me!!!

Chapter Trigger Warnings

- Sexism (through an a/b/o lens)
- Internalized sexism (through an a/b/o lens)
- Bigoted views on gender and gender roles (through an a/b/o lens)
- Panic attacks

Please let me know if I’ve missed any and I’ll add them.

This week, the fluff has been paired with a bit of angst for your enrichment!

Hope you enjoy!!!

The following days passed in a blur. Alastor was fairly certain the only words he managed to say (or…scream) were ‘Lucifer,’ ‘more,’ and ‘don’t stop’ for the first few. He was unsure if he even recalled his own name until the fifth day. And by the time his heat and Lucifer’s rut passed, he’d managed to stay awake long enough to eat and bathe before collapsing into his bed with his Alpha.

The recovery took longer than usual, though he blamed a good bit of that on the Hunt. Alastor did little more than sleep for the two after his heat and it was only a full ten days later that he finally, finally felt like himself again.

Or…mostly, anyway.

He was himself, but also more now that he bore Lucifer’s mark. He’d heard plenty of stories about what it would be like to be claimed and the changes that would follow. He just…hadn’t entirely believed them.

He slowly cracked his eyes open in the dim morning’s light, his body still feeling as if he’d gone through a week long intensive training session. He ached all over, but it was a good ache. The ache of time well spent and proof of his stamina and strength. He nearly began purring at the thought but forced the sound down, his face warming.

He didn’t purr. He wasn’t a slave to his ridiculous instincts outside of his heat, and even then he never had. It was considered one of his greatest failings as an Omega, that he wouldn’t use the ability or his scent to influence or calm others. If it were as simple as turning it off and on, he may have been tempted, but it wasn’t. He could only project that sort of aura if he let himself fall into his instincts. If he was willing to leave himself vulnerable and to become little more than a domesticated pet.

He’d seen other Omegas do it, of course. But when they did, they were nearly as far gone as when they were in heat. They debased themselves, allowing themselves to be treated like a child’s comfort toy. Not to mention the way others flocked to them, wanted to be close to them, wanted to touch them, and how they allowed it.

Lucifer shifted from where he was pressed up behind him, his arm tightening reflexively around Alastor’s waist and drawing him even closer as he nuzzled his mate mark.

The Omega’s eyelids fluttered closed as every part of him abruptly relaxed. His mind grew fuzzy as an unfamiliar yet soothing sound filled the air around them.

No, it wasn’t entirely unfamiliar. It was an Omega’s purr. The thought of another daring to enter his territory, to even consider it, made him growl and the sound abruptly stopped.

Good.

Alastor forced his eyes open again, gaze sweeping across what he could see of the room as he drew in a deep breath through his nose. There were no unfamiliar scents and any but his own and Lucifer’s were several hours old. His brow furrowed in confusion. He tried to sit up, but Lucifer’s arm tightened around him like a vise, yanking him back with a startled bleat.

While he was far taller than his mate, there was an innate strength to Alphas that existed regardless of their size. Alastor went out of his way with his constant, intense training to bridge any potential gaps, but it was a fact nonetheless that Omegas had the least innate strength of any of the natures. There were plenty of theories as to why, ranging from it being because they were meant to be controlled and protected by their betters (utter nonsense), to there being something about their ability to whelp that made their bodies less inclined toward strength as more resources were naturally dedicated toward ensuring they were fit enough to do so.

He found the latter theory mildly less objectionable, yet still flawed. After all, he was living proof that an Alpha’s strength didn’t automatically make them superior. He’d held his own against dozens of them now over the years, while they hadn’t been able to handle him, a single Omega.

Annoyingly, he found part of him actually liked the fact Lucifer could overpower him. He was strong. A good mate. He would gift him with equally strong pups. Would protect him and their pups.

His mind began to grow hazy again. Images of himself and Lucifer laying in bed together like they were now, but with the addition of pups that bore a perfect mix of their more prominent features. He sank deeper into the peace and warmth the picture invoked in him.

They would be safe and happy with their Alpha there to watch over them. Maybe instead of resting against the flat planes of his stomach, Lucifer’s hand would instead curl around the swell created by yet another pup, soon to greet its brothers and sisters.

The purring began again, but Alastor was too far gone to become upset by it now. His tail wagged slowly back and forth, brushing against Lucifer’s upper thighs as his ears canted back in pleasure.

His mate stirred behind him with a soft, pleased murmur of his name. Alastor’s tail moved even faster as he sank into a state of utter bliss. This was where he was meant to be, in his mate’s arms. He never wanted to leave this bed, never wanted to be separated from him again.

“Tickles,” Lucifer mumbled, his lips rasping against the back of his ear. “You’re so adorable when you purr.”

Alastor’s eyes snapped open (when had they fallen closed?) and he jerked upright with enough force that he nearly sent Lucifer tumbling off the bed.

The Alpha flailed,his legs tangling in the sheets. Alastor reflexively reached out to catch him by the arm and haul him back from the edge of the mattress.

“What?! What’s wrong?!” Lucifer demanded as his head whipped around in search of whatever had upset his Omega.

Alastor’s face felt as if it was on fire. “Nothing,” he answered primly.

“Why’d you freak out then?” he asked as he rubbed at one of his eyes, struggling to rouse himself the rest of the way after his abrupt and unplanned return to wakefulness.

“I didn’t freak out.”

“Yes, you did!”

“I did not!”

Lucifer gave a growl of frustration. “Tell me what’s wrong!”

He didn’t use his Alpha Voice. It wasn’t a command. And yet Alastor’s lips parted of their own accord.

“I don’t purr,” he blurted.

His mate blinked owlishly up at him. “What?”

“Whatever you think you heard, it wasn’t that!” he retorted, his face burning even hotter.

A slow grin came to Lucifer’s face. “Oh my gods… You’re embarrassed.”

“I am not! Your age is showing! You should get your hearing checked!”

He had the nerve to give a delighted laugh as he wrapped his arms around Alastor’s neck and pulled him into a kiss that made the Omega’s heart skip a beat.

One of Lucifer’s hands slid up into his hair, softly stroking his ears, and Alastor was appalled at the rumbling purr he gave in answer. He jerked back from the kiss and this time Lucifer had to catch hold of him before he went careening off the bed and to the floor below.

Alastor did the only thing he could at this point. He snatched up one of his many pillows, pressed it to his own face, and screamed his frustration and mortification at the unfairness of it all into it.

Lucifer carefully pried it from his fingers, brow pinched with worry as he cupped Alastor’s face in his hands. The Omega immediately averted his gaze, unable to meet his eyes while humiliation still burned hot inside him.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, thumbs rubbing his cheeks in soothing circles. “I like your purr.”

“Of course you would,” he bit out, scowling now.

“An Omega’s purr is such a precious thing, Al. I love knowing you feel that safe and comfortable and happy around me.”

“It’s pathetic.”

Lucifer snorted softly and Alastor glared back at him, his eyes boring into his own as he silently dared the bastard to laugh.

“It’s not pathetic. It’s one of the most powerful abilities out there. I’ve literally seen Omegas prevent wars with it before. Not to mention how I’ve also seen how it can be used to help people heal too.”

“If you’re going to tell such boldfaced lies, I suggest you practice your delivery in the future.”

Lucifer pinched his cheek in retaliation and he gave a startled bleat, face flushing.

“I’m not lying, dearheart. One of Charlie’s most successful projects has been employing Omegas to help settle disputes and to help people who’ve been through tough times. I’ve seen Alphas ready to tear each others’ throats out and then sit down for an actual civilized conversation minutes later.”

Alastor continued to glare at him, searching for the lie in his words and expression and finding nothing.

“As for wars,.. Well, let’s just say I wouldn’t be here if my great grandmother hadn’t intervened to prevent a civil war in our kingdom decades ago. Then she married the king and here I am today.”

The Omega huffed, gaze darting to the side. “If you think for one instant that I intend to start purring any time there’s a—“

Lucifer leaned in, effectively silencing him with a kiss.

One kiss turned into two and before Alastor knew it, he was being pressed onto his back, Lucifer’s cock nudging insistently against his cunt. A low moan escaped him as his mate entered him. Gods he was sore, and yet he found the only thing he wanted in this moment was for his Alpha to fuck him senseless.

He’d never had much of a libido outside of his heats before. Not until Lucifer had come along. Sex had always been a means to an end before that. A chore to satisfy his instincts that he was forced to enjoy in the moment, only to end his cycle feeling more like a hole to be filled than an actual person.

His moods before and after his heats would dip and he’d throw himself into his duties and his training in an effort to stave off the creeping dread prior to and the hollow despondence after. He’d only done the bare minimum to build his nests then, had actually lost weight as his appetite flagged, and he’d never spent more than one cycle with a partner. Had never formed a connection with any of them.

Alastor slid his legs around Lucifer’s waist, urging him deeper as he dragged him down into a bruising kiss. The bedframe rocked with each thrust of his mate’s hips and the Omega’s back arched as a hot hand found and began to bully one of his nipples. Lucifer pinched and pulled at the nub until his eyes began to water and only then did he reach between them rub the pad of his thumb firmly against his clit.

His Alpha pulled away from the kiss despite his noise of protest only to wrap his lips around his aching nipple, taking it between his teeth.

Alastor’s arms constricted around his mate’s back, crushing him to his chest as his orgasm ripped through him. He thought he may have even blacked out for a moment because the next thing he knew, he felt the stretch of Lucifer’s knot already inside him and his mouth was full of blood. Blood mingled with notes of petrichor and a warmth he swore burrowed itself all the way down to his marrow…

He felt complete in a way he’d never thought possible, like he’d been aimlessly wandering his entire life and had only just found his true home.

It took an embarrassing amount of effort for him to realize what had happened, at which point he relaxed his jaw, which had clamped down on the Alpha’s scent gland. He blinked at the bleeding bite he’d left in his wake before leaning in to lap up the lingering droplets with his tongue.

Normally only an Omega would be marked in such a way, but it wasn’t unheard of for some to mark their mates in return. Unsurprisingly, opinions on the matter were divided between the majority who felt it was a sign of an equal and loving partnership and the minority who believed it indicated a weak Alpha who was unable to bring their mate to heel. Never mind how rare it was for instinct to drive an Omega to do the same and for the mark to actually take.

“Fuck, Alastor!” Lucifer yelped into the crook of his neck.

“I…” He’d never asked Lucifer’s opinion on the matter. It shouldn’t have bothered him either way. Regardless, Alastor’s eyes suddenly began to burn, his chest growing tight.

Had he overstepped? Had he ruined things with his godsdamned instincts? Even the more progressively minded members of society generally agreed it was a bridge too far. The Alpha wasn’t just his mate now, but also his king. This wasn’t something Alastor could take back or fix. This was permanent.

While Alastor didn’t care what people thought of him, he did care what they thought about his mate. Lucifer was already looked down on by most due to the size of his kingdom and thereby his influence. It didn’t matter that his loyalty and compassion were worth more than all the kingdoms combined. Neither quality was valuable to them because they didn’t personally benefit from them.

And now he’d gone and made it all so much worse. He’d brought shame to the only Alpha who’d ever treated him like an equal. He hadn’t even properly fought back against him, again because of his damned instincts. His memories were hazy, but Alastor knew Lucifer had restrained him for his own safety. Things with the remaining Alphas likely would’ve escalated to death or even to all out war if they’d caught his scent.

Stupid. He’d been so godsdamned stupid and weak. He should have been able to handle all of them on his own. Should have been able to pose a proper challenge to Lucifer. Shouldn’t have pressured him into claiming him this year.

If he’d been faster, better, smarter, he wouldn’t have let himself get so worked up that his heat came early. He wanted to think he was better than his nature, that being an Omega was an unimportant and easily dealt with part of who he was. And, gods, wasn’t that pathetic?

Had Lucifer even wanted to claim him in the end, or had he been driven to because of his heat? He’d spent the Hunt taking care of him just like he had the year before. Bile crept up the back of Alastor’s throat and his stomach ominously churned.

He stared sightlessly up at the ceiling, his normally acute hearing growing as muffled as when he’d stuffed his ears with the beeswax. Everything was so far away, like he was slowly sinking deeper and deeper into frigid waters, the world around him collapsing in on itself as his vision grew dark at the edges.

His heart beat a frantic staccato against his sternum and his breath quickened in a futile attempt to keep up. No matter how many lungfuls of air he took, it wasn’t enough and he drifted ever lower, the water’s surface fading from view as the darkness expanded around him.

Alastor just needed to think. To come up with his next plays. First and foremost, he needed to put distance between himself and the Alpha. Needed to ensure Lucifer had marked him of his own free will. If not, the bond between them could be broken. It was just a matter of time and distance. He’d heard it could take up to a year, could be particularly brutal for an Omega.

But could it possibly be worse than this?

He thought Lucifer might be saying something to him. Alastor couldn’t make out his words, but he sounded upset.

There was the matter of the kingdom, of course. His mother had not yet stepped down and claiming him didn’t guarantee ascension to the throne. If Lucifer pressed the issue, his mother would just have to sire another pup. One who wasn’t an Omega. One who could actually ascend to the throne of their own accord without igniting a civil war.

They could easily afford to compensate the king for the disgrace Alastor had done him. He’d be stupid not to accept. Besides, it was the right thing to do and he so desperately wanted to do right by him.

There was a sharp tug of his hair and Alastor thought maybe it was from his own claws. He wasn’t sure. He didn’t know where his body was right now.

The pain in his scalp worsened and spread to his ears. Gods it hurt, but he leaned into it, desperate to feel anything but numb.

They would have to end the Hunt. No one would participate again after this clusterfuck. He was damaged goods now too, his previously unblemished skin forever marked by another Alpha.

He thought he felt something hot and wet on his cheeks and in his hair.

Depending on how bad the repercussions were, his marriage options would be limited. Would Vox or Adam even want someone like him now? Adam was likely his best bet. He didn’t need the wealth or prestige of his kingdom. It was just a matter of pride for him now. He’d get tired of gloating soon enough and then he’d likely only have to put up with him during his heats.

Alastor hated that his mother would have to sire another heir because of him. She’d have to break her vows to his father. May even have to remarry.

The bed was shaking now. Lucifer’s voice was louder, but he still couldn’t understand what he was saying. Something wrapped around Alastor’s wrists, pulling his hands forcefully from his hair and pinning his wrists to the bed.

All of his and his parents’ hard work would be for nothing. All because he’d refused to accept his role in life. Because of his breathtakingly stupid delusions of grandeur.

Higher voices joined Lucifer’s, but they were just as unintelligible. However, one word finally broke through, shouted by multiple voices.

“Rest.”

---

One moment Lucifer had been basking in his afterglow and the next there was a sharp pain in his shoulder. Or, more correctly, over his scent gland.

He’d been startled by the pain. Had reflexively sworn at his mate and tensed on top of him.

And then Alastor was just…gone. Not physically. He was still lying in the bed beneath Lucifer, but his blissed out expression was gone in an instant and he’d begun shaking and hyperventilating.

Thankfully by the time the Omega’s panic hit a fever pitch, his knot had subsided enough for him to pull out of his mate. The Alpha tried to get him to snap out of it. Tried to use his Voice to get him to calm down, but nothing he did made any difference.

He thought maybe Alastor was coming back to himself when he’d finally shifted beneath him, but all he’d done was dig his claws into his hair with enough force to draw blood before yanking at it hard enough Lucifer feared he would pull it out by the fistful. He tried to catch his hands only to make one of them slip, Alastor’s claws slicing into the base of his ear and drawing even more blood. Tears began to stream down his face and the only sounds he seemed able to make were soft, broken gasps with what little air he managed to suck down.

Lucifer managed to grab his wrists and pin them to the bed to stop him from hurting himself. It was all he could do to keep them there as the other man shook his head violently back and forth and struggled with everything he had against his hold. Desperate, Lucifer had shouted for help.

Rosie and the Queen burst in moments later and it took all three of them using their Alpha Voices to finally get the Omega to slip into unconsciousness.

Rosie pulled the blankets up and into Alastor’s lap to preserve his modesty while Lucifer gathered him into his arms, his heart pounding from the adrenaline still flooding his system.

The healer tended to Alastor’s new wounds, giving the Alpha a moment to collect himself. Once she was finished, Lucifer met her eyes, his own wide with worry and fear.

“Rosie, what was that? Did I hurt him?! Did I do something wrong?”

“A panic attack,” the Queen supplied, her brow pinched with concern.

“But why?! What did I do?! Is he okay?!”

Rosie reached out, gently tapping his shoulder. Lucifer’s gaze dropped to the blood drying there and abruptly recalled the mark. He stared blankly down at it before lifting his head again to stare at her in confusion.

The Queen winced, sharing a look with the Healer before turning to Lucifer. “Did anything else happen before that, dear?”

He slowly shook his head. “We were…er…” He cleared his throat. “We only just woke up maybe half an hour ago?”

“Think carefully,” Rosie said, voice soft. “Even if it seemed like somethin’ innocuous, we need to know what may have triggered him.”

“Nothing! He was literally purring right before that! It was the happiest and most relaxed I’ve ever seen him!”

Rosie winced. “Ah.”

“…ah? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“His nature got the better of him,” she answered with a small frown. “He’s been tyin’ himself up in knots the past few weeks.”

Guilt gnawed at his middle. “…because of me? Because he didn’t think I’d be able to mark him?”

She blinked back at him. “What? No, of course not. The stubborn fool’s been running you ragged in preparation for this.”

“Then why?”

“He didn’t want to disappoint you,” the Queen supplied, reaching out to gently stoke her son’s cheek.

Lucifer stared at her as if she’d suddenly sprouted a second head. “…what?”

She gave him a small, sad smile. “He’s never fallen for someone before. He wanted to make sure you knew he was worth it. That you saw him as a strong and capable mate.”

His eyes dropped to Alastor in confusion. “But I’ve always viewed him that way? It took me a year of intensive training on how to beat him just to win a single fight against him!”

“He ain’t exactly been at his best around ya, hun,” Rosie interjected,

Lucifer couldn’t decide if they were the crazy ones or if he was. “What are you talking about?”

“You saved him from Vox during the Hunt last year and managed to control yourself long enough not to mark him. And ya spent his forced heat with him.”

The Queen nodded. “He’s actually looked forward to the heats he’s spent with you too. And the fact he went into his cycle early just goes to show how much he trusts you and cares about you. It’s the first time I’ve seen him actually preparing for them. Leaning into his instincts instead of away from them.”

“…what did he do before?”

Rosie gave a small shake of her head. “Honestly? He suffered through ‘em. Didn’t make a proper nest, barely ate the week leading up to it, and fought tooth and nail against his nature the entire duration, which only made him more miserable in the end.”

Lucifer thought back to how happy he’d been to see Alastor’s preparations, how obvious it had been he was on the verge of his heat. The Omega had practically been glowing.

He’d thought it was like that for all Omegas,

“And then he went into heat in the middle of the Hunt and ya had to rescue him,” Rosie continued.

“Why does that matter? It’s not his fault. He can’t control something like that.”

Rosie and the Queen shared another look.

“We’re talkin’ about the same Al here, aren’t we?” Rosie asked, arching a brow.

True…

“I’ve never heard him purr,” the Queen admitted with a sad smile. “Even as a child. He’s never been able to let himself go like that.”

“But that’s a good thing, isn’t it?” Of course, thinking back to his brief conversation with Alastor on the matter, it was obvious the Omega didn’t agree. Lucifer had thought it was more a matter of embarrassment. He hadn’t considered it might be more about shame.

“But it’s a good thing,” he repeated with a frown. “He should be able to be himself around me. I’d be an awful mate and Alpha if he couldn’t.”

“Tell me somethin’, Lucifer, “ Rosie said, . “How many Alphas d’ya know who’ve been marked by their Omegas?”

The question brought him up short and he blinked. “Er… Well… I’m not sure…?”

“You know one,” the Queen offered, unclasping the high necked collar of her dress and pulling it to the side to reveal a mate mark.

Lucifer’s eyes widened. “Oh! Oh, I didn’t realize. Then…why would he be upset about marking me?”

She refastened her dress, a solemn look coming to her face. “It was never something that we made public. People were even less accepting then than they are now. It’s only during my reign that things have become better for Omegas here and every step forward has been an uphill battle.

“Frankly, I believe the main reason people have begun to view Omegas more favorably here is because of my son. He has pushed himself so hard to prove what he and others are capable of. He’s actually the one who suggested the Hunt in the first place, though he insisted I pass it off as my own idea.”

She leaned down to press a soft kiss to Alastor’s forehead. “He has been running himself ragged his entire life, denying and suppressing his nature with everything he has. I should’ve realized that now he doesn’t have to, now that he’s with someone who he can be himself with, his Omega instincts would grow even stronger. It happens after claiming anyway, to both parties, but I should've realized it might scare him when it happened.”

“And then he went and marked ya, his brand new mate and Alpha,” Rosie added.

When his own parents, as open-minded as they were, had been aware it was something considered taboo enough that they chose to keep it a secret. When it was something he and Lucifer had never discussed. Truthfully, it wasn’t something Lucifer had even thought of as a possibility.

“Oh, Al…” he murmured, gently brushing his mate’s bangs from his face.

“I think he might benefit from spending time with other Omegas,” his mother murmured.

“There’s one in particular that my daughter’s been working with on her projects,” Lucifer said. “His name is Anthony. I’ll have to introduce them. I think they might get along pretty well. He’s not a typical Omega either.”

The Queen gave him a wide smile, so similar to her son’s. “Thank you, Lucifer. I take it you aren’t opposed to his marking you then?”

He considered the question, claws continuing to card through his mate’s hair. “It seems like a very Alastor thing to do,” he finally answered, lips quirking up. “I’m just glad the Omega in him sees me as such a worthy mate.”

Even if some of his advisors would likely have kittens over it. But that was one of the benefits of ruling over a smaller kingdom. Most of the other kingdoms tended to leave them the fuck alone and there wasn’t nearly as much bureaucracy to have to worry about.

Although…

“Your Majesty?” he prompted.

The Queen met his gaze. “Yes, dear?”

“I’ll definitely discuss this with Al too, but I’m wondering if you’d be willing to grant me permission to take him home with me? I think he could benefit from some time away, where there aren’t so many eyes on him. I also feel like my kingdom may be more receptive to an Omega ruler. I’d like to see about trying to implement more sweeping measures as far as Omegas are concerned.”

Her hazel eyes twinkled. “Before trying to implement them here, you mean?”

Lucifer nodded. “Exactly. In addition to giving Alastor some time to settle into his nature and how that will impact his rule and how others perceive him.”

“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” she insisted, reaching over to give his hand a small squeeze. “If my son proves too stubborn about it, I’ll do my best to convince him.”

Rosie gave him a sly look. “It’ll give you a lot more time to work on getting a pup or two in him, too. If you haven’t already.”

His face burned. “I don’t—! That is—! I don’t even know if Al wants to have kids…? Aside from Charlie, of course.”

The women tittered at that. “Oh, you are too cute!” Rosie said. “I just hope for your sake that you put a pup in him soon. He spent almost a full week building that nest for you two. He wouldn’t have done that if pups weren’t on his mind.”

If possible, his face went an even darker shade, yet he couldn’t help but smile fondly down at his sleeping Omega.

They all chatted a little longer, until Lucifer began to nod off, at which point the women rose and saw themselves out. At the door, Alastor’s mother turned back to him and offered, “Please be gentle with him when he wakes. I have a feeling he’s going to need his mate and his Alpha more than ever then.”

Lucifer nodded back to her as he settled down on the bed, cuddling his Omega close as he drifted back to sleep alongside him.

---

Rousing himself from sleep proved a difficult task. Alastor was warm and comfortable and still so sore and tired. He hoped it would pass soon, though he looked forward to giving his cunt even more reasons to ache in the future. The Omega shifted where he lay, warmth blossoming in his chest as Lucifer absently nuzzled the side of his throat. His Alpha nosed and kissed his way along it and down to…

Down to…

Alastor’s eyes snapped open, feeling as if he’d been doused in ice cold water.

Mark.

Mate mark.

He needed to put distance between them. He couldn’t let himself fall to pieces like that again. It wasn’t fair to Lucifer.

He redirected his attention to trying to keep his breathing deep and even as he attempted to extricate himself from where he’d been cuddled up to his…

To Lucifer.

The Alpha’s arm tightened around his waist and he growled low in his throat, making Alastor’s ears pin back in alarm.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he demanded, having yet to lift his head.

Was he still dealing with the lingering effects of his rut? Or was this the reckoning he’d feared would come?

Alastor found himself simultaneously praying for the other man to meet his eyes and to never look at him again.

Even in the unlikely chance Lucifer chose not to break their bond, the Alpha still deserved the right to make the decision free from his influence and with a clear head.

“I need to speak to my mother.” It was a half truth. He did. He needed to tell her how badly he’d fucked up. He needed to apologize to her. He needed a plan to make all of this right.

“No.”

That brought the Omega up short and he blinked down at him. “I… What…?”

“No, you don’t need to talk to her right now. We need to talk first.”

A heavy weight settled in his middle that had nothing to do with Lucifer’s arm. Alastor’s mouth went dry and he redoubled his efforts to keep his breathing calm and his mind clear.

He could do this. It was the right thing to do. Lucifer deserved the right thing.

If he’d just had better control of his instincts… If he hadn’t fucked up so badly…

“I…” He swallowed hard, eyes sliding closed as he steeled himself. “I’m sorry, Alpha. It…doesn’t excuse my actions, but I’m sorry all the same.”

“Sorry for what?” Lucifer asked, his voice infuriatingly neutral.

Gods, he had to know, didn’t he? He’d felt it!

A whine threatened to escape from the back of his throat, his hearing muffled from how firmly his ears were pressed to his head.

He could do this. He could be a godsdamned Omega. He was a godsdamned Omega.

“I… I marked you. I’m sorry for marking you.”

“Why are you sorry?”

Gods, was he really going to make him spell it out?! His tail tried to tuck beneath him, his nose and throat beginning to burn.

“I… I didn’t ask. I didn’t have your permission. I never even asked what you thought about such a thing.” Fuck, he was babbling. He tightened his hands into fists, his claws pricking at the skin of his palms.

“Alast—“

“I know I overstepped,” he continued, cutting him off. “I know I fucked up. It wasn’t my intention to insult you or to sully your reputation.”

He felt Lucifer shift against him, pulling away. “Al, I—“

“The mark can’t be undone, but the bond… The bond can be,” he said. The words were coming too fast, but he had to get them out before he lost his nerve.

“Distance will do it. Generally it takes a year, but I’ve heard it theorized that another Alpha’s claim can speed up the process. I need to talk to my mother. I need to see if any of the other Alphas are still present, or if any can be persuaded to…”

There was a warning note in Lucifer’s voice as he asked, far too softly, “Persuaded to do what?”

“Claim me! To help the bond deteriorate more quickly. No one has to know what happened. We can…damage the skin around the mark I made to disguise it. And at the very least, I think Adam could be persuaded. He already has so many mates. My mother can offer him an impressive dowry.” Bile crept up the back of his throat as he added, “I’ll speak with him, myself.”

He’d do it on his knees if he had to. Adam seemed like the sort to get off on that kind of thing. Even if the thought of any part of the wretch’s body coming into contact with his left him feeling nauseous. It was a small price to pay to fix this.

Lucifer’s fingers tightened around his chin and Alastor reflexively snapped his eyes open again, his heart stuttering in his chest as he took in the rage burning in the Alpha’s eyes. He couldn’t stop the whine that time and it hung pathetically in the air between them.

“I can convince him,” he insisted, his instincts screaming at him to make this right. To soothe his Alpha. He tried to lean into them rather than shy away. He could do this, godsdamnit! “I won’t leave his rooms until I convince him!”

He was a better option than Vox, at least. Gods, he hoped he didn’t have to go to Vox…

Lucifer’s eyes narrowed into dangerous slits and another whine clawed its way from Alastor’s throat. He wanted so badly to look away, but he was frozen in place.

The Omega felt that same haze from before trying to settle over his mind now, but it wasn’t comforting or inviting like it had been before. It felt like a yawning chasm within him, bottomless and devoid of light.

Anything was better than this. Why wasn’t the Alpha saying anything? Why wasn’t he raging? Why was he just sitting there staring down at him?!

“If that asshole Adam so much as looks at you, I’ll tear his fucking eyes from their sockets and feed them to him.”

…what?

“It doesn’t have to be Adam,” he was quick to reply. “It can be someone else you approve of! And if all else fails, there’s always Vo—“

A snarl tore from Lucifer’s lips and Alastor pressed himself more firmly against the mattress, instinctively tilting his head to bear his throat.

Gods, was this really what it was like to be an Omega? To be ruled by his nature?

He hated it.

“Don’t you dare say that bastard’s name!”

“Yes, Alpha!” he blurted, beginning to tremble.

Lucifer took a moment to visually collect himself, running a hand down his face and glancing away. “Alastor. Al. Fuck, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean... That’s not what I… It’s just…the things that motherfucker Adam said he was going to do to you… I… I’m not mad at you. I’m sorry. You’re not the only one whose instincts are being way too fucking loud right now.”

His eyes flashed. “And as for that other piece of filth… Well, I just hope you’ll give me a turn with your mother’s wedding present before you’re done with it.”

“…what?”

Lucifer gathered him into his arms and Alastor was too stunned to protest. Even worse, the wretched Omega part of him was desperate for his contact. For his Alpha to soothe him and make him feel safe again.

Lucifer ran his claws through his hair, scratching at the base of his ears as he cradled him close. “I’m sorry, Al. That’s not how I wanted this conversation to go. I spoke with your mom and Rosie earlier and they gave me an idea of how you might be feeling, but I wanted to hear it directly from you before jumping to any conclusions. And then you brought up those assholes and I just… The Alpha part of me has been struggling against the urge to hunt them down and rip them apart already and that just…made it all the harder to ignore.”

The Omega longed to wrap his arms around Lucifer’s middle, but he didn’t know if that was wanted or even permitted at present. He wasn’t certain what was going on.

“I’m mad at them, not you. I should’ve realized how that might come across. I’m a fucking idiot.” He gave a soft sigh as he nuzzled the top of Alastor’s head.

Surrounded by the scent of petrichor and sunshine, he felt some of the tension begin to ease from him and he sank more heavily against him.

“You aren’t going anywhere,” Lucifer continued. “You’re mine. I’m honored to wear your mark.”

Alastor’s eyelids drooped and he tentatively slipped one arm around Lucifer’s waist as he settled more firmly against him. “…you’re only saying that because of the rut and the mark,” he protested. “You need time away from me to know how you really feel about it all.”

His arm reflexively tightened around the Alpha, as if he could keep him there by sheer will alone.

“I don’t. If it would make you feel better, if it would convince you my feelings are genuine, I’ll do as you ask. I just want you to know it isn’t necessary. I want us to rule side by side as equals. Me bearing your mark just reaffirms that.”

Alastor’s heart squeezed at his words, a low rumble starting up in his chest. He closed his eyes, tears skating down his cheeks.

“I was thinking we could go back to my kingdom for a little while. Spend time together. Start making changes on a smaller scale that we could eventually bring here. Besides, I think you deserve some time to yourself to relax and to just be you. Without any added pressure or critical eyes on you.”

The rumble grew louder, the tears flowing more quickly.

“Nobody gets to dictate our relationship but us. I’m looking forward to spending the rest of my life with you, laying the foundation together.”

Alastor fully slipped into the peaceful haze, no longer fighting it. He pressed a kiss to the mate mark on Lucifer’s shoulder and murmured, basking in the warmth and safety of his Alpha. His mate.

“When do we leave?”

Notes:

Next week is the final chapter!!! An epilogue set ten years in the future!!! Copious amounts of fluff, ahoy!!!

Thanks so much for taking the time to read (and to kudos/comment, if you're so inclined)! It means so much to me!!! Hope you enjoyed!!!

You can find me on tumblr at hismercytomyjustice. I yell about things I love on there.

Chapter 6: Epilogue

Summary:

A peek at life and Alastor and Lucifer's relationship ten years later.

Notes:

Hello, friends! ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝ Can't believe we're already on the final chapter! It has been such a joy sharing this story with you all and I cannot thank you all enough for all the love and support you've shown to it!!! Seriously, y'all are the best!!!

I believe I'll be posting another multichapter RadioApple fic starting next Sunday though. That one will be four chapters, so if you're looking for something to read throughout the month of July, well... ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧

Thank you all for joining me on this journey! Hope you enjoy!!! (´• ω •`) ♡

Chapter Trigger Warnings

- MPreg
- Pregnancy
Please let me know if I’ve missed any and I’ll add them.

~ Ten Years Later ~

“You’re sure you’ll be okay?” Lucifer asked, gently cupping Charlie’s cheeks as he stared up into her big, blue eyes.

She gave him a fond, exasperated look in answer. “Yes, dad. I’ve been ruling the kingdom on my own for a year already and you and Al hovered over me the year before that.”

Vaggie stepped forward, standing at attention despite the fact she had long since left her bodyguard days behind in favor of becoming his daughter’s fiancée. “Don’t worry, sir. I won’t let anything happen to the Queen.”

Charlie looked toward the Heavens. “Gods, I think I finally understand why you hovering drives Al crazy!”

Lucifer huffed as he pressed a kiss to her forehead and stepped back. “He likes it when I hover!”

His daughter shot him a look. “He likes it when you dote. Not when you hover. Why else do you think he kicked you out so close to his due date?”

The Alpha’s face warmed. “I wasn’t kicked out!”

“Dad, his letter literally said he would lock you in the dungeons if you came back before the full week passed.”

Oh, he was well aware of what the letter had said. Especially since Alastor had told him the same to his face with the glint in his eye that he usually only got when murder was also an option. He shivered despite himself.

Pregnancy had a tendency to soften the Omega around the edges as his instincts took the reins, but even Alastor’s nature couldn’t suppress the danger always lurking beneath the surface.

“Will you please go back to your husband now? And try not to hover? If I know Al, he’s done being mad at you and is currently under house arrest to keep him from grabbing a horse to come and drag you back himself.”

Lucifer’s eyes widened in alarm. “Shit! You’re right… Love you, sweetie! You’ll still come visit after the baby is born, right?”

Charlie gave him a tight hug. “Of course we will! I’ve gotta make sure I meet sibling number four before number five comes along.”

His face burned anew. “There’s not going to be a number five.”

Vaggie and his daughter shared a look.

“Sure there isn’t, dad,” Charlie said, patting his shoulder as she steered him toward his waiting carriage. “I’ll see you soon, okay? Tell Alastor we said hi!”

“I will!” he insisted as he settled inside.

He kept his face glued to the carriage’s window until his daughter and her fiancée were no longer in sight.

---

The trip back home went quickly, particularly because they’d long since established a well-maintained road that directly connected the two kingdoms. Lucifer nearly tumbled from the carriage as it pulled to a stop in his hurry to get to his mate. Alastor wasn’t waiting for him, but his mother was and she gave him a fond smile.

“Where’s Al?” he asked, immediately concerned.

“Rosie’s put him on bed rest for the final few weeks of his pregnancy.”

Oh, gods. “…I’m sure he took that well.”

“Anthony and Husk have been debating whether or not to risk their king’s wrath by smuggling you across the border sooner rather than later.”

Lucifer gave a slow shake of his head. “Are the pups with him?” he asked, giving her a quick embrace before they both started inside.

“They are. They’re the only thing that seems to keep him put when you’re not around. Your eldest is taking the job of keeping him in bed very seriously.”

He couldn’t help but chuckle. “Yes, our little Omega will be a force to be reckoned with once she’s on the throne.”

“You say that as if she isn’t already,” she replied, grinning.

Lucifer grinned right back. While it had taken Alastor time to get in touch with his inner Omega, their eldest had taken to it like a duck to water. She was just as stubborn as the deer though, and Lucifer would have to be blind not to see how she so effortlessly wrapped him around her little finger.

Reaching their rooms, the servants outside opened the doors for them. Lucifer could hear their little Omega’s purring from there and it made his heart swell with contentment. He led the way to the bedroom, pausing in the doorway to bask in the sight before them.

Alastor rested on his side in their enormous bed, their pups cuddled up to him. Anneliese, their eldest, was curled up in front of him, one of her little wings out and draped over the deer’s slumbering form. Her two siblings had settled against Alastor too, their middle child cuddled up against his back and their youngest sprawled over one of his legs, drooling into the fabric of his soft sleep pants.

And in a few short weeks, their fourth would have their own designated place in the cozy pile.

Having thought he’d only ever have Charlie, Lucifer still occasionally found himself gobsmacked that he was soon to be a father of five. Alastor had accused him of keeping him with child for his own sick amusement, yet he could scarcely keep his hands off his Alpha once he was cleared to be intimate again by Rosie. They were a rather…potent combo.

Alastor’s ears flicked and his red eyes slowly slid open as he blinked owlishly at Lucifer and his mother. He scowled softly before accusing in a sleep heavy voice, “Took you long enough. Now if you’ll be so kind as to exile Rosie since no one will listen to me, I would greatly appreciate it.”

Lucifer had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing at how adorably irate his mate was.

“Exile Rosie?” he asked, keeping his voice soft as he made his way over to the bed.

“Yes! This is my fourth pup, Lucifer. I think I know my body’s needs more than she does at this point. I am the one living in it, after all.”

The Alpha perched himself on the edge of the bed, gently stroking Alastor’s bangs back from his eyes. “And what did you do to get put on bed rest?”

Alastor glared balefully up at him. “You can be exiled right alongside her then,” he snapped.

His claws shifted to scratch at the base of Alastor’s ear and the Omega’s eyes fluttered closed.

“Do you still want to exile me, dearheart? Shall I leave now?”

He forced his eyes back open, but they were hazy and a low purr rumbled in his chest, quickly falling into sync with their daughter’s. Lucifer pursed his lips to force back a smile that would only make his mate want to bite him.

He couldn’t help how adorable he found his mate like this. Especially since pregnancy was the only time he allowed him to get away with fussing. Well, a little fussing, anyway.

Alastor’s mother made her way over and, spotting her, his purring grew even louder.

“He’s hit the point he’s gotten too unsteady on his feet,” she offered. “In addition to his struggle to get out of seats on his own.”

“Mother!” Alastor hissed, scandalized. “It was one time! And I’m not unsteady!”

Lucifer pursed his lips harder together, giving the Omega his best solemn and understanding expression. It had happened with every pup. Alastor would inevitably lose every ounce of his near feline grace as his waddle and stomach grew more pronounced.

“Would you like me to take the pups so the two of you can spend some time together?” his mother asked, already gathering the younger two.

Anneliese lifted her head, blinking blearily. Spotting Lucifer, her face lit up and her arms were around him in an instant, her wings flaring wide. “Papa!” she cheered, though she kept her voice low so as to not wake her siblings.

“And how is my little Omega?” Lucifer asked, returning her embrace and squeezing her tight.

She shot Alastor a furtive look before whispering, “I’m glad your back. It’s only been a few days, but daddy’s been getting difficult.”

Alastor gaped at her. “I beg your pardon?”

Anneliese squared her jaw and turned back to him. “You heard me, daddy! You think you’d know how to be pregnant by now! Especially since you’re pregnant all the time!”

The deer’s face flushed and he was, for once, at a loss for words.

“He’s your responsibility now,” she instructed, giving Lucifer a stern look. “But if you need purring, I can help.”

“I appreciate it, baby,” Lucifer answered, struggling to keep a straight face as he gave her a final squeeze.

She shot Alastor a warning look before allowing her grandmother to lead her from the room along with her siblings.

“Are you going to exile her too?” Lucifer prompted, the corner of his lip twitching up.

Alastor replied by hurling a pillow at him with enough force that it nearly knocked him off the bed.

“You all realize that I am with child and not an actual child, I hope,” he groused, wrapping his arms around another pillow with a scowl.

“We do,” Lucifer answered as he crawled around him, settling against his mate’s back. “But you go through so much while carrying. Can you really blame us for wanting to take care of you while you take care of the pup?”

“Yes,” he retorted with a huff. “It’s still nearly a month until my due date! You can’t possibly expect me to stay in bed for a month!”

He gently stroked along his mate’s side, smiling faintly as, even as irate as he was, Alastor began to relax again under his ministrations.

This was the earliest Rosie had ever ordered him on bed rest. He may have to take up the former queen’s offer to handle things in his stead while he turned his full attention to taking care of his mate. While Alastor was at his most susceptible to his Alpha Voice, especially at this stage, Lucifer didn’t like to use it unless absolutely necessary. When he did, it could take ages for the Omega to snap back out of it and he had to have Lucifer nearby for the duration or he would become panicky regardless. He already felt vulnerable, and having his agency stripped away like that only compounded the feeling for him.

But there were other ways to soothe his mate that he was far more receptive to.

Alastor was still ranting about the injustice of it all and how they would not be keeping him in bed for that long as Lucifer slid his hand up beneath his shirt, cupping his chest. Normally the Omega had little to nothing there to hold onto, but with the pup so near, he had enough now for Lucifer to fill his hands with the soft, sensitive swell.

The deer’s breath stuttered and he cut off mid-sentence as Lucifer squeezed. A soft, needy whine followed when he took his nipple between his fingers, pinching the rapidly stiffening bud.

“A-Alpha…” he breathed as Lucifer continued to palm and squeeze and pinch.

The honey-sweet scent of the Omega’s arousal rapidly filled the room and Lucifer released his breast to skim his hand along his flank and beneath his loose pants. His questing fingers found Alastor’s already slick folds and he coated his fingertips before beginning to rub firm circles against his clit.

Alastor shuddered against him, mouth falling open as he panted for breath. He gave little rocks of his hips, as he chased his pleasure, whining plaintively when it just wasn’t enough. “A-Alpha, please! More!”

Lucifer removed his hand and Alastor made a noise like a wounded animal at the loss of it. He murmured soothing words to the Omega as he sat up, nudging him onto his back. The deer’s face was flushed, his eyes hazy with desire. He made to reach down to touch himself, but Lucifer batted his hand away before rucking up his shirt to expose his small breasts. His hand, meanwhile, plunged back beneath Alastor’s waistband.

“L-Lucifer,” the Omega whimpered as he teased his outer folds. He cried out a moment later when he lowered his head to take his nipple into his mouth sucking at it and dragging his tongue across its bud.

“Kn-Knot me, please!” he whined, spreading his legs. “Need you inside!”

As much as he wanted the same, he doubted Rosie would approve, and so he slipped his fingers into him instead, much like he had that night so many years ago when Alastor had forbidden him from knotting him until after he won.

Lucifer didn’t go nearly as deep as he had then, but the stretch seemed to be enough, judging by how frantically the Omega was trying to fuck himself on his fingers. He sank his teeth into his nipple, earning a low groan before he eased the Omega’s pants down around his knees and settled between his legs, tracing his clit with his tongue.

Alastor’s hands fell to his hair, claws gripping hard enough to pull. He pressed a kiss to the sensitive bundle of nerves before wrapping his lips around it and humming while he continued to fuck him with his fingers.

The Omega didn’t last much longer, his inner walls clamping down hard on Lucifer’s fingers as he wailed with the intensity of his release. Lucifer continued to rub his tongue against his clit, milking every last ounce of pleasure from his mate that he could. He didn’t stop until Alastor’s claws went slack and he sank heavily into the mattress.

He withdrew his fingers then, sliding them between his lips and sucking as he sat up and worked his other hand up and down his cock. He groaned around the digits as he came in thick ropes over Alastor’s swollen belly and wrecked cunt.

“I know what you’re trying to do,” the Omega accused, a slight slur to the words as exhaustion tugged at him.

“Oh?” he asked as he helped his mate entirely out of his sleep clothes.

Alastor made a noise of protest, but calmed when he slipped out of his own clothes and settled behind him, skin to skin.

“You think you can trick me into staying here with your damned mouth and hands.”

Still, he didn’t protest as Lucifer wrapped his hand around his and rested both against the swell of the Omega’s stomach.

“You don’t want me to be your personal courtesan for the next four weeks?”

He turned his head to glare at him with one barely open eye. “You wouldn’t last four weeks, old man.”

Lucifer lifted his head, arching a brow. “Oh, you wanna bet? I think you’ll be the one to break first.”

Alastor’s face flushed and he turned away from him again.

The Alpha smirked, releasing his hand to pinch his nipple hard, earning an affronted bleat.

“Lucifer!” he hissed, color creeping down his pretty throat.

“Hmm?” he murmured against his ear as he rolled the cool nub between his warm fingers. “Something wrong, dearheart?”

Alastor panted softly, a soft whine escaping him as he squirmed.

“Is this too much for my poor, little Omega?”

“F-Fuck you,” he spat as Lucifer cupped his breast and squeezed.

He had no doubt if he managed to get Alastor off a second time, his stubborn streak would be quieted for at least a day or two. He already looked exhausted but now that his mate was home, he’d undoubtedly try his damnedest to stay awake. Partly to spend time with him, but mostly to sneak away while everyone thought Lucifer had him sufficiently subdued.

It wouldn’t be the first time… Though he really hoped they didn’t have to assign him a minder like they had with his last pregnancy. Alastor had not taken that well… Lucifer was convinced his ears still hurt from all the shouting… The only silver lining was the Omega had exhausted himself in the process and had spent the final few days of his pregnancy struggling to stay awake long enough to start yelling again.

At least if Lucifer kept this up, the only yelling would be the good kind. And he’d get a cuddly, affectionate, subdued, and (mostly) agreeable Omega for his trouble.

His cock began to harden again at the thought of Alastor so far gone he’d be a purring, exhausted mess for the rest of the evening. Would let him take care of him without much of a fuss like he normally only did while in the throes of his heat.

His Alpha nature roared to the forefront of his mind at the desperate little sounds his mate began to make and he yearned to mark his mate again, to make him submit. he shifted, sitting them both up. His back was pressed to the headboard and Alastor was settled half sitting up between his legs, his back to Lucifer’s chest.

The Omega made a soft, questioning sound only for it to shift into a moan as Lucifer splayed his hand across his cum stained cunt. He rubbed the heel of his palm firmly against his clit while he tortured his other breast, squeezing and roughly groping until his mate’s wanton whimpers and groans grew thick with overstimulated tears.

When he felt him begin to tense, he slid his claws back inside him, fucking him mercilessly. Alastor nearly screamed when the dam burst and his body rocked with the force of his orgasm. But Lucifer didn’t let up. He kept going as if nothing had happened, growling low as his mate sobbed while simultaneously trying to press more firmly against his hands.

He was a vision, utterly debauched and voice wrecked. Tears streamed freely down his flushed cheeks as he was brought off a third time with a desperate keen. His mouth opened as if he intended to speak only to snap composed as he jolted when Lucifer still didn’t stop.

His head dropped to Lucifer’s shoulder, his chest heaving and his body trembling. “P-Please, Alpha! Please!” he begged. “I c-can’t… N-Not again…”

“Tell me who you belong to,” Lucifer demanded, dragging his fangs across his mate mark.

Alastor’s breathing hitched. “Y-You! Always you!”

He made to withdraw his hand from his cunt but the Omega whined in protest. Lucifer grinned against his shoulder before sinking his fangs in over the mark.

His mate screamed as he came a final time, slumping back against him with a whimper after. His sweat damp hair was stuck to his face and he fought hard to catch his breath.

The sight of his Omega, so beautiful and obedient, had been more than enough for Lucifer to find his own release. He gently stroked his side as they both came back down.

“You did so good for me,” he murmured against Alastor’s ear.

He received a flick of it to the face for his trouble. Every ounce of tension had drained from his mate’s frame. He seemed unable to open his eyes, let alone lift his head, yet he still seemed to be clinging stubbornly to consciousness.

“Alastor, dearheart, go to sleep,” he chided.

“N-Not until you tell me who you belong to,” he managed once he caught his breath. His ears were already drooping and he could feel his breathing growing deep and even.

Lucifer grinned, leaning awkwardly around him to press a kiss to his lips. “You. Always you.”

“And don’t you ever forget it,” Alastor warned, his words almost entirely drowned out by the loud, unrestrained Omega purr that rumbled from him.

Notes:

Thanks so much for taking the time to read (and to kudos/comment, if you're so inclined)! It means so much to me!!! Hope you enjoyed!!! Hope to see you in the next one!!!

And another huge thank you to Coulombia for her help betaing this fic!!!

You can find me on tumblr at hismercytomyjustice. I yell about things I love on there.