Chapter Text
It was the last hour before sunrise and the fog was already lurking between the tents. The air still smelled like last night's dinner, but also blood and sweat. It was just before the whole camp woke up where you could still hear some soldiers snoring but also some people preparing breakfast, boiling water for some tea. But it wasn't too loud, and everyone would be able to hear the enemy arrive in case of an ambush or, in this case, a messenger's arrival.
Simon had been awake for the majority of the night, bent over a map in his own tent, a map he had been studying for weeks since they established camp about twenty miles away from the MacTavish castle. He had been busy planning attacks or trying to compromise with the enemy and that night was the same, working on what the next step should be if King MacTavish were to refuse Simon's offer. He would have to put even more pressure on their king, maybe even besiege the castle until they finally surrendered and gave Simon everything they owed him.
He straightened up and rolled his shoulders to release some of the tension. He could smell the worry and the stress in the air, the whole camp had been holding its breath since General Garrick had left the day before to try and negotiate with the enemy. Price had tried to convince him to wait a few more days, but Gaz had ignored his mate's complaints, wanting this war over just like everybody else in the camp, so he had left the camp early in the afternoon. Simon knew his advisor was guarding his tent right now thanks to the stressed pheromones Price had been releasing since his Omega had left.
Simon turned around when he heard the sound of hooves closing in, someone was coming and was not bothering to get off their horse before galloping through the whole camp. The king got out of his tent and gave Price a worried look but his advisor did not look concerned by the ruckus caused by who seemed to be a messenger.
The explanation for Price's calm came when Gaz erupted in front of the king's tent. The young man got off his horse and Simon could tell he had been doing his best to reach the camp as fast as possible from how drenched his mount was. Price was the first to move, closing the distance between him and his Omega to take Gaz in his arms, letting out a soothing rumble and calming pheromones for his mate. The general's agitated look made Simon fear the worst until Gaz gave him a quick smile above Price's shoulder.
Gaz finally turned towards his king after reassuring Price he was alright. Despite his general's confident smile, Simon could not shake off the fear of a MacTavish threat.
"We managed to find an arrangement," said the young man. "King MacTavish is expecting us to send an envoy as soon as possible to discuss the terms of their surrender."
Gaz handed him an envelope sealed with the MacTavish blue wax. The letter had most likely been written by King MacTavish himself, he has seen the blue seal many times during the fifteen years of wartime.
Simon took the envelope and broke the seal before reading the letter. He felt his heart stop for a second and he knew both Price and Gaz were holding their breaths, waiting for him to finish reading the letter. He could hear some whispers, the camp's early birds assembling around his tent after hearing the general's arrival.
Gaz had been telling the truth, King MacTavish had agreed to a meeting to discuss the terms of their surrender. He wanted peace and was ready to hear King Riley's demands. The letter said he would make the arrangements to welcome an envoy as soon as possible to talk about the different agreements needed between the two Kingdoms to guarantee the longevity of this peace.
Price came closer to Simon and squeezed his shoulder. The advisor has been by his side since the very beginning of the war, teaching a young king how to lead a battle. He also knew what this meeting could mean for Simon.
Simon took a deep breath, feeling calmer now that all the tension had eased. They had done it and he was now the one who got to decide how things were going to be done going forward. He looked back at Price and Gaz, the three of them knew the envoy had to be sent to the MacTavish castle as soon as possible so all the soldiers who were still deployed close to the enemy could finally rest.
Simon could not risk falling into a trap, not when he was this close to getting what he wanted.
He went back inside his tent, followed closely by his advisor and general. He had made his decision and needed to enact his plan quickly. Price gave his mate a worried look when he saw the king putting on his armour. They all knew Simon could not set foot inside the MacTavish castle and risk being captured by the enemy, but it seemed like the king had another idea.
"You cannot be considering this," exclaimed Price as he watched Simon put on his helm.
"I don’t see another option, if I want to make sure my demands are brought to King MacTavish’s attention, I will have to do it myself. He requested an envoy, someone who will be able to speak in my name in front of him, and I need someone intimidating enough that he won’t be able to talk his way out of our agreements."
"Will you, at least, take someone with you?" asked the older Alpha.
"You don’t think bringing the Ghost inside his home will be intimidating enough?"
Simon looked at Price, waiting for his friend to say something, but they both already knew he was right. No one but them knew that Simon was the one hiding behind the legendary Ghost’s helm, but everyone who had spent a single day on the battlefield knew about the deadliest knight from King Riley’s army. It was the perfect plan.
Gaz came behind his king to help him with the straps of his armour he struggled to reach by himself. His body had changed a lot during those years at war, and what used to be the soft skin one would expect from a young Omega prince was now covered in deep scars from wounds he had sustained during battles. His left shoulder was now too stiff for certain movements and he was grateful for his general who quickly checked his dark armour over, making sure nothing was amiss.
"I guess the envoy is ready to leave camp," said Simon.
He could see in Price’s eyes that he wasn’t convinced by this plan, but he did not say anything that would prevent Simon from leaving the camp and going to the castle. Simon could smell all the stress his advisor was releasing into the air, not bothering to hide how protective he had become of his sovereign over the years. But Price was not his Alpha, and Simon was the king.
"Price, can you inform everyone that Ghost will be going to the castle alone as the envoy and that he’ll be back in five days at the latest? Please make sure everyone stays alert in case the camp gets attacked while I’m not here."
Price set his jaw, refraining from saying anything before nodding and going outside. Simon was now alone with Gaz who kept his head low, fidgeting in place without saying a word to his king.
"You did a great job," said Simon to break the uncomfortable silence. "You can go with Price, you deserve a long rest."
Gaz looked at Simon one last time before following his mate, but not before releasing some calming pheromones in hope of helping Simon calm down.
The king stared one last time at his map, if he left right now he would arrive at the castle sometime in the afternoon. King MacTavish was waiting for an envoy to make agreements between their two kingdoms and Simon already knew what he wanted, he just had to make sure he got it.
The war is over.
That’s the first thing the guards said after Soap woke up. He had to make them repeat that a second and a third time before his barely awake brain registered the information. His second thought of the day was asking himself why we had been woken up by guards just to tell him that this war in which he had no role was finally over.
He stared at the four guards who did not make a single move to get out of his small room, as if they were all waiting for something John was the only one able to give them. After a few more seconds of silence, the guard closest to his bed spoke up.
"The king has asked us to wake you up and get you ready for the meeting with King Riley's envoy."
That made Soap frown, after the fight he had with his father the previous evening, he did not understand why the king would all of a sudden allow him to be present during such an important meeting. If he was correct, a meeting so soon after his father finally agreed to surrender to his enemy meant that the envoy from King Riley would arrive in only a few hours. John quickly glanced at his bruised wrists, why would King MacTavish want to expose his beat up second born?
"The envoy from King Riley will be arriving soon and your father wants you to be present when they make their demands."
The young prince let out a loud exhale, his brother had been nowhere to be seen for months and he knew his absence was the only reason John got to step into his role of rightful heir to the MacTavish throne. And all of it would be to watch his father surrender to his enemy.
Soap could not help the joy he felt at the idea of witnessing the king being forced to admit he lost. The thought of his father having no other choice but to acknowledge his existence to preserve his dignity as king also made him smile.
Soap got out of bed and went to his wardrobe to find something suitable for this meeting with King Riley's envoy. He looked up when a young guard came up to him, holding clothes in his hands.
"The King told us you were to wear something more discreet and to pick something from your brother’s wardrobe… He said his clothes were more dignified than what you have in yours..."
John stared at the young man and the clothes he was offering him. Of course his father would find another way to humiliate him. He took the clothes handed to him, a pair of dark trousers and a gray shirt. He tried to hide his surprise at the fact he would not be wearing his family's colours during such an important meeting.
The king probably wanted his identity to remain a secret as long as possible and letting him wear the MacTavish blue could reveal Soap's real identity as King MacTavish's second son.
The prince could smell the fear in the room as he was putting on his borrowed clothes. It was obvious the guards were not as sure of themselves as they were supposed to be. He could feel their eyes looking at the different bruises marbling his wrists and neck, knowing who was responsible for putting them there. The younger guard came to examine his wrists after he was done putting the shirt on. They were lucky the clothes from the crown prince were too big for Soap's too thin frame and the sleeves long enough to cover the bruises completely.
"Good," said the guard. "The king asked for those marks to be hidden, he doesn’t want King Riley’s envoy to see you as damaged goods."
"Damaged goods? What—..."
The guards did not let him finish. The four of them quickly exited the room, leaving the prince alone and confused. The wait until the envoy's arrival had just begun and knowing where the prince got his nickname from, the guards made sure Soap could not get out of his room before it was time for him to be brought to the king.
It took several hours until he heard a knock at the door and the young guard from earlier came in.
"King MacTavish is waiting for you in the throne room, he said. King Riley's envoy just arrived and the meeting has already started."
Silence echoed in the room for a few seconds, probably because of the awkwardness of summoning Soap to the throne room without including him in the presentation to the envoy.
The guard opened the door and they joined the rest of the guards who were still waiting outside, they got into position, forming a human shield around the prince before heading towards the throne room.
They walked through the castle's corridors, constantly changing directions so that no one could guess where they were headed. It felt like the existence of a second prince had to stay a secret even to the people who had been taking care of his basic needs since he was a newborn.
Approaching the throne room, Soap could hear a voice he had never heard before, it did not sound like his father nor any of his advisors. It was a man talking, his voice was deep and sounded like music to the prince’s ears.
Did the envoy really arrive that fast? King Riley's camp must have been closer than he thought, or maybe it was smaller than they expected, making the journey faster than a bigger group would.
His guards had stopped walking, they were also listening to what the man from King Riley’s envoy had to say.
"… was heartbroken, this loss affected our whole kingdom. King Riley only demands an equal sacrifice from yours…"
Soap felt his body freeze at what the man was saying. King Riley’s envoy had just asked for a sacrifice, something that would probably hurt their whole kingdom for years to come. Soap would have to watch his father sacrifice something so important to him and his kingdom, and he felt giddy at the idea of witnessing his father begging his enemies for forgiveness.
The guard behind him pushed him forward, forcing Soap to march on towards the throne room where his father and the envoy were waiting for his arrival. As he got closer, the voices became more distinct.
"I understand," answered the king. "The loss your kingdom has suffered is impossible to imagine and I’m sorry that it happened that way, but it was a long time ago, and I believe King Riley will understand that it is impossible for me to give him back what he lost."
The conversation stopped when Soap entered the throne room, he had expected to see at least a dozen different people but facing his father was only one knight. Both the king and the knight looked at him, and Soap took advantage of those few seconds of awkward silence to steady his breathing. He barely remembered the last time he was allowed in the throne room, it felt smaller now that he was an adult, even with it being empty. He took a bow and went to sit where the crowd would usually be gathered, hoping his entrance would not disturb the meeting.
The knight was unfairly tall, taller than Soap, after getting closer to the strange duo, he could see he was wearing a dark armour and had not removed his helm, which resembled a human skull. John had heard some guards talking about this knight since he was a child, King Riley had sent the Ghost to negotiate with his enemies.
His eyes were his only visible feature, and the knight stared at him for a few seconds. The young prince could see he was surprised the king had allowed an audience. The Ghost had probably expected the crown prince to attend this meeting and didn’t even know another MacTavish heir was still listening to every word he would be exchanging with the king.
Soap did not remember meeting King Riley, he knew the two kingdoms used to be friendly with each other until the start of the war. His instructor had always avoided the subject, saying there was a deeply rooted hate between the two kingdoms and King Riley had only been looking for an excuse to start a war.
"As I was saying, it is not in my power to repay what was lost," said the king. "What your king mistook as treason was only a small incident."
The sharp smell of anger came all of a sudden, it did not bother the king though, since the Beta could not pick up scents as accurately. Soap took a closer look at the knight standing in front of him, he could not spot the knight's scent, but with his stature, he assumed Ghost was most likely another alpha. The knight took a deep breath before answering.
"My king asked for one thing only, I don’t think you’re in a position right now to refuse his demand."
John looked at his father for a second. If King Riley was asking for only one thing, it probably meant that it was something of very high importance to the kingdom. Something equal to what their enemy had lost all those years ago, according to the knight.
"Alright," his father finally agreed. "Let’s hear what your king demands."
Ghost gave another confused look towards John, he did not understand what the young man did here and why he was the only one allowed to witness such an important meeting. Was he still expecting his brother to show up? Or did he have suspicions about what the presence of a stranger really meant?
"King Riley said he wanted an equal sacrifice coming from your kingdom, that’s why his only condition for this peace treaty is that you surrender your heir to me before tomorrow."
John froze in place as every piece of the puzzle came together all at once. His father knew. He knew what King Riley was going to ask even before the envoy had arrived in their castle. The king had been planning this meeting as soon as he had understood there was no way of winning this never-ending war. He had sent his firstborn away as soon as he could, making sure his legacy was secured, and by hiding Soap’s true identity he had made sure to create the perfect loophole to get away with King Riley’s demand.
The king’s smile gave him all the answers he needed. Soap had not been brought to the throne room to serve as a witness, he had been a sacrifice all along, the ace his father had kept up his sleeve for twenty-six years.
The knight was just as surprised as John when the king started laughing. King Riley had obviously expected to harm his enemy by asking for his heir.
"Of course! I suspected your king would be asking me for my heir, unfortunately, the crown prince is nowhere to be found, we think he fled after he realised your troops were only getting closer to the castle… It saddens me to say it but I seem to have raised him to be a coward..."
The Ghost stayed silent, waiting for the king to offer a solution. It was obvious the crown prince did not flee by himself and received the help of his father, but without any proof the knight had no other option than listening to King MacTavish. Someone could have cut the tension with a knife.
"There is another solution, though. I cannot give you the crown prince as you requested, but maybe another prince could satisfy your king’s demand? A young Alpha prince from royal blood would be a perfect mate for King Riley, we both know he doesn’t have much time left…"
A loud gasp could be heard in the whole room and Ghost slowly turned towards Soap. It still took him a few seconds to understand exactly what King MacTavish was insinuating, but Soap could already see the understanding in the knight’s eyes.
"You have a second son," he simply said. "You are offering us your second born son, and expect our king to accept him as a mate?"
The anger in the knight’s voice made Soap flinch. He had not expected himself to be marketed as some breeding stock to be used by another kingdom, but here they were and his father had just made the offer without ever talking about it prior to this meeting.
"It would be in your best interest to accept this offer. Nobody knows where the crown prince is, and here stands another MacTavish heir. Your king never specified that he wanted me to surrender my firstborn, and I think John here could give your kingdom some blue eyed pups before King Riley becomes completely barren."
Soap could feel the knight watching him with more attention, he was truly considering the offer, even if the sour smell of anger was still floating in the air.
He knew very little about King Riley. He knew he was an Omega, which was actually impressive, as most countries preferred to have Alpha kings. He also knew the king used to be a pretty decent fighter at the beginning of the war. He now knew that King Riley never took a mate, and if his father was telling the truth, King Riley had no heir.
"What tells you my king is looking for a consort? You weren't much older when the crown prince was born."
"You are right, but I was fortunate enough to have a younger mate, who was the one carrying our pups, my age had nothing to do with it."
"And why do you think your own son is worthy of becoming King Riley's mate?"
"We both know that your king is only getting older, having a younger mate betters the chances of a pregnancy. John was raised to be the perfect mate, it saddens me that he grew up to be too dainty to be of use in his own kingdom… But to be frank, I think a smaller Alpha will be perfect for your king, as he won’t be a threat to his reign."
The knight stayed silent for a few seconds, long enough to make Soap hope he would refuse the proposal. The Ghost locked eyes with the young prince before giving an answer.
"I’ll let you get the contract ready," he growled. "I expect it to be finished by tomorrow. I'll be spending the night guarding the prince and we'll leave in the morning."
Soap looked at the knight who was approaching him, now that he was right in front of him, he could finally see the warm honey colour of his eyes. They stared at each other, both looking for answers neither of them had.
"You have until tomorrow to gather everything you own, princeling. You'll be leaving the castle with me," whispered the knight, making Soap shiver.
Soap then looked at Ghost’s retreating form as the knight exited the throne room. Without any hesitation, the prince followed him out, ignoring the guards running after him.
Ghost was fuming when he walked out of the throne room. He had not expected to fall into a trap. He had not expected for there to be a trap at all. King MacTavish's second son had been a well kept secret, it was even more impressive once his scent had hit Simon and he figured out the boy was an Alpha. He could not wrap his head around how the bastard hid his son for more than twenty-five years.
He wondered how exactly King MacTavish managed to hide John for so long. Had he been living outside the castle during all those years, only to be brought back at the beginning of the war? Or had he been raised inside the fortress and hidden away every time his father wasn't alone? Simon had so many questions, but they would have to wait until he figured out a way to be alone with the prince.
He had already stated he would be guarding John for the night and had made himself his chaperon. He could probably get away with guarding the prince in his room instead of outside his door. He already knew it was a bad idea, but waiting until their departure would be a waste of time, especially with how they both fell into King MacTavish's trap during the meeting. He knew he could not trust the old king, and this arranged marriage was most likely the first step of a more elaborated plan.
Simon remembered seeing the prince's face change the moment he understood what his father's plan had been. The poor boy had not seen the trap either. John had certainly not been expecting to be surrendered to Ghost to be married off and become King Riley's consort.
His consort.
John MacTavish had been surrendered instead of his brother and was now supposed to become Simon's consort because of a clever trap set by his own father.
And Simon had said yes. He had agreed to take John back with him and make the arrangements for his wedding to King Riley. He did not know what made him say yes to such an agreement and was now feeling the need to apologize for agreeing. The king had taken away his own son's choice, and was instead forcing him to marry their enemies' older, barren Omega King.
John MacTavish was a fine young man, and Simon suspected the absence of a mate at the prince's side was mostly due to the fact he had been hidden away for most of his life. Had he been married off to a powerful family, the secret would have been out in the open in less than a day, putting King MacTavish's plan of hiding a second heir in jeopardy.
Simon's future consort had been handed out to him like a prize, as if he had won the right to claim the young Alpha instead of taking the time to get to know him and court him properly, and for the first time in his life, the idea of courting an Alpha did not make Simon recoil in horror. The young prince was attractive and his scent alone had found cracks in Ghost's armour. As soon as he had gotten a whiff of John's woody scent Simon had felt his whole body relax, as if it had recognized the one being capable of caring for him. His only goal by the end of the meeting had been to get out of the throne room as soon as possible. For the first time in his life his body was reacting to an Alpha's scent and staying any longer in the same room as John MacTavish would have made him go crazy with want.
He had been so careful to drink his potion to hide his own scent. He had no idea King MacTavish's secret heir would be the one Alpha whose mere presence would render the foul tonic useless. Simon had felt something change the moment John MacTavish had stepped inside the throne room. The mere idea of staying in the same room as the prince to guard him tonight was sending shivers down Simon's spine.
If the king had been truthful, then John had been raised to be the perfect Alpha to be wed to a powerful and influential family. He most likely received a good education in order to be involved in his kingdom's politics. He was a young and healthy Alpha prince and his hopes of marrying into a noble family vanished the moment his father enacted his twisted plan.
And Simon was technically still nobility, royalty even, but he could not find any explanation as to why King MacTavish would give his second born to his enemy. He already knew there would be no alliance even if he really ended up marrying the MacTavish prince. Handing out John to be married off to King Riley was most likely the first step of a complex plan to destroy his own kingdom from the inside but he could not find the strength to say no.
He knew he should have refused the king's offer but something in him had already decided as soon as he saw John MacTavish. He would not leave the castle without bringing the prince with him.
He needed to send a letter to Price, to tell him the war was truly over and that he fell in King MacTavish's trap. He also needed to tell him the trap was a young blue eyed Alpha named John, whom Simon intended to marry.