Chapter Text
“H-hayato, my dear child… you must be strong…” The weak, rough voice of a woman whispered through the young ears of the little child. She held those tiny, trembling hands against her pale ones and gave him a pained, apologetic smile.
“I am deeply sorry I cannot watch you grow…”
“Mother, O’ Mother!” wept the child, holding his mother’s thin wrists like a desperate prayer. His knees ached from prolonged kneeling on the floor beside his mother’s deathbed, but his little heart hurt far more, forced to witness her suffering like this.
The mother’s breathing slowed. She still had so much to say to her little sapling, but her time was running out.
"Hayato… do not make too many enemies…” She inhaled steadily. “You’re a very smart child. I could only hope you won’t end up in the same situation as me…”
“Mother…”
“Promise me… Hayato…”
The small child nodded, tears running down his swollen eyes. “I promise…”
“Hmm… that’s my good boy…”
The mother faced the dim ceiling with a relieved smile. She had already said what must be said. She had prayed sincerely enough to the heavens for her child’s safety. The only regret she left behind was— “I wish I had been anyone but your mother…”
“Please don’t say that, Mother! Mother? Mother, wake up… mother! Mother!!—”
“MOTHER!”
Hayato rose from his bed, chasing the afterimages of his dying mother from his dreams. His breathing was ragged, beads of sweat running down from his forehead to his neck. “That, again…” he muttered, massaging his temples before looking around. It was morning.
A knock on his chambers broke through the tranquility of the morning. He glared at the entering figure, but it was merely a maid, here to perform her loyal duties.
“Hayato-sama, I’ve prepared your warm bath. It’s time for you to get ready.” She folded her arms and bowed.
Hayato frowned, begrudgingly realizing what day today it was.
It's his 16th birthday, and also the first mark of his adolescence.
It was supposed to be a joyous occasion, at least for everyone—except Hayato. Because for him, there was nothing joyful to celebrate about. He had long resented his birthday, for it was the same date his beloved mother died.
With a simple hand gesture, he dismissed the maid. He doesn’t need helping with something as simple as bath. He wanted no hands on his body, no eyes on his skin. Besides, he wanted as much time as possible to be alone before mingling with various unpleasant people awaiting him later.
Born from the womb of the most beautiful commoner, Hayato Suo was the youngest son of the current Emperor. He had three older brothers, each born of different mothers, and all of them were proud Alphas—a trait that inherently made one a true royal.
In this age where status meant everything, an Alpha embodied power itself. In a more literal sense, they were natural predators standing at the top of the hierarchy, glaring down at anyone beneath them. It was widely believed their existence alone entitled them to everything. An Alpha could take whatever it desired with little to no effort—status, land, riches, women, omegas. Name it, and they shall have it by divine right, laid out like food on a marble plate meant only for them to consume.
It was also included in the rich history of the Danzhu Dynasty that the Empire was founded by five Alphas from great families. Amongst them, a leader was naturally picked to take charge of the throne,
And it was none other than a Dominant Alpha coming from the Suo family.
A second gender considered exceedingly rare, making up only 0.5% of the world’s population, a Dominant Alpha topples everything beneath their feet. They are a force of nature. The gods among wolves. They could make even the proudest Alpha tremble with their presence alone, make them small and fragile. They are a kind of existence people would kill each other to lick the ground they stepped on.
However, the current population of Dominant Alphas had dwindled to 0.3%, making them rarer than minerals. Unfortunately, the Suo family hasn’t had any after their great ancestor, and now the population of Alphas are starting to decline too, the royal family grew restless in finding a way to breed power back into the lineage.
The Emperor had taken in few concubines, and his first three attempts were successful. He gained himself three Alpha sons.
But when the fourth prince was born, the entire palace shook at the news that it was an Omega. A secondary trait placed at the very bottom. The lowest of the low. A gender regarded as nothing more than a slave to mighty Alphas.
Luckily for the prince, he took after his mother’s beauty, whom the Emperor loved greatly. He was spared being cast out, and by royal command, he was to be treated like a proper prince.
The unexpected favor from the Emperor sparked multiple jealousies within the palace walls. Thus, a grand scheme was orchestrated behind closed curtains, leading to the fourth prince’s mother’s death.
But alas! The reality was far different from what they believed, and Hayato owed all of this to his mother’s flawless plan. Soon, he would avenge her. Take the heads of those who had belittled them, and he will make it so the entire palace will be drenched in blood.
After the bath, Hayato was assisted by his two other chambermaids to get dressed. He wore a red Chaofu robe made from the finest silk. A jade-inlaid belt secured around his waist, and a black Hanfu to hold his hair in place. They even put light makeup on his face to make him look even more bright, appealing, alluring—as an omega supposed to be.
For the final touches, he wore a special eye patch with golden threads of dragon needlework. It was a gift from the Emperor, and Hayato only wore it during important occasions.
“The fourth prince, His Highness Hayato Suo, entering!”
As his name was announced, the tall gates slowly opened. Hayato stood dignified in front of the other royals and noble families, and they bowed to him in respect. Except, of course—the Emperor.
“Your Majesty,” Hayato lowered himself before the Emperor. “Thank you for gracing me today with your presence.”
The Emperor gave him a long look before nodding at him. “You know what must be done after this, Hayato.”
“…of course.”
Hayato also offered his respects before the Empress, but she only scowled at him as if he was nothing but filth in her eyes. Not even an ounce of pity for a fellow omega.
The banquet started with a hearty feast and courtesans dancing in the middle to entertain the nobles. While everyone enjoyed their food, Hayato couldn’t bring himself to take a bite for various reasons. He frowned at the plate, slid it aside from his table, and just took a big gulp of water to help his parched throat.
Getting poisoned was the least of his worries right now, because what actually destroyed his appetite was the thick cloud of pheromones in the air. The noble Alphas were aroused, boldly emitting their scents to seduce the courtesans. It reeked. It smelled slimy and filthy.
“Disgusting,” Hayato murmured, feeling his skin itch. He hated being in the same room as these wild dogs who would screw literally anything with a hole in it. In his humble opinion, they should be the lowest of the low.
After the feast, performances, and many other unnecessary formalities, it was finally time for each noble family to present their gifts to the fourth prince.
“A bracelet, Your Highness,” a family of four bowed before him. “This is a bracelet made from the finest quality jade from our territory. I hope you take it as a token of our appreciation and loyalty.”
Hayato studied the jade, lifting it up into the air toward the sunlight to see its legitimacy. And sure enough, it was a real stone.
More families lined up to offer their presents to the young lord. He was offered vases, paintings, jewelry, and spices. Just as he was about to receive the last gift and call it a day, the doors burst open and a tall, imposing figure trudged inside.
“Oh, am I late for the celebration?”
Hayato’s older brother smirked at him. He had just returned from a bloody conquest, making him look a little inappropriate for the formal event he had just barged into.
“I am so glad you returned safe and sound, my brother,” Hayato replied, standing up from his seat to receive the unexpected—uninvited guest. But the older man stopped him.
“Ah no, stay where you are, Hayato. I, too, have a gift to give to you.” His smirk widened, then he turned around. “Bring him in!”
Him? Hayato tilted his head, and just like the other guests, his eye was glued to the doors, waiting for any shadow to enter.
Then, three people stepped in. Two guards stood side by side, holding a single prisoner by his arms. His head was covered with a small sack, and his hands were tied behind his back. The nobles yelped and pinched their noses, refusing to inhale any more of the rotting smell coming from the man.
“And what is that?” Hayato asked, descending one step closer toward the prisoner.
“It’s a who, Hayato. A gift for your transition into manhood.” He chuckled. “Now go on, brother. See what I’ve caught for you.”
In the eyes of the law, this was beyond atrocious. This was an obvious act of slavery attempted by two royal princes of the Empire. But since the idea came from an Alpha, the balance shifted and the law turned a blind eye to it.
With a hesitant hand, Hayato slowly pulled the sack off the man’s head, and everyone audibly gasped.
“Well, how was it?” the older prince asked.
Murmurs started filling the air as they threw dirty glances at the prisoner. The only time they were silenced was when the Emperor cut through the noise.
“You spared a survivor in the Makochi Village?”
The prince bowed his head. “Yes, Father. I had intended to wipe them all out as per your orders, but…” He looked at the prisoner. “… as you can see, he’s interesting. Then I remembered my dear brother Hayato’s coming-of-age celebration was today, so I figured I’d present him to be his little plaything.”
The Emperor acknowledged the thoughtfulness of the older prince. However, Hayato’s attention was nowhere near them. He stared at the rare gem in front of him. He looked… rough. A literal diamond in the rough.
“Your name?” Hayato asked, but the man only glared at him. His fascinating bi-colored eyes were filled with inexplicable heights of anger, hatred, and murderous intent to kill.
He stepped even closer, and for some unknown reason, he didn’t find his rotting smell to be completely revolting at all. On the contrary, he preferred this earthy smell over the disgusting pheromones from earlier.
“Do you have a name, or shall I give you one?” Hayato asked again, about to reach a hand out to touch the two-colored hair, but he was halted when the prisoner spat on him.
“How atrocious! You dare a lowly being like you spit on royalty?!”
The nobles reacted violently, and the guards unsheathed their swords from their hips, ready to take his head. However, Hayato raised his hand to stop the commotion, and he stared amusingly at the man in front of him.
“Quite bold, aren’t you?” he said, wiping the spit off his cheek with the back of his hand, then licking it clean. “Hmm, not a bad taste for a Beta.”
The prisoner’s eyes widened. “H-how did you—”
“Ah, you finally said something. How delightful.” Hayato flashed a charming smile. Then, he looked at the pile of gifts he had just received earlier and saw a leash meant for horseback riding. But eh… he had found a new use for it now. A better use.
“I really liked this gift, older brother. I shall treasure him forever.” Hayato put on a genuine smile before his brother—who didn’t expect that he was even capable of smiling so sincerely like that. Especially, the gift was originally meant to mock him, to show him that an Omega like him was only deserving of a poor, broken Beta.
“Tch.” The older prince clicked his tongue out of pure irritation, then strode his way out, bumping a few nobles eager to suck up to him.
Later that day, Hayato endured a pressing conversation with the Emperor before he returned to his quarters. The sun was slowly starting to set. It had been a rough day but—quite eventful.
With a smile on his lips, Hayato entered his chambers to see the prisoner sitting on the floor, one foot in a metal leash tied to the unmoving bedpost. He looked up and bared his teeth at him—no fangs. Well, as expected for an ordinary Beta.
“My apologies for coming so late. I was having an audience with my Father.”
Hayato shut the door behind him, then walked closer to him again. “Feel like telling me your name yet?” he asked.
“Damn you! Just what more do you want from me?! I’ve got nothing now! You all killed my friends, my family, and my home!!” The man tried to grab Hayato. However, since he was being held down by the metal leash on his right foot, he failed miserably.
The prince sighed. “Correction. It was my brother who did all that to you. Not me.”
“Same damned thing! You royal shits are rotten to the core!”
Hayato smiled at him, but he couldn’t deny his temples were beginning to tick now. The last thing he wanted to do today was violence—and prove to this man that he was indeed rotten as shit too.
“I’ll ask my chambermaids to prepare your bath. What do you want to eat? Is there a particular food you—”
Hayato had to stop himself when suddenly, the man hurled a glass straight at his face, which, luckily, he dodged in time. The glass broke behind him, and it was about the same time something inside him snapped too.
“I don’t fucking want that! I want you to let—urgh… cough! W-what…”
All of a sudden, something invaded the man’s nostrils, and it immediately spread through his body like a virus. His lungs tightened, his eyes bulging, and his heart pulsated at an alarming rate like it was going to burst at any moment.
“A-ahh… cough! cough! can’t… breathe…” the man clawed at his throat, desperately trying to do something just to get air through his windpipe again.
“A word of advice: Do not make yourself into a war, because I will conquer you.” Hayato crouched down, leveling himself with him. “And I will always make sure you kneel for me like this.”
The man was tearing up from the lack of air in his lungs, and he was getting paler and paler by the second. However, he still somehow managed to draw some words out of his throat.
“B-bastard… y-your brother said… you’re an omega…”
Hayato’s smile widened.
“Were you disappointed?” He tilted his head. “No?”
The thick, heavy pheromones filled the bedchambers almost entirely. The poor prisoner did not answer him. He was gasping and writhing on the floor, turning purple. His teary eyes bore into him, pleading to spare his life.
Hayato went to his feet and opened the windows, letting in the fresh air. Releasing his pheromones had calmed him down a bit. But it wasn’t enough.
He needed release, and he needed it badly. Or else he’d go mad.
Once the man had gained a little bit of his color, Hayato gave him a pointed look.
“From this moment forth, you are to be my companion,” he declared.
“You will stay by my side until I decide to kill you. You will do as I say; if I ask you to swallow poison for me, you’ll swallow. If I ask you to die, you die. Questioning my choices wouldn’t be smart. All I need from you is to be pretty and ready at the beck of my call.”
Hayato sat on the edge of his bed and crossed his legs. He used his right foot to lift the man’s chin and make him look at him. “…and if you so dare to betray me, I will rip you apart and leave no crumbs. Am I perfectly understood?”
The man clenched his jaw tight and lowered his head. He was faced with the harsh reality of truth. He held no power here. A mere Beta like him can be easily discarded. In the cold eyes of the royals, he was nothing more than a speck of dust that could fade away in a blink. And no one would bat an eye at it.
He had already lost everything by the cruel hands of an Alpha, and he was slapped with the fact that he could do nothing against them. The power difference was too high. He had no place in their perfect world. So if he couldn’t even face an Alpha…
What more could he do against a Dominant one in front of him?
“Yes, y-your Highness…”
Hayato curled his lips and patted the man’s head. “Now, shall I give you a bath?”