Scout
The breakfast table— if Scout could even call the vast work of beautiful engraved cherry wood before him atable— was entirely empty, save for the two of them.
“Where, um, is everybody?” Scout asked. His voice sounded both tiny and too loud in the grand hall. It felt like it should have been swallowed up by the amount of space, but instead it echoed slightly through the walls.
Killian shook his head as he took a slice of fresh bread from the basket. “The hired help usually doesn’t eat at the table. It’s mostly for big events that my father hosts.” He sighed. “It used to be used for inviting the other packs to fancy dinners, but… it’s been a long time since that’s happened.”
“Oh,” Scout said. Killian knew more about the warring with other packs than he did, but Scout had a feeling he didn’t want to talk about it over breakfast. “Where’s the king now? Doesn’t he eat here at all?”
Killian scoffed in anger. “Sometimes, but… I have a feeling he’s not here because he’s avoiding you.”
“Oh,” Scout said again. Of course he was, after yesterday’s debacle. He hung his head.
“Hey,” Killian said. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have put it so bluntly. But it’s not your fault, Scout — its my father’s. He’s so far up his own ass that he can’t see anything but his own bullshit.”
Scout smiled a little despite himself. “Thanks.”
Killian nodded and handed him a fresh peach from the orchard. It smelled better than any fruit Scout had ever handled in his years at the market. When he bit into it, the flesh was soft and juicy.
“Wow,” Scout said. “This is… really good.”
“I’ll take you back to the orchard sometime,” he said with a sparkle in his eye. “It’s one of my favorite places on the grounds.”
“I’d like that,” Scout said with a smile.
“Oh, before I forget,” Killian began. “I don’t know how much you know about royal protocol, but… after the prince chooses a mate, it’s customary for them to have a ‘honeymoon walk’ around the territory. It’s just a fancy way to rub it in everyone’s face that we’re mates now.”
The thought of it sounded terrifying to Scout. Being paraded around the city and shown off to everybody was the worst thing he could think of. But he couldn’t say no to Killian.
Or… could he? As a regular member of the pack, Scout couldn’t say no to the prince, but Killian was his mate. Killian didn’t seem to care about decorum much in the first place. If Scout said no, Killian might… he might actually listen.
Not justmight— Scout realized part of him already trusted Killian to respect him. Killianwouldlisten.
The thought was reassuring, and made it easier to stomach the idea of this “honeymoon walk,” but most of Scout was still panicking at the thought of being seen by so many curious, gossiping strangers.
As if he knew what he was thinking, Killian sighed and offered him a sympathetic glance. “I know it sucks, but my father will have a fit if we don’t do it. He’s all about hisroyal protocols,” he said, biting out the words.
“Okay,” Scout said. “Is there anything special I have to wear, or…?”
“Not really. Just a nice dress shirt.” He grinned. “You don’t have to worry about clothes, by the way. The prince’s omega gets his own personal closet.”
Scout’s eyes widened. “Really?”
“Of course. Come, I’ll show you,” Killian said. As they stood, he slung an arm around the shorter omega’s shoulder. “It’s just one of the perks of being my mate.”
* * *
Scout stoodbefore the full-length mirror in awe. His shirt was pure white cotton with buttons made of bone — customary for the royal family. His pants were a brand-new pair of black trousers, sleek and slim-fitting. In his old life, he usually he wore an old t-shirt and jeans since he couldn’t afford any new clothes with his meager pay check.
Now, standing in front of his reflection, he barely recognized himself. It was finally settling in that this was hisnewlife. No more scrounging for pennies in the couch, no more begging his boss for extra shifts at work — he was a new man.
A wolf whistle rang out behind him. Scout turned with a blush to see Killian striding confidently towards him.
“You look amazing,” Killian said with a grin.
Scout smiled shyly. Killian strode forward and grasped him by the hips, pulling him closer. The sudden contact made Scout gasp. His alpha’s body was unimaginably warm, and Scout swallowed at the bulge straining against Killian’s pants.
“Sorry,” Killian said with a sheepish grin. “I just can’t help myself around you.”
