The project had taken a few months to plan and solidify, thanks to what Rourke lovingly referred to as ‘administrative bullshit’, but it was finally slated to be unveiled today. I was so anxious that my stomach felt unwell, but that might have also been morning sickness. Who knew anymore?
Though I obviously didn’t let it show, I was nervous for a few reasons. One was that I didn’t know if citizens across all of Lacehaven would think it was a waste of funds, even though I meant for it to symbolize a step forward in all of our society. I wondered if Father ever had doubts like these. It wasn’t like I could speak to him about it since he refused to talk to me. He’d taken to his new residence at the guest house under permanent house arrest as well as one could for someone going from a respected king to a widely hated criminal who had tried to murder his son and unborn grandchild.
It always brought a sense of melancholy over me to think about him. The power drove him mad. I knew that now, and with that came the knowledge that I, too, had to be careful. But unlike Father, I wasn’t alone. I had Rourke by my side, as both a fated mate and a confidant. He was an alpha, the other side of the coin I would never fully understand. I trusted his input on all-things alpha, which was why I hoped he liked this surprise.
The other reason for my anxiety was that I was finally going to meet Rourke’s brother Amos today. He was the last remnant of Rourke’s family the same way Elian and Cecil were mine.
Never in my life had I been concerned that someone wouldn’t like me, but I was now. Thank you very much, Rourke.
Before leaving the palace, I’d placed the traditional fertility circlet upon my head, which was as important as a crown. With my swelling belly came the final confirmation of my pregnancy and marked the coming of the next heir.Mychild. I swear I’d never received so much overbearing attention from servants, knights, and butlers in my life. All of them tripped over themselves trying to be of assistance.
I waited by the courtyard, fiddling with the strained buttons of my blazer. I had hoped to avoid pregnancy clothes for as long as possible, but apparently no stubborn child of mine and Rourke’s was going to wait. At four months, it was stretching my fine fabrics without any sign of remorse. Perhaps a trip to the tailor was needed sooner rather than later.
It was a strange feeling, being pregnant—not quite uncomfortable yet, aside from the bouts of illness, but strange in that it felt utterly natural. Even though my body’s shape was changing, it never bothered me. It helped that Rourke was as bad as a dog sniffing a bitch in heat. He was always salivating over my pregnant form, and in private he couldn’t keep his hands off me. As a prince-turned-king, I was used to attention, but the attention Rourke gave me was never forced. It was primal, honest, and raw. No doubt he wished I weren’t so busy so he could plow me into the mattress fifty times a day. Not that I would mind.
I turned to where the fountain stood, though it was covered up now with tarps and scaffolding. My excuse was that the statue had been damaged during the altercation, which was now colloquially known as either the King’s awakening, or alpha’s awakening, depending on who you asked. Personally, I hoped the phrase ‘fated mates’ awakening’ would catch on. Maybe I’d put that on my to-do list.
The fact that Rourke and I both transformed into wolves in front of a huge crowd was not forgotten, but not loudly discussed, either. It had sort of melted into a public acknowledgment that fated mateswerereal, and that they alone were blessed with Therianthropy. I had the intact version of the mythological book carefully taken to be copied and distributed properly. No more ripped-out endings. The Kingdom of Lacehaven deserved to know the truth.
I still didn’t know why Father went to such lengths to hide it. Perhaps he was so wrapped up in his twisted opinions and his hatred of alphas that he couldn’t see beyond it. Rourke had never been more than a beast to him the same way our own alpha father had been nothing more than a sperm donor.
But that wasn’t all. Learning the truth about fated mates, the true relationship between alpha and omega, and the fact that Rourke’s status was elevated beyond that of a mere donor meant that things were changing in Lacehaven.
A pair of footsteps sounded in the courtyard behind me. An apparent boon of Therianthropy was that I sensed Rourke’s presence innately, like a fated mate radar that pinged in my soul. I knew even before turning around that one of the people was Rourke.
He approached me with a smile. Beside him was an omega a bit taller than me. Amos had the same warm brown hair and dark eyes as his brother. He resembled Rourke greatly, but instead of an alpha’s rugged handsomeness, he had the soft beauty of a young omega.
When I smiled at Amos, he quickly bowed at the waist and said, “Hello, Your Royal Highness.”
“There’s no need for that,” I told him.
Amos blushed as he stood up straight. “Sorry. Rourke said you wouldn’t like that, but I wasn’t sure, and I didn’t want to offend you…”
Rourke chuckled. “See? I tried.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Amos,” I said with a smile.
“Yes, of course, you too, highness.”
I offered a hand, which Amos shakily accepted while ducking his head. I reminded myself that both brothers were born in the outskirts. Amos had probably never imagined seeing the King of Lacehaven in person, nevermind shaking his hand.
“I hope I didn’t interrupt your studies,” I said afterwards.
“N-not at all,” Amos said. “I didn’t have class today, but even if I did, youarethe king, so I don’t think my professors could refuse anyway.”
Rourke was frowning up at the construction zone surrounding the fountain. “Weird place to meet, Sebastian. Couldn’t you have invited my little brother into the palace?”
Amos looked mortified. “You can’t just say that to him! He’s the king!” he hissed, jabbing his brother in the side.
“Ouch. He’s also my fated mate, remember?” Rourke replied with a smug grin. To me, he added, “Hey, if I piss you off enough, will we become un-fated?”
I smirked. “I don’t know. Keep trying.”
Amos looked appalled at our conversation, so I decided to ease his nerves by changing the topic.
“There’s a reason I brought you here,” I said. “Wait just a moment.”
I summoned a few knights on duty around the courtyard and had them retrieve the construction workers to remove the tarps and scaffolding. When they were in place, I instructed both Rourke and Amos to close their eyes.
