Three Alpha Princes for an Unwanted Omega

”Fuck...fuck.”

Lucius paced the length of his room and back, the rage in his belly burning brighter with each passing second.

He had made a grievous mistake.

He had underestimated Kieran and his bastards. He had walked into their house with his chin high and his prize on his arm, so drunk on his own cleverness that he had not seen the trap until it had already closed around him and now he was stuck here, with Ayla a breath away from remembering everything.

Amara stood by the window, silent as a gravestone.

He felt her eyes on him and he knew exactly what she was thinking. She no doubt wanted to rub an ”I told you so” in his face this very moment.

He stopped and turned on her.

”Whatever it is you are dying to say, Amara, say it.”

”I have nothing to say, my lord.” Her voice was smooth. ”You already know my thoughts on the matter.”

”Then make yourself useful.” He crossed the room toward her. ”Do the spell again.”

”I cannot, Lord Lucius.” she said. ”I am weak. Ayla’s power even though defeated was considerable. It stripped me of more than I would admit.”

Lucius stared at her. ”What are you saying?”

”The spell cannot be repeated. I have to replenish myself and until I do, I cannot guarantee it would work again.”

”And whose fault is that?”

Lucius watched her jaw tighten, the first real reaction he had seen in this girl he had come to know as all powerful.

She knew she was old by centuries, witnessing the reign of the first Omega Dualis.

”I would be stronger if you had brought me what I asked for.” she said evenly. ”Do not lay the weight of your vanity at my feet, my lord.”

Lucius felt the anger rise in his throat. He wanted to lash out but instead, he turned away.

Lucius raked a hand through his hair and turned away.

”Fucking hell.”

He had pictured this differently. He had pictured walking into Kieran’s court and watching the old man’s face crumble when his own daughter looked through him like a stranger. His humiliation at his daughter choosing Lucius over him.He had imagined triumph, revenge and justice not this.

He had to do something.

Soren.

The thought came immediately.

Soren knew this pack. He had grown up inside its walls and he knew the nooks and the crannies. If anyone could get them out of here, it was Soren.

”I will have Soren take her out.”

Amara looked at him.

”Take who?”

”Ayla. She is all that matters and Soren knows these halls better than anyone. If there is another way out of this place, he will know it.”

”Find Soren and...”

Voices outside stopped him.

Lucius froze. He crossed to the door and wrenched it open.

There were guards gathered at the door of Ayla’s chamber as if they meant to storm in.

His eyes narrowed.

”What is going on here?”

The guard nearest him cleared his throat.

”Alpha Ares has ordered that the lady Ayla be moved from the guest quarters.”

”Moved?” Lucius echoed.

”Yes, my lord. To more comfortable chambers.”

More comfortable chambers.

Of course.

He could see the game immediately. Move Ayla, separate her from him and get the access he needs to her.

”Ayla is fine where she is. You can inform your Alpha of this.”

”The Alpha says that if you are skeptical of his good intentions, you are welcome to accompany her but moving her nearer the healing chambers, and to the healer is what is best for her. He was made to understand that she is unwell.”

Lucius opened his mouth to answer but was stopped when the door to Ayla’s chamber opened and she stepped out.

She looked around her, her face a mask of confusion.

”What is going on?”

Lucius was at her side before the question had finished leaving her mouth. His hand found the small of her back, drawing her close.

”Nothing to worry about, my love.” He kept his voice low. ”You are being moved.”

”Moved?” She looked up at him, ”To where?”

”To more comfortable chambers, my lady.” The guard bowed his head. ”Alpha Ares heard of your illness, and he has asked that the healer examine you. You will be moved nearer the healing chambers, for easier commute.”

”That is unnecessary.” Lucius cut in. ”If the healer wishes to examine her, he may come here and do so. She will not be moved.”

”It is fine,” Ayla said quietly.

He looked down at her. ”Ayla...”

”Truly, it is fine.” She lifted her chin. ”I am sure the lord is only being kind.”

Lucius held her gaze for a moment then he drew her back into the room and shut the door.

He turned to her.

”Do you not see what they are doing, Ayla? He is trying to get you back.”

”But he cannot get me back, Lucius.” Ayla stopped him. ”After everything you told me they did to me, I would have to be mad to let myself be swayed by any of it. None of this changes what they did to me” She stepped toward him, and her hand came up to rest against his chest, over his heart. ”Do you not trust me?”

He could not say no that he did not trust her.

The last thing he wanted to do was rouse her suspicions again or make it seem like he had something to hide so he had to play the good man against his better judgement and self. He needed her on his side or everything he had planned would go to shit. She was the Omega Dualis after all, the most powerful being that anyone has seen in centuries.

Lucius reached up and touched her face, and he smiled.

”Of course I trust you.” he said.

”Good.” She smiled back at him. ”Then let them move me and let them try their silly little games. It will change nothing.”

He kissed her forehead.

”Stay close to Amara,” he said. ”Whatever happens, do not let her leave your side.”

She nodded.

He took her hand, and together they opened the door.

”Forgive my hesitation,” Lucius said with a smile on his face. ”A man is protective of what is his. Convey my gratitude to Alpha Ares for his generosity. It is a kindness I will not soon forget.”