Like A Guiding Star

Chapter 5

"Rain, you haven't told Phayu who you are, have you?" Sky says. After breakfast P'Pai and P'Phayu had been called into a meeting with P'Pakin. Sky and Rain had been given permission to tour the grounds while they waited.

Rain looks at the blue flowers with red stems in front of him, refusing to meet Sky's eyes. "It didn't seem important," he says softly.

"Not important? You are a prince on a mission to secure troops to free your home planet." Sky says.

"I told him all that, except for the prince part. It's not like I am actually in line for the throne," Rain says. He is sixth in the line of succession so while it's not impossible it has never seemed particularly likely either. Rain is glad, he doesn't want it.

"Rain, we are in the middle of a war, who knows what will happen." Sky says. Rain looks miserable at this and Sky wants to take back his words. Of course Rain knows what can happen and it isn't just the rulers of Thurlian III they are talking about, it's Rain's family.

"Sky, have you ever considered living somewhere besides Niatis?" Rain asks.

Sky raises an eyebrow at this. "You like him, don't you? That alpha."

"I don't know," Rains says, "but it hurts to think about leaving here. I have lived in Niatis my entire life but after a few days this feels more like home."

"Rain, now isn't the time to make a personal decision. You have a duty to help free Thurlian III. However you need to tell him, he will find out sooner or later anyway." Sky reminds him.

"Yeah, I guess." Rain says, but Sky doesn't miss the way his face brightens when he sees P'Phayu and P'Pai heading their way.

"P'Phayu, I have a confession." Rain says. He can see Sky give him a brief side eye. Rain rushes on, "I, am, well sort of royalty."

P'Phayu gives him a steady look, "I know that, little omega."

"What? How?" Rain asks.

"Pai told us Sky was looking for you, the prince in the meeting we had earlier." P'Phayu says.

"Are you angry I didn't tell you?" Rain asks.

"Hmmmm," P'Phayu says leaning in to whisper, "I will just have to punish a naughty boy later." Rain doesn't miss the teasing look light in his eyes.

"P'Phayu!" Rain says, giving him a small smack on his shoulder.

Rain knows Sky is right. The timing is all wrong. His planet is in the middle of a war. He has a mission to fulfill. He is a member of the royal family and isn't free to start a relationship even during peaceful times. He knows all of this.

And yet none of that matters when he is around P'Phayu. Rain has never known anyone like the alpha. Sometimes strict and serious, sometimes teasing and cute. Sometimes so intense that he scares Rain. It's not that Rain thinks that P'Phayu will hurt him, what scares him is how much Rain wants to belong to the alpha and only him.

When Sky had asked if he liked P'Phayu he hadn't been honest when he said he didn't know. He does like the alpha, maybe more than like. He just doesn't know what to do about it.

"This sucks." Rain says to no one in particular. Beside him Sky raises his eyebrows but doesn't comment about it.

Rain tries to concentrate on his other issue. P'Phayu had asked him what they possibly could have to trade that would buy them this planet's warriors. There is one thing, Thurlian III's most precious resource coveted by planets throughout the galaxy. Betronoir. Of course.

"Sky, get a hold of the ship and ask Ple to bring down that sample Betronoir and some other treasures. It's time we start our negotiations for real." Rain says. In the back of his mind he hears P'Phayu ask "And you, little omega, what will you offer in return for my help?"