Alpha King and I

Chapter 18: Power & Wisdom

I had all these questions I wanted to ask Prince Tei. Questions I was too uncomfortable to ask Cadeth. After all, he was likely just to tell me to look into the library as he has done before. I'd glanced at the library, but its ginormous size and unfamiliar organization left me too intimidated for now.

Prince Tei would be better. After all, he's the only person so far who's been even slightly mentioned as sharing a commonality with me. We're both omegas. Which I have gathered is similar to wolves' omegas, in being weaker supposedly and not as intimidating, but unlike wolves there seems to be no teasing.

I wanted to learn more. What was an omega more in depth, what my mating to the King meant, what would be expected of me. Why was mating like this? How come he survived out of all his brothers? Could I learn from that? Yet as I pondered all these things I couldn't help but question whether I was even going about this right. What if this path of questions couldn't be answered by the prince or would end up leaving me no better here than before I knew their answers?

In this moment I realized there were only two questions I must ask, to truly gain some benefit.

"Prince Tei, if you may please tell me, what do you think I should know? If your intelligence is as you boast, what can you tell me then, to help?"

He properly stood up. Brushing off Rei. His previously aloof posture turned to a more serious gaze. He crossed his arms, while slightly bending his head to the side and down.

He questioned, "Devaleon or just you, Queen?" I could hear the undertones of possible anger in his deep voice. A flash of white dressed his aura for a moment. Such a bright flash even Rei backed up. I still had no idea what the color meant, but I knew his words hinted at a deeper problem. It was weird still to hear someone outright call me Queen, I wasn't fully comprehending that part. I didn't even know what it meant to be a Queen in Devaleon; regardless I wanted to fill the role I felt so unprepared for. If this is my destiny, so be it. I responded with the first thought that came to my mind. My words were shaky, but my pitch stayed even.

"Both."

Prince Tei instantly relaxed. His hands dropped to his side, while his head turned upward at the ceiling. He let out a deep breath.

"I see. Then I will tell you." As he said this, he lifted his hand up and aimed it toward another door, then he started walking toward that door. Rei and I followed.

Beyond the door was a room with various seating and what looked similar to a table, but not square or rectangular in design, or smooth on top. Near the larger softer looking seats there was a bowl filled with spongy looking cake slices. We sat down. Prince Tei was next to me, and Rei was across from us. Prince Tei motioned for me to take a cake slice and so I did. As soon as I bit into it, I realized this was not anything like cake. It had a sour taste to it and a more spongy texture which matched its look. The "cake" was almost too sour to eat alone. I enjoyed it though, refreshing to my tastes and cutting down on the nervousness that had filled my chest. Replaced with the sting of each bite of the spongy substance.

Prince Tei spoke, "This bread is from your home planet of Earth, the Terra Realm. Luckily for you, I've been there many a time...So I can answer with that in mind." I grabbed another piece. Chewing on it more slowly as I stared at his shirt, waiting for him to speak more.

"There are three things you should know. First, being an omega, I cannot tell if you're marked yet or not, but if Alpha Stone has not yet marked you, allow him to do so. It is just a bite nothing more, and it will not hurt. Being an omega, you can't feel the pull. Instead he bares it for both of you, like my husband did. Without the mark, the pull of the mating call will get worse and worse, eventually affecting his ability to rule. He will get more ruthless and may start killing people he normally would have showed more mercy toward. Especially if he's trying to avoid forcing or hurting you." Well, we're good here. Other than the whole, "it will not hurt" part. I guess the rumors Baba's is so fond of, didn't spread far enough.

Still I nodded in acknowledgement.

Prince Tei looked away, then continued his notes, "Second, being the Queen-- your words hold authority even if you as a person normally would not. More so, you will be expected to speak. Due to a legend long ago, Queens have built somewhat of a reputation in Devaleon. So speak with care when addressing anything to the King."

I nodded again. Less sure this time.

"Third, Devaleon is a much more violent and aggressive place than Terra. No one here is born with automatic rights guaranteed to them; they are earned through survival of this place. You are weak physically, but still must earn your place as well. So get strong in other areas, like your heart, and your mind. Do you understand?" I nodded for the third time, feeling the pit in my stomach harden and cool as I did so.

The prince nodded back, "That is all, my Queen." I was about to get up to bow out and leave, but the envelope crinkling against my clothes, reminded me that I had forgotten it.

I quickly spoke, "I see. Thank you Prince Tei. Also, Cadeth told me to give you this." Then I handed him the envelope.

As we all three stood up, Rei still silent, he peeked through an opening of the envelope. A chuckle emitted from his throat before he ran out the room. Before we had the chance to follow him, he came back with a box full of something. It smelled like cocoa and warm spice, such a delicious smell, but I could not see inside. Rei grabbed the large box, holding it against her shoulder and arm.

Prince Tei joked, "And my bakery goods taste like hard Rakari bark he said. HA!"

I ignored the comment. He waved at us, and we headed out.

His previous words, stayed heavy on my mind.

Author Note: Thank you for reading so far. ^^ I hope you all are enjoying reading this story as much as I am enjoying writing it. Please feel free to comment if you'd like. I can also do character interviews if you have any q's lol. :)