What the hell just happened?

No, really. What in the world was that?

Kieran placed Teru on the bed he had dragged from the guest room and plopped beside him, looking frazzled and shocked. He observed the various items surrounding them, organized in no specific order.

Where did I get this extra stuff?

The servants must have thought he went insane to make them fetch it. Most was useless, unneeded, and not his style. If anything, Kieran's nest was more intricate and feminine than the fort under the staircase. You'd think he'd go for a rugged or military flair, yet the dangling moon and star Swarovski crystals said otherwise.

An alpha who nests. How humiliating. He'd throw out the evidence tomorrow.

Did omegas feel that way every time? He recalled faint memories of his suicidal attempt to rip out his heart, thinking that was the only method to ease the aggressive anxiety gnawing on his cold skin. In all of Kieran's years of torture by the vampire hunters, not once had he ever tried to deliberately hurt himself. He hoped to never nest again. His respect for omegas increased tenfold because he now comprehended firsthand what they underwent multiple times a year.

Kieran's nose scrunched at the stench of his sweat and smut pheromones. A shower was in order. He touched his mate's sleeping face. His finger traced over Teru's delicate features, pausing next to the corner of his swollen mouth.

That blowjob...

The way Teru stared at him with those deviant eyes...

How he drank the seed from the alpha's cock with gratitude...

The little fox was not as innocent as he seemed. It was going to be the end of Kieran, it truly was. His inner gender buzzed with anticipation. To know that Teru was kinkier than previously believed was exciting, rousing, and unlimited. Though Kieran was mainly vanilla, you didn't need toys and perverted devices to enjoy borderline twisted things during sex. The blood play from the mark was a good example.

But, Teru's oral technique was suspicious. It took multiple tries and partners to become skilled like that. The image of the idiot alpha companion sprouted in his mind. Lucas. Was it possible they-?

No, Kieran rumbled, angry at his own thoughts. He said they were nothing more than pack mates.

Kieran tried to shake off the offensive presumption that they were intimate in the past. He needed to trust Teru. But, if he ever, ever lied about anything regarding Lucas, Pride would not accept the reason so easily.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Have fun," Teru said, sitting in front of the television. It was explaining the fauna and flora of a former country called Australia. His sight never glanced away from the kangaroos jumping across the red desert. A shiver trembled in his nape, feeling Kieran's gaze on his backside.

Kieran was skeptical. "What do you mean by that?"

"Just like I told you. Have fun."

He hoped his acting was working. Teru pretended to be nonchalant about Kieran not taking him to the early spring equinox event, but it secretly pissed him off. His mate could clearly sense the storm brewing inside him, unhappy after begging every day for the past week.

Kieran walked over and stood in front of the TV to cover the screen with his broad frame. He purred with frustration, Give me attention.

The view made Teru gulp. He was stupidly handsome, wearing a black suit that Teru saw often in movies. The actors wore it when attending a wedding, formal ball, or anything that required a man to dress as sharp as possible. His white shirt peeking out from underneath the blazer contrasted with the satin bow tie, along with his burgundy hair flawlessly styled. Kieran did not need cologne since his pheromones were enough to make everyone flock to him like mating females in heat.

Teru's teeth ached, wanting to flash them at anyone who dared to approach his alpha. It made him crazy knowing omega vampires would be present.

"Please, take me with you."

Kieran kneeled down, skimming his thumb across Teru's lips. "And you know my answer. Plus, you threw up an hour ago. You're not over this bug yet."

"It's getting better," he mumbled. His nausea had settled some, but not completely.

"And you stopped eating. Your raspberries went untouched for the past three days."

"They don't look good anymore. I'm fine!"

He kissed Teru's forehead. "I'll return in three hours at midnight. Do you remember how to tell time?"

They've been practicing how to read the clock, and the difference between the little and big hand. "Yeah," Teru whispered, bitter.

"Use this time to bathe and nap. It could be a while before a shower is available. Go through your belongings again in your backpack. Make sure you have everything you want. Today was your final day in this penthouse. Do you understand?"

"Mhm." He looked to the side to sheer away from Kieran's gentle touch, letting it be known he wasn't happy with the situation.

The dominant alpha watched him for another few seconds. He sighed and went to the entrance to put on his fancy leather shoes. Next to the door were two backpacks, one for each of them, and the Winchester rifle gun case. That was something Teru didn't want to leave behind. He had also chosen certain outfits, the wolf plush, Black Beauty book, diamond bobby pin, and Rolex while the ring was safe around his neck.

Before closing the door behind him, Kieran repeated, "We leave at midnight." It shut, bolting securely to protect the omega inside.

Finally. He's gone.

Teru scrambled up and ran over to his phone charging on the counter. When he realized Kieran was absolutely firm on his decision to prevent him from attending, he spent hours upon hours calculating his next move. Of course, Teru wanted to reveal his other reasoning, which was to meet Lucas. Knowing Kieran's jealousy of their friendship, he kept it to himself, not wanting to insight an alpha's fury.

That would be a foolish decision he would later regret.

Teru found the contact app and stared at the name of the person who could help him. His finger froze over the 'call' button. What if-? No, there was no backing out now. Lucas was waiting. He pressed it. On the third ring, they answered.

"And what do I owe the pleasure on this cursed night?"

"Blaise."

"Yep, that's me. The one and only."

"I need your help."

"Oh? Is there another pocket watch you want to buy for my dear brother?"

"Um, no. Listen, there's," Teru paused, nervous to admit this, "someone I have to meet at the party, but Kieran won't bring me. Can you do it instead? It won't be long, I promise, since I need to be back before twelve."

There was silence on the other side. His heart pounded. Was Blaise going to tell Kieran?

The youngest sibling was curious. "You want me to sneak you into Abaddon's yearly grand event to see a mysterious attendee? Is it that alpha friend you were sold with? Landon? Or maybe his name was Levi, Leonardo, Lasagna-"

"Lucas."

"Yes, Lucas. Does Kieran have the slightest clue of your motives?"

"...No. I don't want him to know."

"Ooo, the scandal!" Lust squealed.

Teru could see why Kieran got annoyed with this guy so much. The teenage, gossip-loving immaturity was unsightly. "Will you do it? You have no idea how important it is to me."

Blaise clicked his tongue as if disappointed. "You know nothing is for free, tiny omega."

"Then what do you want?"

"Nothing too difficult. Introduce me to him. Kieran made me find his whereabouts and now you're wanting to start a secret affair with the boy-"

The suggestion that Teru would cheat on his mate made him sick. "No! That's not-no, no, no. I just need to hear what he has to tell me and," he teared up at the next words, "maybe say goodbye. You can meet him, but Lucas despises vampires. Maybe he'll try to kill you."

He swore he could hear Blaise shrug, not giving a shit. "I like feisty humans. Doesn't matter. I want to see the hype behind the famous Lasagna. Expect me in fifteen minutes. You're like Cinderella meeting his forbidden prince before the clock strikes midnight!" Their conversation disconnected.

Who is Cinderella?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Are you sure I have to wear this?"

Teru waited on the other side of the bathroom door, where he had changed into the most ridiculous outfit in existence.

"It's the dress code for all omegas. You, being human, won't be an exception. Now, come on out so your fairy godmother can do your makeup."

Fairy godmother? "But I feel so exposed!"

"It was the least revealing one I could find. It's more modest than what you'll see later tonight."

Teru growled, finally unlocking the door to show Blaise the indecent clothes, if you can call them clothes. Thick, black straps intricately zigzagged across his body, thighs to hips, chest to biceps. The collar did little to conceal the marking, but his birthmark wasn't visible. It took forever to figure out himself. The only material to cover his lower half was a matching pair of extremely short shorts, outlining his member. If he tried to bend over, the bottom of his ass would peekaboo the poor souls behind him!

Blaise whistled. "You're hot."

Teru's arms crossed over his stomach. His confidence plummeted. "Do you have something for my belly?"

"I do. Omegas are sensitive about that spot. That's why I also brought this." The blonde vampire, dressed similarly like Kieran, pulled out a scrap of lace with ribbons from his purse. "Turn around so I can tie the corset."

Teru felt the tight garment cinch his waist with each pulling ribbon. It did not cover his bare chest. At least his stomach was hidden. Blaise ushered him to a dining table chair, where various makeup tubes and colors were laid out in a single row. "Sit."

He closed his eyes, feeling the tickling strokes of the soft brush over his face. Blaise asked, "Is there a reason why you're suppressing your scent?"

After their phone discussion, Teru shut off every sparkle of pheromones to prepare for later. "Kieran can't know I was there. My pheromones would give me away as soon as I step inside."

"Hmm, you're very determined to hide from your mate. You won't be able to hold it in the whole evening."

"And what about you? Aren't you worried about what he'll do to you if he finds out?"

"This," Lust hissed, "is all fun for me. You've been my source of entertainment for months. A thrashing by him would just be another day for me. Why stop now?"

They stopped talking until Blaise finished. He held up a mirror for him to see. "Voilà. You'll have all the alphas drooling for you."

Every crinkle and blemish on Teru's face was gone. His lips were cherry red with gold glitter highlighting his cheekbones. The skin around his eyes had a gradient smokey hue. It made his brown eyes glow with a mysterious innocence that only an omega possessed.

Blaise snapped a gold clip-on earring on Teru's right earlobe, followed by a small hoop to his bottom lip. A thin chain connected the fake piercings and dangled below his jaw.

"One last touch." The horny prince squeezed a glob of hair gel into his palm and rearranged Teru's black hair into a messy bedhead. "Done."

"This is too sexy," Teru groaned. Please, please, please, don't let Kieran discover me. He'd freak out!

"Not sexy enough‌ in my professional opinion. You're overdressed for a VIP omega."

Teru was scared to see what he meant by 'overdressed.' How much less could one wear without becoming stark naked? He eyed the leash Blaise held. Back to square one with that again. With him already marked, what was the point of it and the collar?

"Aesthetic," Blaise informed him, reading Teru's thoughts as if he had said them out loud. "The theme is always bondage-related. Don't stare too much, either. The subs don't like the attention unless they enjoy public humiliation. To the alphas and doms, you're merely a rare purebred dog, so avoid eye contact. Act like you're a hole ready to spread your legs for some gangbanging action. I'll try to be inconspicuous to avoid bringing attention to you. When I say wag your tail, wag your whore tail and pant for me. If anyone asks, I'm borrowing you for the evening to find a human sire to breed you. Lastly, put your phone and ring in the handbag I brought for you to carry. The others shouldn't see you with a pure silver accessory."

Subs? Doms? Was he referring to submissives and dominants? Wasn't that hardcore sex stuff?!

What am I getting myself into?