CHAPTER 207: _MORE THAN AN OMEGA

Elian’s POV

*****

By hour 22 when the sun had set and the full glow of the new moon shone above Lunaria, the palace was already alive with activities.

Dignitaries and high-ranking citizens from all over Lunaria trooped into the palace grounds in their high-tech aether crafts and air crafts of various designs.

The city of Moon Haven was buzzing with life as well, bright silver and gold lights strung across rooftops and between pillars while the laughter of common folk filled the air.

Within the palace walls, servants scurried hastily, either placing finishing touches to decorations or trying to hide while they gossiped about a certain couple’s outfit.

And as for Elian?

He was seeing this all through a spell that he recently perfected.

[Ah... Remote viewing. A spy’s wet dream when it comes to abilities.]

Elian leaned on a pillar in the event hall where the ball was being held, scanning his eyes through the place from underneath the black mask he wore.

He also wore the outfit Kyren got him and had his arms folded in front of his chest as he watched the guests walking into the hall from the other end of it.

Every mask. Every sharp blazer and elegant gown. They all had secrets and skeletons in their cupboards.

But this time, Elian—

’Utilising my magic for what this time?’ Kyren’s voice slithered into his mind just then, giving him a mini heart attack.

Elian swerved his head to his right just in time to see the Rogue king walking toward him with a glass of sparkling red wine in his right hand and a smirk curled on his lips.

Kyren wore a dashing black form-fitting outfit with a cloak that clung to it and trailed on the ground behind him. The cloak’s inner fabric was blood red while the outer part seemed even darker than the rest of the outfit.

As for his long white hair, he surprisingly had it tied into a ponytail that flowed down his right chest.

A black mask shaped like dragon wings was etched to his face.

’Uh... Research?’ Elian responded to Kyren’s last question, turning off the remote viewing spell when he got in front of him. ’Just checking people out.’

Kyren arched his brow. ’Right. Well, be careful, little flame. Remember, no one knows about your special skills. Talk more about your system.’

[At least someone has some common sense.]

Kyren didn’t say anything mentally anymore, instead moving to Elian’s side and stretching out his right arm. He gestured for him to wrap his arm around his.

Elian’s face flushed as he glanced around, catching a few people throwing glances at Kyren.

"Don’t tell me you’re nervous," Kyren chuckled, placing his other hand on Elian’s jaw. "Come on, you have to learn to ignore what people think about you."

Easy for him to say...

Elian was so used to living under scrutiny everywhere he went.

Mostly because wolves were assholes toward Omegas, which, come to think of it, was weird as fuck.

Why victimise wolves simply because they were weaker and the males were capable of giving birth?

"You won’t get it." Elian sighed before his mind could stray further than it already had. "Being an Omega makes me vulnerable. And more likely to—"

"But you’re not just an omega now, are you?" Kyren was not giving in, placing just a little pressure on his jaw.

Pressure enough to make Elian look into his crimson eyes.

"You’re the mate of the Rogue king." Kyren continued, smirking slyly. "That and the Alpha Prince and Beta of Lunaria, of course. And—"

"That’s the thing, Kyren," Elian whispered, gathering enough courage. "I’m only known for being ’lucky’ enough to be the mate of three powerful men. But outside of that, what am I? A wolfless omega? Another nameless nobody?"

[Sigh... I guess we’re cuing emotional spiraling.]

"You’re more than an omega and you know it." Kyren placed both hands on his shoulders this time, jolting him. "You’re gifted. You’re a gift on your own. But you don’t need to show that gift to everyone else... At least not yet."

Elian’s eyelashes fluttered, his stomach spinning. This was one of those moments where he didn’t know what to say.

[Well, you could just enjoy the moment while Daddy Death sings you a lullaby.]

"This place is getting crowded," Kyren remarked just then, withdrawing his left hand but keeping his right on Elian’s shoulder. "Let’s go find our seats. Come on."

As they walked away from the pillar, Elian couldn’t help feeling self-conscious. But he also couldn’t help feeling an odd sense of pride when he walked beside Kyren.

Pride and protection.

.

.

"Oh, it’s almost time to start." Aurora clapped a few times with excitement several minutes later after Kyren and Elian had found seats on the stage.

Behind a high table sat Elian to Kyren’s right. Lucian, meanwhile, sat to Elian’s right while Axel sat at the Rogue king’s left.

For once, Lucian wore a pure white blazer with open buttons that left his chest exposed slightly.

As for Axel, he wore a golden and blue outfit that reflected under the light of the event hall.

"And the Luna Queen and Alpha king?" Kyren muttered, glancing at Aurora while the noise in the hall persisted.

Shifting of chairs on the ground. Murmurs about topics they probably barely knew shit about.

Hundreds and possibly thousands of people were gathered under this roof, seeming like a whole sea of aloofness.

"My parents should be here any moment," Lucian responded before Aurora could, drumming his fingers on the armrests. "It’ll make for the perfect dramatic entrance."

[That or the two of them jumping down the roof.]

Elian ignored the system’s words, instead giving Lucian a side glance.

The clock was still ticking on the system’s mission to help him get back his memories of Elian.

[MATE #1 MEMORY RESTORATION: 15%... IN PROGRESS. He’s apparently getting flashes of his past with you but that’s all they are right now. Flashes.]

Wait... Fifteen per cent actually sounded really good compared to the seven per cent last time!

[It’s the twenty-second hour, fruitcake. Which means you have approximately thirteen hours to complete this mission.]

[Sorry to burst your bubble...]

’Kill joy...’

A grand holographic projection suddenly lit up the centre of the hall, a cascade of silver and gold swirls forming into an emblem of the Lunarian Empire.

Gasps and applause rippled through the crowd as a single golden beam shot upward, signalling the arrival of the Luna Queen and Alpha King.

Elowen glided in first, her gown shimmering like starlight over a midnight lake.

A few heads turned, some women murmuring, while men gaped silently.

Alpha King Arian followed, tall and impossibly regal, his cape trailing behind him like liquid shadow. Elian’s stomach fluttered as he felt the energy in the room shift—tensions so thick he could almost taste them.

The high table creaked under their combined authority as they took the central seats, their faces locked in a practised smile.

Every noble within a ten-meter radius seemed to hold their breath, acutely aware that this masquerade ball was meant to symbolise peace—but peace was clearly the least likely outcome tonight.

Elian adjusted his mask nervously, feeling every whisper, every sidelong glance aimed in his direction.

Just then, Kyren leaned in, whispering, "Relax. They’ll all try to pretend, but we know the truth behind their eyes."

Elian blinked, trying to swallow the lump in his throat, when the projection suddenly shifted to focus on the Alpha King. Arian rose, the golden light glinting off his ceremonial uniform, and the crowd erupted into applause again.

"My esteemed guests, citizens of Lunaria, and honoured leaders," Arian’s voice boomed through the hall, calm but authoritative. "Tonight, we celebrate unity. Tonight, we welcome allies and friends—even those whose lands have been... complicated in their dealings with ours."

All eyes flicked to Kyren who still radiated with that impossible Rogue king aura.

Arian’s silver eyes swept over him with caution before settling back on the crowd. "I extend a particular welcome to Lord Kyren of the Dark Lands. May this night remind us all that the strength of the Empire lies not in isolation, but in the careful weaving of trust... and power."

Kyren inclined his head just slightly, a smirk tugging at one corner of his lips. Elian noticed how the room’s temperature seemed to shift.

He barely had time to breathe before warmth crept up his body, starting at the tips of his ears and racing down to his chest.

His hands clutched at the fabric of his blazer while the system chimed loudly in alarm:

[Heat symptoms detected. Early onset. Probable bond resonance spike—proceed with caution, fruitcake.]

"What... what is this?" Elian whispered to himself, panic rising in his chest.

His vision blurred slightly, cheeks flushing as the sudden heat coursed through him, making the world shimmer.

Kyren’s hand brushed his lower back instinctively.

"Little flame?" he murmured, eyes narrowing as he followed the subtle tremor in Elian’s stance. "What’s..."

Kyren froze, his nostrils moving just then. It didn’t take him long to sniff out Elian’s pheromones.

[Welp... This is definitely a recipe for disaster.]