CHAPTER 29: _LET THE GAMES BEGIN

Elian’s POV

*****

[So you’re definitely going for Beta Axel for this mission, right?]

Elian made sure his face was expressionless as he walked down the hallway after stepping out of his room. He passed a few maids who either gave him awkward smiles or judgemental stares.

No greetings. No acknowledgement.

None of that.

"I heard he almost got killed this morning." A maid whispered behind him once he was nearing the metal door leading to one of the palace’s Ascension platforms.

He glanced over his shoulder, trying hard to listen to what they were saying. Because it was definitely about him.

"Wait, really? Who could’ve wanted to kill him?" Another maid added.

"Really? Pftt... Please, Doralia. He’s a servant, a weakling even among omegas who suddenly became the Alpha Prince’s mate." The first maid who spoke sniggered. "He’s bound to have enemies everywhere now. I’m sure of it."

A shiver ran down Elian’s spine when he finally got in front of the metal doors of the Ascension platform.

Ascension platforms were simple transportation means used within tall buildings, for people who didn’t want to use stairs anyway.

The metal doors opened and two guards stepped out, their expressions stoic. Their eyes scanned Elian briefly before they continued walking down the hallway.

[Hey, fruitcake... I asked you a question.]

Elian sighed as he stepped onto the hovering slab within the lift chamber which was big enough to fit ten people, barely registering the familiar hum as blue veins of light flared to life beneath his boots. A moment later, the platform descended, carrying him smoothly through the crystalline shaft.

’What does it look like?’ Elian responded to the system’s question with his arms folded in front of his chest. ’He’s an emotionally constipated Douchebag who doesn’t know what he wants. He stole my first kiss... But I won’t let him steal my first time too.’

A ding resounded in the descending shaft and the blue lights dimmed as the metal doors finally opened, revealing the large palace hallway downstairs.

Maids, elite nobles, guards and different kinds of people walked around, minding their respective businesses.

Elian drew in a deep breath but the moment he stepped out of the lift chamber, his leg bumped into something hard, causing him to stumble forward.

"Woah!"

He hit the gold and black marble floor but fortunately used his arms to break the brunt of the fall. He gritted his teeth, glancing back only to see Estella smirking slyly with her foot outstretched.

"Oops. Didn’t see you there." She muttered, the smirk on her face never disappearing as she turned around, her heels echoing with each click on the marble floor until she stepped into the lift chamber.

The metal doors closed smoothly, leaving Elian on the floor with an elbow that was probably sprained from the impact of the fall.

[Oh, relax, you big baby. You’re fine... Well, except for your already non-existent ego.]

Elian smiled sarcastically, looking around him and noticing the mocking glances he got from people walking by.

So much for "minding their business".

[Okay, usually I wouldn’t have told you unless you asked... But I could pick up a familiar scent on Estella’s body.]

Elian furrowed his eyebrows, sitting up properly and dusting the collar of the sleek, long-sleeved silver shirt he wore.

’What scent?’ Elian asked mentally but then a hand tapped him on his shoulder just when he was about to lift himself off the ground.

He glanced back and to his surprise... It was Beta Axel standing behind him with an apologetic expression. He gestured at him to take his hand, causing Elian’s heart to flutter.

[It’s not "what" scent... It’s whose.]

Elian blinked, a warm smile curling up his lips as he took Axel’s hand and let him help him up.

"Thanks." He muttered with a blush but Axel shook his head.

"No, I should be apologising for what my sister did." He blurted, brushing his free left hand through his brown curls. "I don’t know when she’ll learn to live with the fact that Lucian isn’t mated to her."

Elian’s smile faltered slightly when he remembered Estella.

That bitch was getting on his last nerves, that’s for sure.

[Lucian’s scent was on Estella.]

When the system dropped that bomb, Elian froze, momentarily forgetting about Axel’s warm hold on his hand.

He blinked, his lips parting and his gaze becoming unfocused even as Axel tried getting his attention back.

"Elian? Elian, are you okay?" Axel asked, withdrawing his right hand and then brushing it down his shoulder. "Please, don’t let her actions ruin your mood."

’Lucian’s scent... Was on that overgrown doll’s body, huh?’ Elian repeated mentally, a bitter smirk forming on his face.

Oh, so THAT’S the game they wanted to play, eh?

[Fruit cake, don’t do anything rash—]

"It’s fine, Axel," Elian said in a suggestively low voice, taking a step closer to the Beta. "I’m not thinking of Estella again. On the contrary, I was in search of you before I... Ran into her."

Axel’s eyes widened slightly, his gaze trailing from his lips to his eyes repeatedly.

Elian ignored the fact that people were watching in the large lobby and watched Axel with keen interest, speaking further.

"How did the meeting go? Hope it wasn’t anything troublesome?" He continued, tilting his head.

Axel let out a sigh, shaking his head with a wry smile. "Well, no. It wasn’t, don’t worry. On a side note, your... Heat seems to have subsided so that’s—"

Elian took just one more step forward. Just one.

But that single step placed him only a few inches away from the Beta’s face, allowing him to feel his warm breath and hear the way his heartbeat picked up.

And then...

"The heat may have subsided... But I’m still hot for you, Axel."

Axel blinked with surprise and seemed genuinely flustered.

Meanwhile, the system showed a little surprise as well.

[Well, damn. Who are you and what have you done with Elian?]

The latter only smirked further. ’Oh, he’s still here. Just that he’s done letting people play chess with his life. Lucian can eat Estella’s ass for all I care.’

Even though he said that, his mind reeled with anger and frustration at the thought that Lucian was potentially doing something with Estella upstairs.

But underneath that anger and frustration... was also a numbing and aggravating sadness that he tried masking through flirting with Axel.

He knew the bastard was a Douchebag... But this?

"Are you flirting with me, Elian? Are you sure this isn’t residual heat talking?" Axel suddenly asked with a low chuckle, taking Elian by surprise. "Because I won’t mind taking things up a notch."

The Beta’s grip on his shoulder tightened slightly, causing blood to rush through Elian’s crotch.

But he didn’t let the momentum die, even though his heartbeat quickened so much that he almost thought it would jump out of his chest.

"I know what I’m saying, trust me. But what about a date?" He asked, his voice a little shaky. "I... I mean it’s fine if you don’t want it or if you’re too busy right now to—"

"I would love that, mate." Axel grinned broadly.

Elian blinked, his shoulders relaxing as Axel held his hand without another word and led him through the lobby, navigating through the people.

Let the games begin...