CHAPTER 30: _WE’RE HERE TO EAT... AND DRINK

Elian’s POV

*****

"W–Where are we going?" Elian was flustered as Axel led him out of the royal palace.

The way the Beta held his hand was soft and sensual at the same time. And he was sure he didn’t mean for it to feel that way... Right?

[No, babes. You’re just one horny omega.]

Elian clicked his tongue at the same moment that Axel glanced over his shoulder with a smirk.

"There’s a new restaurant that opened just outside the palace. I think that should be a decent spot for a first date. The Alpha King visited there once during its opening." The Beta explained with a little excitement in his voice.

That excitement, that pure joy behind his golden eyes when he stared at him. Elian felt like he was on cloud nine, his chest surging warmly.

This was what it was all about.

This was how he was supposed to feel around his mate. Not the emotional maelstrom of agony and depression he always went through with a certain Douchebag Alpha Prince.

[Host appears to be catching feelings fast, owing mostly to the fact he had a crush on the Beta for the longest time.]

Elian pouted his lips but ignored the system, scanning his gaze around the vast palace grounds.

The walk from the palace to the main gates was a long one, taking about fifteen minutes even though Axel was picking up at a fast pace.

By the time they got to the huge golden gates and thick walls glowing with silver runes and crystals... Elian was already panting, his clothes soaked like he’d taken a dip into the ocean.

"W–Why didn’t we just use a portal gate or call a—"

"Or call an aether craft?" Axel supplied with a chuckle, reaching into his coat to pull out a sleek, silver remote. "Because I thought you’d want fresh air."

Before Elian could come up with a witty retort, the ground nearby pulsed softly with light. A stream of pale moonlight extended like a path across the air, and then with a smooth hum, a glistening vehicle emerged from thin air—hovering a few feet above the stone road.

Its body shimmered like tempered glass forged under starlight, curved and elegant like a beast born to sail the sky. Silver runes pulsed gently along its sides.

Elian blinked. "Wait, you did call one?"

Axel grinned. "I figured you’d beg for it halfway."

[Host is clearly in his ’spoiled royal treatment’ era.]

"Shut up," Elian hissed under his breath at the system, but a smile tugged at his lips as Axel guided him toward the open door of the Aether craft.

They hopped in and let the craft drive them out of the palace grounds and toward their destination.

.

.

Moonhaven, the Lunarian Empire capital, lived up to its name by being a haven to people from all over the Empire and even the continent.

The skies were lined with meticulously planned floating transportation hubs that led to different parts of the city, while the ground was lined with gold stone slabs.

People from all walks of life moved around and intermingled with smiles on their faces, going about their daily lives.

The sun shone brightly in the sky, prompting Elian to use his arm to shield his face when he and Axel finally got to their destination.

Elian swerved his head in the direction of the royal palace. It still stood tall like a grand mountain of golden spirals and pillars, watching over the rest of the city.

"Come on." Axel grabbed his hand, leading him to a breathtaking dome-shaped building made with crystalline glass at the exterior that glistened under the sunlight.

The people who trooped in and out of the place were elite wolves, wearing clothes of the highest grade.

Some took selfies with their holo tablets while others glanced at Elian with curious and judgmental looks. Many bowed to Axel or greeted him with warm smiles.

That caused Elian to lower his head as he whispered. "I guess everyone on the continent knows of the Alpha Prince’s Omega mate."

The mere idea that people knew him only as Lucian’s mate was aggravating.

Axel chuckled as he led him through the building’s entrance and into a highly furnished restaurant with polished marble floors.

Food trays floated to different tables where waiting customers sat.

Axel led them straight to a table close to the glass wall of the building, but there was a catch...

It had only one seat with enough space to contain two people.

Elian glanced at Axel who surprisingly had a mischievous smirk on his face as he scooted into the padded seat, making himself comfortable before patting the spot beside him.

"I’m guessing you haven’t been out of the palace grounds in a while." Axel blurted, raising an eyebrow.

Elian smiled wryly, sliding into the seat until his shoulder brushed against Axel’s. The two exchanged a glance, making eye contact.

[Seriously, what part of this is going to lead to you getting laid tonight?]

Elian blinked, his face heating up with a violent blush before he looked away from Axel and responded to his last question. "No, I haven’t... This is actually my first time stepping out since I got into the palace when I was five."

A numbing sadness surged through him when he thought about it. He could still remember flashes of that fateful night.

The night when he lost his parents and his freedom all at once.

"Hey..." Axel grabbed his leg underneath the serene white table just then, causing Elian’s heart to skip a beat.

He whipped his head to the Beta only to meet a warm smile. That same warm smile that always managed to instantly brighten his mood.

"Today, we aren’t here to dwell on past memories that’ll bring us down. On the contrary, we’re here to eat..." Axel paused, his grip on his leg tightening just a bit but enough to make Elian’s head spin.

The Beta leaned closer until his lips brushed against Elian’s ear lobe, causing the latter to hold his breath as he got a whiff of the Beta’s intoxicating scent.

"... And drink. I believe you haven’t had the pleasure of trying Moon dew."

Elian blinked, shaking his head and staring into the Beta’s golden eyes.

[Today’s going to be a long one...]