fair, with only their clos

ers of the press tha

litical speeches than congra

fered dry congratulations and departed, too, after warning them that he would come back in a

trust them to maintain the peace. Either way, there wer

still couldn’t entirely believe it. He had a husband.

at the sound of h

n looked displeased, but t

ke our leave now that this farce is finally over. I have a

his mother. She was speak

er know and th

The familiar deep voi

. The beta was eyeing them with a frown, his da

ing, his father answered col

before saying mildly, “I wish you and your wife a safe flight, b

d out. “I and my family are l

horn laid a hand on

ated, his voice like steel. A hyster

couldn’t remember the last time someone dared to

gically difficult for betas to stand up to alphas: alpha

ll, but, to Haydn’s astonishment, Cleghorn didn’t seem affected at all, hi

eporters here anymore; there’s no need to keep up the act.

ked at the k

d to believe that we’re serious about the peace and about this union. Your son is married to me. He is my husband, and he can’t leave Kadar so soon. It certainly would

owed anyone’s opinion to change his own, and Haydn doubted he

ectful of the tone he’d perfected over the decades. He needed

in Kadar for a short while and then come home. You and Mother sh

ok a deep breath a

And grabbing his wife, he strode out of the roo

ved to be away from his father’s nagging, but he was also very conscious that he was no

they just stared at each other

supposed to be my husban

peaking for me without consulting me first, I admi

ut

crown prince,

t abandon. My father expects me to return to

d those du

f the Pelagian arm

you expect the peace to last?” Haydn

ends to double-cross Kadar?”

ness. I’m simply asking a questi

it only when it’s convenient for you?” Royce’s nostrils

taller; it was hard to be certain when they were so close

ething thicker, darker, something that m

” Royce

d publicity. You will stay here in Kadar until people buy our marriage.” Haydn wanted to tell him to fuck off. Not because

atural alpha reaction to being threa

zone and wet soil appearing in his scent again a

crackled like static electricity

s staring him down intently. Ha

is father were here, if he saw his alpha son submitti

ut it didn’t quite shift back to his neut

let out a breath he hadn’t realized he ha

eghorn with Royce’s

tting to know his husband’s relatives while said husband was lookin

atives seemed nice enough. Royce’s mo

ed lovely, her face barely lined. Belinda Cleghorn was exc

lack eyes her eldest brother had. She also had ano

me soon,” Belinda t

is deployment will end.” Her

shooting her eldest son a look Haydn couldn’t quite re

sion between the mother and the son, but he didn’t as

e mansion. It was smaller than his father’s palace, but n

ghorn, Haydn,”

e. He doubted he would stay here long enough

ing on the steps that led to the front door. As they appro

t he smelled unclaimed, which was unusual for an omeg

with delicate bone structure and perfect skin, and a petite, fit body cur

bing the omega’s hand and le

e you to” “Belinda,”

e himself.” Belinda flushed, looking apologetically at her b

chaefer,” he said, putting a

e. Haydn pursed his lips, annoyed. This is Lucien. Real

ein in his temper, not understandi

ke him more aware of Lucien’s sweet scent

recently; that was why his sc

s watching him carefully, h

have felt protective of that omega. It rubbed Haydn the w

control himself around an omega fresh out of the heat? He w

cest voice, stretching his hand out. After a moment

His voice was pleasant and me

erful. The bes

h a laugh, his eyes fond as he gazed

d yanked his hand out of Haydn’s grasp, hi

you?” Haydn said, shr

Royce laid a hand on Haydn’s shoulde

he touch seemed to be burning him ev

ce said, steering him

ng an attentive husband, but Haydn could feel the h

t. It made Haydn

e house, everything

staff and shown around by

-faced, watching Haydn with a sharp, strange look in his eyes. By t

subconsciously pumping out alpha pheromones for no damn

as if he were a real husband of thei

d the housekeeper and pushed Haydn inside it. The

said. Haydn crossed h

closer until they were toe to t

ed with Lucien. It

thing. I

n’t nice. Nor was your

ould cut that alpha bullshit out when you’r

into a thin line. Luc

snider than he’d intended. Royce’s eyes hardened. “