Lucian wanted to speak, to counter the provocative look in Seraphina's eyes, to reclaim control of the moment. But no words came. They caught in his throat, choked by something he himself couldn't understand.
His mark… hadn't worked.
"If you're finished, then please allow me to take my leave."
Seraphina seemed unbothered by Lucian's tightly furrowed brows. She elegantly curtseyed, preparing to turn her back and step beyond his sight.
But the mere thought of his mate walking away tugged something dark from within him. A beast unshackled.
Lucian lunged forward, seizing her wrist and pulling her back to face him.
The ever-serene obsidian of his eyes now blazed with an unholy fire, ready to burn down anything that dared to defy him.
"You're not going anywhere. I'm not done with you yet."
Seraphina frowned, a flash of irritation briefly crossing her otherwise indifferent exterior.
"Your Highness, you're making a spectacle of yourself in front of the entire hall." She said coldly.
Lucian laughed arrogantly, pulling her hard enough to make her fall into his arms. With a satisfied sigh, he whispered near the rim of her ear.
"Let them watch," he whispered against the curve of her ear. "Let them see who you belong to."
Seraphina took a deep breath, whether to suppress her anger or rein in the unruly pheromones threatening to spill from within, even she wasn't sure. She struggled to break free from Lucian's grasp, but his muscular arm tightened around her waist like a giant python.
"You've marked me and nothing happened." She hissed, "What more do you want?"
The firm chest pressed against Seraphina vibrated with Lucian's deep, husky laugh. One hand gripped her wrist tightly, while the other pressed firmly against her slender waist. Not too rough but not gentle either, just enough to imprison her in his embrace.
"Perhaps I bit the wrong spot," he murmured darkly. "But I'll find the right one when I devour your entire body, Seraphina."
A chill ran down Seraphina's spine. That wasn't a threat, but a statement. She knew he would definitely do it, and she wouldn't allow that to happen.
She shoved at his chest with all her strength, calling upon her instincts to repel him.
"Have you lost your mind, Your Highness? I'm an Alpha. I'm not your mate."
The more she fought, the more he hungered. His instincts howled in his veins, demanding he bury himself in her, wrap her completely in his pheromones, until she was his, and his alone.
"So what? Even if you're not my mate, I want you now, and that's enough." Lucian growled, sounding like a beast that had just broken free from its chains.
His arms tightened around Seraphina's waist, making her wince slightly but not letting out any sound of pain. Her emerald eyes remained defiant, glaring back at him.
The once lively atmosphere of the party was now dead silent. No one dared to speak or even breathe heavily. The scene before them was perhaps something they would only witness once in their lifetime.
Their Alpha prince, with the purest and strongest bloodline, always cold and uncaring, now losing control because of another Alpha.
The hall might have remained tense like that forever if a deep, authoritative voice hadn't broken the silence.
"That's enough, Lucian."
All heads turned toward the source.
It was King Felix, Lucian's father—the only man whose presence could suppress his son's pheromones.
Though past fifty, the king's frame remained imposing beneath the royal regalia. His seasoned gaze passed over Seraphina, still locked in struggle, before landing coldly on his son.
"Release Lady Ashbourne." It was a command.
Standing just behind him was Duke Richard Ashbourne, Seraphina's father, his stern expression betraying the worry beneath.
Lucian knew he had pushed too far. But his body wouldn't obey. She was within reach. So close to being his.
He hesitantly loosened his grip. Seizing the opportunity, Seraphina pushed hard against his chest and stepped back several paces, maintaining a safe distance.
She adjusted her gown, quickly regaining her composure and dignity. She bowed to King Felix, then spoke to ease the tense atmosphere.
"This was a misunderstanding, Your Majesty. His Highness is in rut, and so am I. I was under the effects of pheromone suppressants. Perhaps that's why he mistook me for an Omega."
She deliberately avoided the term "mate." It would be foolish to utter such a thing before the king. No father wished for his heir to be paired with another Alpha—it was tantamount to declaring the royal bloodline barren.
King Felix's deep gaze observed Seraphina for a moment, as if trying to read her. Then he frowned when he realized he couldn't detect her pheromone information. Was it due to the suppressants?
Lucian clenched his fists, pulling clarity back to his foggy mind. Only now did he realize that his recent actions had shattered the image he had built for so long. But he wasn't willing to give up.
His mate was right before his eyes. Yet he couldn't reach her, couldn't claim her.
Lucian breathed deeply, regulating the pheromones he had inadvertently released.
"Yes, Father," he said at last.
But his gaze did not leave Seraphina. It bored into her, past the polished mask she wore, desperate to see the truth she was hiding beneath it.
"Perhaps… I was mistaken."
The King nodded, pleased to have a reason to dismiss the chaos without further scandal.
"There's too much pheromone in the air. A little confusion is understandable."
His eyes swept the crowd, shifting scrutiny from Lucian to the rest of the guests.
"I trust no one else will allow such confusion to disrupt this sacred ceremony."
Guilty looks flickered among the nobles. A few stepped back instinctively. The king's warning had struck a nerve.
With a wave of his hand, he signaled the musicians.
"Play. The night is still young."
The crowd slowly dispersed, curiosity giving way to decorum.
Duke Ashbourne now approached Seraphina, his cold, emotionless eyes looking down at his only daughter. When he saw the bite mark still silently bleeding on her neck, his eyes darkened.
"I expect a full explanation regarding those pheromone suppressants, Sera."
Seraphina lowered her gaze, her voice soft beneath the shadow of her father.
"I'll explain everything on the way home, Father."
"Good. It seems you won't be finding your mate here tonight after all. Best we return—before someone else mistakes you for an Omega, again."
As he spoke these final words, the duke's gaze shifted toward Lucian, as if reminding him: My daughter is an Alpha, the future head of House Ashbourne. Not a weak Omega waiting to be possessed.
Lucian felt a wave of dissatisfaction rising in his stomach, but he chose to restrain it. Duke Richard Ashbourne was one of the high-ranking Alphas among the nobility. Moreover, his contributions to the kingdom were significant; his words carried weight.
Lucian put on a pleasant smile, suppressing the storm within, politely placing his hand on his chest to express his attitude.
"I didn't mean to regard Lady Seraphina as an Omega, my lord. I sincerely apologize for my inappropriate actions."
Richard also didn't want to make a big deal of it, nodding and smiling in return.
"It was merely a misunderstanding, Your Highness. My daughter shares in the blame."
Then he turned to face King Felix, bowing deeply.
"With Your Majesty's permission, I'd like to escort my daughter home, to prevent any further disturbance."
King Felix didn't hesitate to wave his approval. Without delay, Seraphina immediately bowed in gratitude and hurriedly left with her father.
"Be mindful of your actions, Lucian."
King Felix left him with that sharp warning before rejoining the celebration.
Lucian watched her silhouette gradually disappear into the crowd. The fire within him had not yet subsided. His thirst remained unquenched. The faint jasmine scent lingering in the air was swallowed into the bottomless pit of his heart.
Lucian snorted. He wasn't the type to give up easily. Since childhood, he had always gotten what he wanted, one way or another. As long as he wanted it, he would have it.
And he wanted Seraphina Ashbourne. He wanted his mate.
He would have her. At any cost.
She wanted to play a game of chase?
Then let her run.
He would play along.
Until she cried beneath him, begging for release.
And he would never let her go. Never.
***