Chapter 5
A full year had gone by since that night. The king held true to his word, not one suitor had stepped foot back in the palace after that night. The monarch’s worried that their eldest would remain unbound, unmated and left alone for the rest of her life.
But she seemed to be calm and happy. Which was more than what they could ever hope for her.
“Unnie look!” Yoohyeon smiled while holding out a few flowers for Minji to look at them. “Bora picked them for me,” she whispered.
“You’re practically glowing,” Minji whispered, watching her sister closely.
“Glowing?” Yoohyeon tilted her head, frowning as she did so.
“Ever since your binding ceremony… You’ve been significantly happier,” Minji explained. “It radiates off you,” She whispered.
“Oh!” The younger omega blushed slightly, shaking her head before setting the flowers down on her lap.
The two were seated out in the gardens, enjoying the summer air while they could. It was fairly warm, and more than enough for them to want to stay inside, but it was just as hot inside the palace.
“Unnie… I have a tiny confession… I told the oracle and she said it was fine… but mother and father don’t know…” Yoohyeon whispered.
“Oh?” Minji frowned.
“I was mated before the binding ceremony,” She admitted.
Minji looked at her sister, a little shocked that she had fully admitted that to her.
“How did you…” Minji frowned.
“Alphas have a rut cycle. Same as us with heats… and… Bora couldn’t… we… I gave in and wanted to… but I didn’t feel right keeping it from you…” The younger whispered.
They sat in silence for a few moments, allowing everything to settle before either said another word.
“The oracle said it was fine… And you love Bora. I’m not upset, just a little shocked you went for it,” Minji chuckled. “I’m happy, you’re happy.” She placed her hand on Yoohyeon’s knee, allowing her to feel at ease with her sudden confession. “Before you know it… you’ll be having pups too…” She whispered.
“Oh… Maybe…” Yoohyeon shrugged. “The oracle was right… I have surpassed you,” she let out a small laugh, looking at her sister.
“Don’t rub it in.” Minji pointed her finger at her sister, watching her shake her head. “I’m thinking of asking mother to take me to purchase an alpha… I’m tired of suitors…” she sighed.
“Oh I recommend,” Yoohyeon winked, causing her sister to burst out into laughter yet again.
The eldest princess waited until her parents weren’t busy with any duties, only focusing on the ending of their evening meal.
“Mother… I wish to purchase an alpha,” Minji stated quietly.
“Oh?” The king looked at his wife, watching her sigh.
“You’re sure of this?” The queen asked her, watching her nod her head.
“I grow tired of waiting to find a suitor mildly interesting. The only time I smiled at a suitor was just last month when he fell off his horse…” Minji admitted. “I had to leave before I laughed too loud in his presence,” she blushed.
The first visit to the facility had been rather interesting. There were others there, looking to purchase alphas for hard labor and other tasks.
And one loud snarl caught Minji’s attention.
The alpha was small, but not like Bora. She had striking eyes, sharp features, everything about her was rather alluring. A mysterious alpha that drew Minji in…
Until she bared her teeth and snarled at the other omegas that were examining her. Snapping her jaw and attempting to assault those around her.
She was rather strong, hard headed, and strikingly gorgeous.
Their first visit hadn’t been successful, but Minji knew she wanted to see the alpha again. Needed to see if it was just an off day for her.
She showed up two more times, unaccompanied by her mother, watching the same alpha. Every time she lashed out in aggression and looked worse and worse every time she showed up. It hurt Minji to see the way they treated her but she didn’t have a say in the facility. She was a customer.
By the fourth time, the queen accompanied her again and Minji found the same alpha.
She looked exhausted, knelt on the floor, panting heavily. It was the one time Minji could approach her, and get a better look at her while she had her eyes closed.
“I want this one.” Minji pointed at the alpha, causing her mother to give her a look of concern.
“Are you sure darling?” The queen frowned.
“Yes, I’m sure,” Minji whispered.
They spoke with the owner, pointing out the exact alpha they wanted.
“She’s highly aggressive… Are you sure?” He frowned.
“Yes. I want that one,” Minji sighed.
“Alright… her price is…” he opened his book, letting out a sigh. “One topaz.”
“Rather cheap…” her mother frowned while turning over the small gemstone to the owner. “We’ll need to pay the binding fee.” she whispered.
“Ah, that is where it begins to get expensive. As she is rather aggressive, we recommend the full chain set…” He frowned. “For our safety and yours.”
“And how much is that?”
“Two sapphires and two rubies.”
“My… darling I hope she is worth this price.” The queen sighed.
Minji watched the exchange, before she saw the workers begin to work with the alpha. But it was difficult to watch.
The alpha swiped at the workers, snarling and growling while baring her teeth at them. Minji could see why it was incredibly expensive to pay for the binding fee now. It was dangerous work…
“She seems feral…” the queen frowned while walking toward the carriage. “What will you do if she is?” She asked her daughter.
“I don’t believe she’s feral,” Minji whispered. “I believe she’s just angry,” She shrugged.
“Which would be feral.”
The carriage ride was long, but not too long. When they arrived at the palace, everything seemed to break out into chaos.
The newfound alpha was back to her aggressive self, and the guards were having quite the time to keep her tame long enough before she snapped on them. Yes, she had a muzzle on, wrists bound as well as her ankles being shackled together.
But it was still terrifying.
The queen and princess stepped in the palace, and were surprised to be greeted by the other princess and her alpha.
“Mother! Exciting news!” Yoohyeon smiled.
“Oh? Us as well. Your sister just purchased the most aggressive alpha in the entire kingdom,” The queen chuckled.
“What?” Yoohyeon frowned when she looked at Minji, watching her nod her head in agreement.
“What is your exciting news?” The queen asked.
“Oh! Right, well… I’m carrying a pup!” Yoohyeon beamed.
“So soon!” The queen gasped before holding her daughters cheeks. “I’m so happy! We’ll have grandpups in this place. It’s about time…” she whispered. “Congratulations,” she smiled before pressing a kiss to her daughter’s forehead.
The three watched the queen retire, allowing Minji to properly hug her sister.
“So aggressive alpha?” Yoohyeon chuckled.
Minji was about to answer when the doors opened, and a loud growl could be heard. The two omegas looked over, watching them struggle to keep her in the chains before forcing her to her knees in front of them.
Yoohyeon glanced back, seeing Bora keeping a proper distance from them. But she could see the worry and stress overwhelming her mate.
“Unnie… I’m not sure… how… how is this okay?” Yoohyeon frowned at her sister.
“Yoohyeon, it’s fine! Calm down.” Minji chuckled. “She’s clearly a fighter… and she’s mine,” she smiled.
The younger omega watched as the alpha began to snarl, nearly tackling the guard nearest to her before she was set back on her knees, positioned with her face against the stone floor. They could hear the low growls, every single passing moment Yoohyeon could feel the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.
“Yooh…” Bora whimpered.
“She’s scaring Bora! Stop! Take her away!” Yoohyeon ordered the guards, watching them look at Minji.
“Take her to the room.” Minji stated.
The eldest watched as they began to escort the alpha to one of the private chambers before she glanced over and saw the couple next to her.
She watched as Bora rushed to Yoohyeon’s side, keeping her away from the group of guards that were still struggling to get the alpha out of the entrance hall.
“She’s not safe! How could you bring her into our home?!” Yoohyeon snapped.
“She is safe,” Minji rolled her eyes. “She was docile in the facility. She clearly needed an out.” Minji glared.
“And that out had to be here?” Yoohyeon frowned. “Unnie… I’m happy that you’re trying to move forward with your life but breaking the system and saving an aggressive alpha is not the way to do it.” She held onto Bora tightly, body still shaking from the earlier encounter.
“Yooh…” Bora urged her mate away from the older omega, knowing she was starting to stress herself.
She led her away from the entrance hall, down to their little slice of the palace. She hurried her into the bedroom, having her sit on the small couch before she caused herself more stress.
“She’s scared…” Bora whispered.
“We’re all scared…” Yoohyeon frowned before letting out a sigh. She relaxed further into the cushions, feeling them dip next to her before she saw the alpha sitting next to her.
“She’s scared of everything… it’s clear she’s terrified of what is going to happen to her,” Bora frowned. “She’s borderline feral… was purchased and thrown into a carriage. Taken to a large palace and to be heard she’s someone’s property? How would you feel if someone took you from your home? Told you that you were owned by someone else?” She asked, turning to her mate.
Yoohyeon understood, and everything made sense. She just wished Minji had gotten a rather docile alpha rather than the one that was clearly destroying her room as they spoke.
“I could smell how scared you were…” Yoohyeon whispered before reaching out to hold Bora’s hand.
“How could I not be? You were in her direct path if she escaped. She would’ve attacked you and I would’ve lost everything…” the alpha quickly stated. “You and the baby…” She frowned.
“I’m sure you would’ve dove in quickly and fought her,” Yoohyeon smiled.
“Of course. I would protect you with my life.” Bora quickly moved closer to the omega, nuzzling her palm gently before looking back up at her. “I would rather die than watch you get hurt…”
“Same to you,” Yoohyeon whispered.
They were both silent for a moment or two, listening to the distant sound of something being destroyed in one of the rooms.
“Yooh…” Bora whispered before placing a hand on the barely visible bump. “We’re going to be parents…” she smiled.
“I know…” Yoohyeon smiled. “I’m happy it’s with you,” She added. The omega set her hand over Bora’s relaxing into the feeling of the alpha’s hand slowly moving across her stomach. “I hope the pup looks like you,” she whispered.
“I hope they present omega…” Bora muttered.
“Even if they present alpha, I’m not giving the pup away. I promise,” Yoohyeon immediately stated.
“Good… I don’t think I could stand it if we had to give the pup away because of that…” she frowned.
“I won’t let that happen at all,” Yoohyeon smiled.