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Arc 1 – Omegaverse: The Hunter and the Omega Prince
Day 2 – Morning: The Arrival of the Hunter
Kyle woke to the faint rustle of curtains and the scent of fresh apple blossom drifting in from the open balcony. The early sunlight spilled in like honey, painting the darkwood floors in soft gold. Somewhere outside, birds were chirping with such cheerful precision it felt like they were part of the System's sound design.
His bed was too comfortable — the sheets were buttery soft cream silk, the pillows cool and faintly scented with cedar. His hair had slipped free from its silver comb overnight, spreading over the pillow in black silk waves.
The first maid, Mara, entered with a curtsy, carrying a silver tray set with a crystal goblet of water and a small dish of pale pink apple slices. The second maid, Linette, followed with an armful of fabric.
"Your Highness," Mara murmured, voice warm but awed, "breakfast will be served in the east veranda within the hour. Steward Halford says the… guest will arrive before noon."
Kyle's eyes narrowed faintly at the pause around guest.
Ah. The Hunter.
Linette set the fabric bundle down and unrolled it like a jeweler revealing treasure.
"This is today's morning attire," she said with a smile that was all but sparkling.
The inner shirt was a cloud-soft layer of dove-gray silk with a low, draped neckline that left the delicate hollow of his throat visible — the fabric catching faint light as if dusted with frost. Over that went a fitted waistcoat of pale apple-green brocade patterned with faint silver leaves. The outer robe was white — but not flat white — the weave so fine it shimmered with threads of moonlight silver. The long sleeves were slit from elbow to wrist, revealing glimpses of the green beneath when he moved. A thin, double-stranded silver belt fastened at his waist, the ends tipped with small drops of citrine.
Linette brushed his hair out, parting it slightly off-center, then braided two slender sections from each temple and tied them at the back with a soft silver ribbon, letting the rest fall loose in gentle waves. The style bared his ears just enough to show the faint blush of their edges in the morning light.
When he looked in the mirror, Kyle almost sighed.
I'm going to be kidnapped at this rate just for existing, he thought.
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Day 2 – Late Morning: First Meeting
The veranda overlooked a stretch of orchard where the branches hung heavy with blossoms. A long table had been set under the open archway, laid with white linen and porcelain dishes edged in gold. A breeze stirred the pale curtains, bringing with it the perfume of flowers and the distant sound of hooves.
Kyle had just lifted his teacup — white porcelain, filled with a pale amber brew that smelled faintly of apple peel and honey — when the sound grew louder. The clop of hooves on cobblestone. The low, clipped voices of men.
Then the Hunter arrived.
The first thing Kyle saw was the horse — a tall black stallion with a mane like spun shadow. And then the man astride it.
He was an Alpha, and it was obvious in the way he sat the saddle — spine straight, shoulders squared, control coiled in every line of his body. His hair was deep chestnut, thick and slightly unruly, falling to just above his collar. His eyes — sharp, cool gold — scanned the courtyard before locking instantly on Kyle.
He dismounted in one smooth movement, boots clicking against the stones. His coat was dark hunter-green leather, fitted close to the body, the high collar lined with black fur. Over his shoulder was slung a quiver of black-fletched arrows, and at his hip hung a sleek, curve-handled hunting knife in a dark sheath.
The steward stepped forward. "Your Highness, may I present Captain Aldric Vale, the royal huntsman."
Kyle set down his cup, tilting his head slightly, lips curved in polite curiosity.
The man's gaze didn't soften. In fact, it sharpened — not hostile, but… intent.
And for just a heartbeat, Kyle swore he saw it: the same essence he'd met before, hidden behind this Alpha's human features.
Aldric inclined his head in the barest bow, but his voice, when it came, was low, rich, and almost reverent.
"Your Highness."
Kyle smiled faintly. "Captain."
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