MINE.

Chapter 4: Cadence

"Are you alright?" Deanna asks as she rushes past the Empress to fling shot herself into her twin. Trapping him against her and taking Dion's breath away as he stepped down off the staircase. He had demanded the guard let him down so he could take the steps himself. He was sick to death of being carried.

Dion was stunned having forgotten all about what happened in the throne room earlier.

"I'm fine. He didn't hurt me." He mumbles into her hair.

"I take my eyes off you for a moment and you get yourself taken like a falcon taking a bunny. You're hopeless." The Empress complains as he pulls Dion into his arms the second Deanna steps aside.

Dion sighs into his mother's soft scent as the Empress gently rocks him the way he always has. It calms him and he yawns.

"Are you sleepy my love?" His mother asks.

"Exhausted. I don't want to meet anymore alphas." Dion whines.

The Empress scoffs, "As if you could. I rather hate blood and destruction in my home."

Dion tips his head to pout up at his mom. The Empress gently runs his golden nails in his son's long hair.

"You should atleast say goodnight to the guests. They did come here to see you." Hazel urges his son but still giving him room to decline.

"Ugh, ok." He groans purely to please his mom.

Hazel smiles warmly, "That's my baby." He says as he places a soft kiss at the center of Dion's forehead.

"I told you not to worry." The Emperor says with a smile as he descends from the higher level.

"You did dear." The Empress admits with a smile as he leads his family towards the banquet hall with Dion clinging to his hip as he did when he was young.

Dion will never know what prompted him to look back at the last second to see the Demon King watching them from atop the staircase.

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The farewells are dragging and so is Dion. He leans against his mother any moment no one is looking. It surprised him none that the alphas didn't bother looking in his direction and fawned over his sister. Word had gotten out about what happened with the Demon King and now people where afraid to even meet his gaze.

Dion didn't mind this, he liked disappearing into the background and not having to walk around the hall flashing his blessed omegan form to all the guests. He smooshed himself like glue against his mother that is until he smelled him once again. Dion's head pops up so fast his neck aches as he looks above the crowd for the Beast.

Once again the crowd is hushed by The Demon's presence as he makes his way towards the imperial family.

So large, Dion thought once again at the sight of the alpha towering above everyone else as he makes his way forward. Dion had hardly noticed the soldiers following close behind with giant trunks in tow until The Demon Alpha steps aside so they can place them at the feet of the Imperial family.

The soldiers place the heavy trunks down before moving to open all four of them. A collective gasp waves through the entire room as the gold and jewels sparkle beneath the light of the chandelier. Dion gawks as he slides to the edge of his seat to see it clearly.

"What is this?" The Emperor asks curiously.

To Dion's surprise the Demon King actually replies, "Dowry." He says in a voice deep and sinister more terrifying than the growling.

The Emperor tiltes his head regarding the demon curiously before speaking, "My son is not for sale. Why have you not chosen a bride from your harem?"

"They are under my protection." He growls back.