In the opulent chamber of Arthit's quarters, the air was thick with anticipation as a team of skilled servants bustled about, their hands deftly preparing the imperator for the upcoming mating ceremony. Several omegas worked on him at once- one shaved his legs while the other worked on his hairs- applying god knows what before doing what looked like smoking Arthit did to get that umami flavour in his meat. That's what he was- a meat to be devoured without a though- leaving nothing back but useless bones.
Arthit stood stoically at the center of the room, his expression impassive yet tinged with a hint of apprehension as he submitted himself to their ministrations as now the omegas had moved to working on his face- lining his eyes with kohl. Thankfully, they left his lips alone- no red paint there.
The servants worked with practiced precision, their movements choreographed like a well-rehearsed dance as they draped Arthit's muscular frame with a sheer white bottom, the fabric clinging to his skin like a second skin as it pooled around his feet in graceful folds. The garment left little to the imagination, skimming his thighs and hips with tantalizing allure while leaving his private parts modestly covered.
Next, they adorned him with golden chains, their intricate patterns winding sinuously around his body in a mesmerizing display of opulence and elegance. The chains shimmered in the soft candlelight, catching the light with every movement and casting ethereal patterns of gold upon Arthit's bronzed skin. Each link seemed to caress his form, accentuating his powerful physique and drawing attention to every curve and contour of his body.
The servants paid careful attention to every detail, ensuring that each chain lay just so, highlighting Arthit's most enticing features with artistic precision. They draped strands of gold across his broad shoulders, drawing the eye to the muscular expanse of his chest and the powerful lines of his arms. Delicate chains adorned his waist, cinching it in and accentuating his trim waistline, while others trailed tantalizingly down his back, disappearing beneath the sheer fabric of his garment.
As the servants worked, they whispered amongst themselves in hushed tones, their admiration for Arthit's beauty evident in their reverent words. They marveled at the way the golden chains seemed to complement his natural grace, enhancing his allure and transforming him into a vision of seduction.
Finally, they stepped back to admire their handiwork, their eyes alight with satisfaction as they beheld the breathtaking sight before them. Arthit stood tall and proud, his features set in a mask of stoic resolve as he awaited his mate, every inch the epitome of regal magnificence.
And as he stood there, bathed in the golden glow of the candlelight, Arthit radiated an aura of irresistible allure, his presence commanding attention and stirring desire in all who beheld him. For in that moment, he was not just a mere mortal man, but a living embodiment of seduction and power, ready to claim his rightful place by his mate's side.
"Wear this robe Alpha" The head omega servant instructed " No one can see your mating attire before you climb the altar. " He helped Arthit put on the thick white robe. "I will escort you to the altar when it is time for commencement of ceremony" he said before strutting out gracefully.
Arthit nodded, he was glad that he had to observe fast before the ceremony . He id sure he wouldn't have been able to stomach any food right now.
............................................................
Aim, one of Kongpob's trusted servants, knocked on Arthit's door "Luna...I am Healer Aim"
"I am not your Luna" Arthit snarled. Terrified, beta Aim stepped back yet spoke with a steady voice "it is just matter of few hours."
"Don't remind me" Arthit glared. Aim nodded "As you wish.."
He approached Arthit with a small jar in his hands. Arthit regarded him warily, his brow furrowed with confusion as he eyed the jar with suspicion.
"What is this?" Arthit demanded, his voice laced with skepticism as he eyed the jar warily. Aim's expression softened with sympathy as he met Arthit's gaze, his eyes filled with concern for the imperator's well-being.
"It's a salve, sir," he explained gently, his voice quiet yet earnest. "To help ease the discomfort."
"My wounds have been heling well, there is no discomfort" Arthit replied , irritated.
"Its not for wounds Sir." Aim stuttered " Its for mating. You are not an omega...so...you would not be able to produce required lubrication. You should have this to...i mean not hurt yourself. it works better if applied two or three hours prior"
Arthit's eyes widened in understanding as he realized the purpose of the salve, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment at the implication. "I see," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper as he accepted the jar from Aim's outstretched hand. In face of public humiliation, he had forgot this side of mating as he had never partaken in penetrative sex himself. Omegas tended to be wary of hybrids. The betas in the military were there- but Arthit did not feel it right to partake in casual intercourse.
"Call Kongpob," Arthit instructed the servants, his voice firm yet tinged with vulnerability as he made his request. "I need to speak with him."
Moments later, Kongpob entered the chamber, his expression guarded as he regarded Arthit with a wary gaze. "What is it, General?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern as he took in the imperator's troubled demeanor.
Arthit met Kongpob's gaze with a steady look," Was the public claiming not insulting enough that you also want to go through consummation of mating? "
"I was not aware being my mate is a fodder of insult for you" Kongpob replied "Be that as it may, the situation we are in, I have no choice. I have announced my mating, My kingdom i slooking forward to see their high alpha with his mate. It will be either you or Omega Aroon. Choice is yours. "
"I never said I will not mate you."
"Then,be informed that mating in Tigerstealth is not for namesake. If you intend to go forward with the mating, then you have to accept it fully- all facets of it- physiacal, mental and spiritual."
"It is easy to lecture when you are not on recieving end Kongpob Suthiluck"Arthit seethed "An alpha submitting to another- its unnatural."
"Even if I were to be on recieving end, nothing would change. Not for me. You will still be my mate that I will be protecting, cherishing and praying for"
"Keep those hollow political word for your court Kongpob! "Arthit sneered " You would have never dared doing and saying, even half of what you are saying and doing right now when I was a General of coalition Army. Your courage has raised it's head only now that I am bound by chains literally and metaphorically"
Kongpob chuckled hollowly "I have done and said same things forever, General Rojanapat- only difference is that- then you were blind, now I am"
Arthit was irritated of Kong mentioning his blindness again. Was it his fault that Kongpob got blinded by Vikram's planted evidences and attacked Arthit ? Arthit did not mean to injure him..he just defended himself. ..Kongpob was such a fine warrior that he couldn't defend without inflicting him damage.
"I regret not finishing the job right then and there when I had chance." Arthit growled.
"I do too" Kong replied, holding Arthit's stare. " I should not have bye sidetracked. If I would have completed my task, I would have never been stuck in this situation"
Although Kongpob's spirit vision was not same as human vision, Arthit still looked every bit beautiful.
"There is no gain in dwelling in the past,"Arthit said,his expression resolute as he made his request. "If you want me to do as you want. I need you to take a vow, Kongpob," he began, his voice steady yet tinged with urgency. "A vow that if I submit willingly, you will not harm Aroon or give him to someone else. He will remain untouched as he is. "
Kongpob's brow furrowed " You are a hero of sacrifice for your little omega love. Will you be show same devotion in your mating, alpha ? "
" An alpha's devotion is towards his omega..." Arthit glared " Is this your way of saying you will be my omega, Alpha Suthiluck? "
" No my dear mate" Kong smiled cruelly, knowing he is going to hit on hurting nerve of Arthit. " I am saying, You will have my full devotion... you are the one vowing me submission after all ! "
Arthit gritted his teeth. Ofcourse! How could Kongpob leave a chance to rub salt on his wounds?
" Take the vow ...now." Arthit commanded.
"I swear it," Kongpob declared solemnly, his voice unwavering as he met Arthit's gaze with a look of determination.
"If you submit willingly, follow all the three rules I have laid for you and stay true to your vow, Aroon will remain under the protection of the royal household, free to do as he pleases.No one touching him without his consent will go unpunished"
A sense of relief washed over Arthit at Kongpob's vow, his heart lighter knowing that Aroon would be safe from harm.
He knew that no matter what happened next, he would do whatever it took to protect the innocent omega, even if it meant sacrificing his own happiness in the process.
Kongpob marched out of Arthit's chambers, fuming. He had dug his own grave and he can't even get angry with Arthit over it.
.........
As Kongpob entered the grand hall where the mating ceremony was to take place, his breath caught in his throat as his eyes fell upon Arthit standing at the center of the altar.
The imperator was a vision of breathtaking beauty, his form adorned in sheer white fabric and glistening golden chains that accentuated every curve and contour of his muscular frame.For a moment, Kongpob found himself unable to tear his gaze away from Arthit, his heart racing with a mixture of awe and desire.
The imperator exuded an air of quiet confidence, his stoic expression belying the tumult of emotions swirling beneath the surface.But with a forceful effort of will, Kongpob tore his eyes away from Arthit and turned his attention towards the officiator standing at the altar.
Clearing his throat to dispel the lingering haze of desire that clouded his mind, he addressed the initiators with a firm yet commanding tone."Let us begin," Kongpob declared, his voice ringing out through the hall with authority. "Bring forth the offerings ."
As the initiators moved to carry out Kongpob's commands, the air thrummed with anticipation, the tension palpable as everyone present awaited some kind of drama from Arthit. To everyone's surprise Arthit stood calm and quite- even graceful and poised.
Though Kongpob's gaze remained fixed firmly ahead, his thoughts strayed unbidden to the figure of Arthit standing before him, a tantalizing reminder of the desires that stirred within his soul.
"Lords and ladies, honored guests, and esteemed royals," the initiator began, his voice a deep, resonant rumble that reverberated throughout the hall. "We are gathered here today to bear witness to a union of great significance—a joining of two souls destined to walk the path of life together."
"In accordance with the ancient customs and traditions of our tiger brethren, we gather to celebrate the mating of Alpha Arthit and King Kongpob Kongpob," he continued, "Under the watchful gaze of the stars and the guiding light of the moon, we shall now proceed to unite these two noble souls in the sacred bonds of matrimony."
Turning his attention to Arthit and Kongpob, the initiator addressed them with a solemn reverence befitting the occasion. "Alpha Kongpob and his mate stand before us today as symbols of strength, courage, and honor," he declared, his amber eyes shining with a fierce intensity. "By entering into this sacred union, they pledge yourselves to one another, bound by the ancient laws of our kind and the primal instincts of the heart. Do you accept?" He asked.
"I do"Kongpob spoke first. The initiator handed him a bowl"KOng took a sip from the bowl " In the name of holy mother moon, I alpha Kongpob Suthiluck take Alpha Arthit Rojanapat as my mate for life. I vow to protect him, chesrish him and care for him unto my last breath" After his vow KOng again took a sip from the bowl " May this swipe be the last bit of pain I ever deliver to you" saying this, he swiped his claw over his other palm, makinga deep cut so it won't be healed quickly. Then he took Arthit's palm and made a small cut on it as few drops of blood oozed, he clasped their palms together "From today onwards, your blood is my blood, your joy my achievements, your sorrow my failures and your enemy my enemies."
"Alpha mate Arthit Rojanapat, do you accept?" The initiator asked.
"I do" Arthit said. He did not have any wish to spew long line of nonsense vows that he will never keep. let that be the speciality of Tiger King. No one commented on Arthit's lack of enthusiasm, the initiator droned on
"As you stand here today, clasping hands and hearts in unity, let your spirits be filled with the untamed passion of the jungle, your minds with the wisdom of the ages, and your souls with the eternal fire of love," the initiator proclaimed, his voice echoing with the primal rhythms of the wild. "May your bond be blessed by the spirits of the forest and revered by all who dwell within its sacred embrace. Blessed be"
"Blessed be " The pack roared.
"Go forth, Alpha Kongpob and Luna Arthit, with the blessings of the Tigerstealth tribe upon you," he proclaimed, his voice resounding with the authority of a sage elder. "May your mating be a celebration of love, unity, and the unyielding spirit of the tiger."
As the ceremony drew to a close, Kongpob's hand tightened around Arthit's, a silent signal that their ordeal was over.
"What is the haste brother? You have all life to get to know our Luna" May giggled, taking out Arthit's Hand from Kongpob. "Let us get to know him first"
..............................
May , along with gaggle of omegas led him to the mating den of Kongpob and Arthit.
"Who is in our Luna's party beside me ?" May asked . Healer Aim raised his hand. Princess preapallin and Prince Bright joined too.
"Wad?" She asked.
Wad smirked "Well, everyone is joining Luna. someone needs to stay loyal to my brother"
May shruged "get ready to loose then"
"We will see sis"Wad challenged.
Arthit was confused " there is no need of all this princess May."
"Your mating may have commenced in undesired circumstances still every curse brings a blessing in disguise Luna, you just have to see it"
"Does everyone in Tiger realm talks in riddles?"
"Get used to it, brother" May smiled "Now it is also your realm." Hearing footsteps May squealed "Oh, looks like Brother Kongpob's party has come...come on quick" she instructed her personal guards.
Arthit was made to sit with in the back room while in the front room were ten omegas covered from head to toe with same kind of red shawl, making them look like ten identical lumps covered by red cloth.
As Kong's party reached, Preapallin stood manning the gate " Entry is closed. Our Luna is exhausted after such long festivities. He needs rest."
Wad stepped forward, his expression a mix of amusement "Closed gates won't stop our Alpha Kongpob," he retorted with a playful grin. "He'll simply leap over them with the grace of a tiger, eager to join his beloved Luna in his time of need."
May and Preapallin exchanged a glance, trying to maintain their stern facade despite the temptation to laugh. "Well, if he's so eager, he can pay the toll," May declared, holding out her hand expectantly.
"What toll?"
" May be he can start with some gold coins." Prae said slyly.
Kongpob nodded and Wad passed the girls a pouch full of gold coins.
" See how eager our alpha is, he isn't even trying to negotiate " Bright commented in his mischievous tone.
" Our Luna is far more precious than some gold coins..." May quipped, pocketing the pouch safely.
"Exactly! Alpha Kongpob must express his love for our Luna, " Prae said " But only in four lines"
Kongpob cleared his throat "Like the sun and moon, we're meant to be,
In your eyes, my love, I see the sea.
With every step, our hearts align,
Together forever, our love will shine."
May narrowed her eyes in pretend anger " How do we know this is for Luna, where's his name in it?"
"Arthit, my love, like the sun and moon,
In your presence, my heart finds its tune.
With every glance, our souls entwine,
Together forever, your love divine."
"Humor is most important virtue" Prae quipped " How will you relax our Luna without a bit of humor?" she asked " Make a funny one for our Luna and let it be so loud that it will reach to him"
Kongpob shouted at the top of his lungs
"Arthit's as stubborn as an old mule,
But my love for him, I won't let cool.
I'll chase him 'round like a playful pup,
Until he surrenders to our love's hiccup!"
"Aww.." May giggled ""Look at our dear alpha, trying to woo his mate with words so refined,
But we all know it's his beloved's obliviousness that truly leaves him behind."
Kongpob's brother Wad chimed in with a playful jab of his own:
"Indeed, poor alpha, pining away in secret for so long,
While his love remains clueless, as if nothing is wrong."
" You are on my side, Wad! " kongpob reminded him, sighing at his traitor brother.
" But you are on Luna's side now! " Wad retorted, smirking. " It's all the same side" saying that, he ran forwards, all the people accompanying Kong followed Wad's suit— making the Luna party bewildered. All their gates were crashed! And the Alpha's party reached the front hall of mating chamber.
Kongpob halted seeing the scene in mating chamber. All the people under red shawls were cleverly chosen of same height even when sitting and covered from head to toe.
" Choose your mate, alpha" Wad smirked " If you choose wrong, we will take our Luna away"
" Yes..." May agreed and elbowed Wad " You..don't try to change sides now, loser."
Kongpob walked among the hidden people..." none of these" he declared.
May gasped. How did Kongpob know?
............................