Chapter Text
1902
“Louis, you must marry. You cannot go another month without an omega at your side.”
The Duke sighed, looking out the window to the busy streets below. He had just arrived back in London after going abroad for a few years, visiting friends that lived all over the world. And he was quite happy with that lifestyle, getting to forget the father who barely raised him and making a life of his own away from London and its inhabitants. It wasn’t until his father’s death that he was needed back in England, much to Louis’ own reluctance. But now he was back to claim his right as the next Duke of Yorkshire. And he wasn’t the least bit happy about it.
“And I repeat myself: I will not marry unless I’m in love, uncle.”
The old man huffed, his moustache curling. Louis knew he meant well. Uncle Mortimer was part of the reason he agreed to come back. Louis always had fond memories of him as a child, acting more like a paternal figure than his own father. While he wished he had more siblings, Louis was thankful that he was the only one his father could end up neglecting in the end. Better him than other siblings who would have felt the abandonment greatly, he always thought. And that in turn gave him no grief when he learned of his father’s passing, besides a fleeting wish that their relationship could have been better over the years. But Louis wasn’t one to dwell in the past, so once he paid his respects at his grave like any dutiful son, that was the last he wanted to think of him.
Which brought him to another predicament: being the Duke of Yorkshire. Louis had been preparing for it his entire life, so there weren't a lot of surprises that came to him once he learned he inherited the title. But that did bring the renewed sentiment of having a spouse. And given the poor marriage he knew his parents had because it was arranged, Louis vowed to love the person he married. His spouse would be one of his own choosing, not someone handpicked by their families who saw nothing more than an opportunity. He refused to be in a loveless marriage and would rather die alone than marry someone he did not love.
“But how are you supposed to meet a respectable omega if you refuse to go out to meet any!” Mortimer cried. “There’s a dinner party happening this very night that you have been specially invited to and yet you prefer to stay here!”
“Because I have already met them all and I don’t fancy any of them,” Louis sighed. And it wasn’t exactly a lie. He had already been in London for almost a month at that point, and he attended a total of fifteen dinner parties out of courtesy for the hosts. And they were as dull as he imagined. They all had respectable, eligible omegas. Ones that were brought up specifically to be wed to other wealthy families. And maybe he was too judgmental, but he couldn’t see himself falling in love with any of the ones he made small talk with. He trusted his gut in knowing that they weren’t the ones for him.
“Oh Louis,” Uncle Mortimer groaned, getting up from his chair with the help of his cane. “Well, you’re welcome to dine with me and Diana tonight if you’re not going to the McArthur dinner.”
“Thank you,” Louis replied with a genuine smile, rising from his own chair, and walking with him towards the hallway. “But I’m expecting a friend to call on me, and I plan to have a quiet dinner here tonight as I planned.”
His uncle nodded, trodding along with every step and cane. “I just want you to be happy in your new role, my boy. It would be nice to see you married in my lifetime.”
“And I hope to be,” Louis said gently, waving away the servants who were rushing to open the front door as he opened it with the other while his uncle put on his bowler hat. “Just as soon as I find the love of my life.”
“If you say so,” Uncle Mortimer smiled, reaching a hand up to put on his nephew’s shoulder. “Well, good evening, Louis. If you have the time it would be nice if you stop in to see Diana. She misses seeing you.” Aunt Diana had always been kind to him as well, so he knew he needed to pay her another visit as soon as he could. The only real family he considered were Uncle Mortimer and her anyway. He made a mental note to call on them tomorrow morning.
“I shall. Give her my best wishes,” he said with a smile and nod. “Good evening, uncle.” The alpha stood by the open door as he watched his uncle get in his automobile and drive away.
And as if right on cue, he saw another automobile pull up in front of his townhome. The alpha smiled to himself as he realized who it was.
“Louis!” the man called, waving as he practically jumped out of his car once he parked it.
“Hello, Liam,” he smiled, opening his arms to give him a warm hug.
“Sorry for the travel dust,” Liam smiled sheepishly, wiping off his jacket. “But I promised I’d come see you as soon as I could! I’m sorry I’ve been away, my friend.”
“It’s alright,” Louis laughed, ushering him inside. Liam had left for the countryside the day before Louis had arrived in London, so they only just missed one another. And Louis knew he couldn’t be mad at his best friend for leaving, but it would have been nice to have someone he actually knew at all those parties. “Your wedding preparations are more important than anything at this moment.”
“Which is why I cannot wait for my stag night tomorrow!” Liam grinned. “My best man is finally in London and now my wedding celebrations can officially start.”
After all, that was mainly the reason Louis decided to come back. It just happened to coincide with his father’s passing, as unfortunate as it was. Liam was one of his school friends, rooming together at a boarding school when they were young. They didn’t like one another at first, given that Louis was practically a slob on his side of the room while Liam was particular down to how his shirts should be folded. But they eventually managed to be friends after finding out how similar their interests were, from the way they liked their food prepared or the novels they liked to read, and Louis couldn’t have been more thankful to have a friend like him in his life.
“As they should,” Louis grinned. “How have you been?”
“Well besides the prettiest omega I’d ever seen accepting my hand in marriage and planning said wedding?” Liam grinned. “I don’t know anything else that can top that!”
Now Louis had the chance to watch his best friend marry the love of his life, since they had become engaged just before Louis left for his travels. He wasn’t about to miss the fruits of his labor, after all. “I guess not,” Louis chuckled. “Join me for dinner and we can catch up?”
Liam smiled with a nod. “I’d like that.”
♢
The omega looked in the mirror as he powdered his face, making sure the white powder was spreading evenly as he looked into the large mirror over his dressing table.
“Who would have thought the Marquess of Wolverhampton would have us all for his stag party?” he heard from across the room. He glanced in the mirror to see other omegas harmonizing with one another as others helped each other with their costumes. A puff of feathers, sequins, and glitter arose with every movement, making for a beautiful mess of the large dressing room they were all getting ready in.
“Well for the pay we’re getting and the alphas we’ll meet tonight,” another one went as she flung a boa across the room, “I’m not complaining!”
Everyone nodded in response as they continued to dress.
“Everyone knows alphas are going to be after the Sparkling Rose now that the Prince from Bursa has finally left London,” another said.
Harry gave them a sideways glance as he started to apply his red lipstick. For the past three months he was the lover to a Turkish prince, living in the rented house the alpha had gifted him for the period of their romance, but then the prince was needed back home. Harry knew it was bound to end, like any other of his business romances, and the day came faster than he thought. A letter arrived and he could tell the prince was sad to leave, but had no other choice. Of course that meant he couldn’t be around to buy Harry those gorgeous jewels anymore.
He moved on to pick up one of the jewel encrusted mirrors a lover had given him years ago, holding it near his face as he took a small brush to apply the burnt cork powder onto his lashes and brows.
But he didn’t need to worry. Soon he would find another rich alpha to take as a lover and he’d have a new home to live in by the end of next week. There was one rule about being a courtesan that Harry took very seriously: never get attached. And while his alphas did to some degree, it was always easy for Harry to say goodbye when he didn’t feel like he was losing anything. They give him jewels, and he gives them the kind of love the pay for.
The prince left him with multiple parting gifts last week, at least, and one of them was to fuck him senseless the night before he left.
“Are you sad the prince left?” Jade asked him, planting herself on the bench next to him before leaning over the same mirror to check her own makeup.
“Well,” Harry sighed, putting down the small mirror once he was done putting rouge on his cheeks with the tips of his fingers. “I’m glad I can walk again,” he giggled, giving her a sideways glance as he picked up a puff to powder his face again.
She made a gagging noise before she got up to stand behind him. “Who will be your man now then?” she laughed as she twirled one of his curls in her hand. “I have no doubt you’re on the lookout for a new alpha to take care of you.”
“Of course I am,” he muttered, taking some grey paste to dab over his eyelids over the kohl that already lined them, “but I don’t know who yet. Perhaps I’ll meet him tonight.” He knew a few who were interested in him, but he liked to narrow down his list by who was the most handsome, and wealthiest. It was all part of the job after all.
“How are my beautiful omegas doing?” an alpha said as he poked his head into the dressing room. “Ready for tonight?”
A chorus of cheers and whoops came in response.
“Lots of wealthy gentlemen will be in attendance tonight, beauties,” Niall smiled, walking in with the shirt of his buttons undone. “Make sure you give it your best! Who knows how many patrons we’ll get at the club if tonight goes well. So give it your best!”
Niall happened to own Horan’s, a club where omegas performed for wealthy alphas. It was there that Harry met most of his clients, always seeking him out once he became available to entertain one of them. And Harry was grateful for Niall’s friendship as well, being one of the few alphas he could count on despite never taking his knot.
“And you, love?” Niall said as he walked up to Harry, meeting his eyes in the mirror. “Do you know who made his interest known about you?”
“A duke isn’t it?”
The alpha nodded. “Duke of Burgundy. He was overheard talking about you the other night, so if you want him tonight is the night to grab him.”
And Harry had heard those rumors as well. He didn’t need to brag, but he was one of the most sought out for courtesans in London, probably England as well. He’s entertained a variety of rich alphas that traveled through London, so over the years he managed to build himself a reputation as such. Now with the prince gone, he was on the hunt to see who his next alpha would be. If he didn’t find one by the end of the month he’d just move into Niall’s house like the alpha always offers him, but Harry had just gotten used to living alone. He liked having a house all to himself. So that’s why he needed a new alpha as soon as possible. “I know,” Harry perked up, happy with how his makeup turned out before meeting Niall’s eyes again in the mirror “I met him at a party the other night and he seemed nice. Let’s hope this duke is exactly what I need.”
♢
“Louis!” Liam gasped as they walked into the palace together. “You really did too much!”
Louis smiled as he looked around the ballroom, adjusting his mask. The mansion belonged to a friend of Louis’, and it was practically a palace built for a king in the middle of London. Massive ceilings and balconies around the room from the second floor, with black and white tile across the main floor. Tables were around the room where men were already gambling as omegas looked on, music was playing from the band at one end of the room, and the dancefloor was packed with people of all shapes and sizes. Jugglers performed on tables as omegas lifted their skirts in dance to tongue wagging alphas. Stepping into the party would be like forgetting about every care in the world, from the alphas in their expensive suits to the omegas in their revealing ones, and that was exactly what Louis wanted.
Since it was his job to plan the stag night, Louis knew he needed to throw his best friend a night that he would remember, which meant a masquerade night where only the alphas wore masks. Respectful of Liam’s soon to be omega, of course. Though he knew Liam wouldn’t dream of cheating on Zayn. Still, the single alphas wouldn’t be bound to any promises of lovers, so Louis had someone hire the dancers from the club everyone talked about, Horan’s. Louis had gone there once or twice before he left England, but he heard the performers were even more talented now.
And boy did it show. As soon as they walked in, there were dancers dressed in golden outfits on top of tables with ribbons at the ends of sticks, twirling away and giggling as they noticed the alphas. There were other dancers swinging from the ceiling, graceful with their movements in the air as they blew kisses to gaping alphas below. The scents of all the alphas and omegas in the room just overwhelmed the atmosphere, with perfumes mixing with natural scents, and somehow everything fit.
“I didn’t even know that was possible!” Liam gasped as he watched one of the omegas do a flip on their swing. As they walked along the ballroom, other omegas were dressed in a variety of outfits, flipping their legs in the air as they danced with alphas. One even came up to Louis and asked him to dance, throwing him a flirty wink in the process.
“Not now, love,” he smiled, looking around the room. “Can you tell Mr. Horan that the guest of honor has arrived and it’s time for the opening performance.” When he went to meet the club owner the previous week, the alpha had promised him a night to remember by bringing out his best entertainers from the club, and the evening would start with a special performance from one of them.
“Of course!” she grinned, scurrying away into the crowd.
Suddenly the band started playing a song, and all the omegas around the room began to sing along. A chorus of “do do do” started before they all broke out into song.
“Where have all the good men gone and where are all the gods? Where’s the streetwise Hercules to fight the rising odds?”
Louis grinned as he recognized the song, watching in awe as all the dancers in the room started to dance to the same choreography while the main singers led the song. Feathers and sequins went flying in all directions as legs shot to the air and arms flung everywhere else while they moved their bodies to the beat. And there wasn’t an alpha in the room that was utterly entranced by what they were witnessing.
“Is this the start of the show?” Liam called out, clearly entertained as well.
“No,” Louis replied. “Horan is going to come out to announce the start, wherever he may be. This must be a pre-show or something before the night begins.”
“I need a hero! I’m holding out for a hero at the end of the night! He’s got to be strong, and he’s got to be fast and he’s got to be fresh from the fight!”
They leaned back against one of the tables to watch the dancers, clapping along to the beat as others in the audience did as well. Louis watched as some omegas danced with their partners on the dance floor, with most of the alphas looking dumbfounded at the way their bodies moved in front of them. But Louis didn’t really plan on dancing to begin with, so he didn’t have to worry about choosing an omega to dance with. He was only there to serve as Liam’s best man, and that was to make sure he was having a good time.
“Somewhere after midnight in my wildest fantasy, somewhere just beyond my reach, there’s somewhere reaching back for me!”
“The dancers are gorgeous,” Liam whispered.
“You’re getting married, remember,” Louis deadpanned, but with no mirth to it. They both knew how loyal Liam was to his soon to be mate.
“Well I still have working eyes,” Liam laughed. “But yes, I am counting down the days until my wedding. Besides, I want you loose tonight! Have some fun!”
Louis just shook his head as he laughed.
As the performers finished the song and moved on to another, Louis guided Liam to one of the tables near the middle of the ballroom, almost against the wall, that was already decorated with gold and lace trim and buckets of champagne on ice. A few masked alphas were already sitting at it, enjoying a bottle of some type of alcohol as they all stood to welcome them.
“Lads!” Liam grinned from ear to ear. Louis didn’t know them that well, but he knew he had to invite Liam’s club mates to the stag night as well. There was Timothy Williams, son of a banker and rather a snob, Michael Jameson, son of a politician and decent at conversation, Sylvester Winston, the Viscount of Dibley, and Alfred Collins, son of the Duke of Manchester. Knobs as well.
And then there was Jacob Montgomery, Duke of Sussex, sitting at the other end of the table with his group of friends. Louis had traveled the world now, and there was still no one that he detested more than that alpha. Their rivalry began at boarding school, when Louis wouldn’t let Jacob pick on a smaller alpha who was just trying to read his book in peace. Of course, Jacob took personal offense to that, that Louis would dare defy him in front of others, and their animosity started from that. As they grew Louis tried to find any redeeming qualities in him, but he found none. He was a drunk, gambled his family’s money away, and succeeded in making himself the most arrogant alpha in existence. Jacob would always be the alpha he would never get along with.
Liam sat at the head of the table while Louis joined him by sitting in the chair next to his.
“We were wondering where you were,” Timothy said as he offered them some cigars. “Not that we weren’t enjoying the entertainment,” he nodded towards the omegas dancing.
“Thank you,” Louis smiled.
“Glad to see you’re finally back in London, Louis,” Michael said as he leaned back in his chair, puffing smoke out. “The gossips have not shut up about how the reclusive Louis Tomlinson has returned as the new Duke of Yorkshire, and his whereabouts are always the hot topic of the day.”
Which was exactly why Louis hated to attend any society parties. He didn’t need his life being a spectacle for others to gossip about.
“My mother tells me you’re going to pick an omega to marry soon,” Jacob said aloud, smirking at him.
“Well, excuse me for saying so, but your mother is wrong,” Louis replied flatly, not bothering to meet his eyes.
“How were your travels then?” Sylvester asked.
“Very stimulating,” Louis replied, taking a sip of the brandy. “I was actually on my way to South America before I was called back here because of my father’s accident.”
“Our condolences,” Alfred said.
“Thank you,” Louis said. “But I think the world is a bit better without another cruel old man with no regard for his fellow man still living on it.”
The alphas uncomfortably murmured in agreement. “Which is why the Dukedom is in such good hands now,” Liam piped up, smiling at him.
“And you must marry of course,” Michael said. “Jacob is right. Everyone tells me you're on your way to picking an omega to marry by the end of the month.”
Louis groaned internally. One casual conversation with an omega led to rumors of them marrying by the next morning. He really needed a way to avoid society as a whole. “Well I am not planning on marrying anytime soon,” Louis replied, “and why think of my marriage when we are celebrating our Liam’s last days of bachelorhood!” he raised a glass. “To Liam!”
“To Liam!” they cheered, drinking their shots.
Some omegas came to the table, with some opting to sit in the laps of the alphas. Louis allowed one in his lap while Liam didn’t, simply staring happily at the dancers while they sang along to whatever song was playing at the moment.
“Who is that Amy they sing of?”
“What?” Louis turned his head, getting a whiff of the strawberry scented omega on his lap. A nice scent, but he wasn’t looking to get any omega in his bed for the night, even though he was sure he was in the minority of the alphas attending.
Liam pointed at the dancers on the table, one of them noticing and coming over to dance in front of them.
“Love me, hate me, say what you want about me, but all the boys and all the girls are begging to if you seek Amy,” she sang while getting on her knees to blow Liam a kiss.
Louis giggled, trying not to show his smile too much. “You don’t get it, mate?”
Liam shook his head, brows knotted in heavy confusion. “Haven’t heard this one before! Why are they looking for her? Has she gone off somewhere?”
“Oh baby, baby, baby, if you seek Amy tonight. Oh baby, baby, baby, we’ll do whatever you like.”
It was almost too amusing. “I’ll let you figure it out,” Louis laughed, handing him another drink after asking the omega that was in his lap to leave.
They stayed chatting with the other alphas until the music slowly wound down at the end of another song, and the lights dimmed. They all turned their heads to the other side of the ballroom on the second floor, where the band was playing. A man walked up to the marble banister, his hands behind him as he smiled down at everyone. It was Niall.
“Gentlemen!” Mr. Horan shouted, getting everyone’s attention as he stood at the end. He had a top hat on and a red vest over a white buttoned shirt. “May I have your attention please!” the room quieted down. “As you all know, we are here to celebrate the final days of the Marquess of Wolverhampton’s bachelorhood. We would like to thank his best man, the Duke of Yorkshire, for planning such a wonderful night for him by bringing Horan’s own performers to this magical palace!”
The crowd broke out into applause as Louis raised his glass.
“We have a night planned to have all your fantasies lived. It’s a night to escape from the perils of outside, to not think of your responsibilities, and to search within to fulfill your deepest desires. So I hope you all enjoy yourselves tonight! And without further ado,” Niall said with a smirk. “Enjoy this special performance, gentlemen, from our Sparkling Rose!”
The lights went dark, with only hushed voices and giggles being heard. Suddenly a single spotlight came on as glitter poured from the sky onto the crowd, and it pointed at an omega on a swing high above them. He was wearing an all white outfit, with white stockings as well and a feather in his curly hair.
“If you wanna run away with me I know a galaxy and I can take you for a ride,” he sang carefully, no music accompanying his lovely voice. “I had a premonition that we fell into a rhythm where the music don’t stop for life.” Turning his face to look in the other direction, the striking curve of his jaw in full view. “Glitter in the sky, glitter in my eyes, shining just the way I like. If you’re feeling like you need a little bit of company you met me at the perfect… time.” He looked down into the crowd and winked while giving the rope of the swing a flirty caress as he leaned his chest out, and Louis felt like he was staring directly at him.
“Who is that?” Louis murmured.
“Harry Styles.”
“Ah,” Louis nodded, unable to pull his eyes away from the white lace covered legs that were so delicately crossed over one another.
“Also known as the Sparkling Rose.” And sparkling he was.
The omega started to swing, the jewels on his costume glittering in the limelight. “You want me, I want you baby,” he sang while moving his body against the rope of the swing, “my sugar boo, I’m levitating,” his heeled legs swung out gracefully, “The Milky Way, we’re renegading.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!” the others chanted.
He jumped off the swing to land on a table where other dancers joined him. “I got you, moonlight, you’re my starlight. I need you all night, come on dance with me,” he put his hands on his hips and swung them provocatively. “I’m levitating.”
Louis found himself smiling.
“You,” Harry pointed at one of the alphas in the crowd. “moonlight, you’re my starlight.” He leaned over to kiss an alpha’s cheek who was offering a ruby necklace to him. “I need you all night,” he said as he grabbed another alpha’s chin, “come on, dance with me. I’m levitating!”
“He can really put on a show,” Louis murmured. It was like he was born to be on the stage, with such beautiful legs and shapely thighs.
“I wonder who his alpha will be now,” Liam remarked.
“What?” Louis turned his head. “An alpha?” Did Harry belong to someone?
“He’s one of the most sought of courtesans and his latest lover just left the country,” the Marquess explained. “So someone else is going to be his alpha now that he’s available again.”
“Oh,” Louis said. So Harry was a courtesan. Not all that surprising giving where he worked, after all. “Who will it be then?”
Liam shrugged as he looked around. “I think a French Duke who is here tonight. I met him once or twice and he seems like a nice chap, but I do remember someone telling me he wants Harry. And I don’t see why Harry wouldn’t be with him.”
“Glitter in the sky, glitter in our eyes, shining just the way we are. I feel like we’re forever every time we get together so whatever let’s get lost on Mars.”
Who wouldn’t want to have an omega like him as a lover? If Louis was the type to take up lovers he would surely be first in line to try and win him over.
“You want me,” Harry pointed to an alpha that blushed, “I want you baby. My sugarboo, I’m levitating. The Milkway, we’re renegading.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!”
The rest of the dancers joined in as Harry danced away, putting his hands in his hair as his body seduced the alphas one by one.
“When did he start working at Horan’s?”
Liam thought for a moment. “About three years ago? Maybe less.”
So it was after Louis had left England then. No wonder he never heard about him before.
“And he’s had lovers ever since?”
“I’m more than sure he had lovers before he worked at Niall’s,” Liam chuckled. “And I don’t even know his lovers personally. They’re always foreigners, from what I can tell. That’s why the Duke of Burgundy is definitely going to be his next lover, if the rumors are correct.”
So Harry was on the prowl tonight, and this was basically his mating ritual. He’d have more alphas trying to hump him than bees in a flower bed in spring.
“You can fly away with me tonight!” Harry danced to the beat with his hips and his arms up, the glitter on his costume sparkling in the light. “You can fly away with me tonight! Baby let me take you for a ride!” Harry grinned, winking at an alpha who threw a diamond necklace at him.
“You can fly away with me tonight,” he sang as he looked over at an alpha, grabbing him by his suspenders and throwing him on the table, “You can fly away with me tonight,” and proceeded to straddle him in full view of others. “Baby let me take you for a ride!” he moaned before grinding over him and getting up fast.
Harry quickly found another alpha at another table. “And who are you?” he asked, throwing a green feather boa around the alpha’s neck.
“Felix Johnson,” the man answered with a grin as small green feathers flew around his head.
“An American?” Harry gasped as they looked at the other omegas. “An American, gals!”
They all squealed and some of them started singing another song that the band quickly changed to.
“Take me on a trip I’d like to go someday.”
Harry giggled with a smirk. “Take me to New York, I’d love to see LA!” he sang to him, wrapping his white boa around the alpha’s neck. “I really want to come kick it with you.”
“You’ll be my American Boy!” the dancers called out. “American Boy!”
Harry winked at him before sliding the boa off him. The song then transitioned into the omega’s original song while Harry climbed on Liam’s table.
“My love is like a rocket, watch you blast off. And I’m feeling so electric dance my ass off,” he shook his bum out as the alphas howled, standing directly in front of Jacob, “And even if I wanted to I can’t stop.” He quickly blew a kiss to him.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!” the chorus sang as Harry fell to his hands and knees on the table.
“You want me,” the omega sang, dropping to his knees to go on all fours as he methodically crawled over the table, the other alphas whistling as he did. “I want you baby. My sugar boo. I’m levitating. The milky way. We’re renegading.”
“I got you,” Harry sang, whipping his head until he was inches away from Louis’ face, their eyes meeting for a second that seemed to stop the music as Harry’s curls fell in soft ringlets over his face. The omega had almost crystal green eyes, with sparkling golden flecks in them that just made every bit of him shimmer. With his lips parted as he panted, Louis noticed how full and pink his lips were, and he wondered how they tasted. The alpha could suddenly smell his scent: peach, and it was heavenly as it wrapped around him.
“Moonlight. You’re my starlight. I need you, all night,” the others sang. “Come on dance with me. I’m levitating!”
Hands appeared on either side of Harry, shaking them from their trance as Harry noticed them and grabbed on to each before the other dancers pulled him up.
“You can fly away with me tonight,” Harry sang as he shook his hip while they danced on the table. “Baby let me take you for a ride.” Louis couldn’t take his eyes off him.
No wonder alphas threw their money at him like it was nothing. A night with this delectable omega was sure to be worth any price, and any alpha. And everyone was eager to see who would be the next alpha that would be sharing his bed.
“I got you, moonlight, you’re my starlight. I need you, all night. Come on dance with me. I’m levitating!”
Oh.
“I got you, moonlight, you’re my starlight. I need you all night.”
Suddenly the idea came into his head. It was perfect. And he had Harry Styles to thank for it.
“Come on dance with me. I’m levitating!”
♢
Once the song was done and he got a standing ovation from all the alphas in the room, Harry knew he had to go find the duke in the crowd before the night was over. There was no way he was going to waste the night without making sure he had a new alpha to take care of him.
“Where is the duke?” Harry whispered as he changed costumes in the second dressing room. There was an area designated for them from the second floor where all their costumes were brought, and he practically ran all the way up there to change. Gone was all the sparkly all-white outfit, slipping out of it before getting laced up in another. Now he was dressed in a black glitter outfit with sheer skirts and black thigh high socks to accompany it.
“I heard the Marquess of Wolverhampton is sitting next to a duke!” Harris called out.
Harry walked over to the balcony to scan the crowd below, spotting them at their table. “Oh. Wolverhampton is friends with the Duke of Burgundy?” That was the alpha he shared a moment with, the scent of mahogany. He got so lost in his eyes that he forgot to sing the rest of the lines with the chorus. Maybe that was a good sign.
“I guess so,” Harris shrugged. “I definitely heard the table calling him a Duke. He’s wearing a white mask.”
“Perfect,” Harry smiled, pulling on the black satin gloves and giving his hair a fluff in the mirror before going back out to the party. It was time to get his alpha.
The band was playing an interlude before the dancefloor opened up, and Harry rushed across the room to go find the duke so they could have the first dance. He found the table again, eyeing the alpha as he spoke to his friend.
The white masked alpha. With a deep breath, he strutted over to the table, smiling as he saw the alphas looking at him in awe, throwing a friendly wink to one of them. Soon he was standing in front of the duke, and everything about him was divine. His scent, his clothes, his hair. And most importantly, the blue eyes that enchanted him earlier. So Harry took the opportunity to sit in his lap, making the alpha’s jaw drop as he realized what was happening.
“Are you the Duke?” he asked sweetly, bringing a hand up to stroke his cheek. He smiled as he felt the duke’s hands rest against one of his thighs.
“Yes?”
“Wonderful!” Harry declared, planting a kiss on his cheek, leaving a red stain on his skin. The alpha absolutely smelled even better up close, with that rich scent of mahogany. The omega never had an alpha with that scent before, and he was going to love bathing in that scent for the next few months. It was clearly meant to be. “I’ve been expecting you, Your Grace.”
“You have?” the alpha almost whispered, his voice raspy like thick honey. Harry was sold already. And while he was used to compliments, but it did make him blush a bit at just how intently the duke was staring at him with those clear blue eyes. “You’re beautiful.”
“Thank you,” Harry replied with a giggle, quick to stand up again with a hand on his cocked-out hip. “Shall we dance?”
The alpha chuckled as he stood up with him, asking for his hand. Once Harry accepted, they walked out together.
“Ma-i-a hi, Ma-i-a hu, Ma-i-a ho, Ma-i-a ha-ha”
“Hope you enjoy your time here, Duke!” Harry called out as he led him to the dancefloor, making a space for them against all the bodies that were already dancing. Scents were everywhere, but nothing could compare to the lingering scent of the alpha’s he now had on him.
“I hope to,” the alpha laughed.
Harry loved how quickly the alpha put his hands on his waist, bringing them even closer as they danced. Now his scent was even stronger, with the rich mahogany filling his senses as the omega brought his arms around the alpha’s neck. It was delectable. They did the typical dances of the clubs, the moves that would never be allowed to be danced in the society ballrooms. Bodies dancing flushed together, leaving no room for decency as they dipped and swayed to the rhythm.
The omega shook his hips to the beat of the music, surprised at how well the alpha danced. He didn’t often find alphas that could dance well, so that was definitely a plus.
“Dragostea Din Tei!” Harry called out with the rest of the dancers, kicking his leg up in the air and making sure the duke got a good look at it. The alpha’s eyes went wide as his jaw slightly dropped at the sight of his leg, and reached up a hand to catch his ankle, keeping it up in the air.
“Flexible,” the duke murmured.
“You have no idea,” Harry smirked. “I can give you a demonstration in private, if you’d like.”
The duke just looked at him, lips still parted while Harry laughed and brought his foot down.
A row of dancers started doing the cancan to the song, but Harry opted to keep dancing with the duke. Which meant bringing his hips to be flush with the alpha’s as they rocked together. There was just something about his scent that was intoxicating, and it made his inner omega want his knot badly.
So it did not surprise him when he felt a bulge against his thigh, making his mouth drop. “Oh,” he crooned in his ear. “Big boy.” He decided to be bold as took his hand, quickly leading him away from the others dancers to sneak behind a column so they could have some privacy.
“Wha-” the alpha grunted before Harry crashed his lips onto his. For a brief second Harry thought the Duke would pull away, but then a hand went down to his thigh and hiked it up, bringing him closer as the alpha deepened the kiss. Harry brought both of his arms up to lace around the Duke’s neck, and they explored their mouths for whoever knows how long. The omega just knew he wanted his knot by the end of the night, because he could feel the big bulge pressing against his thigh, and he couldn’t wait for the night to be over.
The Duke pulled away, breathless. No doubt not wanting to take it further before they could actually meet later. “That was…” he breathed out.
“Good?” Harry asked sweetly, licking his lips. He could taste the alpha’s saliva, and he actually liked it. He’d probably like the taste of his cum too. Damn, he couldn’t remember being that horny for an alpha in a long time. That was a very good sign for how their couplings would go.
“Better than that,” the alpha murmured softly.
Harry met his eyes through the mask, eyes so blue like the ocean his lovers would describe. He wanted to swim in them forever. Why couldn’t the night end now?
“It’s going down, I’m yelling timber!”
Harry looked in the direction of the crowd. “Should we go back?”
The Duke nodded, taking a step back from him. “Allow me,” he offered his hand. So proper like his tongue hadn’t been in his throat a few minutes prior. Harry just smirked as he took his hand and followed him back to the dancefloor.
“Swing your partner round and round, end of the night it’s going down. One more shot, another round. End of the night it’s going down.”
Harry laughed as the duke spun him, almost falling on one another as they danced. Oh how he hoped the rumors were true and the Duke wanted him as a lover.
“You better move, you better dance, let’s make the night you won’t remember, I’ll be the one you won’t forget.”
They danced in a circle around the room along with the other couples, with the alphas throwing their omegas in the air every few steps. And that meant Harry had a wonderful view watching the duke put his firm hands on his waist. He tried to be decent and not think about how good those hands would look around his neck, but he failed every time the alpha squeezed him. Eventually Harry pressed his back against the duke, making sure his bum met the front of the alpha’s.
“Is it possible to see you later?” the duke whispered into his ear, sending a slight shiver down the omega’s spine. He already enjoyed how pleasant the alpha’s soft voice was.
Harry nodded as he tried to hide his grin. He was successful in seducing him, and all that was left was to seal the deal later on. “I have a room upstairs for the night. Come as soon as you can, Your Grace.”
“I shall,” the duke nodded, stepping back to spin Harry to face him. The song ended as another one started, and the duke bowed to Harry.
“Until later, Your Grace,” Harry said with a nod.
“If you liked it then you should’ve put a ring on it.”
Harry walked away, looking over his shoulder to see the alpha still admiring him as he did, making sure to swing his hips a bit more. Might as well give him a show.
And that was all he could think about for the rest of the night. He danced with other alphas, but the duke was all he could think about. The handsome alpha with blue eyes who happened to be a divine kisser. Harry really was in for a treat for the next few months.
♢
Louis was itching to go see Harry all night. He didn’t feel like dancing with any other omegas for the remainder of the party, so he went back to the table to find Liam happily gambling. The alpha had barely noticed he was gone, instead so excited to share all his winnings of the night. So while he smoked a cigar and listened to Liam’s drunk ramblings, Louis just watched Harry closely as he danced with others. His plan was perfect, and no one would see it coming.
Harry was just so beautiful, and perfect. Kissed like an angel and danced like a devil, there was nothing Louis didn’t like about him. Which made his scheme all the better. So when it came time to send everyone home, Louis was only too delighted to help people on their way. Which meant taking care of Liam as well.
“All the boys and all the girls want to fuck me.” Liam slurred out.
“What?”
“Fuck me!” the alpha shouted.
“You can ask Zayn to do that on your wedding night,” Louis said with an eyeroll.
“No,” Liam groaned. “The song! There is no Amy!” he cried. “It’s a filthy song!”
Louis tried hard not to laugh out loud. Liam was one step away from passing out drunk after spending the night surrounded by pretty omegas, and his mind was still set on figuring out a random song from earlier in the night. “Good job, lad,” Louis chuckled, putting one of his shoulders under his to carry him outside. “Glad you figured it out.” They kept on walking until they reached the front door.
“Your Grace!” a red headed man came running up the steps. “You don’t need to be carrying him.”
“I do, Mr. Wright,” Louis said as he helped Liam down the stairs and made sure the other alpha didn’t tumble down. “Make room in my automobile.”
“Yes, sir,” Oli nodded, rushing over to the car to open the door.
Louis looked over at Liam once he had him slumped in the backseat of the car. “Have him sent to my home. Set him up in a guest room and have one of the maids tell cook to make a broth in the morning for him.”
The beta nodded. “And you sir?”
“I’ll be out for a while longer,” he said simply, looking back at the mansion. “I have a business matter to attend to.”
“Alright, sir,” Oli winked, turning on the engine.
As he watched them drive away, Louis smiled to himself. It was the perfect plan. As long as Harry would agree to it as well.
♢
Back in his room, Harry scrambled through his trunks to pick an outfit to see the duke in. Once he saw that the alphas were leaving and the party was definitely ending, he rushed to his room to change into something that would definitely get him laid. He didn’t want it to be too revealing, but he opted for a peachy pink lace outfit that barely hid his chest and changed his knee-high black socks for peach lace ones that had pretty white garters. Alphas loved it when he looked like how he tasted, after all.
And what was special about the outfit was that it had an open area right between his legs which was barely covered by the lace skirt. Which mean it was the easiest access to get fucked in.
There was a slow knock at his door, and Harry took one more look in the mirror before rushing to the bed, smoothing out his outfit before sitting on it. “Come in!” he called.
The duke walked in, still wearing the mask from earlier, the blue eyes still staring intently at him.
“Hello,” the alpha said.
“Good evening, Your Grace” Harry smiled as he lay back on the bed against the mountain of pillows. “Make yourself comfortable.”
“Thank you,” The Duke nodded, shrugging off his jacket. Underneath he wore black suspenders over a crisp white shirt. He had a slim frame, with the hint of muscles he could see under the shirt. Harry couldn’t wait to bite into them as he rode his knot.
“Would you like a light snack?” Harry offered with a delicate finger point to the tray of goods Niall had given him. “To keep your energy up for the night.” Usually, Harry didn’t find his clients that appealing. Enough to get himself wet enough after some foreplay, but it was rare that he would already be slicking himself before he even got a chance to see the alpha naked. This was such a good sign that the duke would be a good fuck in bed.
“No thank you,” the alpha chuckled. “I had a coffee earlier and I feel quite awake for what I’m about to do.”
Harry’s mouth practically watered at the thought. He just knew the Duke had a big knot. He just knew.
“You can take the mask off,” Harry giggled.
“Oh,” the Duke blushed, hands flying up to his face to take it off.
Harry gasped once he could see the alpha’s complete face, sitting up in the bed at the shock. While this alpha had the same color hair as the Duke of Burgundy, he most definitely did not have the same eyes or rest of the face. “You’re not the Duke of Burgundy…” the omega trailed off.
“No I am not,” Louis laughed.
Harry frowned, wondering what to do now. There he was thinking he had spent the entire night wooing a different duke. A duke he was sure was going to pamper him for the next few months. And now that all might have been for nothing. “Are you even a duke?”
“I am,” the Duke nodded. “I’m Louis Tomlinson, Duke of Yorkshire.”
“Yorkshire?” Harry frowned deeper. That was in England. Oh fuck. That wouldn’t do. No no no. But he smelled so nice…. Well. He’d take his knot for the night. But that was it. “I haven’t heard much about the Dukes of Yorkshire, I’m afraid,” he sighed. “So since you’re not the Duke I was expecting, what are you here for then?”
“I have a proposition to make.”
Oh. Well, he wasn’t going to miss the opportunity of getting knotted by him. The alpha had smelled so good all night, and was a divine kisser. It would just be a waste of a night if Harry didn’t end up on his knot. So the omega smiled, laying back against the pillows as he opened his legs.
“Not that kind,” the man said.
Harry moped. “Am I not to your liking?” But Harry knew lust. He knew every inch of it, and he could tell the Duke was aroused. Gone was the strong scent of mahogany, because now he could smell the hint of a new scent laced with it: ginger. That was definitely the alpha’s scent of arousal.
Louis visibly swallowed. “That’s not the point of this meeting.”
“Then, pray tell, why are you visiting a courtesan in the middle of the night if not to fuck?” Harry asked with a huff, snapping his legs shut. He was rather wound up from the night and had been looking forward to having this very handsome alpha’s knot. Now it looked he like wasn’t going to get that at all.
“Will you let me explain?”
Harry sighed with a nod. Out of all the things they could be doing…
“I’ve only just arrived in London. About a month ago. My father recently passed and so the title fell to me. And now everyone expects me to marry but I cannot find an omega that I find agreeable.”
“I can see the high class omegas have made a good impression on you,” Harry giggled, resting his head against his hand. Not that he really judged them, but from what the alphas told him, the rich omegas were often a bore. “What on earth do you want with me then, Duke, if you’re not here to knot me?”
“I do not plan to marry any time soon,” Louis declared, a soft blush on his cheeks. Oh, the alpha was no doubt used to respectable omegas talking to him. Not someone like Harry. “But because I have a dukedom and am single, I have mothers throwing their omegas at me, omegas declaring they love me, and alphas thinking I’m some kind of rival for their affection. I’m honestly sick of it. I shall not marry if it is not for love, and so far I have met no omegas to my liking.”
Awh, a sentimental alpha. Harry had no use of that, though. “I still don’t-”
“I want you to be my lover,” Louis declared, leaving Harry stunned. “Publicly.”
“Excuse me?”
“I heard you… accompany many wealthy patrons for a living. In fact, if my sources are correct, you just finished a liaison with a prince who went back home and now you’re in need of a new… lover.”
Harry raised a brow. “I am a whore if that’s what you’re trying to say, Your Grace. I take alpha’s knots for a living, yes.”
The alpha seemed to blush at the comment, which almost brought a smile to Harry’s face. Such a proper gentleman that was no doubt a proper romp in bed. The shyest ones always were.
“Well… yes,” the Duke admitted with a cough, briefly looking away. “Which means you’re available. I want to be able to take you out on my arm, have people see that I am not interested in taking a spouse, and then they will leave me alone. I don’t know another option besides leaving the country yet again. I don’t think I can survive any more luncheons and balls at this rate.”
Harry really couldn’t believe his ears. “So you want me as your lover?”
The alphas nodded. “I want to take you out to dinner here and there so society will see I am serious about not having a spouse. Then my family will leave me alone as well if they know I am not looking for a mate. Oh, and I don’t plan on sleeping with you. I just need your company during the day, that is all. Nothing more”
He wouldn’t even be getting his knot? “You must be out of your mind,” Harry scoffed.
“What?” the duke sounded genuinely hurt. “You don’t want me?”
“I think you’re mad!” Harry laughed, getting up from the bed and walking towards the small table of gifts to pour himself some champagne. He needed a drink if he was going to deal with this rationally. “Look. I’ve been with princes, sultans, heirs, Americans, you name it. And when it comes to our countrymen I’ve had earls and barons in my bed but never as lovers for more than a night. But a Duke? I am not going out there with a Duke!”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m going to get looked at!” Harry exclaimed, popping the bottle and pouring himself a glass. He didn’t bother offering the duke one because he was still annoyed he wasn’t going to get his knot.
“It’s not different than going to dinner with a foreigner!” Louis said.
Harry rolled his eyes. “They’re allowed to bring the lowest of life's with them, as long as the omega is pretty. They don’t get looks because most don’t care which courtesan a foreigner is seen with. They’re excused. But a British Duke is not! And not an eligible one, as a matter of fact.”
“Yet you were waiting for another Duke,” Louis deadpanned.
“Yes a French one,” Harry exasperated as he swiftly turned to face him, gesturing with his glass in hand and nearly spilling the liquid. “Completely different.”
“I don’t see how it is,” the alpha shrugged.
Harry narrowed his eyes. “When you grow up without nothing and suddenly find yourself surrounded by riches only because you sell yourself, then we can talk about what kind of looks you get in public, Duke.”
“I didn’t think you would-”
“You don’t think us courtesans have feelings?” Harry scoffed. “I assure you we do.”
“I don’t mean that,” Louis said. “I mean… I don’t see how you being seen with me would be any different from the outings you would have with a prince or foreign duke.”
“Because they don’t have ties here,” Harry said easily, plopping down on the edge of the bed as he crossed one leg over the other. “I don’t have to deal with their families, or jealous wives, or other lovers. They stay for a few months, I get to stay in a rented house of my own they get for me, and then they’re gone and all I’m left with is their gifts once our business deal ends. Then I go looking for the next alpha that will provide me with a house and so on and so on. But I only sleep with foreigners, Your Grace. Other people like me love entertaining people of the British gentry. I do not happen to be one of them. So if you want I can direct you to some of my friends who you can happily escort to the wolves.” He got up to go show him the door. Harry could’ve been catching up on sleep instead of having such a useless conversation with an alpha who wasn’t going to bother to knot him.
“I’ll buy you your own house,” the alpha said instantly.
Harry stopped in his tracks. “What?”
“If you do this, I will buy you your own house. Pick any house in London to rent and if you like it by the time this is done the I’ll buy it for you or you can pick another house. Either way, you keep a house this time.”
A house. A house of his own. Oh. “How do I know your future spouse won’t come after me?” Harry murmured over his shoulder, still not believing what he heard. “Like I said, I do not want to deal with jealous lovers.”
“It shall probably be years until I marry,” The Duke pressed. “I want to marry for love and I know that will take some time.”
Harry exhaled, chewing his bottom lip as he tried to decide.
“Please,” Louis asked softly. “Besides the house, I’ll buy you diamonds, jewelry, anything your heart desires. Only for the appearance of having you as my mistress. I don’t want to share your bed, just your presence.”
Harry thought for a moment, turning to the side instead of fully facing him again. He’s always wanted a home of his own. A bigger home than all the rented ones he was gifted for a few months. He was actually just moving out of the place the prince had bought for him. And here was an alpha that smelled divinely and was offering all he wanted on a silver platter without even having the need to knot him. It was almost too good to be true.
“Harry,” the door opened, both of them turning to see who it was. “Why the fuck didn’t you lock it?” Lily was standing there in her robe, clearly on the way to entertain in alpha for the night by the way she was dressed. “Oh. Thought you were alone.”
“Sorry,” Harry murmured. “What’s wrong?”
She looked over at the duke, who gave her a small smile. “Um,” she nodded, turning back to face Harry, “your Duke is waiting by the stairs. Just dropping by to tell you in case you forgot.”
Well, it was now or never. And Harry wanted to find out more about the alpha that smelled divinely. So he turned back to face the Duke, who was looking back at him with eager eyes.
“Send him away, Lily,” Harry said, meeting Louis’ eyes. “Someone else is going to keep me busy these next few months. Tell Margaret she can have him instead.”
He was going to do this, it seemed. And really, he’d do anything to see a smile bloom like that on the Duke’s face. Plus, he came with a house. There wasn’t really anything that could go wrong.