Chapter Text
Johnny sat on his throne, his stomach twisting and wishing he could twist his hands together to go with it. He had somehow made it this far being the king and not being caught out, as it were, by being an Omega instead of an Alpha. Most of his court and advisors thought he was an Alpha or, as he once heard, “at least he might be a Beta and that’s better than an Omega on the throne.” He and his parents had had many conversations about it, especially after he presented as an Omega with a muted scent. He hated the fact that there seemed to be a stigma or set of “cultural rules” that said only Alphas were fit to lead and rule.
"Hopefully one day your scent will bloom, however....it may be for the best that it remains muted until your place on the throne and as head of the country is set and you cannot be dislodged," his father had told him.
"We are trying to change the way people think of Omegas in positions of power, but you know how it is," his mother had said. "Most think Omegas are only good to be in positions of power that are orphanages, women's homes, Omegan houses, and the like. As if an Alpha going through a rut isn't as incapacitated just as much as an Omega in heat."
So it was that Johnny was thought of as a “second class Alpha” or a Beta by all and sundry, except for his parents, his best friends Kyle and Gary, and the guard captain, Price. The royal family knew Johnny would need staunch allies in his corner anyways, let alone when his true designation would come to light. His father had passed away a year and a half before, passing from a severe illness that came out of nowhere and attacked all of his organs and immune system.
Official Court Mourning lasted two years. Johnny and Queen Elisabeth had come out of full mourning six months ago and were now in half mourning. The coronation had happened four months ago, and was the only time Johnny was in anything other than the half mourning darker colors of shades of gray, purple, or lilac, or combinations of black and white.
They had decided to open the Court, allowing the nobles to begin to modestly play The Game again. It was within the past two months that Johnny's inherited advisors (he was starting to rotate them out) had suggested that in preparation for the Mate Ceremony they allow eligible suitors to come to the court and be seen and introduced. Johnny had spoken with his mother, and they decided to allow it. So it was that invitations went out to all the eligible Omegas. Johnny had known in the back of his mind that that would happen, yet was still dismayed that it did. He, like any other Omega, dreamed of the perfect Alpha (or Beta) mate for them.
One of the top worries he had was any scandal that a potential Omega mate might cause when they found out he was also an Omega. Or at least, their families. Omega/Omega pairs weren’t uncommon, however children (a main reason for official royal and noble marriages) were harder to conceive with Alpha/Alpha and Omega/Omega pairings. Johnny and his mother recognized this, and had made several contingency plans depending on the Omega and their family.
So Johnny sat on his throne, looking out at all the new faces dotted across the room for Introduction Day. All the Omegas were walking or standing, most looking nervous. A few looked scared, yet Johnny didn't blame them. They were in a new country, or a new part of it, and were about to meet a king. Who wouldn't be nervous? Johnny heard the whispers via Kyle that the newcomers thought that the king was blocking his scent so as to not scare or disappoint the arrivals. How considerate the king was! Johnny chuckled nervously at some of the whispers and continued to watch his Court and the new arrivals move in that familiar dance, muted colors and jewels still swirling and sparkling in the light.
Off to one side by the windows, Simon stood with Tommy, both agreeing silently to stand there to watch everyone. The House of Riley was one of the older families in the country just to the south of King John's, and yet they were slightly more impoverished than they let on. Their father - who had thankfully for everyone on the estate died two years ago due to injuries received in a boar hunt - had gambled away large sums. Simon, as the eldest and Alpha, had taken over as Lord Riley, Duke of Manchester. He had reinstated several of the lucrative trades and deals his father had let fall to the wayside; thankfully, those people had known how his father was and were more than happy to do business with Simon and not Eustace.
When they had received the invitation for "Lord Thomas of Manchester," Tommy had just turned 17. Simon was coming up on his 28th birthday, and while others had pressured Simon to find a mate quickly, the Dowager Duchess Johanna had been firm. She recognized the distaste Simon had for some of the ladies that had been almost thrown at him, and the distaste at the actions taken by those who put forward their children without asking anyone their opinion.
"You need to feel as steady as possible in your new role before anyone comes into the family," his mother said. "I will support you in this." Simon had hugged his mother, grateful that she was so understanding.
Simon spoke with Tommy first about the whole thing. They knew that this would be something that would help out their floundering family and estate, and ensure that the people who relied on them to rule well would be taken care of. Tommy reassured his brother that he had no problem at least going to see the new king, who was reported to be 25 years of age and well liked.
"Eight years isn't that bad a difference in highborn marriages, and well....I'm willing to make the marriage work, if we meet and at least can get along," Tommy had said. "Besides, it would be a slight we cannot afford to make to refuse the invitation and NOT go."
Simon had agreed. So they made the journey, and were in darker clothes themselves to honor the half mourning the country was still in for King Duncan. Simon was in black trousers, tucked into fine dark brown leather boots, and a deep heather gray linen shirt with a deep lavender vest. He had taken off his coat, and the Riley coat of arms was stitched into the vest. Tommy was wearing similar clothing, but with a white shirt and black vest.
Other lords and ladies who lived near them stood near to them, taking their cue from them (one of the hazards of being a Duke and his brother - they set the tone and trends for their area of influence, whether on their estates or in gatherings like this one). They had already looked at King John, and had agreed he looked like a nice man. Tommy had joshed a bit at Simon, as they both knew that King John was definitely a looker and was Simon's type - taller and more muscled. Simon had smiled back at him, making some of the closer Omegas swoon a bit at the combination of his smile and his scent of lemon citrus and pine.
The ceremony started with King John standing and making a welcoming speech, thanking everyone for coming. The king then started to make his way around the room to greet everyone. Simon could easily see that the king was wearing a pleasant mask, and was impressed by how he managed to side step the more forward Omegas who tried to scent him. Simon found himself idly wondering what the king smelled like. His path took him closer and closer to them, until finally they were next.
Johnny had made the rounds with the ease of practice, and had dodged the scenting also with long practice. He didn't need any of the Omegas recognizing his scent if they didn't hit it off right away. He was halfway around the room when he realized something that had been affecting his mood without him realizing - he was a few days away from his heat. Between Omegas he sighed, and Price heard it.
"Everything alright, Your Majesty?" Price said in a murmur, and Johnny nodded.
"Didn't realize what time it was, that's all," he replied with a hand gesture that looked innocuous but was a signal to Price that he was close to his heat week. Price nodded before focusing on the pair of men they were walking up to. Price recognized them and made the formal introductions.
"Your Majesty, may I introduce Lord Simon Riley, Duke of Manchester and his brother, Lord Thomas. Lord Thomas is the Omega to be presented," Price said. The two men stepped forward at their names and made a half bow as they were named before stepping back. Johnny looked them over; both looked good in the darker colors they wore, with Simon's wheat blonde-white hair tied in a French-fishtail braid style and Thomas' chestnut brown hair tied back in a simple horse tail.
Johnny exchanged pleasantries with Thomas, the conversation flowing more naturally than some of the others. However, a scent kept capturing his attention, making him a bit distracted. He finally realized it wasn't the pine and petrichor scent of Thomas, but a similar one to his that replaced the petrichor scent with lemon. With a start, he realized it was Lord Simon's scent that kept getting his attention. Thomas seemed to notice, looked between the two of them, and with a shy smile caught Johnny's attention.
"Your Majesty, may I present my brother Lord Simon, Duke of Manchester?" Thomas said. At that, Johnny and Price shot him a sharp look. Thomas gestured, and the four of them got close enough so that Thomas could whisper.
"Your Majesty, Sir Price, if I may be so bold as to make an observation. As an Omega who had to stay in the background due to some archaic beliefs of their society and their father - I couldn't help but notice that it wasn't my Omegan scent catching your attention, but an Alpha's scent. I've done some research, and well - sometimes a muted scent can be either a Beta or an Omega who hasn't found their mated scent yet," Thomas said. Simon cut a sharp glance at his brother before his brown eyes fixed on the king's bright blue eyes.
Johnny felt like his own gaze was captured to drown in the deep brown, almost black eyes of Lord Simon. They both deeply inhaled, and he could smell how Simon's scent spiked with interest at scenting Johnny. It was then that Johnny realized he was getting flushed, both on his face and in his groin. Simon inhaled again, and let loose what seemed to be an involuntary Alpha rumble. Price bit back a curse as Johnny's scent fully spiked and became inherently Omegan and immediately recognizable as such.
Simon had patiently gone through the introductions, and caught the muted scent of the king. It was a combination of the burnt sugar smell of caramel and orange citrus. It invaded his nose and wouldn't go away; it was definitely something that he wouldn't easily forget. He was surprised at Thomas' revelation, and was more surprised when he smelled a spike in the king's scent. He inhaled, finding that the smell was deeply satisfying in a way he had never felt before with any other possible Omega partner. His exhale with the rumble sent an almost visible shockwave through the king, and Simon's next inhale told him that the king had been thrust into pre-heat early. He felt his Alpha side rear up, ready to protect and defend the Omega in front of him.
Johnny felt himself slick up even more when Simon kicked up a rumbling purr, fully Alpha in nature. He noticed through a bit of a haze that Simon had aborted a step forward, as if he wanted to get closer but knew that he couldn't. Simon's fists were opening and closing as his Alpha side warred with courtly graces and rules. Price had already called over Kyle; Kyle had gone off to let Queen Elisabeth know what was happening, and Price (in place of Gary, who was the Royal Beta Companion to John but had gone to visit his family the week before) stepped forward to take John's arm. They all heard Queen Elisabeth calling the first round of introductions to a close and thanking everyone before people started to file out. As they left, people were glancing around and trying to find out who had gone into pre-heat; their noses told them what was going on, even if they weren't getting verbal or visible confirmation.
Simon felt like a rope was tugging him towards the king, yet was able to hold himself back as they were all escorted behind the dais to the small reception room there. The smaller room amplified their intertwining scents, and Simon allowed his rumble to kick up in volume. His Alpha self was hurt that he wasn't getting a response. Why wasn't his Omega responding? Where was John's purr? Was he a bad match for a mate? But that was HIS mate - their scents both had a citrus note to it, and it was Simon who had gotten such a response from the king - no one else.
Elisabeth made arrangements, sending Kyle and one of her ladies in waiting to prep John's rooms for his heat week. She watched as Simon got more and more agitated as John paced the room, loosening his shirt laces and fanning himself with the shirt. Finally, she knew she had to say something, especially since Johnny had suppressed his instincts for too long.
"My son," she said, her voice gentle. John looked at her, dazed but focused.
"Your Alpha is waiting," she said, gesturing at Simon. John was startled, then seemed to recognize the rumble in the room as Simon's. Simon's scent had soured slightly as his doubts came to the forefront, but took a hopeful turn as John walked up to him and smiled.
"Hello," he said as he looked up and held out his hand. Simon took his hand, and John took Simon's hand and rubbed his cheek against it and Simon's wrist, scenting him. It was then that John experienced his first authentic Omegan purr; it was a bit slow to start, but gained volume and vibration as he inhaled more of Simon's scent. He looked up at Simon sideways, shy as he let himself truly be himself, truly be Omega. He felt something in his chest relax, feeling painfully pleasurable, like a muscle that had been tense for too long finally relaxing. He could tell by everyone's faces that his scent was fully in "bloom" and was showcasing his pre-heat.
He could tell when Simon smelled it. The man's eyes widened, and his irises also widened so that they looked almost fully black. Simon's scent completely lost any notes of sourness or unhappiness, and he held out his other arm. Johnny immediately walked into his embrace, burying his head in Simon's chest and rubbing his head against Simon. He felt Simon nuzzle his head against his braided mohawk, and he squirmed in happiness. His Alpha liked him!
Elisabeth and Price watched the two of them get much better acquainted, with Thomas next to them. Elisabeth turned to Thomas, an apologetic look on her face. Thomas smiled and bowed.
"I'm not offended, Your Majesty. My brother deserves happiness just as much as anyone else. Your spies may have told you a bit about Lord Eustace, and well....Simon helped protect the rest of us from him as much as possible. It's part of why he hadn't taken a wife or mate yet," Thomas said. Elisabeth and Price noted how he did not say any variation of Father when referring to his sire. They both nodded, and when Kyle came back to indicate that John's rooms were ready and waiting for him to make a nest Thomas stepped forward.
"Simon?" At his brother's voice, Simon's gaze snapped to look at Thomas' face. Thomas was calm and grinning, his scent full of happiness at the sight of John almost hanging off of his brother.
"His Majesty's rooms are ready for his heat, and now await the building of his nest. Would you allow me to assist you in escorting him to his rooms?" Thomas asked, and Simon nodded. Kyle motioned for Thomas to follow him, and Simon followed Thomas while literally carrying John. John had his arms around Simon's neck and his legs around his waist, and Simon could feel and smell his slick soaking his pants. Simon knew he had never been as aroused before in his life, smelling the sweetness of John's arousal. He was so glad that he had worked alongside his farmers and other estate workers to have the strong man physique he held; he could carry his Omega with no strain at all.
They got to the suite of rooms that were Johnny's, and there were guards stationed both at the door as well as at each end of the hallway in pairs. All of them were Betas and Omegas to prevent any issues with other Alphas. Elisabeth walked them to the door and paused. Simon paused as well and turned his head to listen.
"We will have Lord Thomas bring supplies, or Sir Price will hand them off to one of the guards. I think the rooms are self explanatory. If you need anything, let one of the guards know and we will do our best to get you what is needed. We already put your luggage in the room," she said. Simon bowed his head in respect.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," he replied, then entered the room. The doors were closed behind them. Johnny was barely paying attention to what was going on; he was drunk on the smell of Simon. He came to when Simon sat on the edge of his bed. He raised his head and gazed at Simon, blinking his eyes to try to clear them. He found that Simon was gazing right back at him, the softness Johnny felt reflected in Simon's eyes. Johnny cleared his throat, suddenly embarrassed and blushing. Simon pressed a gentle kiss to Johnny's forehead.
"Don't be embarrassed," Simon said. "I'm not. I mean, maybe some folks might be embarrassed or angry that they were "misinformed," but as I understand it people made assumptions. Hell, even I made those same assumptions. Ignore them; you are yourself, strong and true." Johnny smiled at that, the scent of approval from Simon clearing his head more.
"You're not angry or anything? I mean, it was your brother who was supposed to be introduced to me as a possible mate," Johnny said. Simon shook his head.
"I'm not angry at all. I'm actually a bit relieved; though Thomas was willing to make a match if things sparked, I think we're both a bit glad that it happened this way," Simon said.
"Really really?" Johnny's voice was a bit small. Simon nodded again, his hands squeezing Johnny's sides gently.
"Really really," he replied, his voice a nice rumble. "Why don't you make your nest?" Johnny brightened at that, and immediately dove into the bed to arrange it to his liking.
Simon stood to take care of some things himself. When Johnny was done (getting undressed to his underclothes in the process) he saw that Simon too had mostly undressed. At the sight of the tall broad Alpha, all muscled and thick and completely able to throw Johnny around if needed (and protect him), Johnny started purring again, his scent full of pleasure and approval. Simon rumbled back, walking over with a bag of items. He stood next to the bed, setting the bag down on the side table and waiting politely for permission to enter the nest. Johnny reached up and tugged on his hand, drawing him into the nest. Simon allowed himself to be shuffled around to be placed just right, Johnny purring the entire time with a smile.
"Am I a good addition to the nest?" Simon asked. Johnny huffed, humor in his tone.
"Of course Simon," he said. "May I call you Simon?" Simon nodded, allowing himself to relax against the pillows and headboard.
"Why would you think otherwise?" Johnny asked, making himself comfortable on top of Simon. Simon's scent got sad, and Johnny immediately started kissing his hand.
"Well....my father, who died two years ago, always told me I was a failure of an Alpha. That my not going out and "winning" an Omega in a hunt of some kind indicated I wouldn't be a good nestmate," Simon said. Johnny's eyes flashed in anger as Simon spoke of his father in a flat tone, how his verbal jabs always landed deep and he was just now learning to unhook them. Johnny flashed his smaller Omegan fangs, his demeanor full of ferociousness.
"I'm just as glad he's dead. I'm tempted to tear his throat out myself for the things he said about my Alpha," he said with a firm tone. Simon looked surprised but pleased, rumbling at the thought that his mate was a potential partner and equal, and not just someone looking to socially climb. Simon rubbed a thumb along John’s shoulder, admiring his lap full of pleased Omega.
“Before we get too much further, may I have permission to take you, sir? Eat you out and fill your pretty cunt with me?” Simon’s question had Johnny whining, squirming in his lap as Simon felt more slick pulse out of Johnny. A wide grin crossed his face.
“Yes Simon, please Alpha!” Johnny moaned, thrusting and grinding his hips on and into one of Simon’s large thighs. That was all Simon needed; he lurched forward and pulled Johnny into a heated kiss. He felt Johnny’s pelvis continue to thrust against him as they kissed, full of wet heat and entwined tongues. Simon held Johnny close, a hand on his lower back to encourage the Omega to continue thrusting. He heard the muffled whines and moans coming from Johnny, and pressed down with his hand to keep Johnny’s pelvis in place as he moved his thigh and nipped at Johnny’s shoulder.
Johnny shuddered through an orgasm, slick thick and sticky on his underclothes and Simon’s thigh. Simon was intoxicated off the thick smell of it, his Alpha instincts roaring to the forefront of his mind at the smell and the sound of the pleased whimpers of his Omega. His very fertile Omega.
Before all rational thought left his mind, Simon reached into the bag and grabbed the mouthpiece out of it. He slipped it into his mouth to act as a mouth guard against placing a mating bite on Johnny. While he knew his instincts were screaming for it, he wasn’t going to do that until he had spoken to Johnny while both of them were coherent. He then took Johnny in his arms and turned them around, placing him gently on the pillows before stripping his and his own underclothes off. His own cock bobbed, the sight of the thick red uncut length making Johnny whimper.
“Please, Alpha. Please,” he whined, and Simon rumbled back to him.
“Got to eat you out first, sweetness. Make sure you get all you need from me. Need to spear you open on my tongue first,” Simon said, a rough under tone in his voice. He dove down and immediately started licking and sucking, making Johnny squeal and shake in pleasure. Simon’s hand fisted around Johnny’s smaller but thicker cock as his tongue licked up the slick and stabbed into the warm cunt.
Simon lapped up the slick like a man dying from thirst, holding down Johnny’s pelvis and occasionally squeezing his cock. His tongue explored every fold, every crevasse of his Omega’s sweet cunt, his nose full of burnt caramel and orange zest.
Simon had Johnny cumming three more times before he crawled up and over Johnny. To Johnny, it was a most wonderful sight: a broad shouldered, dark eyed Alpha, full of muscle and gentle intensity, with a face covered in his own slick and cum. He reached out and pulled Simon’s face down to kiss it, tasting himself in every kiss. Simon’s happy rumbles shook them both, and when his cock caught the edge of Johnny’s cunt they both broke apart with a gasp.
“I have a guard in Johnny. I can’t mate with you now, but I can and will make sure you see the stars,” Simon said, the mouth guard slurring his words slightly. Johnny whined with a pout that was wiped from his face as Simon sank his cock into his cunt.
Both of them let out long moans, ending when their hips met. Both were panting, and then Simon began to thrust. He started slow and steady, enjoying the sight of Johnny squirming and arching below him. Soon enough, though, Simon’s hips began to thrust faster and harder. He laid his weight down on Johnny, who wrapped his arms around Simon’s back. The pace was quick and steady, bringing both of them close to climax so quickly.
Hearing Johnny’s pleas and moans, combined with the tight wet heat of his cunt, threw Simon over the edge. His hips stuttered, with his knot almost popping with how fast it inflated. He thrust himself forward, blunted teeth digging into Johnny’s neck and shoulder joint as his knot bullied past the ring of flesh and caught inside of Johnny’s cunt. Simon growled as he came, hot and heavy, weight and teeth and knot pinning Johnny. Johnny himself was climaxing, his voice loud in its screaming yells that echoed off of the ceiling. He couldn’t see, his vision having whited out from the way his Alpha was taking such care of him.
Outside the doors, the guards exchanged glances with each other and with Price, all of them smiling while they coughed a bit. They all heard the sound of their king being railed to high heaven, and were all pleased that he had found such a good partner. Especially Price, since he had recognized the bag Simon had been carrying as a standard Alpha rut and heat bag. He knew, from knowing what was in his own bag, that there was not only a muzzle but a mouth guard. Since mating climaxes sounded different, he knew Simon was wearing the guard and was grateful. They would already have to do a few jigs to ensure that no one was too offended.
After Queen Elisabeth had announced what happened to the council once she had finished escorting her son and Simon, she made the following statement: “You didn’t ask, you assumed. You assumed your liege’s secondary gender and only invited Omegas as the “acceptable ones.” I would be grateful that there was an Alpha here who is a good match for King John. Imagine the bloodbath if all of the Alphas in that room from outside of court had scented His Majesty. Imagine the political and social repercussions that would have occurred. We would have been accused of luring in Alphas as a tactic to weaken other countries, possibly in advance of starting a war. Additionally, the current archaic thought process that Omegas can’t rule is absurd and led to your so-called “outrage” in the first place. I commend Sir Price and Mister Garrick for their assistance to and for His Majesty.”
She had effectively taken them down a few pegs, which would smooth the way for John after his heat ended. Her words had also made several of the council members blanche, as they realized that only due to the quick thinking of those around His Majesty - and the honor of Lord Thomas in keeping quiet about it - prevented even a rumor from getting out, other than possibly one of the Omegas being presented was thrown into heat by scenting someone in the room. No one would say a word, as well, as they didn’t want to be considered to be the incredibly rude person who couldn’t keep track of their cycle.
Johnny felt himself swimming back to consciousness, feeling Simon still on top of him, rumbling and pressing kisses to Johnny’s face. He smiled and opened his eyes to see Simon smiling at him, with the guard out of his mouth.
“Did I do a good job?” Simon asked, a mischievous expression on his face. Johnny laughed, smacking him lightly on the bicep. Simon chuckled as well, his eyes crinkling as he did.
“Yes you did, Si,” Johnny said. He knew that his first heat cycle with a partner would be amazing. Most definitely.