The Most Eligible Bachelor

by Delmire Hart

  At least, that was his plan.

  He might have saved the town but instead of dying, he finds himself behind enemy lines and being given as a gift to a powerful man. The alpha gives him a choice, be his slave or be sold to the brothels. Lose his freedom or die. What kind of impossible choice is that?

  Toru, an omega, is given until his next heat to decide, but is the choice as it seems? Why does it feel like there is more to the alpha’s motives than meets the eye?

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  Toru sighed in defeat. He had just decided to go along with everything and this happened already? He would give that alpha a piece of his mind once he saw him again, bodily reactions be damned. The extra sleep and filling food had left him feeling far more himself than he had since he had woken up in this kingdom two weeks ago.

  He turned to look at himself from behind in the mirror and flushed bright red immediately. The skirt actually didn’t cover everything. A hint of round cheeks could be seen peeking out from under the pleats of the skirt.

  “No way,” he groaned. “There’s no way I’m leaving the room like this. How does he expect me to do chores like this?!”

  Luca snickered at him. “It’s not that bad.” He laughed openly at Toru’s answering glower. “I’m serious. This is normal. No one will look, except our Master, but that’s the point, right? You are for his eyes only, no one else is allowed to look at you like that.”

  That didn’t make him feel any better. Damn perverted alpha. For all the indifference he had seemed to show last night while he was naked, he does this? Although…he hadn’t been entirely indifferent. He remembered the way those eyes tracked across his skin with such burning intensity and shivered involuntarily.

  He cursed his body’s reaction to the memory and vowed that he would not cave to that man. The alpha probably expected Toru to be begging him to take him by the end of the week but he was not going to give his very soul away so easily.

  Yharis, by your guiding light I swear, I will not be so weak as to bow to his whims. I will make my own choice, follow my own path. He opened eyes that he had closed during his vow and looked at Luca who was looking back at him in concern.

  “I’m not sure I like that determined look. No funny business, all right? I don’t want to suffer one of Morse’s punishments. He gets really creative.” Luca pulled a face.

  “I won’t do anything that would get you into trouble, but I’m not going to take this sitting down either. Just wait till I can give the alpha a piece of my mind.”

  “Really now?” The deep rumbling voice that Toru recognised from last night spoke out from the doorway, startling both the slaves. The omega looked up with wide eyes to see the alpha in question leaning against the door frame with arms folded and eyes sparkling with amusement. Toru opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. Luca bowed low and quickly left the room, throwing a knowing smirk over to Toru before he was gone. “You were saying?”

  “I…” Toru took a deep breath and gathered himself. He had not been prepared to face him yet but still, the embarrassed anger surged up and allowed him to burst out, “What the hell is this?!” He gestured to his attire.

  Kessler hummed and walked forward. Toru tensed as he approached but didn’t lower his gaze. The alpha’s lips twitched up as though in an aborted attempt at a smile and the man prowled around him, circling where he stood rooted to the spot. The omega could feel his eyes caressing his skin and felt himself flush even more under the gaze. He squirmed uncomfortably until the man finally stood back in front of him.

  A large hand reached up and trailed warm fingers across the pattern adorning his chest, up across the pale leather collar at his throat until he reached his chin and tipped his head back so that their eyes met. Toru mustered all the defiance he could and glared up at the alpha. He blinked in surprise when Kessler’s lips curved into the smile that threatened earlier. He seemed pleased.

  “Looks good.”

  Somehow, he didn’t think Kessler was referring to his clothes. He inhaled sharply when the man stepped even closer, invading his space. His presence threatened to overwhelm him and it was all Toru could do to stand still, to not cower before the alpha. He forced his back straight and held his gaze steady with the golden eyes that seemed to see through him.

  He was desperately trying to ignore the trembling in his limbs and heat that the alpha’s presence instilled in him. Toru would make his choice, not his omegan instincts and certainly not Kessler. He blinked in surprise when the alpha suddenly stepped back and he nearly sagged in relief. The man still seemed pleased though and it left Toru feeling confused.

  “You will wear what I have brought for you.” His tone left no room for argument. “Luca will show you what outfits are for certain occasions and I expect you to obey Seth as well as other senior staff, just like I told you last night.” The alpha raked his gaze other Toru’s body once more before settling back on his eyes. “I’ll see you tonight.”

  Kessler turned and left the room without a backwards glance. Toru flopped onto the bed breathing heavily. He felt like he had just run a marathon. What the hell did that man do to him?