When Torn woke the next morning, his first thought was, "Shit, I forgot to change." When he sat up, however, he realized that he was already stripped of his Galla attire and currently wearing a pair of his lounge pants that he usually slept in.
He had no memory of changing, so that must have meant Jak changed him when he passed out last night. It was only further proven by the fact that he still had his underwear on underneath the pants...something he usually went without when sleeping.
Though he was relieved to be still wearing them considering who undressed him.
As he ran a hand through his dreads, he found that they were also free of the metal adornments, his rolls falling freely around his face and shoulders from not being tied back.
The mystery of what happened to them was solved by a quick glance towards the end table on Jak's side. There they sat in a haphazard pile, all tangled together but thankfully not still holding some of his hair hostage.
Jak must've spent hours meticulously removing them from the absolute mess that had been his mane by the end of that night.
He wanted to feel violated from being manhandled in his sleep...but the fact that the kid took it upon himself to make him more comfortable was sweet...almost cute.
Looking to his left, he saw Jak still sleeping peacefully, brow furrowed slightly as his snores interlaced with tiny growls...something most Alphas did while being vulnerable in unfamiliar places. Jak typically slept in just his underwear with the blankets off, and Torn could clearly and shamefully see the deep bite marks that littered his shoulders.
Part of him felt ashamed that he lost control and finally acted upon his more feral instincts...but a good percentage of him felt a flare-up of pride at seeing the amount of damage he did. Those marks would last for a few days at least.
It only added to his power trip that Jak had encouraged him...greedily taking every marking and growling for more.
Torn idly touched the deep marks on his own neck, proof that he may have provoked the young Alpha a bit too much.
And then the sick and shameful feeling came rushing back.
What the hell was he thinking last night? Where had all of his restraint gone? He told himself that he would never show that behavior around Jak, and yet there he was, attacking Jak's neck like a damn leech...leaving prominent marks that would be a bitch to cover up. He'd failed to control himself...failed to be what he needed to be around Jak.
A mature, collected Omega who was in control of his urges...someone Jak could look up to and learn from...someone he could trust.
…
He needed some air.
Silently sliding out of bed, Torn padded over to their shared closet. After rummaging through his side, he pulled a simple shirt over his head and tied his loose dreads in a short pony...just to keep them out of his face until he could retie them. He decided to just go for a walk around the palace, maybe head to the roof for a bit.
He had a lot to think about.
…
Upon exiting the room and wandering down the main hall, Torn felt his mind start drifting.
He'd walked these halls many times...and yet this was the first time that he felt out of place among them.
His life had changed so much, so fast, he still felt like he hadn't properly processed everything. About four weeks ago, he'd been the Commander of Haven City's military. The first Omegan commander, in fact. He'd been freed from a toxic relationship and became able to handle his breeding urges without need of an Alpha.
His life was everything he'd ever wanted it to be.
...and now it was all gone...
...
...but he felt...ok?
Granted, the initial couple weeks were spent wallowing in his own self-loathing...but he'd warmed up to Jak quicker than he had with anyone else in his life. Excluding his brothers, of course.
Even with their rocky start, Torn was starting to be able to envision a life at the little bastard's side.
Not just that...but it was so painfully clear to him that he really did like the little shit.
…
Like?
…
Oh, who was he kidding...
Yes, Torn liked Jak.
Try as he might to deny it, there's an obvious pull between them, and no ammount of fighting on Torn's part could rip him away from that cocky grin, mischievous laugh, and fucking gorgeous heart.
Torn never wanted to believe in soul mates...but as time marches forward, dragging him along, there isn't another word he can use to describe what he feels Jak is to him.
Even if this was all a side-effect of the upcoming "event" that he was almost certain he would soon have to endure...
He wanted Jak...in every sense of the word.
He wanted his friendship.
He wanted his affection.
He wanted his love.
Last night had him crossing the point of no return. The moment he marked Jak, he'd sealed his own fate. He was willing and eager to give himself to this annoying, wise-cracking, unbelievably mature little Alpha.
To be loved by him...
Lead by him...
...even bred by him.
And he's never been more terrified in his life.
About an hour after Torn had left, Jak woke in bed...alone.
A quick glance to his right confirmed that he was indeed sans one Omega. He felt a tad disappointed, but didn't have much time to lament before he heard a hard knocking at the door of their suite. He begrudgingly slid out of bed to answer, but he only managed to take three steps towards the door before it swung open.
Erol strolled in like he owned the place.
Jak really didn't feel like dealing with him so early in the morning, "Th'fuck are you doing here? This is a private suite."
Erol simply shrugged as he closed the door behind him, locking it swiftly, "I'm a Captain of the guard, one step below Commander...I go where I please." He sauntered towards Jak, idly glancing about the room.
"You don't look much like a guard right now." Jak growled, motioning towards the casual slacks and long-sleeved turtleneck Erol sported.
Though, he noticed that Erol still wore the metal collar from the night before.
"I don't need to." Erol purred, closing the distance between them, "We didn't get to talk much last night, I still have a few inquiries about how your...marriage is going."
Jak wasn't stupid.
He knew why Erol was here, and without Torn to stop him, he decided to settle this once and for all, "Ok, listen up asshole. Let's get one thing clear." He stomped over to Erol and snarled in his face, "Torn is MY mate. We're BONDED. He's NEVER going to be with you again. Nothing you say to me is going to change that either. See this?" Jak jammed a finger towards his heavily bitten neck, "He's the one who initiated. No bribery or begging involved. You were wrong about him."
Erol's eyes followed his finger, but he didn't show any reaction...at least not one Jak wanted to see from him. Jak didn't let that stop him as he continued, "Turns out I have nothing to be worried about! He has no problem being affectionate towards me."
"Are you sure about that?" Erol mused, cocking his head to the side as he regarded Jak's marked neck, "Marking is a dominant behavior. It's a way of claiming property. I wouldn't mistake his territorial marking as a sign of affection if I were you."
Jak tasked and crossed his arms, "Say what you want, I don't care what you think. Fact is, you better stay away from us if you know what's good for you."
"And what about what's good for you?" Erol purred, taking another step towards Jak, "I doubt you're really as patient as you like to claim."'
"The fuck do you mean by that?!" Jak growled, not even bothering to keep his voice passive.
"I mean..." Erol began, speaking as if Jak were a small child, "I don't buy your little boast about not caring if you get to fuck him. You're attracted to him, no one can blame you for it. He's a very handsome man...and I can practically smell your lust from a mile away." He moved closer as he purred tauntingly, "You want him so bad it's palpable. He knows it too...and yet, he cruelly strings you along...teasing you with the promise of something that is unobtainable." He was barely a foot away from Jak, only a mere inch or so taller than him as he peered down and hissed, "Don't you want something a bit more...accessible?"
Jak scoffed in disgust, "What...like you?"
Erol's lips stretched into an alluring smile, "Precisely."
"I would rather jump out the window!" Jak snarled back.
Erol rolled his eyes, "Oh please, are you still playing the white knight? You're an Alpha, and there's a fertile, willing Omega mere inches away from you...no one would blame you for acting on your urges...not even Torn."
Jak's lip began to curl, baring his teeth at the other man, "Well, at least you and Torn have one thing in common...you both underestimate me. I'm not some animal that humps anything within reach. And even if I were, the thought of touching any part of you makes me want to vomit."
"Oh really?" Erol's smile grew into a nasty grin, "Lets test that theory."
"What are-" Jak couldn't finish that thought as a sudden sweet smell began to permeate the air around him.
Erol removed his collar, dropping it on the ground and releasing a tidal wave of pheromones into the small closed space...
... heat pheromones.
It hit Jak like an oncoming vehicle, crashing into him and nearly making him double over as the thick scent assaulted his senses.
It was unlike anything he ever smelled before.
Even when Torn's scent was at its strongest, it was NEVER this intense and palpable.
Is this the power of heat pheromones?!
Jak felt like every inhale of the scent choked him...drugged his body and made him feel dizzy.
"What's wrong little prince?" Erol chuckled darky as he leaned in, "Having trouble breathing?"
Jolting backward as if he'd been electrocuted, Jak rubbed at his nose...trying to scrape away the potent pheromones clinging to him. But it was no use...
Erol advanced on him, closing the distance faster than Jak's body could account for, "Heat pheromones are amazing, aren't they? Even for an Alpha who hasn't popped their knot yet...they're impossible to resist."
"Y-you-" Jak sputtered, taking accidental gulps of Pheromone infused air every time he opened his mouth, "What the fuck are you trying to do?!" He found himself backed against the far bedroom wall, effectively cutting off all his escape routes.
"I'm not doing anything..." Erol innocently stated as he stood between Jak and his only way out, "I'm just standing here...an unclaimed, heating Omega just waiting to be bred."
Jak felt himself bare his teeth unconsciously as growls began leaking out from him, "Why are you even here?! What the fuck do you want from me?!"
Erol cocked an eyebrow before his face took on a more serious look, "What do I want?" He took another step forwards, "I want you to stop pretending you're any better than every other Alpha."
Jak's confusion only increased when Erol suddenly lunged forward and pressed himself against Jak, using their close proximity to purr in Jak's ear.
"I want you to breed me...right here...and I want Torn to walk in while you're balls deep inside another Omega. He'll see that I was right all along; that you are just like every other Alpha...you're not special...and neither is he."
…
It suddenly clicked for him. Erol's ultimate goal here.
All the comments he made during the few times they met rushed back to him.
So, he really is jealous of his relationship with Torn, and it seems he's purposefully trying to drive a wedge between their budding relationship...
...Jak knew he could not let that happen.
But even though Jak wanted to shove Erol away and show him just how wrong he was...he felt his body react to the new and unfamiliar things he was being bombarded with. He turned away from the other man, ignoring his biological urges telling him to do the opposite. Jak pushed at Erol's shoulders as he forced out a threatening growl, "You're fucking insane! And your plan has one major flaw in it...I don't fucking want you!"
"Oh, you don't?" Erol purred as he reached a hand forward, "That's not what this is telling me." He pointedly palmed Jak's bulge, groping his rapidly hardening cock through his underwear.
And Jak suddenly became chillingly aware of how exposed he was...having literally just crawled out of bed undressed down to his skivvies.
And what's worse...Erol's touch made him react exactly as Erol said he would. Something in his Alpha hindbrain tried to trigger his primal alpha breeding urges against his will. Thankfully, he had enough restraint to grab Erol's wrist and shove the other man away from him, "Don't you DARE!" He roared loudly, trying to make himself look threatening, even with a full erection straining his boxers.
It took every ounce of strength within him to go against his instincts and get some distance between him and the vulnerable and increasingly enticing Omega in front of him.
Erol stumbled back, but managed to maintain his seductive look, "Wow, you really are pent up, aren't you?" He trailed his eyes down to ogle Jak's package and purred, "For an immature Alpha, you're certainly more impressive than most mature ones. It's a shame Torn hasn't already jumped you...such a waste." He tilted his head submissively, teasing, "Aren't you tired of waiting? Don't you want to relieve all that stress into a warm, willing body?"
Jak growled, but made no move to contradict Erol...because he very much wanted to do exactly what Erol said...just not with him.
"What are you waiting for? Permission? You don't need it. If I didn't want you to rutt in me I wouldn't be here, so have at it." Erol taunted, gleefully watching as Jak's resistance slowly dropped before him.
But he had no idea what he was truly taunting...
"You need to leave," Jak growled, breaking down the dam that concealed them...because he was starting to feel something...else...begin to grow.
"No..." Erol hummed, "I don't think I will."
"I'm serious." Jak grit from between his teeth, "You really need to go!" He felt his blood boil as the smell of heat and the tidal wave of anger washed over him and dragged his self-control farther and farther away from him.
He wouldn't last much longer.
He could feel the eco clouding his mind, pulling his rational consciousness into the inky blackness of his subconscious.
And he could feel something else clawing its way up to take his place.
Erol only laughed in response, "Fucking Precursors!" He sauntered forward, "Look at you! You're practically chomping at the bit to get your dick wet. So much for your foolish loyalty!"
Jak only growled in response, looking more like a cornered animal than a barely mature Alpha. He was hanging by a thread...on the verge of snapping.
He started to panic.
Praying to whatever god would hear him that Torn would come bursting through that door to bail him out.
He couldn't hold it back anymore...
Erol was too close again...closing in on him...unaware of the danger he was putting himself in.
He held his breath as Erol once more entered his safe space. The Omega leaned in close...too close...he could feel his hot breath against his ear as he whispered one last taunt...
"I can't wait to see the look on Torn's face when you show him what you really are...just a typical, uncaring, disloyal Alp-"
Erol didn't notice the purple lightning until he hit the floor hard.
The roar that rang out in the room was feral...unbridled...and furious. Unlike any Alpha roar Erol had ever heard!
He felt claws digging into his shoulders through his turtleneck, piercing his flesh and deep enough to already draw blood.
Then he looked up...
...and he felt terror unlike anything he'd ever felt before.
What the FUCK was this...thing?!
The creature had remnants of the Prince's features, but his tanned skin was replaced by a stormy grey, and the blonde hair faded to a shimmery silver. The claws and horns reminiscent of a demon were not as terrifying as what replaced the angry ocean blue of Jak's eyes.
Erol stared into those inky black orbs...seeing his own terrified face reflected.
Jak bared sharpened fangs at the trembling man below him. For a moment, he dipped his nose down to catch Erol's scent...and for a moment, Erol felt that maybe it would be enough to allow him to escape with minimal damage.
Maybe the vulnerable smell of a submitting Omega in heat would convince the alpha brain of this...monster...to allow him to live?
The look on the monster's face when it reeled back dashed that hope right into the dirt.
With an enraged roar, the monster reared back a clawed hand, dark eco crackling around it as he prepared to strike.
The door burst open and the sound of heavy footfalls caused Jak's monstrous form to pause and look up.
"JAK! STOP!"
Torn tried to catch his breath as he held out both hands towards his eco-transformed husband.
Erol was about to yell at Torn to run, but actually felt shock when the creature sniffed the air and made a strange grumbling noise as it slowly started crawling off of him and towards Torn. Torn kneeled down slowly and tilted his head submissively, coaxing the eco-charged Prince closer, "Over here...that's it."
And again, to Erol's surprise, the creature actually obeyed, closing the distance and practically crawling into Torn's arms, happily making high pitched growls as it started lapping at Torn's bare neck.
Torn sighed as he felt Jak lathering his mating gland. He just wrapped his arms around his mate and pulled him closer as he continued trying to soothe him, "There you go...just breathe, brat." His little eco demon nuzzled against him and emitted a deep whine that ended with a rasp that resembled thunder.
Now with his aggravated mate sated, and his skin slowly returning back to its normal shade, Torn was able to take in the situation.
In his panic to get into the room when he overheard Jak's roars down the hall, Torn didn't register the thick and familiar heat pheromones still lingering in the air. But now that Jak was safe in his arms, he could start picking apart the clues.
The first thing he noticed was Erol lying on the floor staring at them... his face wild and confused looking.
The second thing he noticed was that Erol was obviously starting his heat. He smelled close to one at the Galla, but now he seemed to still be in that short period where he was still able to function before the real deal started.
And finally, the thing that set his blood boiling, he could feel something hard against his leg. It didn't take a genius to figure out what was going on here.
He tightened his hold on Jak subconsciously as he locked eyes with Erol.
And suddenly, Erol felt like he was safer with the monster.
Torn's icy blue eyes faded to a stormy silver as a possessive growl slowly increased in volume until it was the only thing permeating the air around them.
It became very clear to Erol now that he'd made some dangerous miscalculations.
Not only was the little eco freak VERY MUCH loyal to Torn...but it would seem Torn's interactions with Jak were far more genuine than they ever were with him. This wasn't a territorial growl over overstepped boundaries...this was an enraged Omega priming to take out the competition for their Alpha.
Though even with these new revelations, the one that took priority was the fact that the Prince of Spargus could morph into a fucking dark eco demon!
Erol moved to get on his knees and jolted when Torn suddenly tensed up and barked LOUDLY at him. His eyes went wide and he felt his jaw drop slightly.
He'd neverheard Torn bark at anyone before!
Growl yes, snarl sure...but barking?!
Jak, who had finally changed fully back into his normal self, nosed around Torn's neck and whined into his ear in clear distress. He scraped his nose along Torn's gland, most likely trying to rid himself of Erol's quickly receding heat pheromones.
It seemed to get the older Omega's attention as his silver eyes shifted down to glance at his mate. They seemed to soften slightly before snapping back to give Erol another menacing glare. Torn growled in a voice that Erol didn't remember him having before, "Leave. If you value your life..."
As much as Erol wanted to bite back one last scathing remark...this entire situation was just too much for him and he desperately scurried towards the door, giving the furious Omega and his freakish Alpha a wide berth.
Before he could leave, Torn growled, "Erol."
Erol paused, turning cautiously to meet the other Omega's fiery, yet cold, eyes.
Torn met his gaze, peering over his shoulder with one narrowed silver eye, "If you come near him again...I'll rip out your fucking throat."
It was a threat he'd heard before...coincidentally from the same man in front of him...but this time, Erol felt that this was not an offhanded threat...
...it was a promise.
He could lie to himself later and say he left that room with his head high, and not with his tail between his legs.
Once Erol ran out of the suite like death pursued him, Torn turned his full attention back to Jak.
He listened to his Alpha's submissive little whines and felt the tentative licks to his mark...but he couldn't stop thinking about the implications of what just happened.
And Jak's raging erection wasn't making the matter any easier.
His logical side told him that this wasn't the time to get all butthurt over the fact that his mate was aroused by another's scent.
Jak was young...immature...and he'd never been exposed to heat pheromones before. Even the most experienced Alphas would have a tough time not reacting to a heating Omega practically throwing themself at them.
His brain all but screamed at him that this was just an automated reaction to a chemical stimulant...that it meant nothing.
…
But it was drowned out as his Omegan hindbrain whimpered from its wounded pride...
His Alpha found another Omega's pheromones attractive...he failed as an Omega.
Jak pulled away from him finally and blinked away the last flecks of black before turning to Torn, "Wh-what happened? Where's Erol?!" Panic began to set in his eyes, "Oh-oh FUCK! Did I kill him?!"
"Calm down, he's fine." Torn grunted out as something twanged in his chest at the mere mention of the other Omega, "Probably needs to change his pants...but other than that, he's intact."
That didn't seem to curb Jak's anxiety as he started to tremble, "Fuck...Torn, he saw me!"
"Don't worry about that. The fuck's he gonna say? The Prince of Spargus can turn into a scary monster? If I didn't see it myself twice already, I wouldn't believe it either." He felt the growl begin to dial back up in his chest as conclusions of what the fuck happened before he arrived started manifesting in his mind.
Jak's ears lowered when the registered the growl. He grimaced and whispered, "You sure he won't say anything?"
Torn narrowed his eyes and growled before he could stop himself, "You should be a bit more worried about that." He nodded towards Jak's prominent erection, which set his young Alpha flushing with shame, "Go take care of it in the bathroom. It's grossing me out."
"S-sorry..." Jak mumbled as he awkwardly rose to his feet while covering his tented boxers with his hands, "I'll...be right back...think I'm gonna take a cold shower and get Erol's scent off."
As Jak waddled off to their bathroom, Torn was left to stew over the remaining questions he had about what occurred in their room...the only evidence still hanging in the air and reminding him of his newly validated insecurities.
The last day in Haven consisted of the Royal couple silently packing their things, saying farewell to Torn's family and friends who had gathered on the palace landing platform to see them off, then sharing an awkwardly quiet ride back to Spargus.
Ever since that incident with Erol, Jak noticed Torn pointedly ignoring him...
...and it hurt that he couldn't understand why.
At first, Jak just thought Torn was just feeling a mixture of raw emotions from the stress of Erol's attempt to seduce him and the sadness of leaving his family and friends again.
But when Torn continued avoiding him long after they settled back into their palace bedroom, Jak felt that something was wrong between them.
It wasn't until they went to bed that night, when Jak could try to confront Torn about what was going on.
He found Torn just exiting their bathroom, dressed in his lounge pants and his hair still wet from a shower. Their eyes met briefly before Torn broke away and turned to give Jak the cold shoulder.
Something that both hurt and irritated the young Alpha.
But Jak figured Torn must still be dealing with the residual tension from the incident with Erol. He took a breath and decided to fill the silence, "Hey, you alright? You've been really weird ever since we left Haven."
Torn sat on the bed and tsked softly as he occupied his gaze elsewhere, "M'fine."
Jak could barely hear Torn's mumble, but he could tell that he was obviously not fine like he claimed, "Are you still upset about what happened with Erol? Don't worry about it, he didn't get very far with me."
Torn clenched his jaw and grumbled, "What a shame...seems like it would've been a good opportunity for you."
Jak grimaced in confusion, "Th'fuck's that supposed to mean?!"
"Don't play dumb, it ain't cute."
"I'm not playing anything. What the fuck did you mean by that?"
"Erol may be the biggest asshole on the planet, but he's a desirable Omega." Torn stated it as if he were simply repeating the weather forecast. He put on an air of indifference, but Jak could practically smell his spite, "Any Alpha would have taken him to bed...especially if he was in heat. You literally couldn't have gotten a bigger invitation."
Jak felt his mouth open in shock, "Are you seriously telling me that I should've slept with him?!"
Torn shrugged, "Any other Alpha would've. Why should you be any different?"
And honestly, Jak probably shouldn't have felt as hurt as he did by that comment...but right now, Torn's statement rubbed him the wrong way, "Oh for fucks sake! When are you going to stop comparing me to other Alphas?!" He crossed his arms over his chest and gave Torn an annoyed glare as he continued, "Haven't I proven over and over that I'm not like these fucking douchebags from Haven you're so afraid of?!"
It was Torn's turn to glare now as he growled, "I'm not afraid of them. I HATE them! If you seriously think you're any better JUST because you haven't raped me yet, then you're just as bad as any of them!"
"What the fuck are you even saying?!" Jak retorted, "Do you even hear yourself?! I haven't done ANYTHING to you to make you uncomfortable, I've been nothing but nice to you with no ulterior motive, and the ONLY times I've made any sort of move on you has been with your permission!"
"Oh WOW! Thank you so much for doing the bare minimum of what a normal fucking person would do!" Torn sarcastically bit back, "That totally earns you permission to fuck me."
Jak threw his hands up in exasperation, "Oh for fucks sake! I just CAN'T win with you! Where the fuck is this even coming from Torn? I thought we were finally starting to-"
"Starting to what?!" Torn stood up tall so he could sneer down at Jak, "Be friends? Like each other? Fall in love? I made it clear from day 1 how I feel about you. You are NEVER going to be anything more to me than a friend. You should've gotten some from Erol while you could've, because if you're holding out for my ass, you'll be waiting a LONG fucking time!"
Jak's glare turned into a look of hurt and disgust, "How could you even suggest that?! In case you forgot, I almost KILLED Erol when he tried to seduce me! Even when I go dark, all I want to do is be close to you. I can't even think about being with anyone but you, but you still think I'll go after other Omegas just because they proposition me?! FUCK YOU!"
"No, fuck YOU." Torn hissed as he turned away to glare at the wall, "Whatever romance between us you've invented, throw it in the garbage now! I have never, nor will I EVER want you or any other Alpha."
"You're so fucking unbelievable!" Jak retorted. "If you took your head out of your ass for once and actually gave me a chance, you might end up liking me way more than you think! Hell, you're the one that's been initiating shit!"
Torn's face went red in anger as he roared, "Don't you FUCKING use that as evidence! I lost my head a few times because I felt bad for you. I thought I was being nice by showing you the tiniest ammount of affection. Seems that was a mistake."
"A mistake?!" Jak squawked, "You're so full of it! You can't seriously stand there and try to gaslight me into thinking you don't feel something for me! Every time you kissed me; I could feel how sincere you were. Don't you dare try to take it all back now!" Jak narrowed his eyes, "I know you like me. Stop lying to yourself and just allow yourself to be happy!"
He should have ended it there, because deep down, he knew everything Jak said was true.
Instead, he said something he immediately regret, "I can't believe I thought you were different. I should never have wasted my pity on you."
The room went silent, and when Torn met Jak's eyes again, he never wished he could take something he said back so badly.
The kid was crushed.
But Torn's damned pride didn't let him humble himself and apologize. Instead, he brushed past his young Alpha and huffed, "I'm moving back into my old room. Go do whatever, I don't care." He slammed the door behind him in what he knew was a childish move, but he needed to get away fast before he caved in and groveled at Jak's feet for forgiveness.
He was in the wrong, and he knew it.
Jak did nothing wrong other than react to an unwanted stimulus.
He didn't deserve being treated so cruelly just because Torn felt insecure.
But Torn was still a prideful man...
...he would face down a hundred metal heads before apologizing to anyone.
