Chapter 1: the stakes are high
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Naruto Uzumaki was the prime example of what every Alpha should be. Robust and a natural-born leader, which wasn't a big surprise given his genes. Being the offspring of the previous king, the feared Alpha Minato Namikaze, and his mate, Kushina Uzumaki, had him filled with more blessings than curses. His skills on the battlefield and his commandeering presence were almost as out of this world as his beauty. His looks were described by many as ethereal and his boyish charms along with his sharp features swept every omega off their feet.
It was common knowledge he was prime mating material, a fact highlighted by the giant flux of marriage proposals he received from betas, omegas, and even some alphas all across the Five Great Nations.
His astounding characteristics and kind personality quickly earned the blond king the unconditional love of the whole Kingdom that fiercely supported his claim to the throne after his father passed away while fighting bravely during the war. Not only that but the people tended to respect a powerful alpha that could provide and Naruto had been the kindest and most generous king the realm had ever witnessed so it was no wonder the younger blond had been even more popular and loved than his father before him.
After the heartbreaking news of the King's death in battle, his wife, the Queen strived to remain strong for her son and wait for him to return but eventually the pain of years without news and long dark silent nights behind tall and majestic stone walls in the company of only ghosts pacing through the long halls and servants, she ended up taking her own life.
Five years after the war had broken out, Naruto finally returned to the capital, back to his palace only to find all of his servants lined up, wearing all black waiting to receive and welcome him back home. At first, he had thought it was only to wish their condolences for the passing of his father but as he scanned through the crowd, looking for the familiar mop of red hair, a gray one appeared instead and the pained look on his face spoke volumes to the young Alpha.
When Kakashi confirmed his suspicions, the blond had completely broken down, spending months on end inside his chambers, refusing to eat or speak to anyone. The gray-haired Alpha had done his best to supply him with all the support, time, and privacy he needed to grieve his family while he ruled in his place until Naruto came of age. His reign had been undeniably critical for the Kingdom to bounce back into a place of stability, but only when Naruto was old enough to rule had the Kingdom reached its peak and what everyone thought would be its full potential at the time. All of this was achieved with only three years of reign.
For months the Uzumaki had been away on a mission north, all the way into the Nation of Lightning to forge alliances with the powerful rulers of the Hidden Cloud, after all, it was important for the King to get to know the land and the people he was ruling and sworn to protect.
At least that was what he told himself.
Becoming the King had never been something he craved even if he fairly enjoyed it, at least some aspects of it. He liked getting to know and be amongst his people, talking to them, hearing their stories, and when he could, helping them out with some coins and food.
He felt so incredibly thankful that by the good grace of the gods he had been blessed with wealth and privilege, not only from his family name but also from his secondary gender. The Uzumaki felt that if he could revert the use of these privileges, he'd be able to help a lot of people, and give back to the ones who weren't as fortunate as him.
What he dreaded the most had to be the wars, having to take a life that wasn't his, and all the diplomatic matters that his position entailed. But like everything, even his job was full of sacrifices including staying away from his loved ones, more like a loved one actually, but it didn't matter anymore because he was back home. Back to him.
Him.
That's what kept Naruto going. The prospect of returning to his lover. Being able to scent him again, kiss him, pamper him, sleep next to him, make love, and be inside him again surrounded by his addictive scent. The longing only fueled his thoughts, making his heart contort in pain.
He needed to see him right away.
The Uzumaki rode through the gates of the palace when one of his servants came to receive him with a low bow. "Welcome back, Your Majesty. I trust your ride was pleasant." The blond offered a polite nod. "I was sent by Lord Hatake to inform you that your presence is required at the King's council as soon as it is convenient."
"It will be convenient when the ocean dries." The Alpha snapped as he dismounted his horse. He didn't intend on being that harsh on the poor man but he had been in a cranky disposition ever since he had to leave the capital for months and with that, his lover too. He just wanted to see him but it seemed like the universe wasn't on his side today.
"Lord Kakashi said it was urgent. But I shall give the councilors your regrets, My King."
He huffed in disdain. "No. I will see them, do not worry." He just wanted to get this over with so he could spend the rest of the day wrapped around his lover without any interruptions.
Small sacrifice
Small sacrifice
Small sacrifice
It will take no longer than an hour, he repeated to himself.
"Yes, My King. I shall have your belongings taken to your chambers then." The King nodded, muttering a silent thanks before ripping his riding gloves to tuck them under his belt as his Royal Guard followed behind him, escorting him in safety towards the council chambers. Once he stepped foot into the cold room he found six members of seven that awaited his arrival, immediately greeting the blond and standing up from their seats to bow in respect.
"I apologize if I have kept you waiting." The Uzumaki strode to the King's seat at the head of the table, fiddling with the gold rings on his fingers in impatience. "I was told this was urgent so it better be."
"You are the King." Gaara, one of his councilors and closest friends, spoke. "It's our duty to serve at your pleasure."
"I see you have arrived safely, Your Grace," Kakashi spoke from behind the dark-tinted cloth covering his mouth. "I know you would rather be dealing with your other affairs but we have some important matters to discuss." The sly arrogance of the comment caused him embitterment.
"I have been deprived of my affairs long enough. Get on with it if you may." The Alpha replied with a chill in his voice, trying his best to suppress a growl. "What's the urgent matter that could not wait?" The other members took their respective seats and Kakashi cleared his throat before starting.
"These recent tragedies had the council deciding in your absence to invest a significant amount of capital in re-equipping and retraining the City Militia."
"What recent tragedies?"
"The rise of Akatsuki."
"What of it?" The blond inquired, confused.
"Your absence from the capital gave strength and opening for this underground group to insurge against your ruling. The city grew into a massive conflagration, they attempted to sack the city during the night, raped thousands of omegas, and killed their alphas to send a message." Kakashi explained, looking at Gaara.
"They also destroyed the Temple of Fire and conquered Hachō so they have complete control of the west border." The redhead completed.
"They what?!" The Uzumaki almost shouted, perplexed. "Why was I not informed of this?!"
"Your Grace, it would have been too risky to send a raven. Sending a missive would have been too risky and by the time we sent a messenger, Your Grace would have already returned to the capital!"
"How did they even know I wasn't in the capital?! I left in secrecy!"
"We suspect they have ears everywhere, Your Grace." Ino Yamanaka, the Mistress of Whispers spoke. She was responsible for gathering intelligence from several informants all around the globe. Just as she had her own informants, she was sure Akatsuki had their own as well.
"What are their demands?"
"They want to restore the glory of old Konoha, so my informants have told me." The blonde Beta explained.
"The one who enslaved people, and perceived omegas as objects and inferior beings?" The blond questioned rhetorically. He had fought so hard to make the Five Great Nations a better place, and fix the things his father could not. He was not about to let some underground group undo all of that. "No thanks. Have you sent soldiers to investigate?" He turned to the redhead Omega.
"We did, Your Grace." Gaara nodded. "We have killed some of them and captured a few for interrogation but obtained nothing. Some confessed their leader would wait until the realm weakened so they could strike. The one I captured on the morrow mentioned a war is coming so we should start preparing."
"How many men do they have?"
"The reports vary but it should be between thirty to fifty thousand."
"Thirty to fifty thousand?! How in God's name did an underground group gather that many men? They must have an alliance with a powerful family." The Uzumaki theorized.
"We suspect it too." Naruto glanced at the other side of the table where his brother's seat was empty before directing his gaze to Shikamaru, beckoning his finger so the Master of the Royal Treasury would hand him the books. "How many men do we have in the militia?" The blond questioned, opening one of the books in search of the costs for the retraining and reequipping that had been necessary during his absence. "Where is my brother?" Naruto peeked through the book to look at his counselors who silently glanced at each other. "I'm waiting." He said in a warning tone as his eyes skimmed through the page.
Gaara cleared his throat. "I'm afraid Prince Nagato has his thoughts and energies concentrated on his...present tasks."
Blue eyes widened in surprise. The cost of it all had been quite excessive and just from glancing around, he could have already cut about ten percent of what had been spent. "One would hope, given the associated costs." He closed the book.
"Unfortunately, not with matters that involve the realm. We thought when you returned, Your Grace might urge Prince Nagato to fill his seat in the Royal Council and provide his respective assessment of his progress as commander of the Royal Militia."
"The Crown has heard your report, Lord Sabaku, and will take it into advisement." Naruto mocked. He and Nagato had a complicated relationship since his brother always resented him for their dad had appointed Naruto as his direct heir despite the redhead Alpha being his oldest offspring. The blond attempted to fix their relationship in every way he could think of over the years, trying to involve him in the court, and giving him important tasks and positions but it never seemed enough to satisfy his thirst for power. This meeting was already giving him a massive headache. He just wanted to see Sasuke and make sure he was okay. "How many men do we have guarding my chambers?"
"Six of the best-anointed knights of Konoha."
"Double it," The Alpha ordered. It wasn't so much for him, but his Omega. If something were to happen to Sasuke he would never forgive himself. Despite being the richest and most powerful man in the Kingdom, having all the omegas he could imagine swooning at his feet, Sasuke was by far the most precious thing he possessed. Without him, none of Naruto's titles, power, or gold were worth it. The blond would give it all up in the blink of an eye if he had to choose between the two.
"What's the course of action, Your Majesty?"
"Tomorrow I shall make a public announcement to ease the people and meanwhile we need to capture every member we can find, interrogate them all, whatever needs to be done to make them talk. It is critical we discover who is behind all of this and eliminate them straight away." The Alpha instructed. "Gaara, send missives to all of our vassals and request as many men as they can lend for the Royal Army. A possible war is coming and we need men to guard the most vulnerable place. " The redhead nodded, reaching for his quill and getting started on the letters. "Kakashi, do you know how many men are in Hachō?"
Kakashi nodded, reaching for a book with reports, rapidly flipping through the papers in search of the right one. "Our scouts estimated around five thousand. The village was unguarded, we only had about a thousand men in there so it was not difficult to conquer."
"I need you to send some men there, we need to get Hachō back rapidly because our wheat is delivered through the west." Kakashi nodded, absorbing the other's words. "Do it as soon as possible, we cannot allow this organization much more latitude."
"Your Grace, there is also another important matter that requires your immediate attention. Of course, this is the last thing any of us wish to discuss at this dark hour but it is necessary." Kakashi spoke and the Alpha nodded, gesturing for him to speak. "We feel like it is crucial for the succession to be firmly settled for the stability of the realm."
"The succession is already firmly set, my Lord. By precedent and by law. My firstborn shall rule after me. And if not him, my brother, the Prince is perfectly capable of assuming my position. I would leave this court with my Omega and we would continue our lives on the other side of the ocean."
Sai nodded, agreeing with his King. "It would not be an abnormality for the King to name a successor."
"That hasn't happened in almost two centuries." Kakashi retorted.
"Only by precedent and mere circumstances, Lord Hatake." The raven smirked.
The gray-haired Alpha clenched his fist tightly in annoyance. "Perhaps we should not break two hundred years of tradition by naming a successor instead of a direct heir. All of us know that Prince Nagato would not be able to rule. He is impulsive, lazy, and violent." He defended his position passionately before the council until his gaze was back on his King again. "And most importantly, he does not possess what you do." He raised his index before pointing it toward the blond. "The love of your subjects. If he succeeds you, war will follow! The realm will not accept him."
"I must agree with Lord Kakashi, My King," Ino said. "And you speak of living a peaceful life away from this court but your future children would have to be put to the sword if Nagato would want to secure his claim."
"Thank you, Lady Yamanaka. I believe it is my duty as it is this council to protect the realm from him and, with due respect My King, Nagato should be far far away from this court."
"He is the blood of my blood. My brother! And as such, he will have his place in my court." Naruto upheld. His brother could be reckless and irresponsible at times but he was still his brother and he wouldn't keep the last memory he had of their parents away from him.
Kakashi knew how Naruto's parents valued family above anything else so he wasn't gonna be successful in his task of exiling the Prince. But that didn't mean he couldn't still stop him from becoming a successor. "But before we consider that non-viable option, you need a Queen. Do not forget, marriage is not an obligation you can put off for long."
"I do not need a Queen."
"You do because that's the order of things."
"Well, I'm the King, I will create a new order." Naruto defied and the Hatake took a deep breath, trying to keep himself composed as he articulated.
"Akatsuki has their eyes on you. Our crops have not been good this year, the King's brother does not properly fulfill his position here in the capital much less with his Lady wife where he should be guarding the north for you. And now this foreign power has established itself on our most critical shipping lane and threatens to start a war."
"You paint such a dissolute portrait of my reign, Kakashi. For how long exactly have you been holding that in?"
"It is a sincere one, Naruto. At this precise moment, the Crown is at its most vulnerable state since you took your father's position."
The Uzumaki raised a blond brow. "And a marriage right now is the only way to demonstrate that we are not?"
"It would be a show of force, Your Majesty."
"Very well then." He nodded and Kakashi gaped in surprised in surprise. He wouldn't have thought the blond would have agreed so quickly. "Then I intend on marrying Prince Sasuke Uchiha before spring's end. Uniting two great surviving ancient houses seems like a thrilling idea." Curious whispers floated through the chambers, a few councilors starting to piece together some of the rumors that had been spread around court for years were true after all.
Dark eyes widened at the suggestion. Sasuke Uchiha was many things, but with his mixed blood, he could barely be called a Prince. "Let's not act too ill-advisedly, My King."
"As King, it is my solemn obligation to avoid war until such a belligerent hour is inescapable."
"Your Grace, the war ended four years ago, but your obligations remain."
"I'm well aware, Lord Hatake," He replied dryly.
"Then you also must be well aware that someone is getting impatient." Kakashi retorted calmly, sliding a letter toward the blond who frowned at the broken wax seal and almost huffed in boredom when he saw the crest of the sender. He rapidly skimmed his fingers through the paper and fought the urge to punch a wall.
"What is the meaning of this?" He spat venomously. "I told you to call off the wedding."
"I'm afraid that won't be possible, Your Grace."
"When did this arrive?"
"Two days ago."
"When do you think they'll get here?"
"I'm afraid within the fortnight." Gaara intervened. "Lady Hinata is thrilled to see you again and finally settle down the final details for the Royal Wedding Ceremony." Gaara handed the blond a list with some of the extravagant requests. "These are mere estimations, but we feel like the reckoning is as accurate as it can be."
Naruto pinched the bridge of his nose, already feeling a headache forming. "The cost of this joke is not negligible. The Crown cannot possibly afford all of this."
"You shall not have to worry about that. Her father Lord Hyuga already offered to pay for everything." Ino informed. "My cousin was just visiting the Land of Earth a few months prior and she did meet with Lady Hinata to speak of the arrangements.
"My Lady wife was there too," Shikamaru added. "I believe the word extravagant was used."
"what good use would be the word extravagant if not to describe a Royal Wedding?" Ino scoffed and the King grunted in annoyance at the side comments.
"I am not worrying about a thing, Gaara, because it's not gonna happen damnit." He slammed his fist on the table. The subject had been getting on his nerves ever since he became of age and especially after he fell in love with another. "Send a messenger, tell them to go back. They must be riding on the main road so it should not take long to find them."
"My King, they have been traveling for days and they surely bring other lords and ladies. To turn them back now-"
"I don't care. I am the King and they will do as I command. As you too."
"Your Grace-"
"My father married out of love. His father before him too!"
Kakashi understood where the blond was coming from but a promise was a promise. Especially if they had a whole lot to benefit from it. "Might I speak plainly, My King?"
"You know I always welcome the unconstrained introspection of my councilors, Lord Hatake."
"Those traditions are for trueborn children of Royalty, not for bastards fathered on a common whore-" The older Alpha snarled and the blond's patience was running out. Naruto had been about to snap if someone hadn't interrupted at that exact instance.
"I'll caution you, Lord Hatake, a seat at the King's table does not make you his equal." All of the councilor's heads shot up towards the entrance where Prince Nagato was leaning against.
"You are late," Naruto commented dryly as his brother strolled towards his seat with a smug smirk, skin slightly flushed and reeking of omega.
He immediately wrinkled his nose in disgust. "My deepest apologies brother, my strengths were focused on the visitors in my chambers." The Prince uttered, walking to his seat at the head of the table, opposite to his brother's.
"If only you would show the same devotion to your work as the Prince Commander of the Royal Militia and your lady wife, My Prince," Kakashi commented ill-intently. "She tells me she has not seen you in quite some time."
"I believe the bitch is quite happy with my absence."
"Lady Konan is a kind, honorable Lady and Omega. She is your wife!"
"Lord Hatake, I have fucked prettier whores than my dear Lady wife."
"You made a vow before the Gods to honor your wife in marriage, and instead you sit around in your chambers all day eating, drinking, and fucking."
"If you're so bothered by my wife's alone time, I would be honored to give Lady Konan to you. After all, you must miss an Omega to warm your bed since your own passed away recently." Dark eyes widened in shock. "Did he not, Kakashi?" Naruto could smell the air getting heavier, Nagato was provoking his counselor and successfully earning a reaction out of him. "Or perhaps you are not ready to move on just yet." He smirked, beckoning to his neck. "I can see your bonding mark has not faded completely." Out of reflex, the gray-haired Alpha brought his palm to his scent gland, covering his bonding mark protectively. At that point the air was putrid and Naruto had to put a stop to the show before it evolved into something else. "What was his name again? Iruka right? What a shame that I didn't get to fuck hi-"
"I apologize for my brother's behavior, Lord Hatake. You know how he makes a sport of provoking everyone. Must you indulge him?"
"My apologies, Your Grace."
"Lord Iruka was a great man and his memory shall be preserved with honor. It's nothing less than he deserves." Kakashi nodded, thankful for his King's sympathetic words and Nagato rolled his eyes.
"What were you discussing?" The red-haired Uzumaki scoffed before trying to catch up on the meeting. Kakashi gave him nothing but a look of contempt, rapidly trying to shift away from the other's hurtful words as he redirected his speech back to the blond Uzumaki.
"Naruto you are promised to another. A debt that must be paid."
"These were my father's debts. I did not consent to any of this!"
"As King, you have a claim on all things, even those your heart does not desire. I wish that you were free to follow your heart but you've inherited your father's responsibilities. I'm afraid they come at a cost. And it was about time you found a suitable omega to settle with. The realm expects you to take a wife sooner rather than later, to strengthen your line and produce heirs. I can grant you could not ask for a stronger match than that Omega! The Hyuga girl is the best for the job and she's still quite young! If you want to fuck whores so be it! You will only have to see your wife on special occasions and when the time comes to produce heirs." These weren't exactly breaking news for the Alpha given his position. It was expected of him to start producing heirs and therefore securing the future of the Kingdom because he was well aware that his position as king remained vulnerable. That's why his father had secured him a highborn Omega years ago.
Well, not exactly because of that but he had been in debt to the Hyugas and the only payment they'd accept was to marry their heir to the then Prince and future King. Their settlement had been made around the time they had been preparing for war and it wasn't convenient for the Crown to lose men to a crisis that could be solved peacefully. With that, Minato quickly agreed to the arrangement, figuring that in due time his blond son would fall in love with his wife.
Naruto had met Hinata only a handful of times after the war while the Kingdom was still recovering. He wanted to know a little more about her since one day, she would become his Queen. She seemed like a nice person but she was too shy for the blond's taste, her scent was too sweet, almost sickening, and they didn't have one thing in common. Adding to the situation there was also another small detail.
Not a detail. A person.
The one thing Naruto had been grateful for about his father's arrangement.
He got to meet the love of his life.
The life his dad had idealized for him was inevitable and he learned to embrace it over the years and even went as far as desiring it. Just not with Hinata.
"Pfff." Gaara sneered. "If she can even bear a child, that is. Not that we know the Uchiha can do it but still." Kakashi lifted a questioning brow. "Was she not wed to Lord Inuzuka before he passed away?" Gaara questioned. "They were married for five years and they do not have any children. Do you not find that strange?
"A handful of stillbirths, my informants told me." Ino nodded, agreeing with Gaara. "She was bonded before too! And she is obviously not a maiden anymore."
The blond just stared aimlessly at the other side of the room, making an effort to figure out a solution to this problem. He really thought Kakashi had canceled the wedding before his departure but it seemed like everything remained the same as when he was last there. "What if I break my father's vow?"
"I think Lord Hyuga would not take it well."
"We can still find his daughter another suitable match," Naruto suggested.
"I fear nothing short of a direct line to the throne would satisfy him. You cannot forget that house Hyuga is a critical ally of the Crown. For instance, it is thanks to them that we can keep this land fed because they are our prime source of wheat. And if you have not had the time to take a look at the books, our crops have not been prosperous at all this year. That is why there is no better match than her! They could provide the realm with the surplus too." Kakashi explained as he handed Naruto all the books and reports. "Do it." He tapped his hand on the pile of papers. "Combine the strength of your houses, it would only show a signal of unity and power throughout the realm and beyond!" He looked at Naruto through worried eyes at his lack of response. "You cannot let your people starve! In addition, what kind of King would you be if you didn't go through with your word? Must I remind you that a promise is a sacred vow?"
"What happened to the sacred vows when the Hyugas broke the guest right?" Naruto retorted venomously. The guest right was an ancient tradition that went back hundreds of years ago. It was considered one of the most sacred, inviolable social rules of the Five Great Nations. When a guest ate food and drinks off a host's table and roof, the guest's right was summoned. Once the right was invoked, neither the host nor the guest could harm either of them for the length of the guest's stay.
The Uchiha family had been summoned to the Hyuga's lands during the war on the pretext of making a peace settlement but it had all been a trap. By dinnertime, the Hyugas had unsheathed their swords and completely slaughtered the entire family. Only Sasuke's brother, Itachi Uchiha had managed to escape and had found work and refuge on the other side of the ocean, all the way into the Country of Water.
By the grace of all Gods, Sasuke had been under the direct "care" of the Hyugas, working as Lady Hinata's personal servant at the time. That's how Naruto got to meet him. For Hinata to leave her servant in the Country of Fire hadn't been that strenuous of a task. He came up with the first excuse he could think of at the time, that he would need someone to be the spokesperson for the details of the wedding ceremony. Little did Hinata know he was doing the exact opposite.
Lord Hyuga wasn't a fan of the idea. Leaving the last Uchiha where his pale lavender eyes couldn't see him. After Fugaku had practically sold his youngest son to him, Hiashi had been planning to decimate the Uchiha family. He planned on capturing Sasuke's brother as well but according to his soldiers, the man was either dead or had run away without being seen.
When he slaughtered the entirety of the family he considered murdering Sasuke but he was an important piece if he wanted to keep the Uchiha's lands. For centuries they had ruled freely and independently from the Crown so there was no way he could keep them if he didn't have an Uchiha under his direct care.
Eventually, since the raven-haired Omega would be under the immediate protection of the Crown and his daughter's future husband, Hiashi let Sasuke stay in the capital.
"My King, a peace offering with the Hyugas would be the most secure way, and you'd finally get that indomitable piece of land! They are the richest house in all the Five Great Nations. That gold would make a lot of difference!"
"Who do you think allows them to explore the gold mines?" Before the Hyugas, the Uchiha had been the richest and one of the most powerful families in the Kingdom due to the abundance of gold on their terrain. After they died and the Hyugas took over, Hiashi had to ask permission from the Crown to mine that gold. He could have done it in secret but his reputation was already stained enough and he wanted to avoid a trial at all costs so he had to play safe. At the time the blond allowed it.
"In all of its history, the Uzumakis have never entered an open war with the Hyuga clan. If we did, the losses would be incalculable!"
"I agree, Your Majesty. The Hyugas make for a better ally than it does an enemy." Shikamaru yawned, offering his piece of mind as well.
"No one is entering any wars. I will simply stop this wedding from happening and I'll make them provide us with the provisions we need."
"What if that does not happen?"
"He would not dare withhold in the face of the realm's need! And if he does not I assure you I will not have a problem killing them all. I will avenge the Uchiha family." He stated firmly. He had promised Sasuke he would reconquer his family's castle and lands that the Hyugas had usurped. That was a promise he was intending to keep, even to the cost of his own life.
"Your Grace, you are not thinking this through. You have to think about what is best for the realm, what is best for your people!"
"And you think I am not?! If I was not thinking about the people I would have already started a war against the Hyugas with the man we have!"
"You could not possibly do that! Start a war because of him! This is an absurdity! He is clouding your judgment!"
"I can assure you, my Lord, that I'm deliberating clear-headed."
"Pardon me but you know that's not true because you know love is the death of duty. He is a goddamn servant!"
"Was! He is mine now! And you're speaking like he is not Highborn as well! His status was even higher than Lady Hinata's!"
Gaara sighed, speaking softly. "My King, he was stripped of all his titles by his family when he presented as an Omega. He is no one now."
"If that is what is bothering you I will restitute all his previous titles. I am the king after all."
"Your Grace, you know I would never go directly against you but this could cost you everything. Your crown, your legacy, your army..." Kakashi tried to speak calmly and alert the King to the dangers of his actions. He could not exactly stop the blond from doing anything he wanted, he was only there to advise.
"So be it! I never wanted to be in this position in the first place! So go ahead, take my lands, take my army, take my gold and my glory but you won't take that Omega away from me." Naruto raged, getting up from his seat.
"He does not have to be away. We can arrange for him to stay in court., maybe wed him to Lady Hinata's cousin." The mention of Sasuke mating with another Alpha had Naruto's wolf agitated.
"Sasuke is my true mate." He confessed and suddenly all fourteen eyes in the room were staring wide at him. "We are soul bound and my wolf refuses to mate or wed anyone but him." Naruto and Sasuke were soul-bound true mates, an extremely rare phenomenon in their society. That meant they had been predestined to be each other's mates at their conception in the womb. They couldn't choose their mates, and could not mate with another alpha or omega. Naruto's blood would only be able to mark Sasuke and if by some miracle his wolf would allow him such a thing, the chances of the other individual dying were enormous. And if they didn't, the mark would fade away in a matter of hours. Especially after he had already found his true mate.
Maybe he could have mated before but it was definitely harder once he found the other one. It was impossible to ignore the other half of their soul until they were mated. That's exactly how he felt when he first met Sasuke. There was something about the Omega that pulled him in like a moth to a flame. He tried to stay away as long as he could but before he could do anything, they had already imprinted on each other. It was utterly ingrained in his biology and his soul couldn't stop pining and craving for his soulmate.
"It cannot be! Those are only myths and stories we tell children."
"It is true. We triggered each other's mating cycles when we met. I imprinted on him, and him on me. There is nothing we can do now, we are practically bonded."
"Maybe it's not too late if we take him away or exile him-" The gray-haired Alpha attempted to reason.
"You will not do such a thing," He growled.
"You are not even listening to me!"
"Pardon me but there lies wisdom in listening to the council." Gaara moderated, not wanting to rile up the blond even more but also attempting for the Alpha to consider other options, even if they looked totally disposable at first glance.
"The council exists for me and because of me! I will not hear another word about it. You better help me call the arrangement off or I'll have your head on a spike by the end of the week." Naruto got up and descended the throne stairs and everyone around him bowed in respect. "I wish not to be disturbed tonight but I expect an answer to the clarification of this matter by tomorrow."
"Naruto." Kakashi ran after the blond who stopped but didn't turn around to look at the Alpha. "I dearly loved my Omega. I really did, and I still do. The pain of his passing still haunts me every goddamn night and to be compelled to replace him for duty's sake wouldn't be easy for me. But I'd do it if it was necessary- because it is the right thing to do." He listened carefully, balling his hand into a fist. When the other one finished he didn't reply, just strode through the long hallways in quick and large steps towards his chambers, passing through multiple servants who stopped their tasks to bow and welcome their King back home.
Almost there, Sasuke.
Almost there.
Notes:
That was it for today.
I should post chapter 2 next week :)
Wish you all a great week!