…The Iron King…

/Warning/: This chapter contains, cursing, sadness, so much sadness, violence, and Steve being protective AF! All reviews are appreciated.

P.S: This is an Alpha/Beta/Omega dynamic story, it's also a Medieval story with Viking Tony ^o^

"Character talking"

"Character thinking"

…Flashbacks…

Chapter 8

Steven's breath hitched when he felt the consciousness creeping over him, causing Steven to furrow his brows and fight against the wave of drowsiness that came over him to pull him into the land of dreams once more. It took a few more minutes before Steven was able to open his eyes again, minutes of trying to remember what happened before he was asleep, and why was his body working against him. It took minutes for Steven to finally wake up and gaze around the room he was in with a look close to confusion and wonder, only to blink in bewilderment when he saw the king sitting on a stool next to him, to invest in the scroll in his hands to notice that Steven was awake.

"Why… why are you here?" Steven asked tiredness trying to pull him back under but Steven pushed back refusing to fall into slumber with the king being near him. Part of the Omega wondered how he managed to fall asleep with the king a few feet away, a fate that never once happened to Steven before he came to his homeland, or as close as his homeland can be when its nothing but burned woods and ashes, not a three days walk around the mountain.

"Do you not remember what happen a few hours earlier?" The king asked after a few minutes, his question made Steven blink his eyes when he drew blank on the memories. As far as Steven remembered, he was heading for a nap with James before he woke up with the foolish king beside him. "You woke up looking like you have met Hela in the flesh, and start looking for James like the hounds of Hel were behind you." The king stated causing Steven to blink his eyes and turn his gaze to the ceiling with a frown; he does not remember any of this.

"That still does not explain why you are beside my bed, foolish king," Steven stated dryly, not even reacting when all he got from the king was an eye roll as the king put the scroll away, probably in the attempt to protect it if this friendly chat turned into a fight, which it would, all of Steven and the king's interactions ended up that way. Steven though was too tired to start their normal insults that will spark the fire of their fight.

"Who are Björn and Hvítur Úlfur?" The king asked instead of answering, his words causing Steven's breath to hitch and for him to look away, his heart pounding inside of his chest as he bit the inside of his cheek, hoping that what he heard was nothing but his imagination; no one, no one other than his people knew about these names... or stories as Steven liked to think of. "You were calling those names when you were asleep… are they the name and title of James's…" The king asked his words trailing at the end like he doesn't know if he should continue the question or drop the matter altogether.

Steven swallowed, refusing to answer the king's question, not when five minutes passed, not when the five minutes turned to ten and the ten to fifteen. "It does not matter, does it?" Steven finally answered the king's question with one of his own, ignoring as the king shifted in his seat and gazed at the Omega with a blank expression. Gods above, how Steven hates the man in front of him.

"You will continue to hate me for his death no matter what I do, is that it?" The king asked, and Steven wanted to scream yes; he wanted to growl and snarls and hisses at the king, he wanted to tell him how much he hates him and how much he wished for Hela to descend on earth and take him… but for a second, just for a second, Steven decided to think over the king's question and decide his answer.

Steven pressed his lips tightly to stop a cruel smile from crossing over his features, thinking about the answer took a few minutes but in the end, Steven turned to gaze at the king with empty eyes. "It does not matter what you think, two of my children died because of you; so if I wanted to blame you, I will." Steven started his words, swallowing as he shuffled around to sit, wondering if he should say the real reason why he hates the man in front of him. "Did you know that I would have given Johann the information he wanted to know about my people just to spar my children? I would have done that, I was close to doing that, but I knew it would not matter in the end." Steven admitted telling the king the secret that he promised to take with him to his grave. "But I promised myself to hold on so that I will take my revenge from you; you, the person who did not have the courage and honor to come when I send you all the information you needed about Johann and his palace, begging you for help as one of your people," Steven whispered, ignoring how the king's eyes widen at his icy words.

The king swallowed, his eyes darted from side to side before stilling on Steven who shuffled in his bed until he was sitting up, pushing the furs away from him and relaxing when he saw that his clothes were still on. "What… what kind of information?" The king finally gathered the courage to ask, and part of Steven wanted to scream and curse at how the king was playing the innocent game, why would he lie about the information that Steven gave to the king? Information that made him win most of his wars against Johann.

"Why are you playing the innocent here?" Steven finally snapped, he couldn't take this anymore, he has to get this off his chest or it will poison Steven for the rest of his life. "The Hydra king caught one of your people once, an idiot Beta who claimed to be your mate, a Beta with green eyes and blond hair; I made that Beta take a sacred oath, to take my son with him to the safety of Brookland and for him to give you all the scrolls containing the information about Johann. From the security of his palace to where he hid his treasure to the people he enslaved. I sent you a letter begging for your help as one of your people, but you never answered!" Steven hissed wanting to scream but couldn't unless he woke up the children which were something Steven wouldn't do.

The king should know that because of him not coming to answer Steven's plea, because of him taking the information about Johann and disappearing for six years, two of Steven's children died because of him being a sleazy oathbreaker with that Beta of his, and because of that Steven will blame him till the end of all lives and until Ragnarok is here. "I never found your letter." The king answered in a sure voice and Steven wanted to scream at the lie the king dared to feed him in his face. "The Beta you were talking about, we found him in one of the ports a day and a half journey away from the Hydra king's palace. The Beta claimed that he managed to escape and in his escape, he stole those scrolls… there was no child with him…" Steven's lips trembled at these words he heard, his breath hitched and he moved against his will until he was holding into the furs of the king's shirt, gazing in the king's eyes searching for his lies… only to find no lie upon gazing at the Alpha for a long time.

"I… n-no! He has to have a child with him, he took an oath on King Odin and Queen Frigga; he has to have the child with him!" Steven plea with the king, he pleads with his eyes hoping that the king will tell him the Beta brought his child later with them, even sent him to Brookland for a short time before of its distraction, anything! Just let the child be with them. The king took Steven's fists that were fisting his shirt in gentle hands, so contradicting to his harsh appearance.

"Brookland… Brookland was destroyed a year before the Beta's capture." The king whispered, trying to calm Steven as he ran gentle hands on his clenched fists; his soft words and action didn't stop his words from piercing Steven's heart and causing him pain, at the lie the Beta gave him when he told him about Brookland still standing. "That was the reason we rage war on the Hydra kingdom because they destroyed our home. The Beta only brought information, he sower on Odin's rule that he stole them; there was no child with him, nor did I found the letter you said was within the scrolls." The king gazed at the Omega in front of him in concern, probably wondering if he should call the healer when Steven looked like a doll that was ripped from the seams.

"…An oath breaker…" Steven's choked pulling his hands from the king's; his body was shaking as he tried to stop the tears from running down his face… how stupid was Steven really to trust someone just because they were from Brookland like him? just because the Beta took a sacred oath didn't mean that an oath can't be broken, just because he gave information hoping for a rescue, didn't mean that his pleas will be answered… today Steven was proven how stupid he was for trusting one of his people.

"My… Queen…?" The king's concerned voice only made Steven bit the inside of his cheek harder until it started bleeding; at that moment Steven wondered if he can hate the king for causing his son's death if the Alpha was lied to by an oath breaker, or maybe the Alpha was lying? But why would the king do that when he must have known that Steven will do anything the king wished for if he told him that his son was alive and was here.

"Please leave…" Steven finally gathered the courage to say these two words, hoping that the king will leave him so that Steven can drown in the sea of his failure and foolishness. It was true; when the king called him foolish he was speaking from truth… Steven was a failure and his children's deaths were on him, not the king in front of him. Without giving the Alpha a chance to protest, Steven once again hid under the furs on his bed, wishing that if he hid long enough he will manage to hide away from his failure and stupidity. It took a few more silent minutes before the king stood up to leave; only when the door closed behind him did Steven allowed himself the relief of tears…

It was his fault…

It had been a few days since the heart to heart with the queen; a few days since Anton knew the reason for the hate between them and how justified it was. A few days since he knew about the oath breather that turned not only the queen's life upside down, but his as well; a few days of Anton nearly snarling at everyone and anyone who as much as looked in his direction, scaring them away and making them flee if they caught his shadow moving toward them. It had been a few days but to Anton, it felt like years and years; years that made Anton unbalanced, wondering what is he to do to gain the forgiveness he doesn't deserve but needed because it turned out that he was deceived by the person his village wanted him to wed.

It had been days since the queen held himself in his room, later taking his child with him to his people's house, refusing to come in contact with any one of the village and refusing to return to the king's own home when it turned dark; a silent protest and a small victory that the king refused to take away from the queen, not when he knew what his ignorance caused innocent souls from his people. It had been days since Anton dared to disclose the secrets the queen told him, but only daring to do that to his friends, in the hope of them starting to dig something to discover the truth that caused Anton to have sleepless nights for many days now.

If the queen's words were true… Anton know they were, so far the queen never dared to say something he didn't mean… not only will Anton have a reason not to tie the knot with the Stone clan, but it also meant that they were deceived by them, it was just like the mess of Stane and Brookland all over again, but this time it involved the deceive being hidden under the layers of heroism.

"Anton, they are here…" Magna stated, disgust coloring her tone informing Anton of who she was talking about; those simple few words caused rage and hate to war inside Anton and the Alpha wondered if he could just say fuck it and kill Tyber for once and for all, ending all of his sufferings at once. A low and dangerous growl left him, causing Magna to sigh but stay with him in his workshop, probably waiting for him to gather himself. "I know you want to kill him for being an oath breaker, but right now, it is the queen's words against Tyber's, and you know how many people follow that weasel," Magna said, causing Anton to curse his people for how stupid they were sometimes.

"Then let us pray to Odin that the queen will not catch a sight of Tyber; for I know I will not stop him when he goes at that weasel with a sword." Anton hissed standing from the wooden stool he was sitting on. Part of Anton wanted to be the one that will have a go at Tyber, but knowing the queen; the man will have a go at Tyber before Anton and turn his sword at Anton if the Alpha dared to stop him from having his revenge.

The two of them walked out of the workshop, Anton planning on finding a way to end this Gods-forsaken matchmaking, and Magna going with Anton over what he should do and what he shouldn't, stressing the subject of not killing Tyber until proven guilty. Ah, if only Magna wasn't mated to Jamti, at least then Anton would have mated her, but he couldn't do this to his friend, subjecting her to live her life with a husband who was pining for a dead Omega for all he knows.

Anton stopped in his place when he saw James sneaking around near the forest, and for a second Anton entertained the thought of calling the pup out and asking about his dam, who is probably sharping his (Probably stolen and not metaphorically) sword and heading to a quest to find Tyber and kill him for once and for all. Before Anton called the boy though, he was stopped when he found his son running toward the queen's babe, letting out a triumph yell when he jumped the boy; but Petrus' victory ended up soon as the children ended up rolling around and giggling happily.

The sight made a smile tug on the corners of the king's lips, and Anton couldn't help being thankful for the queen's babe for getting his boy out of his shell. A few months ago… no a year ago, his boy would have followed Anton without a word of what he wanted, working with Anton in his workshop just to hide the fact that he didn't have a friend and that the people around the village bully him. No matter how hard Anton tried to make the place more acceptant of his child and the few people who came to them seeking protection, Anton never seemed to manage that; not when the Stone family and some of the elders were sitting on following the old ways.

"What a joyful sight… hopefully it will still be after Tyber and his sister arrive. Petrus is usually quiet when the two of them show up." Magna said, her smile wide as her gaze followed Petrus and his friends (And that's what the queen's babe was, the friend that Petrus never had) only for her smile to deem a little at the mention of Tyber. Gods above, what would Anton do to get rid of this dilemma he was forced into for years now? Ever since that day Tyber lied about stealing the information Anton's people needed from the Hydra king, the villagers tried to match Anton with him or with his sister, hoping that the Stone clan fortune will rub onto them… if only those foolish people knew the heartbreaking truth.

"As long as those two are not in the same house as me or the queen, everything will be bearable… you did prepare a house for those two on the other side of the village, right?" Anton asked, will... he plead, but he will deny he did for the end of time, but he pleads that Magna found a vacant house for those two serpents. Anton can't have those two near his son or the queen; those two did enough poisoning that Anton fears what they will do when they have the chance to be alone with the still grieving queen.

"I did… will Loki did… he is still raging about the news you brought and tried with everything he can to help; he wanted to take the queen and his people back to Asgard, but he could not for the queen refused his offer for the third time." Magna sighed, and Anton could only press his lips together. If only the queen will agree to go to Asgard, he will have a fresh start and try to forget about all this madness, but no one knew why he stay here in Mantta when he was clear on his hate for Anton.

When they arrived at the heart of the village Anton had to hold himself from letting his grimace show, it was one thing to show his feelings in front of his friends and allies it was another to show it in front of his enemies. So instead of growling at Tyber as he wanted, the king don a blank mask, narrowing his eyes and straightening his back as he walked toward the two people who he wished didn't exist in the world.

"My king! What a joyful sight it is to see you after all this time!" Tyber said in a sickly sweet voice when he saw him, bowing with his sister when Anton stood in front of them. Looking around the place Anton notice the servants and guards Tyber brought with him; Anton always wondered why Tyber brought many people to guard him if he was going to stay among friends, now Anton knew why, he was an oath breaker, and an oath breaker wasn't welcomed in any place they go.

"I wish I can say the same..." Anton huffed, biting the inside of his cheek when Magna turned to him with wide eyes and hissed at him softly. What? It wasn't like his people weren't thinking of him as crazy, why restrain himself when he can say what he wants? He has the choice, in the end, to marry someone desirable after Tyber and his clan are to leave so why hold himself back?

Anton can see how unbalanced Tyber and his sister were by his answer, and a dark part of him enjoyed their pain; good, they should know they are not welcomed here, something that Anton had tried to make known for years. "My king, we brought some gifts from the south that we hope will catch your fancy." Sunset (Gods above who name their child Sunset? It was a nightmare hearing that name) said in what she probably hoped was a demure smile, which made her look like someone who was planning to stab you in the back instead.

Before Anton tried to give her a dry remark hoping that she will stumble and embarrass herself a familiar twin of giggles broke through the people causing Anton's heart to skip a beat; from surprise at why his son and the queen's babe was here, to fear for their safety, Anton wondered what he will do. It turned out that Anton hadn't needed to do anything, because as soon as James and Petrus saw them and the crowd the two of them stood still, with Petrus hiding in fear behind James.

James unlike Petrus, was unafraid as he took everyone in, studying Tyber with a tilted head and furrowed brows; James became as quiet as a mouse as he took the scar running down Tyber's left eye and neck, Tyber always took pride in his scar saying he gain it when he was riding the Hydra king's chamber. James's eyes widen and then narrowed as he raised his hand and pointed at Tyber with a dark frown saying as loudly as he can that Anton was sure the people in the back had heard him. "You are the oathbreaker!" James called out, and Anton wondered if he should laugh out aloud at the spoken truth or hide James and Petrus behind him before Tyber decided to do something. "Mama! The oathbreaker is here, Mama!" James called out loudly, taking one of Petrus's hands in his before James started running in the direction of the queen.

Anton blinked his eyes, biting the inside of his cheek to stop himself from laughing or cursing he doesn't know; but a word from a child who never met Tyber was going to be taken as a word with some truth to it, for children were often blessed by Goddess Frigga with the knowledge of many hidden things. Now Anton was left with the problem of what he will do when the queen gets here, it's not a secret that a fight will break out as soon as the queen sees Tyber standing here. People around them start whispering, and Anton could only lean back and take Tyber in whose skin turned pale when his sister hissed his way under her breath, gazing frantically around the place, probably thinking about a few words to enchant the crowd and make them forget what happened.

A shuffle from his left side caused Anton to turn around to see Fury gazing at Tyber with a narrow eye; Fury had never liked Tyber a day of his life, always doubting Tyber especially when he came back with the needed information from the Hydra king. If it was up to Fury, he would have probably killed Tyber on sight; this was why Anton tolerant Fury, the two of them see eye to eye on some things and agree on some others.

"Mama, he is here! The oathbreaker who stole Hvítur Úlfur is here!" James's voice became louder the nearer he came toward them, and Anton wondered if there was a way for him to stop the fight before it started. But knowing the foolish queen, there will not be such a thing; the queen will fight and fight and Anton will be left with the consequences, which meant more work than Anton would have liked.

"James, slow down!" The queen's voice was heard as he tried to calm the boy, but Anton wasn't focus on the queen, he was focused on Tyber who was becoming paler and paler if that was even possible, taking the shade of a sick person the nearer the Omega came until the two of them stood face to face. "You!" That word was a snarl, making the blood curl in the veins; even Anton had to flinch at the dark and hateful look Tyber was at the end of.

If he looked at Tyber now, Anton will probably see how pale and sick the Beta looked, no wonder, especially when facing a person who you thought will have no power in pointing out your deception. "I am sorry but do I know you fair Omega?" Tyber tried to say in what he thought was a smooth voice, but Anton could only close his eyes and wince… Tyber should have stayed silent; it would have given him an extra few minutes to live.

The Omega snarled as he stalked toward Tyber, probably with the intent to kill the Beta here and now, and Anton was held between wanting to get rid of Tyber or stop the Omega from causing himself more harm from Tyber's followers. "Did you forget about me already? Or is it just the people you break your oath to?" The queen hissed letting out a dangerous growl causing Tyber to take a step back. "You swore on king Odin and Queen Frigga that you will save my child if I gave you all the information about the Hydra king; you swore and you broke your oath!" It was when the queen bounced on Tyber that Anton and Jamti reacted by pulling him back. "They found you a day and a half journey without a child you oath-breaker! You swore on your life you will take him to Brookland! You gave yourself that scare on your face as a show of trust and truth!" The Queen screamed, trying to pull himself away from Jamti and Anton.

The king had to say the queen was a strong one, it took Thor and Loki coming to help them to be able to hold the Omega back; not that it did much help as the queen thrashed and screamed, cursing Tyber and insulting him, lumping Anton with him when the Alpha continued to pull the thrashing Omega away from the crowd that kept on getting larger and larger. Good Gods this was turning into a nightmare.

It took time before they were finally back into the king's home, which was something Anton dreaded ever since the queen had become suspiciously still, not thrashing and moving like he did when he faced Tyber. "You can leave now; I will handle the rest… and tell Magna to bring Petrus and James back," Anton ordered, hoping that he didn't do something stupid and that the queen won't stab him with a knife as soon as they are to be alone.

Just as Anton expect, the queen made his move when Thor, Loki, and Jamti were out of sight; he didn't move to kill Anton, didn't move to scream at him, it was worse. As fast as the queen can he whirl around to Anton and slapped him hard, hard enough for Anton to taste the blood on his tongue. Turning to the queen, the anger Anton felt was like no other, how can the queen be stupid enough to attack him when Anton wanted to do nothing but protect him? Was the queen really this foolish?

Whatever harsh words and actions Anton planned on spewing got stuck in his throat with no way for them to be out, because when Anton turned his head to the queen…. The queen was crying. Fat tears were rolling down the queen's cheeks, causing the queen's flushed face to turn red; Anton doesn't know if the redness was because of the queen's offers to hold the sounds of his pain back or if it was from how wound up he was. "He took, and you welcomed him back?" Anton's breath hitched when the queen's voice broke. Not once, not even when the queen lost his stillborn child did the man ever let someone see him cry, and to witness this now, part of Anton felt like he was gazing at something that he has no right to see. "No trust, you Alphas are all the same, liars!" The queen hissed before turning around and walking away from Anton, so fast that the Alpha had a hard time saying that the queen wasn't running.

"Do not let people fool you, Anton, for Omegas, are the strongest out of us…"

Anton's breath hitched as he was suddenly thrust back years upon years in the past, back when everything was simple and the only thing Anton had to do was make his father proud and take over his job of being the blacksmith of their village. Back when Anton had to do nothing but fix and repair and fantasy about the Omega who promised him marriage upon returning home.

"They never shed tears in front of people, always staying strong, even in the hardest time… but when they shed tears, it meant…"

"Please… d-do not l-look…"

Anton swallowed, trying to banish the memories of pain, fear, and helplessness that took over him. Closing his eyes Anton tried to collect himself, taking a deep breath in the hope of forgetting what he just saw, what he felt. He tried to banish the memories of teary blue eyes as they took him in with panic, he tried to shake away how the woman whispered these words in a low voice that even the man above her didn't hear…

This… this was a nightmare…

The doors to the nursery were suddenly opened, causing Steven's heart to drop…

The sight that greeted him made him feel faint…

.

…

.

It was Philips, the older man sneaked inside his room causing Steven to breathe out a sigh of relief, for he had thought for a second that the person who opened his door was no one but the king and his people. "Philips, what are you doing here? It does not matter now, where are the rest? We have to run away tonight!" Steven's breath hitched as he stood up, his hand was still on Margaret's head, running through her hair gently trying to calm her down, hoping that she will stop crying soon, for they have to run away from this place and fast, to save his children and the rest of the people here. "Whose child is this?" Steven asked when his sight fell on the squirming child in the older man's arms, his eyes widen when he noticed the silent babe.

The older man gazed at him with sad but determined eyes, causing Steven's eyes to widen when the older man tried to avoid his eyes and stood straight. "Johann caught someone from your people claiming that he was the Iron King's mate." The older man started his speech with those words as he walked toward the queen's babes, unaware of how frozen Steven was as he tried to find the answer for Philips's actions. "We cannot run away, not when Johann increased his guards, but we can save your child tonight; we just have to replace him with this child and-" Philips didn't finish his words for Steven stood between him and his children.

"No! I will not allow such a foul play! Whose child is this? Do you really want from me to condiment an innocent child to save mine?" Steven screamed, fear taking over him at what the older man was implying. Philips wanted him to exchange his child's fate with the babe in his arms. A babe that Steven doesn't know who was their Sire and who was their dam, the child's mother could be crying for her babe right now; Philips wanted him to sacrifice the child to save his? A dark part of him, the desperate part of Steven wanted to take Philips up on his plan, just to save his babes from their dark fate, but looking at the small child who was gazing around the place with unfocused pale brown eyes, he couldn't.

"Are you mad?" Philips finally snapped when Steven refused the older man's plan, causing Margaret to jump and his babes to let out whimpers and whines. "That mad man is planning on killing one of your children, and I bring you a way out to save him, and you are refusing?" Philips hissed as he stood in front of Steven, glaring up at the stubborn Omega who glared back at him. "A man from your people is down there, a man who can help you save your child with the price of freedom and information, all you have to do is throw your damn morals away until this night is over and your child will be safe!" Philips let out a tired sigh when Steven continued to glare at him without moving away, which caused the older man to lean back. "This child was born half-blind and completely deaf, his Dam died in childbirth and his Sire wanted to kill him; he is our only chance to save the young prince…" Philips stated gently, trying to ease Steven into accepting his suggestion.

"I… I cannot… I… he is innocent in all of this…" Steven's breath hitched as he took in the child in Philips' arms, the small child with light brown hair and pale brown eyes that darting from place to place without really seeing a thing. "I… can we not think of another way? Please?" Steven whispered, begging the Gods above that they will give him a way out to save his child and this innocent soul.

"I am sorry my queen, but this is the only way…" Philips whispered as he gazed at the child in his arms with deep sadness and resignation, causing Steven to shake. "James… Prince James will survive as he is the heir to the throne, but the youngest child is to die by the end of the night, and unless you want to have three dead children by the end of this day we have to move fast." Philips swallowed, and Steven could only hold on for a few seconds before sliding down the floor, gazing at the ground as agony and disbelieve warred inside of him.

A few minutes passed; the few minutes turned into ten, which turned into fifteen, and the fifteen turned to thirty before Steven finally raised his head, his eyes hard and guarded. It the only way to stop himself from crying and sobbing at how harsh the world was; how cruel it was to kill this child in exchange for his. "Where is he? The man from my people…" Steven finally asked as he stood up, his heart breaking with every step he took toward the child with the pale brown eyes…

Weak, helpless, and cruel… that's what Steven was if it meant saving his children…

.

…

.

Idiot, foolish, stupid, cruel, helpless, whore; that's what Steven was, that's what he will always be, the foolish Omega who hoped and trusted one of his people only to be met with deception and trickery. Steven had hoped that his child had survived, he had hoped and wished and prayed; he prayed to Odin, to Thor, to Frigga and Loki. So far the only Gods who seemed to answer his prayers and not look down at him with mockery were Frigga and Loki. Goddess Frigga gave him his children and the strength to care for them and protect them (Even when he failed half of the time), and Loki gave him his sharp mind and fast thinking so he will be able to protect those who were dear to his heart. Every other deity just laughed at his pain, especially Odin who seemed to be delighted with what fate handed him.

A small part of Steven wondered what would have happened if the Iron king lost that battle, just that one battle against the Hydra king; just that one… just that one so that Steven will still hold his babe in his arms, raising him beside James and tell him how much he loved him and cherish him. the total time Steven spent with his babe before he had to give him up was one hour, one hour that wasn't enough for Steven to think of a strong name for him in his mother language.

Letting out a tired sigh, Steven gazed up at the lake in front of him, wondering how icy it will feel with the cold weather that blanket the whole village. "Do not look at the lake when it is the full moon, love, for when you look away, your shadow will stare at you right back planning to drag you in…" His mother used to whisper these words to him when he was a child; his mother who was protective of him until the end of her life, even when she was at the end of the Hydra king's sword, she protected him until the bitter end.

Steven wonders what his mother will do when she would look at him now; would she wail and sob and curse the fate for what happened to him? Will she take a knife and thrust it in his heart for what he had become? Or would she look in disgust and flinch away from his touch? It was possible, all of the above was possible and not at the same time, and Steven will never be able to know because his mother was dead… his mother was dead and Steven didn't even have the honor and courage to give her an honorable burial before he was dragged to the south to be Johann's captive.

That's why Steven can't be what he used to be, that's why Steven refused to be called by his true name. A useless and weak person like him has no right to be called by his birth name, not when he failed his mother, not when he failed his fiancé, and not when he failed his children. Steven will never respond to his real name, not when he wasn't worthy of being called by it ever again, especially after he let Johann name him and bond him and shackle him to the south.

"You should not gaze about the lake in such nights; it is dangerous…" A voice stated, and Steven doesn't have to turn around to see that it was the foolish king behind him, probably coming to punish him for raising his hand; Steven waited for what the king will do, but the man did nothing other than coming to sit beside the Omega, leaving Steven frowning. "It was not in my intent to let Tyber enjoy his victory; but as you can see, my hands are tied, especially when some of my people believe in Tyber's tale." The king explained, and Steven pressed his lips together tightly, he never asked the king to explain his action and he doesn't want the king to do it.

"It does not matter, he is here now… you should know, foolish king, an oath breaker is not welcomed in any land he travels to, and misfortune will follow them wherever they settle," Steven stated, taking a small stone beside him and throw it in the lake, gazing at the ripple that was caused by the stone dropping in the lake. The king shuffled beside Steven, making the Omega close his eyes and letting out a tired sigh. "Just ask the question on your mind, your movements are annoying me," Steven opening his eyes and gazing at the lake once more.

"Tyber is trying to twist the story around, stating that you were the mad queen who kept killing his children as sacrifices, but my people doubt his words, especially when they know about your blessing… I just wanted to know how many…?" The king started his question, only to close his mouth, pressing his lips tightly before sighing through his nose.

Steven let out a sigh and bit the inside of his cheek, already knowing what the king meant… how many children, such a hard question with a harder answer. "The ones I birthed or the ones I adopt?" Steven ended up asking, for the king's question has many answers, and could go either way; Steven had many children and he grieved for every one of them, some more than the others. The king let out a choked noise, turning to Steve with wide and disbelieving eyes, and even Steven won't fault the king for looking at him this way, for no Omega will care for a child they have not birthed. "Six in total…" Steven ended up answering the king's question, trying not to think of the king's wide eyes and hitched breath. "Three of my own womb and three I raised; all of them are dead except for two," Steven stated but didn't answer more of the king's questions. "Why the soft heart all of sudden, foolish king? This is not you." Steven finally pointed out the king's strangeness the two of them were dancing around.

"I admit acting like this is also very strange to me… but until now I have not thought of what you have lost; only what I have gained from your loss. Maybe I am trying to change, maybe I am not." The king stated which Steven did nothing but raise his brow at the Alpha which made the king grumble; men like the king didn't say words like these unless they wanted something. "Fine, right now the two of us have one enemy in common, and that is Tyber and his clan. If the two of us wanted to get rid of them we need to work together on this." The king stated causing Steven to snort, of course, the king couldn't admit the truth, or it would be very un-kingly of him.

"The enemy of my enemy is a friend…" Steven hummed; a dark twisted smile took over his face at the ironic thought of the Iron King being his ally in getting rid of a person who is supposed to be the king's mate "What the people will say, I wonder…" Steven mock, tilting his head to look at the king who rolled his eyes at the display but didn't seem concerned about Steven telling people about what took a place here. "You came asking for an alliance, but never once did you show me a sign of goodwill by offering your name," Steven stated his words making the king still in his place before turning to Steven.

"The same could be said about you, for not once did you offer to give your name away as a show of friendship." The king stated which gained him a twitch of lips from Steven. "It is Anton." The king offered, which made Steven's heart give a painful pang at the familiar name; hearing this name made a pain like a hot knife pierce his heart, and Steven had to bit his lips hard as to not let a gasp out.

"Steven…" Steven ended up offering his name after a few minutes of silence, his answer making the king hum and turn his sight to the lake, ignoring how Steven was eyeing him with narrow eyes. Could it be? Steven wondered before shutting that thought down; no it couldn't, for his Anton was different than this man, his Anton was the Alpha who refused to fight even when others bullied him and called him weak. His Anton was a man who loved the peace and creating beauty with metal and iron, not weapons and tools of death to rage wars… this man was not his Anton, for Anton has long since died when Brookland was destroyed…

Steven tried not to break at the admission…

Fury narrowed his eyes at the sight in front of him; the Alpha doesn't know if he should laugh at the scandal that took place in front of him or croon at the triumph he was feeling when he was proven right and that the Stone clan did hide something. Fury was not usually this expressive with his feelings, but the Alpha and the Stone clan had a long history of disagreeing on many things, and one of them was the king's bonding within one of their clan.

The Omega though… the strange Omega who Fury was told was the Hydra king's mate looked familiar. Not the king of familiar that Fury saw when he was doing one of his undercover mission, but the kind of familiar like the Alpha had spent a long time living and growing with him. That by itself was strange, for Fury was almost certain that he doesn't know who the Omega was.

Blond hair, blue eyes, and a stubborn persona that could go for miles, with a sense of justice that was out of the world; a dark part of Fury stated as he took the Omega in, causing the Alpha to stop in his place momently, and stare at the distance with a faraway look in his eyes. There was only one person who fit the Omega's description, one person who died a long time ago, taking with him a close brotherhood and a friendship. It can't be though; it just can't be, especially when that clan was wiped out a long time ago, leaving Fury to brave the sea in search for ghosts that had long since parted to Valhalla.

It doesn't matter, not now, not when Fury was left with an Omega who claimed that Tyber was an oath breaker, not when the Alpha had his job to unearth and expose the Stone Clan like how he had wanted to do for years but couldn't because of the stupid elders who decided to believe in Tyber's story. Looking around the place, Fury caught the eyes of Nattalegg, nodding to the Alpha in a way that informed her of his want to talk with her.

Stupid Anton, stupid foolish Alpha who refused to move on and mate one of the Omegas that Fury sent his way; the stupid foolish boy who continued to torture himself even after years and years with his stupid hope. Fury couldn't help that a part of him admired the young Alpha for staying faithful to a ghost that's long since left. Another part of Fury was angry at the hope Anton held, even after years had passed and the proof had been given that the person he was waiting for was dead.

A small weight slammed into Fury's legs, making the man twitch and frown, looking down with a glare at the child who dared to slam into him. When the child raised his head, Fury's breath left him when familiar blue eyes caught him, the child backed away before tilting his head, and a cheerful smile took over his face when he pointed at Fury and said. "Eye patch!" With a cheerful and unafraid tone; when Fury closed his eye he swore he was thrown back in time, 26 years ago when an annoying blond child ran between his legs just to annoy him and try to bring a smile to Fury's lips.

"James!" A Beta woman with brown hair and red lips ran to them, pulling the small pup away and hid him behind her back as she gave Fury a dark glare hiding the fear in her eyes as she tried to protect the boy. "What did the queen say about you pointing at people?" The woman hissed in a different language, causing the boy to pout and shrug. "I am telling the queen, and this time I will not save you butt when he punishes you." The female huffed, ignoring the boy's protests as she picked him up and rushed away from Fury as fast as she can while throwing Fury cautious looks like the Alpha will follow them any minutes now and beat them.

A boy with dark brown hair, familiar blue eyes, and a familiar cheeky smile, with a fearless persona, as he went around the place looking for troubles, causing everyone to have heart failure as they try to protect the small boy. Familiar eyes that Fury finally saw, with decades between the last time he saw them and the now; part of Fury, the small part that is hidden under layers of scars and betrayals and pain couldn't help but light the spark of hope, a spark that Fury couldn't help but try to ignore to stop the heartache that will follow.

The small boy Fury just saw the small boy was the Omega's babe; the Omega who attack Tyber with no care for his wellbeing, the Omega that was strong enough that it needed four grown Alphas to be able to hold him back from strangling Tyber to death. The Omega with blond hair and familiar build to a friend long since died; the Omega that caused Tyber to pale and shake in his place as if Queen Hela stood in front of him ready to take him to Hel and torture him for eternity.

Fury couldn't help but throw one last glance at the small boy before he continued his way, many questions swimming inside his mind and the Alpha planned to find some answers to them. Starting with Nattalegg and ending with the mother of the small child… if the boy is who Fury thinks he is then maybe… just maybe…

Fury couldn't help but smile…

So what do you think?

So sorry for the late update, take this long chapter (By my standers) as an apology!

Poor Steve! At least we got to know a little about his past!

At least Steve and Tony seemed to get along?

Björn: - This word meant bear (Animal), and one of the most known Nordic names.

Hvítur Úlfur: - This title means White Wolf

I will explain this to you in the next chapters.

Read and Review

And tell me what you think…

Nazaki-Sama