Theo opened his eyes immediately upon sensing a dangerous presence. His body tensed the moment he felt the breeze coming through the window: it carried a strange scent, laced with a dense and oppressive aura. That kind of presence wasn't human… it was divine. And it wasn't here in peace.
—Oh, thank heaven you're awake, Theo —murmured Noah, visibly relieved. His tone was soft, but his concern was evident in every word. Since they had arrived at the Everhart residence the day before, Theo hadn't shown any signs of consciousness. Seeing him open his eyes at last brought his soul back to his body.
Noah felt grateful; he had wished for nothing more intensely than the recovery of his savior. Theo hadn't just rescued him from the forest… he had also given him hope in the midst of darkness.
The night before, Noah had already told his family everything. He spoke of how he got lost in the forest of Lunar Mountain, how he was injured after falling into a ravine, and how Theo —an alpha, apparently a "traveler and hunter passing through the forest"— had found him nearly lifeless, fought off a wild lion, and helped him survive.
The story moved everyone. Black, his father, then remembered his vow: whoever saved his son would be rewarded with honors and protection under the Everhart crest. Though he never thought that "hero" would be a mysterious young man with ancient eyes and strange manners.
—Where… am I? —Theo whispered, his voice hoarse from the energy drain he had pretended to suffer.
—You're in my home, Theo. You've been unconscious since yesterday —Noah replied, stepping a bit closer, as if afraid the alpha might fade again.
—God… I'm sorry, Noah. I must've caused you and your family a lot of trouble…
—No, Theo. Everything's fine —Noah assured him, not letting go of his hand—. You're safe now.
Theo looked at him for a moment before speaking again, his tone more serious.
—Noah…
—Yes?
—Do you still remember all the restrictions?
—Of course. I mustn't eat meat, or commit wicked acts, not even harm any living being… I must always act with kindness and purity —Noah repeated, as if he had memorized every word of the pact they sealed in the forest.
Theo smiled and squeezed the omega's hand tightly. He didn't do it out of emotion… but strategy. Because just then, he saw her.
Through the window, walking steadily on the air, was her. Hera.
A goddess. Immortal. Heaven's envoy.
A normal human could never see her. But Noah wasn't normal. He had the sacred gem embedded in his heart, the same gem Theo had inserted into him to fulfill his purpose. That's why he could perceive things beyond his world.
But the rules were clear: a goddess could not harm a human. That's why Theo maintained physical contact with Noah. The omega was his shield.
Theo knew it. Hera had descended to Earth for him. His sentence had already been passed.
—Noah… —he murmured suddenly, with a grave expression.
—Yes?
—What if… we got married?
—What? What are you saying? —Noah's voice rose in surprise. In his life, he had never considered marriage. He hadn't even courted anyone. Being an omega of noble lineage made him desirable, but he always avoided suitors… Or rather, his family did.
—I can't stay away from you, Noah —Theo said, still holding his hand—. I need to be by your side and hold you like this because of the gem. But I don't want your family to think I'm taking advantage of you… So how about we just get married? That way, no one will question our closeness.
His tone was so sincere, his gaze so gentle… The golden eyes of the alpha locked onto Noah's with a mix of vulnerability and silent desire. For Theo, this was a masterful move. For Noah, those were words that brushed his heart.
—After the hundred days we're together, you can annul the marriage if you wish —Theo continued—. Because when I marry an omega… I want it to be forever. As for love… we can learn to cultivate it day by day.
Noah held his breath. His cheeks turned a light shade of pink. That declaration… didn't feel like a lie. It was an honest offer. A commitment… And without knowing it, the young omega had fallen into the trap of the cunning fox.
From a distance, Hera clenched her fists tightly, while Theo smiled slightly. To Noah, that smile seemed sincere and sad; but to Hera, it was the smile of a deceitful hypocrite fooling a poor human.
But the omega didn't see that.
He only saw an exhausted, wounded, sincere alpha… asking for a loveless marriage for the sake of them both.
—Alright… let's get married —Noah finally said, his voice trembling between confusion and resolve.
...