A Brute

THEODORE

I shoved my way out of the Cupid Den, the cold night air hitting my face like a slap. I ripped the tech mask off my neck, tearing a tiny layer of skin with it, but I didn't care.

The sting was nothing compared to the absolute humiliation burning in my chest.

I was a useless Alpha, I couldn't even get my fucking cock to stand.

By the time the royal transport dropped me off at the palace, I was practically radiating anger. I stormed through the grand corridors, wanting nothing more than to lock myself in my room and sleep for a week.

"Your Highness!"

A young servant scurried up to me, bowing so low his forehead almost touched his knees.

"What?" I snarled, not even slowing down.

"General Evander has been looking for you, sir. He requested to see you the moment you returned."

My hands clenched into fists inside my jacket pockets. "Tell the General to go fuck himself," I snapped.

The servant gasped, his face turning pale as he stumbled backward. I ignored him and kept walking, taking the stairs two at a time.

Of all the people in this goddamn palace, Evander was the absolute last person I wanted to see. Just hearing his name made my stomach do a weird, traitorous flip.

"Theodore."

I froze at the top of the stairs.

Evander was standing there, leaning against the marble pillar near the entrance to my wing. He had his military dress uniform on, looking perfectly put together, though he still looked a little pale around the edges from the venom.

He straightened up when he saw me, his sharp eyes locking onto mine.

I scowled, my posture instantly stiffening. "What do you want, General? Come to brag about how my father loves you more than his own son? Save it. I'm not in the mood."

Evander didn't take the bait. He stepped closer, his expression serious. "I wanted to thank you."

I let out a harsh, ugly laugh. "Thank me? For what? Letting you drag me into a rat trap?"

"For staying, though we both know you dragged us into the rat trap." Evander said, though he murmured the last part which made me snarl.

His voice was quiet but steady. "The doctor told me what happened. You could have left when the communications went back up, but you stayed by my side. You saved my life, Theodore."

My heart hammered against my ribs, a sudden wave of heat rushing straight to my face. He didn't know. He actually had no fucking clue. He thought I'd just sat there holding his hand or some shit.

"Save your thanks," I sneered, taking a step toward him to look him dead in the eye, trying to ignore the way my nose was practically begging to catch a hint of his scent. "And quite frankly, it’s a good thing your useless brain can't remember what actually happened in that cave. Otherwise, you'd realize just how pathetic you looked."

Evander's brow furrowed, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means you're a brute," I spat, my voice dripping with venom. "A big, stupid, glorified soldier who almost died because he couldn't handle a little golden poison. You're a chicken, Evander. You were whining like a beaten dog."

A muscle jumped in Evander's jaw. The gratitude in his eyes vanished, replaced by the familiar spark of irritation. Good. I wanted him to be angry. I wanted him far away from me.

"I am trying to be civil, Your Highness," Evander said, his voice dropping an octave.

"Well, don't bother," I snapped, stepping right into his personal space, my finger jabbed into his chest. "I don't need your civility, and I sure as hell don't want you near me. Get out of my face, General.

“If I see you lingering around my wing again, I will make your life an absolute living hell. I might not be my father's favorite, but I am still the Crown Prince, and I can still make sure your military career ends up in the gutter."

Evander stared down at my hand on his chest, then slowly looked back up at me.

His eyes were dark, searching my face with a strange intensity that made my breath catch.

"Am I understood?" I demanded, my voice shaking slightly despite my best efforts.

"Perfectly, Your Highness," Evander murmured.

I ripped my hand back, shoved past his shoulder, and marched down the hallway to my room, slamming the door shut behind me.

I rested my head against the wood, my heart beating frankly as a strange sensation began to climb up my chest.

The fuck was wrong with me? Why was I feeling guilty for the way I talked to him?

I closed my eyes, taking deep, steadying breaths until the phantom scent of the General stopped screaming in my mind.

When I finally calmed down, I opened my eyes.

"The fuck!" I shrieked, jumping back so hard my spine cracked against the wood of the door.

Lying flat on my bed, propped up on his elbows with his chin resting in his hands, was Oliver.

He was a pretty, petite Omega with a head of messy curls and pretty blue eyes, and he was currently looking at me like I was a highly entertaining holovid.

"You really need to lock your balcony doors, Theo," Oliver said, kicking his feet back and forth. "It is way too easy to climb up here."

I pressed a hand to my chest, my glaring gaze trying to melt him on the spot. "What the fuck are you doing in my room, Ollie? I could have had the guards execute you!"

"Please. The guards know me," he scoffed, rolling over onto his back and staring at the ceiling. "Besides, I couldn't wait. You've been back for days and you've been acting like a hermit. Tell me everything. How was the delegation? Did you actually have to talk to the rats?"