AN: The image above was so pretty I just had to share it. Credit to the artist. Enjoy the chapter! XX

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At least twelve men huddled around an orange flame. Each of them had thick muscles. Jagged scars of all sorts littered the exposed portions of their skin. They wore the brown tattered clothes which were common for bandits.

They all stood up, ready for confrontation.

"What are you doing here? These are restricted lands," Bucky questioned completely unafraid. Even in the face of such adversary, his eyes flickered with confidence.

"What should we do with him boss?" one man asked. "We can't have him calling the knights on us."

An alpha seated to the right of the group grinned wickedly. The flickering flame cast a dark shadow over his face, giving him a sinister appearance. He sat back down and crossed his legs. "Capture him, he's pretty enough to be sold to a brothel."

Bucky sighed. He found a log to sit on and glanced back at Steve expectantly. Steve looked back at him with wide eyes. The bandits hadn't noticed him, it would have been a lot easier to take them if he had caught them by surprise. Why would Bucky expose his position?

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Bucky asked. "Take care of them."

The group of men sized up their two assailants. One sat with his legs crossed, he gave off no aura nor pheromones. The other was a large alpha with dominant pheromones. They all charged at Steve determined to take down the bigger threat first.

Steve unhooked a round shield from his back. "Run!" The words fell upon deaf ears. Bucky remained seated on the log. In the midst of battle Steve had no time to try convincing him to move, he was left no other choice but to protect him.

He stood before the prince, one arm holding on to the shield.

Bucky couldn't help but admire the man's large frame. In this brighter light he could see just how well the alpha's clothes hugged his delicious body. He was in grey civilian clothes with only a silver breast plate over it. He wore armored boots too which came up to his knees. And damn, did he have a nice ass.

Steve had a good technique. He never once drew the sword dangling on his hip. Instead he tactfully avoided the shiny metallic points swinging at him and incapacitated the bandits with cleverly placed strikes.

He was also very observant. He constantly kept track of where every single bandit was. whether he was attacked from the side or behind, no one was able to land a hit on him.

Cold sweat dripped down the temple of the bandit leader. This man was surely a knight. And a high ranking one at that. The bigger the number of unconscious bodied piled up on the ground the more anxious he became.

His dark eyes darted to Bucky seated on the log. He was surely a noble. The textile of his clothes indicated as much. It wouldn't be wise to try sell him, but if he could steal the clothes off his body and sell them, he would make a large profit. It would make the treacherous journey to the castle grounds worth it.

Bucky watched as the bandit leader made his way towards him. His dark eyes continuously glanced at Steve nervously, like he was hoping that the alpha wouldn't notice. The man curled his rough fingers around Bucky's wrist and violently pulled him up. "You're coming with me."

The man was not able to take even a single step forward.

Bucky kicked him hard on the back of his knee. The alpha fell forward, dropping to his knees. Bucky wasted no time in twisting his wrist out of the man's grip. He dealt a heavy swift strike to the back of the man's head and he immediately fell unconscious.

He glanced back over his shoulder.

All the bandits laid at Steve's feet. Those who weren't unconscious were curled up on themselves in too much pain to move.

"What the hell Bucky?" Steve demanded angrily, stomping over to him.

Bucky completely disregarded his anger, "So you are a knight after all."

"What?" Steve was completely taken aback. His eyes dropped to Bucky's feet, taking in the unconscious alpha.

"I'm not as naïve and trusting as you believed me to be," Buck dusted his clothes. "I hope you realize that I was never at your mercy. Not even for one second." Bucky turned around, determined to find Phoebe.

A faint rustling made him pause his actions.

Bucky suddenly felt his body falling backwards. He vaguely registered a tug on his sleeve. He had no way to brace himself and nothing to grab on to. His body was turned around mid fall.

His face landed right into Steve's chest. The alpha snaked an arm around his back and pulled him closer.

All thoughts flew out of his mind. Steve's body was warm and sturdy. A tantalizing scent rolled off him in waves making it hard for Bucky to think. Bucky had to admit that this man's scent was enticing. He couldn't pinpoint what it was, but he liked it. A lot.

But the sweet smell slowly changed. That scent Bucky had picked up on earlier twisted with something familiar. A scent too familiar.

Bucky's eyes snapped open when realization dawned on him. He pushed out of Steve's grasp.

The alpha unhooked the shield from his back and flung it up towards a tree. A pained yelp echoed through the forest seconds before a man fell onto the ground.

Bucky slapped a hand over his neck. Surely his robes were dishevelled. With the fabric no longer covering his scent glands, his pheromones happily wafted into the air.

Bucky hastily righted his dark robes, "How dare you!" A searing blush stained his cheeks.

Realization dawned on Steve, "Sorry! I didn't mean to startle you. There was an arche-"

"I heard him. I was going to avoid that!" Bucky said in indignation. Being a royal omega, he had never been in such close contact with an alpha he wasn't related to. Not to mention very few alphas he wasn't related to had ever smelt his pheromones since his first heat.

He had never been held so intimately. Even if intimacy was not Steve's intention, Bucky could still feel the heat of Steve's hands on his skin. The flush on Bucky's cheek extended down his neck.

Steve had no idea what to do to placate the omega. Bucky was quite visibly flustered though he was trying to hide it. Bucky turned and moved the way they had come.

"Wait! Let me accompany you," Steve called.

"As a knight it is your duty to assure that these bandits are captured," Bucky said.

"Just give me a second to tie them up."

Bucky simply scoffed. The royal family waited on no knight. He continued, ignoring the way Steve called out to him.

---

Bucky's servants diligently adorned his body in jewelry and rubbed his skin with perfumes. They finally eased a beautiful blue gown on his body. A servantly promptly added a large piece of body chains which wrapped around the fabric magnificently.

Bucky opened his eyes and took in his reflection. He couldn't help but smile. He loved the gown. He had been so excited to wear it since his best friend Tony stark had gifted it to him for his birthday. He picked up his silver crown and slipped it over his head.

He felt a bit naked going without his pheromone supressing robes. It was only on nights like this, where visibly establishing himself as an omega was crucial, that he was to go without them.

Bucky trailed his fingers over the body jewelry. He wished that he had someone to impress that night. It felt stupid to dress up so much for a man he wanted nothing to do with.

Steve's face came flashing into his face. The way the alpha had smiled at him. The way he had clutched on to him in desperation to save his life. He could still feel the heat of Steve's gentle touches on his body.

Bucky's heart fluttered. How nice it would have been to be betrothed to Steve instead.

Bucky shook his head. What was he thinking? He barely even knew that alpha! Was he so desperate to escape this engagement that any stranger would do? Plus, he was likely never going to see the alpha again. Even within the boundaries of the castle only a few alphas were allowed in his presence.

He sighed dejectedly.

His feet carried him out of his chambers. Two servants trailed behind him, ready to comply with his every wish. They pushed the door to the ball room open.

All eyes fell upon Bucky when he walked in. He descended the stairs, the gown trailing behind him. The slits in the gown displayed the dark pants he had under as well as his stylish shoes.

He paused in front of his parents. "Greetings," his face was devoid of a smile.

"You look stunning!" his mother gasped. "I'm so happy you got my looks rather than your father's." The king glanced at his wife and smiled but did not respond. Bucky's siblings promptly joined his side to greet their parents.

"You all look so lovely today! I'm glad that you took my advice and decided against your armor Nat," Winnifred smiled at her children. "Oh Bucky, seeing you like this shows me just how much you have grown." She raised a bejeweled hand to touch her son's face, but Bucky stepped back out of her reach.

"I am going to greet our cousins," he said coldly and turned around.

"Good idea come, Bucky," Nat slid her hand in his. He followed her to a dimly lit corner in front of a large window.

"Thanks," Bucky smiled thankfully.

She moved closer to the large window and observed the city beneath her. "I grew tired of the conversation myself."

"Mother looks heart broken," Clint reported as he walked up to them.

"I imagine I'll look even worse when I'm walking down the isle," Bucky kept his eyes trained on the city beyond the window.

"I know," Clint frowned. "I hate seeing you both like this. You were joint to the hip since you were little."

A flash of bright silver caught their attention. Thor stood not too far from them, talking to one of his knights.

"Look at that oaf!" Clint huffed. "He didn't even bother greeting you. Is he even trying to get on your good side?" Clint was the optimist in their trio. And even he saw that Thor could never make his brother happy.

"Leave it to our father to pick someone so appalling for our brother," Nat's tone was heavy with disdain. "I ought to give him a piece of my mind."

Bucky faced the large window again, "Don't bother, it wouldn't change anything."

Bucky suddenly froze, his eyes widening a fraction. He turned his body so he could pinpoint where that scent was coming from. That familiar sweet smell which seemed to curl around his body and cloud his senses.

"So, you're the prince."

Bucky turned towards the source of that voice faster than he would like to admit.

Steve.

In the brightly lit room Bucky could finally see him clearly. If he had thought that Steve was attractive before, it was nothing compared to seeing him in his full glory.

Who knew that Steve was someone important enough to be invited on a night like this?

Bucky had to force his eyes to the floor. Respectable omegas did not gawk at handsome alphas after all.

Bucky composed him self. He lifted his royal gaze to Steve, ready to speak a greeting. But when he was met with the gorgeous sight of Steve smiling, the words flew right out of his mind. "Steve," was all he managed.

Steve looked between Bucky's siblings with friendly smile. "Duke Steven Grant Rogers, second in line for the throne of Asgard," he bowed lightly along with the greeting.

"Natalia Romanov Barnes," Nat's dark gaze scrutinized the blonde alpha. "Crown princess."

Clint, however, was a lot more friendly towards the stranger. "Clint Barton Barnes. Second in line for the throne of Hydra." The beta's eyes shone with excitement. He subtly nudged his brother, effectively snapping him out of his daze.

"James Buchanan Barnes," Bucky remembered his manners and curtsied. Was Steve Thor's younger brother? But they had different names. Bucky had heard for sure that Thor had a younger brother, why was he not second in line to the throne instead?

"It's a pleasure to officially make your acquaintance," Steve took Bucky's hand and pressed his lips against it.

This was common. So many alphas had done this to Bucky in greeting. Never before had it made Bucky's heart pound against his chest. A soft blush creeped onto his cheeks.

"Likewise," Bucky had to avert his gaze, suddenly feeling flustered.

"You look stunning," the complement rolled of Steve's tongue smoothly.

"Thank you." Bucky wanted to disappear yet wanted Steve to complement him more. He wanted Steve to let go of his hand yet felt the irrational desire to be held more by him.

Steve let Bucky's hand slip of his hold and the omega immediately missed the warmth of his touch.

"How are you acquainted with our Bucky?" Clint asked.

"We happened to run into each other in the castle yesterday," Steve answered.

"In the castle you say," Clint grinned mischievously.

"Let us take our seats at the table," Nat stood in front of Steve, blocking off his view of Bucky. "Follow along."

The siblings heeded to the command.