" Is the alpha okay? "Perawat heard Lek ask. He tried opening his eyes but felt a little tired.

" Yeah... I can't sense any injury to the prince. It is chief prachaya I'm worried about. He already fell unconscious due to over-exhausting himself. Then, he not only forced himself to consciousness and dealt with that evil thing. He healed us too— that damaged his core.

We are losing him..fast . Lek " the healer replied.

" What ? " Lek's reaction mirrored Perawat's mental cry "Why ? We all experienced just now how stronger Phi became after this fight. "

Prachaya's energy had a whole new warmth which Lek can describe as almost maternal - Pure omega. Like something new had awakened inside Prachaya.

" Lamp flickers brightest before extinguishing completely, son" an elder spoke, staring at Prachaya in pity. "We should pray for his easy passage.

" No...Phi can't die...." Lek jumped to his feet, wiping his tears with back of his hand he glared at the healer and elder

"Wow... how easily you gave up on Phi? Would Phi have given up so easily on you? He would have done anything to heal you.

Didn't you all say our chief enforcer wouldn't survive that sword injury, last year ? Did phi give up ?

Chief enforcer not only survived, he fought for us too — till his bones were visible to naked eyes "

The healer sniffled, dabbing the tears with the corner of a handkerchief. " Our chief is not ordinary, Lek. Even if we all link our cores to chief , it is not going to heal him. All the energy would leak to our Lands. "

"There must be some way. "

" Mate bond. Chief has to take a mate.

There is a reason soul bonds are prohibited before marking, Yai. He has a soul bond with this land without any physical manifestation of it. The exchange of energy that strong, needs a vessel— "

" I'm not understanding anything, Phi. Phi has always had this bond with land..."

"No. He had an affinity, it's totally different. Anyone strong, who has a possibility of becoming chief can have affinity. Bond is only formed after the ceremony.

You know, chiefs aren't allowed to ascend till they take a mate. Not that the elders did not try to find a match for him, but the chief proved to be exceptionally strong for an ordinary alpha. So mating wasn't possible."

" I am again not understanding where this is going. "

" Letting him access the land unrestrained was a mistake. I had warned the elders against it. But no one listened to me. Because the chief was stronger than past moon blesseds. Or he was better at hiding his conditions.

If Phi would have been mated— this wouldn't be a big deal. All the excess energy would have been shared in their mate bond or the lack would have been provided by his mate. But Phi is not mated. And right now, by healing the pack through the packbond— he is feeding his lifesource to us since his core is damaged and can't function like a conductor. We are leeching away his life by every passing second."

" Then close the bond Phi... let's block Phi out."

" Isn't going to work. The bond pack leaders have with the pack are controlled by them, think of a valve only he has access to. "

" Then what do we do now? "

" There is nothing we can do unless we have a mate ready for him. Mate bonds break the cores and remake it. So, in a way, we get a new core that is amalgamation of both the mate's cores. As good as new one. "

" Why don't we wake him up? He can control the bond right? What if he blocks the connection with land for the time being —his wolf will heal him."

" Right now, I can't sense enough energy in him— he is slipping into his mind (coma).

Only solution is a mate, Yai. A strong alpha who can withstand all that enormous power phi channels"

" The pool of wolves at that time may be narrow, but we don't have a lack of stronger alphas right now. We have the prince and his kins. "

" You think the prince will mate him ?" Healer asked, " I desperately want our chief to heal but let's not be delusional."

" The prince once confessed to me that he thinks our chief is a fine specimen of an omega, a mating material."

" Do you think the Prince will still think the same after knowing our Chief's special condition?"

That made Lek shut up pretty fast. He fumbled for words. " The... then, I will find another alpha. " he stuttered. " I will ask phi Knot..."

Perawat forced his hazy mind to consciousness. Other alphas? The word roiled something within him. His wolf gave him a little boost of energy— clearing his confused mind.

"There are four problems with that, Yai. " Yai heard his mate's voice " One—If any of our moon pack alphas would want to mate phi— if they thought themselves that capable — they would have mated him by now. Even Phi Bright, phi prem or Phi knot.

Two— Phi Prachaya would despise anyone taking pity on him. And a bad mated life is as good as daily death.

Three— Any alpha that would mate Phi right now, will land himself in a big pickle. Because I'm sure, the crown prince will be investigating Phi as soon as he wakes up.

Four— Omega wolves are notorious for being picky. Right now, the one in charge is Phi's wolf- who won't let just any tom, dick and harry claim him. "

" So what are you saying, we let our Phi die? " Lek shrieked.

" I believe , the healer has said , mating with a strong alpha, would possibly heal the moontribe chief." Gamon's voice startled everyone present there.

" When did you come, your highness? "

" It's been some time, I didn't deem it fit to interrupt your private conversation."

" So you deemed it fit to eavesdrop on it ? " Lek didn't mean to retort but it came out all of a sudden.

" Lek! " the Elder chided. " apologize this instant."

" I'm deeply sorry for my actions, crown prince" Lek bowed fully. He wasn't going to create a scene since it would turn fatal for both phi prachaya and Yai.

" It's okay Elder Suttha. I can understand Nong's frustration. "

........

" Healer, a word please" Gamon took the healer aside. " You said, marking is the only solution? " Gamon asked.

" Yes. '' Healer replied. " We are losing him fast. He has at most, till midnight. "

" I have thought hard on the matter, healer. There is not any other strong alpha who can withstand all this power the chief wields.

Although, it will create many hurdles for me, I can't be selfish at this moment and let a selfless person who saved so many lives, die. How about I give my mark to your chief? "

Healer jerked his gaze towards the crown Prince " But you are mated, alpha! "

" I know. It will be hard to commute every now and then from the capital to here, but I shall make it work. I will take chief Perawat as my concubine. "

" I apologize if what I'm about to tell you disrespects you in any way, your highness. But our chief Isn't very keen on the practice of taking concubines. It wouldn't be an exaggeration if I said he despises it. "

Gamon glared at the healer, eyes pitch black " Is saving his life more important than caring for his delicate sentiments and letting him die, omega? "

The healer, under the pressure of alpha's pissed aura, cowered and instantly showed his neck

" I apologize, crown Prince "

" Begin the preparations. "

" Preparations ? "

" He is going to be a royal concubine of alpha Gamon Rojanapat, not merely an alpha's mate. Begin the preparations."

..............

Lek watched till Gamon left the room with the healer.

" Wake up, alpha" He slapped Perawat's shoulders tightly. It stung so bad that Perawat was sitting within seconds, rubbing his biceps.

" Run away with our Phi. " Lek said, sniffling.

" What? Why? "

" Why? Your brother is going to make my Phi his concubine." Lek yelled " I will see him die before seeing him reduced to that.... "

" Don't worry, Nong. I will talk to him. He won't have a problem with me being the mate of your chief. It will save him from hoards of problems he is going to face, too. Because taking concubine is a serious transgression by laws of the House of Rojanapats. "

" No. You won't tell him anything. Especially not this. I know he is your brother and you love him but alpha Gamon Isn't someone to embrace problems for others sake.

He was on a diplomatic mission to sveltons, yet he didn't bring the topic of our omegas being taken away. "

" I know what you have faced because of that one wrong decision. Believe me, phi didn't know — "

" Wrong decision? He didn't know " Lek scoffed. " It was a calculated decision, phi. The Crown Prince knew. Our chief enforcer had met him himself and let him know that 14 omegas were kidnapped. He didn't even give us trackers to track the territory covertly, since it would compromise his important mission of licking smelly svelton asses. "

" Using such words against the crown prince can land you in Trouble, Lek"

" I know you aren't going to tell him.

" No. I am not. But, I — I must talk to him regarding this. "

" I like you being selfless and family oriented and all but how dumb can you be ? " Lek glared "The poison you were given had a special ingredient — a rare variety of hemlock that was developed under care of your brother for political assassinations. Guess who was the first test animal for a newly bred tree? "

" That is not possible. Phi must not know. This must be a rumor."

" It is not. I heard from an authentic source. Ever wondered why your kins ran away with you to moontribe and not call the chief at the palace to treat you?

That had Perawat quickly swallow whatever arguments he had. " Phi may not be aware of this. "

" Oh, he was. The royal physician who submitted his report, that the main source was the hemlock tree in Prince's garden and was found dead that night. That is why Phi Knot and Phi Prem took you away from there. Phi Bright stayed so he could keep track of happenings in the palace. "

" They never told me. "

" Kin or not — would you spare anyone accusing your brother of trying to murder you?"

Perawat kept mum.

" Thought so. My Phi is your mate. Isn't he?" Yai pleaded " Save him from crown prince's scheming. He has already lost a lot because of that wretched power hungry leech. "

..........

Perawat spotted Prince Gamon supervising the enforcers patrol plans regarding border security.

He stood, silently gazing, if he would find any truth in what Nong Lek had told him. Although, he found it hard to believe that his own brother would try to kill him— it would be prudent to be cautious.

" Brother..." he called Gamon's attention.

"Brother! " Gamon hugged him. " When did you wake up ? You were unconscious when I visited the healer's station earlier. "

"Healer told me, he gave me mild sleeping potion to shed my exhaustion" Perawat lied, hesitatingly.

" I was worried brother." Gamon hugged him tight " Why would you jump in the fray unarmed and unsealed? You know how vile creatures those sveltons are..."

Hearing the worry and fear in Gamon's voice, Perawat's heart lurched. Seeing this worry, how can he believe his brother would ever want him in Harms way? Much less poison him ! "

"I decided, when you wake up— I will nag you and scold you till your ears will bleed. But seeing you, I can't be more relieved. " Gamon kept ranting.

" Phi...a word" Perawat took him to side " I have heard, you announced that you will take chief as your— " Perawat halted, his tongue suddenly turned lead " It's unforgivable transgression phi."

" I know, brother." Gamon nodded solemnly, he kept a hand on Perawat's shoulder " Prachaya saved all of us, we are under his life debt. I know it will bring a lot of unpopularity and humiliation to me. But I must endure it for the person who saved my life, my brother, my kins and packmates."

" Someone else can mate him."

" NO. " Gammon almost glared at his brother, but he quickly calmed down.

" It must be me, brother."

"Chief just needs a strong alpha that can provide energy for him to mend his core. Why it can't be anyone other than you phi? You know what hot mess you will attract yourself into by doing this ..." Perawat argued

" I am bound by life debt to protect Prachaya since he saved my life today. It should be easy to just suggest one of our strong enforcers and be done with it. But, It isn't as simple as it looks, brother. Although I am eternally grateful to Prachaya, he has been hiding something from us. "

" Ankeneh " Perawat uttered.

" How do you know?

" Gamon's mouth fell open "Have you seen it? "

" No. "Perawat said a quick prayer to the moon goddess for the trickery he was about to commit " I haven't seen Prachaya hiding any ankeneh. You forgot I am the army commander of all the forces of our kingdom— I must have a report of happenings in every corner of our country.''

" I almost forgot about your spy network brother."

Perwat winked " You always underestimate my omega squad na phi"

"So, what do you think? You have spent time here. Does the moon tribe look like they have something to hide? "

"I have not got any such impression phi" Perawat said "If Prachaya did hide an Ankeneh, won't it put a death sentence to your head too brother, since you will be bound to protect an omega marked by you, thus under your protection?

"I have been thinking about the laws ever since that letter about existence of an ankeneh has reached me. An Ankeneh isn't bad as long as it isn't used against our enemies."

" What do you mean phi?"

" What if Anekeneh fights for us?"Gamon's eyes had a distinct shine " Ankeneh were known for their strength and stealth. If I take the moon tribe chief as my concubine. I Automatically gain alliance with the moon tribe. If they have Ankeneh, it will be a great addition to our forces. If they do not, I will still have Support of these people and the land. "

Perawat just looked dumb struck at his brother. It looks like both the head and tail of the coin belonged to his brother. Gamon was truly a full fledged diplomat and politician.

"You are not protesting means It's a genius plan right? " Gamon smiled. "I will be serving our kingdom and repaying the life debt too."

Perawat nodded, he couldn't bring himself to smile or pretend to praise his brother.

Even if he marks Prachaya, people will see it as a noble deed of paying a life debt and Gamon will have people's sympathy and appreciation. Also, by taking chief as his concubine he will have full control over the chief thus the ankeneh too.

Perawat's wolf bristled in his heart. He knew he was never made for politics that is why he abstained from taking active part in it.

But, if saving his mate makes him dive in to the endless sea of petty politics and power tripping schemes , then be it !

He did not abhor his brother. It was a brilliant plan to gain everything in one stroke. That is why his brother was called a master strategist. But he would not ever take the same path.

After a long silence, he prodded again

" If I understand it correctly, the one who marks, controls the flow of energy in the bond,right?"

Gamon nodded.

" So, there is a high chance that Prchaya will die despite being marked, since you will be the one marking and your wolf will cut the energy flow, the moment it becomes dangerous for you."

Gamon patted Perawat's shoulder " Let's not be pessimistic brother."

Although Perawat was neither interested nor expert in politics and diplomacy, he knew when he was being dismissed . Without pressing for more, Perawat returned to Prachaya,s side.

............................

It was his luck that Lek was guarding Prachaya.

"Can you give us privacy,nong?" Perawat asked.

"Are you going to mark him?" Lek asked without budging an inch.

"I'm afraid that is not going to help our chief at this moment."

"Are you going to let him be marked by the crown prince?" Lek asked glaring. " If you plan that, tell me right now."

"We are running out of time, nong. Guard the door and don't let anyone come in till it comes to question of your safety. "

Lek stood his ground " First tell me your plan alpha. "

" I am going to be marked by him." Perwat replied, calmly, although there was a whole storm inside him.

" What ? a one sided bond like that of a concubine? Are you mad, alpha ? "

" That is the only thing that will help him." Perawat replied, sitting beside Prachaya.

" There is a chance he will take too much phi."

" Let him take what he needs. " Perawat gently caressed Prachaya's hairs " Don't let anyone in. Tell them you have administered a potion that needs to be done on bare body. "

" Got that alpha. " Lek hurried out of the room and stood guard at the gate.

..................

" You leave no stone unturned to keep me on my toes, Yord rak. " Perawat whispered to an unconscious Prachaya.

Gathering his mate in his arms , he adjusted his limbs so Prachaya was now straddling him, holding him against his chest, Perawat caressed his closed eyelids.

" The only thing you asked me was for me to claim you before your pack, my omega. And for that, I need you to be conscious na. "

He placed Prachaya's face in to crook of his neck and nudged the omega

" Yord-rak (my heart) , " he urged. " Don't worry about Yai ( ankeneh) or anything else. I have sent my kin to take Yai to a safe place. They will get him binding amulet from witches too. Everything will be fine. Your alpha is making sure of it.

Come back to me na."

Closing his eyes— Perawat reached for prachaya's mind — as if the barrier recognised him— it shivered in thrill . Prachaya's mind was a fascinating thing— Bright like a cheerful smile. Calming, like the smell of the first rain. It felt ever welcoming.

" My love ..." Perawat whispered in his mind " I know you are here, somewhere near to me. Can you hear me?"

There was no reply.

" My omega, I know you are here— since nothing and no one can make my heart flutter like you do. Reach out to me na..."

There wasn't any voice but the vibes changed— Perawat felt it. Like a stubborn wick clinging to the last drop of oil — destined to fade yet refusing to give up. Something tingled within the shared space of their minds.

" Yord Rak. You have damaged your core. We must form a bond right now." He caressed Prachaya's nape, readjusting his fangs on the spot mate mark would take form.

" Prachaya...my chief...talk to me. This is not the time to be stubborn. Accept me, my love. "

Perawat felt multiple ripples of tiny sparks— flashes of pretty colors exploded in Prachaya's brain— gold being the dominant one.

"I'm jealous of my wolf , my heart. You are always partial towards him. " Perawat complained " Show me something else na .... Can you show me blue, like your ever captivating eyes ? "

Tiny gold sparks rained again. And Perawat sighed in little relief.

"I asked you for blue, my heart. Are you teasing me?" Perwat asked, praying to the moon goddess to give enough strength to Prachaya, to hang there.

Tiny green spirals filled his vision.

" You never do what I say." Perwat whined.

A faint blue sparked from the deepest corner. "Try again, love," Perawat urged.

The blue ball became a bit bold and started expanding. Perawat could feel the phantom touch of Prachaya's determination. " Just a bit more, love," Perwat encouraged. Prachay's body had started turning cold' his heartbeat slowed down. Despite the frozen fingers of melancholy gripping his heart, Perawat forced himself to be calm.

' Just like that, my chief" he gave Prachay hope.

After two or three tries, the bright blue ball of energy uncoiled into flat, long ribbons and leapt towards him, eagerly. it leapt towards him. Perawat mentally surged ahead to catch it- the ribbon matched his eagerness. They were just a hair's breadth apart when the ribbon shattered... despite leaping , Perawat could not catch even the shredded pieces that were receding back to the dark recess of Prachaya's mind.

Prachay,s body started turning cool rapidly, the chest pressed against his own chest,did not raised now.

A horrifying thought pierced Perawat's mind. Was he too late?

Perawat's wolf wanted to charge ahead towards the point from where the bursts of colour originated. If Prachaya couldn't reach them, they should go to him. It was simple and sound logic . Perawat feared that forceful entry would further weaken Prachaya. But, pressuring him a little should work. So he let his wolf come to the forefront before speaking to his mate.

" Reach out to me, yord rak— " Saeng pleaded " I, Perawat Saengpotirat – your alpha , order you to come back from wherever you are. Come back to me right this instant..." The command shook the mental space between them as it torpedoed towards Prachaya. " Hold on to your mate, Omega Prachaya Rojanapat " he ordered.

Thousand of ripples flashed out of the deep recess in Prachaya's mind— like a swarm of butterflies— reaching out towards Perawat but they faded mid way.

" No..." Perawat screamed " No...try once more...I can't let you go....I won't let you go. You can't give up like that. I won't let you ."

Butterflies surged again, Perawat leapt towards the golden skippers but they faded before he could catch them.

" No..." Perawat adjusted Prachaya's lulling head against his shoulder and pressed his mouth hard on the junction of his neck and shoulder until Prachaya's fangs broken the skin barrier and got stuck in his muscles.

" Fight yord-rak. Fight for us. Fight whatever has come between me and you. Mark me. Take whatever you need to heal." Perawat pressed Prachaya's head again, making fangs stab deeper " Come back my warrior " Perawat urged.

" I know you will. Won't you? "

For a moment nothing happened, then he could feel a feeble pressure, like a nagging feeling in the back of mind where Prachaya sucked just a little .

White light burst behind Perawat's eyes , his head on the verge of exploding.

Perawat has readied himself for the pain that came with the formation of bond. The old barriers around mind and soul have to break and fracture before molding with the fractured corner of his mate's barrier. The process though poetically beautiful in books and stories was a stark difference from reality.

Before offering the nectar of pleasure— the bond drags the souls through hell of pain and agony.

Perawat clenched his jaw as he kept caressing Prachaya's nape and pressing Prachaya's mouth against the flesh of his shoulder. Usually, a one sided bond doesn't put the receiver in much pain. But, Prachaya being in the weak state he was, Perawat can only imagine the excruciating pain he was experiencing

.

" You must be in agony Yord Rak. Bite upon me" he guided through mindlink, even providing encouragement.

Obeying his alpha's wishes, Prachaya clamped his teeth on Perawat's shoulder — making alpha's vision go pitch black as pain exploded newfound — in all the chaos he could feel the distance between their minds and soul shredding to non existence.