Next chapter is up... Have fun reading it.

Song: Taeyeon - If

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3 years later

Exactely 3 years later after the gruesome massacre the young oracle's assistant turned oracle had witnessed, Maripha had found refuge in a village with only thousand inhabitants hundreds of kilometers away from the capital city. She was away from the people she knew, away from the streets she was accustomed to and away the delicious foods she loved to eat everyday but she did not regret her decision to leave everything behind to save the 2nd prince. Even though she had to built a new life in a strange village, she gladly did for the baby she hold and which life she was confided with to save 3 years ago. Nowadays she wasn't seeing it as her duty to protect the prince and change the world like her master ordered her but was taking care of him on her own will.

Maripha had grown into a fine young woman which appearance was rather beautiful than cute like in the past, still preserved the friendly personality but she had turned into a mature young woman who acted on instinct, thinking before acting. Her younger brother which identity she kept hidden from everyone in the village was everything for her. He was her sole purpose to stay alive, take care of him and help him grow up into a young man which future was secure.

Maripha and her 3 years old younger brother were sitting on one of the waiting bench in the hospital, there were many eyes on them because she was the only omega there. No one was sitting beside them, everyone were avoiding them to not get infected with the dirty omega's stupidiness which many betas and the alphas feared. Maripha heard some of them mumbling insults in her direction, saying that how dare she came here to get treated despite her being a lowlife that shouldn't be consired as one of them. Because of the mean stares and treatment they got here from everyone, omegas seldom set feet here to prevent themselves from getting maltreated because of their identity and inferiority. However, Maripha didn't matter the mean looks she was getting as long as she could get treatments for her brother here. She came from a small village and had to travel with him for 50 kilometres to get here. Besides, this was the only hospital in the near proximity, it was well known for its best doctors, good treatments and herbal medicine even though it wasn't that big. Due to its succesfull treatment for famous alphas, even some from the big cities came down here to get treated too.

The young woman was ignoring the attention she was getting and playing with her younger brother instead to distract him from the many stares so he wouldn't get confused. They were playing a game where she would hide a small item in her palm and her brother had to guess in which hand the item was. He laughed whenever he got it wrong then would be more eager to win her. Apparantly, her brother wasn't like the other toddlers his age, he laughed much but he cried only seldom, as if he didn't want to disturb his sister or make her worry so he choose to be a good child and always listen to her. Sometimes, she was even worried if he was alright or not since he only cried when she had to work and leave him home for many hours. Maybe, he was different from the children on his age because he didn't assosiate much with other kids till now, always clinging to his older sister all the time. Not that she was complaining about it but she wanted him to play with others, break things, cry often, make mischieves and get scolded by her like normal toddlers would always do. She would be more happy if he made friends with the neighbouring kids and play with them instead of being with her everytime. Is he different because he is an abnormal one?

The words of the doctor they had met half an hour ago rang and replayed in her mind. Your brother seems to be an abnormal werewolf, I can't detect which class he belongs to. He is not an alpha, neither a beta or an omega. This is the first time that I have met someone like him in my twenty years of experience as an doctor. If we can't detect his class he belongs to then he has to stay in the omega class to not raise any attention on him or the gouvernment will take him away from you and do experiments on him by the slightest suspiscion. I won't betray you and reveal his existence if you accept my condition... At least the doctor was helpful enough even as an alpha and had suggested her to take this option. He wanted to help her because he knew her well. He was the same person who had treated her injuries in that fateful night thee years ago. Ever since then, he helped her from time to time and give her the prescription for the omega's medicine for free to suppress her heat.

The big sister looked at her brother, forgetting to open her hand after the kid had tipped that the item was in her right hand. She was so deep in thought that she forgot her surrounding for a moment. What are you then? You are not an alpha neither a beta or an omega. How did you save me back then? What did you do to those werewolves? She didn't like the doctor's idea to let him be an omega to protect him. When reminiscing the hardship she went through because of her being an omega, she wished that there was other opportunity for him. Her life changed as the oracle took her in 8 years ago. She could continue her life as an oracle but she would lose her precious brother if she ended their relationship and sent him back to the Queen. This option wasn't possible for her either. With heavy heart and worries, she accepted the doctor's offer and let him be registered as an omega. The only advantage they have is that he wouldn't get in heat like a normal omega, making him hard to be detected among the others. She was still thinking of the advantages and disadvantages that would happen in the future that she did not hear someone calling her name. Only as her brother hold onto her hand in his small palms that she averted her attention to him and finally hear a woman calling her name.

„Misses Wawa?", one of the receptionist called, didn't even care to call her by her last name like she did with the previous patients. She thought that she wouldn't get any punishment for disrespecting a patient as long as she was just an omega. Even she didn't see any value in this kind of classes.

Maripha had changed her name to the second name, Wawa, that her master gave her and only call her sometimes to scold her. It was necessary to change her identity to not get caught too soon. She hold onto her brother's hand then approached the receptionist info booth. The older woman mustered her from toes to head, grunting that she was lucky to be beautiful, thinking that she would suit an entertainment business instead. 

As if Wawa could read her thought, she clenched her other hand tightly, gulping the words that she wanted to tell her. Even the young boy sensed the receptionist having wicked character, he hide behind his sister to get protection from her. He was behind her but was peeking from behind her short legs, clenching onto her long red dress to get a view of the bad woman. The toddler saw that she was glaring at him and so he was shaking behind his sister, the receptionist wanted to scold him for acting quite rude but Maripha just pushed him behind her even more to prevent her to make eyes contact with him.

The receptionist hold a clipboad with some papers on it toward her, there were few questions written on the paper that had to be signed. „You need to get this application approved by the administration that you can afford the treatment before you can leave the hospital!", her voice was harsh and cold, as if she didn't have any emotion left for her, more like for omegas.

The young woman remembered the old man in her village telling her that she needed to get approvement from the administration if she wanted to leave the hospital after the treatment. There were many times that peasants from villages were too poor and couldn't afford to pay their expensive treatments that had already happened and made the hospital lose money some years ago. The staff of the hospitals came with the measure that everyone had to pay half of the treatments before getting their visit approved here. Actually, she should pay before going to the doctor like the requierement but the latter helped her out and assured the staff that she would pay in installement payment. She had to make the first payment first anway.

Wawa took her brother in her arms, the clipboad in the other hand and wanted to take the stair up as the receptionist called her.

„Children are not allowed in this area!", she said.

„Why not?", she turned to face her, making a confused face together with her brother.

„Because over there, there is a special ward for alphas who couldn't control their power and lost their sanity...". A smirk appeared on her lips, „It would not be good if you, an OMEGA, encountered such a person on the way there while having a kid with you", she emphasized the word omega to make her know that she was a nobody to her.

„I can't leave him here!", it was clear 'No' for her. No way in her life would she leave her easily scared brother here, among all those alphas and betas who were eying them with hate and disgust. She didn't know how they would treat him if she leave him in their care.

„Then your decision, take him with you if you want. Good luck with that", the older woman turned to the piles of papers in front of her and prepared herself to call up the next patient. She didn't care of the kid's wellbeing so she allowed her to take him there if she insisted to.

The moment Maripha wanted to take the stairs up with her brother, some of the patients were mumbling about the accidents that happened in that ward last time. There was an insane alpha who lost his sanity at the mere sigh of an omega woman and devoured her poor kid in front of that mother. She became panic, was afraid that she could put him in grave danger just because of her fear of letting him alone. Perhaps he will be safer here among these many persons. She changed her mind and went back to the receptionist, bowing down her head in apology.

„Please, can you take care of my brother while I am gone?", she asked respectfully with her most friendliest smile and voice.

The older woman shrugged, „Put him where I can see him...", she said then read the name of the next patient.

Maripha expressed her gratitude then took her brother back to the benches and let him sit in one of the seats. „Wait here for me, big sister'll take care of something and come back soon."

The toddler wasn't eager to let her leave. He clenched onto her dress, shaking his head that she shouldn't let him here alone. „Everyone scary... sister stay here...", he muttered lowly, was afraid that he would anger the patients if they heard him talking bad about them.

Maripha squatted down and ruffled his hair messy. „I won't be gone for too long. Big sis will come as soon as possible... Wait here for me and don't leave the sight where big sis can't see you...", she told him, mentioning the much older receptionist as older sister to make her like him for thinking of her as young. She knew how some women functioned, they would change their attitudes and be friendlier if someone call them young despite their old age. She learned that during her work as the oracle's assistant.

The young boy had tears in his eyes but he nodded and let his sister leave. He didn't want to annoy her much so he decided to wait here patiently for her. She gave him a faint kiss on his forehead and took the stairs up, running as fast as she could to come back soon like promised. A minute passed by, the toddler was swaying his legs up and down, humming a children song that he saw in the television today in the morning. He felt bored since he didn't have anyone to play with. Two children at five or six years order than him were holding a football and ran in front of him, leaving through the entrance to play outside at the playground. The toddler smiled, was interested to play ball with them too. He looked to the old receptionist, stood up and waited to see her reaction. The too busy older woman never cared to watch over him and didn't notice that he had stood up. Since she didn't tell him to sit back, he thought that it was alright for him to leave whereupon he ran after the two children outside.

The two children were playing soccer with the snowy white ball, falling here and there while trying to dribble like the footballer they have watched in one of the sport game. The toddler joined them with a big smile on his lips, the ball came rolling to him whereupon he picked it up and hold it toward the two of them. The shortest boy among the two recognized him and whispered to the other.

„It's this boy... My mother saw his sister and said that she's a filthy omega. They are dirty, weak and stupid. Maybe he's a filthy omega too. My mother always told me to be careful with them and never touch them or they'll taint us", he whispered to his friend.

The two boys didn't even know the difference between omega and beta yet but they were just acting according to their mother, feeling hatred toward the weakers just because their parents taught them to. The tallest one's eyes widened in shock, he stomped angrily to the toddler and pushed him back so hard that the small child fell down on his butt.

The tallest one spite on his face, insulting him, „You're just an omega and should behave like one, you filth. How dare you ask to play with us, betas!", he yelled at him, making the other children there laughing at the toddler.

The young boy remained laying on his butt on the ground, his clothes completely stained with dirt. He was confused, didn't understand why they pushed him back while calling him omega and themselves betas. He just wanted to make friends and play with them, nothing else. Tears filled his eyes but he hold them back, refusing to let them out. He wanted to cry but refused to show his weakness before them because he was already accustomed of holding his tears back for his sister's sake. No matter the pain, he wouldn't cry and make his sister worry.

The two older children there laughed while pointing at him, saying that he looked excately dirty just like an omega should look like. If one said that children could never hurt someone sincerely then that person was clearly wrong. Words of children can hurt more than those of adults because they were sometimes truthful, meaning that they often meant what they said. The two sticked their tongue out to him and ran away back to their parents. 

The young boy stood up and looked at himself, there were dirt on his clothes. It was the new clothes that his sister had brought for him days ago as she received her salary after washing dishes in the restaurant days and nights. It was the only new clothes that he had in his closet, the only precious things that would make him happy when thinking about it. Now that they were dirty, he was afraid that she would get angry at him and scold him. The mere thought that she would scold him for the first time was so terrifying for him that he was already trembling. The tears he was fighting back came out, they finally rolled down his chubby cheeks. He squatted down and cried in silent, no one out there to comfort him. Big sister, where are you? Even though he wanted her next to him right now, he was still scared at her reaction when she saw the dirt on the clothes she wasted money on.

„What happened to you?", a small voice spoke to him, the voice sounded too close to him.

The toddler looked up and realized another boy standing in front of him. He was bigger and older, maybe he was just 5 years old. It was a pale-skinned young boy with smooth, chubby cheeks, his skin was so white that the toddler could see himself through him. His eyes were big and round, he almost resembled a chinchilla to him. The toddler stared at him with scared eyes, afraid that he, too, would push and insult him. However, the push or insult never came. The tall boy just glared at the other children who were laughing at the younger boy, growling at them and scaring them. They ran off to their mothers while screaming.

The toddler was impressed that he had make them run away but he, too, was terrified at the newcomer's angry glare, „...Phee is scary...", he called him older brother casually without thinking much about it.

„Did... you just call me Phee?", he seemed too enthusiastic that he was called Phee by him. It was the first that some called him older brother so he was more than happy. He had such a bright smile that he resembled a smiling sun with his chubby cheeks.

„Brother not scared of me?"

His Phee mustered at him from toes to head, staring at his puffy cheeks that he would like to pinch. That small boy just looked like a cat in his eyes, a cat that would never grow into a lion and scare him. „Why should Phee be scared of you?"

He stared down on the sand, „They say I omega, filthy and... and... not touch me...", he said in a low voice, he didn't have any energy anymore after the little fight with the two children.

„Stupid children... Omega, beta or alpha don't matter. Nong is Nong to me...", he reversed the classes on purpose to make him understand that those were only words that should not be taken seriously but the toddler was too young to understand the meaning behind it and he was too young to even know what he was talking about and causing by reversing the systems that many were following ever since then. He shook his head then wiped the dirt from his clothes, making it clean again „Nong is not dirty... Nong should get stronger and fight if they call you omega or dirty again...", he clenched his hands into fists, punching into air to show him how to fight if kids bothered him again.

However the Phee's little action did the opposite with the Nong, he got terrified at his Phee and took a step back to avoid getting hit by his clumsy actions. The older boy just scratched at his cheek in embarrassment, touched his Nong's cheeks and pinched him there too as he could not resist the urge to carress him anymore.

„Ouch... Phee...", the toddler pouted, making his cheeks even rounder and bigger.

The older boy laughed loud then smiled, it was one of the warm smile that he only have . He came closer to him then touched him on the cheeks and gave him a genuine smile again. The young boy was so surprised by that warm smile that he was frozen for a moment. It was the first time that a child smiled sweetly at him, it made him more than happy. His Phee's smile was like a bright sun in the sky to him, able to brighten the day and disippated of the darkness. Besides, he seemed to like him since he stood up to him and even cleaned his precious clothes to him. For him, that Phee was his hero. A hero that he would like to grew up into many years later. The older child picked up the ball that the other two children had left there and gave it to him, suggesting that they should play football for a while.

„Here... Let's play, Nong..."

The toddler nodded many times, smiling happily while clapping his hands. The older boy was overjoyed that he had regained his smile again. There was a football area specially made for children, the goals were not too far away from each other to not make them run too much and wear out. They positioned themselves in the middle then began playing football, the older one had the ball first and ran toward the opponent's goal but he slowed down when he noticed that his younger brother was having hard time to follow him because of his short legs. He was too slow that he failed to realize that the small child was closely behind him. However, when the toddler wanted to snatch the ball away, the older one reacted faster and turned around to avoid his ball getting stolen. He dashed toward the goal instead and shot it hard but it didn't get in anyway, missing the pole by some inches. 

Even though he missed the goal, he still laughed at his own clumsiness. The younger one could not hold back his laughter too because the latter's laughter was so addictive. He too laughed at his older brother's clumsiness. Sweet laughter of innocent children who became friends, more like Phee and Nong, filled the air. The chilliness in the air were gotten rid by their charming personality, sweetness and lack of competition. It was the kind of friendly atmosphere that was lovely. 

Even the two children who picked on the toddler came back to insult him more upon their mothers' request but they found the omega playing with someone else. Another boy who was clearly stronger than the omega, even more powerful than them. An alpha! They recognized from his clean and expensive clothes that he wasn't an ordinary one, surely he was someone who was from the higher rank than anyone in the hosiptal. However, they were asking themselves why such a rich young boy would come in this rural town. They were angry that the alpha was interested in the omega they hated, they were jealous but couldn't go over there and seperate them. Apparantly, they were afraid of the alpha's bad temper, admitting that the other children who ran away in fear didn't exaggerate with their comment that there was a bad tempered animal protecting the omega in the park. 

****

The two young children played football for the last ten minutes untill they did not have any energy left so they took place on the small bench specially made for children to reach there. Both were swaying their legs up and down, the Phee rummaged in his pocket and fished two candies out. He gave one his Nong then put the second one in his own mouth. For the toddler, it was the first time to eat such a round thing called candy so he hesitated to eat it but ended up putting it in his mouth as his Phee did the same. It tasted sweet as if it was tucked in sugar, the taste spread in his mouth and sticked on his tongue.

„Dweliciou...", he mumbled while sucking on the sweet.

„Right?", the taller boy was happy that his favourite sweet pleased his Nong too. Now they have three things that they liked together. First, playing football. Second, eating sweets. Third, not having any interest in their current social system. He was delighted that he finally found someone who thought the same like him, not understanding why the people had to be divided and others had to be looked down. Whenever he mentioned it at the school or in front of his family, he would be scolded or punished for scrutinising their royal family. He couldn't even count the many times he received punishment because of that. He forgot that there was someone next to him and made sad face when thinking of the time his father had locked him up in his bedroom to reflect on his comment. All the sudden, something warm touched his cheek, surprised him and pulled him out of his daydream. As he looked aside, he realized his Nong caressing his cheek while making a worried expression, asking him if he was alright. He just shook his head and smiled brightly again. „Here, I'll give it to you...", he brought another sweet out of his candy and laid it in his Nong's palm, it was the last one but he willed to give it to him.

The shorter boy didn't even understand that it was his Phee's last candy, the latter didn't even want to let him know about it. Both didn't know about the latter's thought but were happy like that without having much conversation between them.

„What is Nong doing here in hospital? Is Nong sick?"

The toddler shook his head, „Nong class...", he made a sad face as he remembered the little conversation between the doctor and his sister. „Doctor say Nong abnormal boy...", he was able to repeat the exact words the doctor told her. He didn't know what abnormal meant but he imagined that it must be bad news after seeing the look on his sister's face. He was young to understand everything now but he knew that she would have been happy and smiling if these words meant to be something good about him. Somehow, his sister seemed concerned and sad that he was labelled as abnormal.

The taller boy changed his expression from curious to sad, he wanted to say something about himself to comfort him but something was holding him back. It was a feeling that he didn't quite understand yet. He just felt that it was better to keep secret sometimes to protect himself. He just gazed down on the ground, „Phee is abnormal too...", he mumbled so faintly with the intention that his younger brother wouldn't hear him.

However, the small boy heard him clearly, he had perfect hearing ability despite his age. He was surprised that his older brother, too, was an abnormal just like him. He was relieved that he wasn't the only abnormal one but he couldn't express his happiness as he noticed the hurt look in his Phee's eyes.

The older child refused to explain the meaning behind his words. He gulped down the words that wanted to come out to comfort the toddler. He came here for a treatment too but his visit by this doctor did not help him get another answer either. It was the same everywhere he went. He went to various hospitals ever since his birth but the same conclusion came at the end by all the doctors who had treated him till yet. Everyone saying that he was an abnormal alpha and had to take certain medication for his condition. His parents didn't want to accept the truth that their only son wasn't a complete alpha like them even though both of his parents were strong alphas with their own pack, fame and power, his father as the general of the King's army and his mother as the private advisory of the Queen. They were highly seen among the royal family, celebreties and powerful alphas so they valued their appearances and social view very much. Now they feared that they would be the laughting stock among their friends and enemies if one found out the condition of their only son. For now, they were doing their hardest to hide this embarrassment from everyone. Every time they would ask themselves how the people would react to this embarrassing news or how their son would inherit their family business. Because they were worried that someone would find out about his condition if they were too close to him, they didn't allow him to have friends or leave the house very often.

All these problems he caused for his family made him worry and think for every possibility he could use to get rid of his condition for the sake of his family. His only wish was to satisfy his family so they would like him finally. It was ridiculous that a 5 years old boy who should play with his friends, fall and stand up whenever he fell and look up to his parents, was sitting here and worrying about his family's matter and his future.

The two boys had sorrows that couldn't shared with the others, had to force themselves to live with their problems untill they grew up and take care of it themselves. The smaller boy hold tightly onto the ball his Phee gave him, looked at it and began counting the many lines drawn on it.

„Nong and Phee are abnormal... I think we are twins...", he said a little bit too naive about it. He was older than the boy sitting next to him but he couldn't get rid of the thought that they were somehow connected to each other. Both had the same likings and were abnormal beings. Because he couldn't decipher what this strange connection exactely was, he came up with the idea that they must be twin. Twins who were born on different days and years but on the same star. Yes, it must be something like this... He was proud of his own intelligence that surpassed some his age.

The toddler brightened up the moment his Phee mentioned them being twins. It made him so delighted that he smiled brightly and exposed the inside of his mouth where some teeth were missing. The five years old boy smiled too, both

„Then from today on, we aren't just friends but twins too...", he assured him then hold his pinky finger toward him.

The three years old boy didn't know about the pinky promise, the older boy showed him how to do whereupon the former followed the latter's example and locked their pinky together to signify the promise between them to always stay connected like today. They were exchanging smiles and promises that they should never lose each other's contact and should meet up soon, they just didn't know how they would meet again but they assured themselves that a meeting would happen soon.

„What do you think you are doing!", a voice spoke a little bit too loud from the side, scaring the two children and making them have their attention on her.

The two children looked up to the spot where the voice came from, the taller boy jumped back in surprise before realizing the old woman standing before them, wearing a gloomy epression after she witnessed her son standing next to a strange kid. She was a beautiful woman without much wrinkles but she had too much make up on her face that made her resemble snow white, she wore expensive clothes and acessories that revealed that she was not any ordinary person either from this town. The cold aura around her showed that she wasn't a woman to be taken lightly either so everyone was taking a detour when they met her.

The older boy jumped down on the ground, gazed on his body and realized the dirt on his new clothes after the football game he played some minutes ago. He trembled, was afraid that his mother would punish him for dirtying his cloth like a peasant's child. He wiped the dirt away from his clothes, stuttering, „I... Mae... I just... ", he mumbled while shivering in fear for the punishment that would follow soon. He knew that he broke their agreement not to get close to strangers or make friends. When his mother glared codly at him, he looked down to avoid her mean glares.

The younger boy realized his Phee feeling fear toward this woman, he admitted that his Mae looked like snow white's evil stepmother that he saw in one animation recently. The woman scrutinized him from toes to head, there was deep hatred in her eyes, not only for stranger but also for her son who never ceased to humiliate her. After meeting countless of doctors to get another diagnosis from them, she still refused to give up and accept her son being abnormal. She came to this old town's hospital after hearing about its accomplishment, hoping that they would give her good news but this visit ended in vain too. She clenched her hands in rage, she had to force herself to not leash out her temper on him again. The shorter child went to hide behind his older twin, tugging on his sleeve and signalising him that he was terrified of her. All the sudden she raised her hand and reached out to slap the stranger's kid, wanted to punish him just because he, a lowlife, dared to touch her son. Slap!

Her palm slapped hard accross the child's cheek. The toddler's eyes widened in shock, the mother remained emotionsless even though she had just slapped her own son's cheek. How it came to it? Her son saw through her intention sooner and came between them to prevent her from hurting his younger twin. He got hit by his own Mae but the six years old boy remained calm as always whenever he received his punishment. Apparantly, he was accustumed to such harsh treatment from them so he did not hesitate to save his twin and get hit instead. It didn't matter that he got another hit in his place instead as long as she didn't commit a grave mistake and hurted another person's precious child.

After slapping her own child, she still didn't show any emotion and took the way back to their car without apologizing to them. The younger boy was in shock, he still couldn't comprehend what just happened. Everything happened too fast that he got confused and searched for any reason why a mother would hurt her own son. It was something his sister never did and would never do to him so he was more than stupefied and horrified. His big sister had teached him to always apologize if he did something wrong but his twin's mother didn't apologize after she had raised her hand on him. Now, he knew that she was a bad woman. A bad mother too! The older brother only smiled, his porcelain like white skin was red, glowing hot after the slap. It was a sad sight. If the toddler knew the feeling of pity, he would show it by now.

„It's nothing...", he laughed, trying to feign his sadness and hide his pain. „Something like this can't hurt me!", he answered to the toddler's shock. But it was a big lie. It hurted and his swollen cheek was burning hot under the sorching sun. Even if he was accustomed to his Mae harsh treatment toward him, it still hurted whenever his family screamed or hit him.

„Phee..."

„Phee said it's fine...", he stared back to his mother and noticed that she was getting further away from him. He bidded farewell with his younger twin brother then ran behind his mother. However, he waited after leaving short distance behind then turned back to face his Nong.

The Nong waved back, revealing his most genuine smile with the intention to part from him for short time and meet again very soon.

„Aren't you coming, Krist?", her too high voice resounded in the, ringing painfully in the patients' ear.

Krist dashed back to his mother, both climbed in the black car and were drove away by their private chauffeur. The Nong stared at them till their vehicle disappeared from his sight.

„Krist... Name P'Krist...", he mumbled many times to save his first friend's name deep in his memory and recall it whenever he needed it. He opened his palm and looked at the candy his twin gave him some minutes ago. He closed his palm carefully to not squeeze the sweet then shoved the candy in his pocket where it would be safe from any danger.

„Singto!", another voice yelled desperately in the proximity.

Singto looked up and recognized his older sister standing over there at the side, tears rolling down her eyes. She had a worrisome expression at first but she smiled when her littlte brother turned to her, gave her a smile and his face shone brightly as he saw her. The little child ran toward Maripha with open arms, the latter dashed toward him too. Both siblings hugged with charming smile on their lips, the brother laughing. Wawa lifted Singto up, hugged him tightly and caressed her cheek against his, her hair tickled against his cheek so he ended up laughing louder.

Wawa cried without making any sound, „I searched everywhere for you... Why did you leave the place I told you to wait for me?", the anxiousness could be detected in her quivering voice although she found her brother already. She was trembling in fear at the mere thought that she could have lose him. Unfortunately, she would've live with the fear that her worst nightmare could happen anytime but she did not have the slightest intention to ever let him know about her fear. according to her, they should live like sister and brother, or more like mother and son to avoid the prophecy. Despite her being angry at him that he left the waiting place and made her worry for his safety, she ended up not scolding him. Her love for her brother didn't know any boundary. It was so deep that she couldn't bear to yell at him or see him cry or hurt.

Singto pointed at the spot where Krist drove away with his mother, „I play ball with Phee."

Maripha was surprised at his answer, it was the first time that he called someone Phee or even played with that person. She grew more curious toward this stranger. „Which Phee?"

A bright smile adorned the little boy's face when mentioning about his Phee, „A strong Phee and... He tall...", he even raised his arm high to describe his height, adding to the reply, „He protected Singto...". He rummaged in his pocket and brought the candy out with utmost care to not break it, „Phee say is Nong's twin... He give Singto a candy... It's sweet and... and done pinky promise me to meet here...", he tried his best to tell her about his first encounter with his Phee.

The older sister brought Singto back on the ground and mustered him clearly, it was the first time too that her brother spoke to enthusiastically about another person beside her. She grew even more curious about this Phee who turned out to be his twin at the end according to him. It was also a surprise for her that someone played voluntary with him, especially when most of the children his age gave him the nickname momma's boy who cared for his sister only and not for other children. Children always ended up avoiding him because of this one reason so she was astonished that another child played with him without judging him for who or how he was. Even though he just met that stranger today and played only for a certain amount of time with him, his mood improved gradually and gave him fun that he didn't feel until today. 

Apparantly, that boy had such influence on him that he found fun playing with other children and even couldn't wait to meet him again. His sister had influence on him that he choose to stay calm and to never make trouble for her but that Phee did the oppossite, waking a certain feelings of fun and overjoy in him so that he began wishing for something after three years of living with his sister. A smile appeared on Maripha's lips, she brushed his bangs aside to take a closer look on his face. Just like expected, his eyes got bigger and brightlier because of that stranger. Maybe, she should be grateful toward that Phee for taking care of her brother in her place. While these two were playing, she was worrired to death as she didn't found him at the spot where she left him. She ran like a crazy woman searching for him and shouting his name everywhere, she didn't even think of looking for him here because he never went to the playground to play anyway. Today, she learned a new side of her brother and was proud of him, „...My younger brother met a new friend and has already grow up, huh...", she ruffled his hair messy.

Singto nodded then stuffed the candy again in his pocket. His sister lifted him up, hold him in her arms and took with him the direction of home. While both siblings were humming a song that was sung in a cartoon, Singto realized the big differences between P'Krist's mother and his sister who was a motherfigure for them. She was caring, loved him and never scolded him. He was more than happy over this fact.

The two siblings were on their way to the old middle aged man who was like a father to them. He was the person who found them in the forest three years ago in that fateful night when he was searching for herbs as he suddenly heard a child's cry. He hurried up there, took them in a hospital and brought them in as his two children in his home, taking care of them ever since.

The two brother and sister were singing happily without having any promonition of what the future behold for them. Because destiny was already taking its course, letting the two fated boys to meet for the first time, ignoring Maripha's hard work to not let them meet. Besides, from today on the meeting with Krist would change Singto's life. He would still be the boy who would never make trouble for her but he would play more with children, finally letting go of her so that she could work freely without worrying that he would miss her. He would even meet another boy his age who would be his best friend in the future. 

****

13 years later

13 years later, the strong young boy who saw himself as the toddler's older twin brother and changed the latter's life, had grown up into a fine young man which appearance people would call cute, beautiful and handsome at the same time, just like the previous oracle Tai saw in her visions. Today, he was looking especially handsome in the five-parts black and white suit that he was wearing for the important event. Most of the guests present at the event didn't like the way he was looking since he shone the most among everyone, they were calling him arrogant just because they were jealous of his connection with the royal family. 

Today was the crown prince sixteenth anniversary, there was a grand banquet to celebrate his anniversay. The hall was filled with threehundred people who were seen as high-up alphas, there were celebreties, officials, business men and other royal family members among them. Everyone who received an invitation for this celebration was then seen as an elite among the alphas so many of them showed off to their friends and enemies to let them know how high they were valued by the reigning family. The men made sure to wear the most expensive attire and tell the extravagant stories while the wives wore too much shining accessories that costed even more than the one year salary of all the servants put together. Despite everyone's value in this society, many of the visitors still envied the general of the King's armies, hating his family for having such a good looking son who took all the attention on him.

Krist's mother hold her head high, looking down upon the people around her. She was clearly enjoying the attention on her family. The people's envy increased as the King and the Queen went to greet them first after their too extravagant and majestic opening they made on the red carpet on top of the stairs in their palace. The crown prince didn't arrive yet, apparantly he did not completely finish the preparation. Krist felt itchy all over his body, he was holding a glass full of expensive red wine like most of the guests. He was allowed to drink alcohol since he turned 18 years old recently but he was not eager to drink this non-sweet alcoholic drink so he took only a sip of it and never brought the wine to his lips again. He smiled to the King and Queen who were speaking to his parents and praising their son for his good look, intelligence and for his charm. His 25 years older sister who was an alpha too made sure to look beautiful among all the guests but her yougner brother had stolen her spotlight, a fact that didn't make her happy. She still hated her brother for being an abnormal alpha. According to her he didn't deserve all the compliments and hungry also jealous stares he was getting from all the guests. In her opinion, it should he her, the complete alpha who should be at the center of attention. She even wished to expose his embarrassing secret of him being an abnormal alpha to make a laughting stock out of him but she closed her mouth in respect to her parents so they wouldn't lose face.

Krist was bored, he almost yawned but he controlled himself to not embarrass his family. This world with only high-up alphas who cared for reputation and money was not his after all, he preferred to be with his crazy friends who never talked about their social status but only cared to have fun together. He let his eyes wander around in the grand hall that was built inside the King's palace. Almost all the guests had their eyes on him, jealousy and hatred reflecting in each one's eye but he ignored them and gazed at the staff responsible for the catering instead, they were at least more interesting than all these geezers around him. There were hundred of servants who were taking care of the guests, serving them wine and snacks. The staff were were betas, not even a single omega among them. It seemed that they didn't bring the omegas in this hall that was full of dominating alphas that could be dangerous for omegas. Surely they would be more safe in the kitchen where they would prepare for dishes and other necessities.

Krist couldn't take the discussion between the alphas anymore and left the hall to seek refuge somewhere calm where he wouldn't have to disguise his true character and play a happy also perfect son for his parents' sake. He found a place in their spacious garden where various kind of flowers and plants were growing. There was a single bench that picked up his interest right away. He was tired after he had to prepare the whole day for this feast yesterday and even had to woke up early today so this bench came at the perfect time right now. One of his bad habits was to stay up late but sleep in for long and only wake up late in the morning if he didn't have class. He came late almost every day in classes because of this bad habit of his.

The bench looked too alluring, as if it was calling him to approach, lay down on it and take a nap for a while. He knew that it wasn't appropriate for someone like him to sleep here but he was too tired and felt that he would fall down if he didn't take a nap to refresh his energy. He laid down on his side on the bench, it felt cozy and warm, the hot sun falling onto his face and made it more comfortable for him. The bench felt soft under him even though it was made out of woods. He gazed around, dared to close his eyes and sleep for a moment as he didn't notice anyone in the proximity, crossing his arms over his chest.

Someone approached him from the side, he moved soundlessly that his steps went unheard by him. He didn't intend to wake up the sleeping, icy prince and was careful with the way he was moving toward him. The stranger went straight to him as if he wanted to see just him and had his eyes only for him. Krist nearly fell in the land of dream when he suddenly sensed someone stealing his sun, the person was blocking his view and caused the air arund him to get slightly cold. He just didn't know whether the chilly air came because of the person's cold around him or the person blocking his sun and causing shadow over him.

Krist didn't appreciate the sudden change in the air, he even sensed the stranger coming closer to him with his head, as if wanting to set his whole body on top of his. He opened his eyes all the sudden and realized the culprit whom he accused of stealing his sun. There was a young man, wearing black, standing in front of him. He wasn't only taller but was also built stronger than him. His whole existence was intimidated Krist, there was a deadly coldness in his eyes, his face handsome like a famous model who could break many girls' heart but his emotionless expression didn't do him any justice, it was an disvantage to his handsomeness. However, the problem that disturbed him most wasn't his handsome appearance but the fact that that rude person dared to stay so close to him that he could even count how many hair there were on his eyelashes. Krist's pale cheeks became a pinkish taint for the first time in his life, he glared at the latter, clenched his hands tightly into fists then swung his fist with the bad intention to hit his cheek. Something that the shorter man didn't expected happened to him, the latter caught his fist and yanked him up suddenly whereupon he landed right in front of the stranger's arms, the latter wrapping one arm around him while holding onto his fist with the other hand.

The shorter man's was speechless, couldn't find any word that could describe the humiliation that he felt right now. He tried to take a step back many times with the attempt to escape his grip but the stranger was too strong for him for an unknown reason. Krist looked frail on the oustide but he wasn't weak in term of strength. Even if he was an abnormal alpha and needed to take medication to control the symptoms, he was considered as one of the strongest among teens his age. He stepped back but still ended up being embraced by an unknown pervert who refused to let him go. Flames of hate reflected in his eyes, he calmed down and glared at the pervert instead. „Let me go, you freak!", he said through clenched teeth.

The taller man's curved up, a smirk appeared instead of a smile. Perhaps he intended to smile to him but it came awkward and made him look creepy than he actually was. „It's rude to call me like that... Don't you recognize me?". He was somehow disappointed that that man he was anticipated to meet did not recognize him on the first sight like he did. At first, he wanted to join his parents at the feast when he suddenly smelt an overwhelming sweetness that clouded his senses, made his heart thump too fast and controlled him. The smell that made him excited that he couldn't wait to meet that person and almost turned him into a madman, brought him here but here the man causing his madness didn't realize who he really was. He was surpised that that person turned out to be a man since he expected to meet a woman due to the strong flower smell that mixed with that person's sweetness.

Krist made a confused expression but he thought about the people that he had encountered in his life. He admitted that he had a bad memory but he couldn't remember having met such a creep before. After thinking for long, he came to the conclusion that that man must be a con playing with him. He wanted to hit his knee between the stranger's legs and hit him where it hurted man most but the latter noticed his intention early and jumped backward to leave some distance between them.

Krist glared and growled faintly at him, his eyes turned gold, his fingernails grew into claws. For an unknown reason, the beast inside him sensed danger while being with that person and warned him, feeling the urge to protect himself from him. He prepared himself to transform into a beast when a strong smell suddenly came from that man. It was a sweet smell that tried to take over all his senses but failed to do so since he did not like that smell. It was a situation that he didn't expect to happen here. Somehow, his mind was controlled by that smell but his strong heart refused to be overwhelmed by that smell. His claws turned back into fingernails, his eyes took its usual colour. His heart was beating fast, it wasn't due to fascination but more due to fear, confusion and helplessness. „My... My mate?", he asked for a confirmation even though he himself had the answer already. Apparantly, he didn't want to accept this situation at all, still denying the fact that he found his mate at the crown prince's sixteenth birthday.

„You're slow but you have finally recognized me...", his deep voice said to him, it sounded like an echo in his ear.

Krist mustered his mate closely, he admitted that he was handsome and a strong alpha too but he guessed that he was younger than him. He was sure that fate wouldn't be cruel to him and try to humiliate him by pairing him with a man but the impossible happened. Is that why I've this abnormal condition? Is this a joke? Why me? His head ached at the mere thought how his family would react if they found out that his mate was a man. It would be a disgrace to them because his weird condition would be known sooner or later thanks to his male mate.

All the sudden ten men in black positioned themselves behind Krist's mate, their hand close to the gun in their gunholder around their waist. Krist, again, was confused but panicked too, he didn't understand the situation, his breathing accelerated slightly. Who are these men and why are they here?

The taller man sensed his mate feeling uncomfortable whereupon he glared and growled at the bodyguards, showing his discomfort that they showed up and disturbed the good atmosphere between his mate and him. He was about to have a discussion with Krist and seduce him for a date but they showed up and destroyed it for him. He was boiling inside, could not control his temper anymore. Even the bodyguards and Krist realized that his rage was about to explode.

„Crown prince...", the bodyguards mumbled in apology. At first, they thought that he was in danger when they witnessed him jumping back but it seemed that they misunderstood them.

Cr... Cro... Crown prince? Krist moved slowly and looked deeper in the man's face. His eyes widened in shock as he finally comprehended the situation. That man sanding in front of him was the reason why they came here. He is the crown prince! Wait... His eyes went even wider that they almost popped out of his sockets. The crown prince is my mate? The future King is my mate! It can't be! His whole life till now flashed before him like vision, his knees gave in and he almost collapsed on the ground for 3 reasons. Frist, he had offended the crown prince by not recognizing him sooner. Second, he even tried to hit him. And third and worst reason, he was his mate! He felt dizzy but no way in his life would he collapse like a maiden in front of his mate, the crown prince!

The crown prince ordered in a serious voice, „Disappear from my sight!", his dominant aura was too strong that even Krist shuddered slightly. Even though he just turned sixteen today, he had this dominance that could make everyone uncomfortable and wary of him.

The bodyguards shivered anxiously. They didn't even wait for a second and disappeared from his sight like he ordered them. Krist was still surprised, he could already imagine the shocking revealations turning his life upside down. Not only was his mate a male but he was two years younger, the crown prince and an alpha stronger than him. Why Krist knew that his mate was stronger? It was because the prince recognized him earlier at the age of sixteen while he smelt him at the age of eighteen just like how it should. However, this information didn't matter to him right now. The problem was that his life would be turned upside down. He could literally bid farewell to his old, calm, carefree and funny life that he had shared with his life. He would have to be careful with his actions and would be controlled from now on just because of him being the future King's mate. It was something that he never desired in his life so he didn't know if he should laugh or get mad at his ridiculous fate.

One would be happy to rule their country in the future but it was different for Krist. He just couldn't accept his fate no matter the circumstance. It made it worse that he wasn't impressed by his mate like it should be by the first encounter. He had heard various stories of how many mates met, fell in love at first sight and couldn't let go of each other anymore but he could not feel any romantic feeling for that boy in front of him. He even wanted to escape from here but couldn't do so because of that person being a royalty. His family would be overjoyed and look upon their enemies even more if they found out about this change in his future but here their son was sad about that fact, trying to hide his true feelings and played to not anger the crown prince. „I apologize if I have disrecpected the crown prince... I didn't know that you are the crown prince", he apologized, hoping that he wouldn't be punished for daring to lay his hand on him.

„There isn't any need for my mate to apologize...", he was already smitten by Krist's cute look, character and boldness that could change in a second if he was embarrassed. He liked this kind of person, the one who would act strong on the outside but were soft in the inside. They were the one who would be fun to tease. It seemed that he was overjoyed that his mate was Krist, the child that he met 13 years ago for the first time as he was taking a stroll with his dogs in this garden. At that time, his mother had visit from one of her advisor and her son was in the garden playing with grass. That fragil five years old boy had a red cheek back then and was crying alone in the garden after coming back from a trip with his mother. This was the first time that he saw someone crying and felt pity for him. He wanted to go over to him and make him stop crying but he didn't know how to comfort someone as a three years old child so he just quietly hide in the bushes and looked at him till his tears dried and he went home with his mother. After that time, he continued regretting his decision for not going up and talking to him back then. But today he got another change to be with him as his mate! It was a chance that he wouldn't miss neither let go of no matter the circumstance.

„Can the prince forgive me to ease my worries...?", he muttered because was afraid that his parents would be held responsible for his behaviour if he didn't take care of this matter now. I shouldn't be the one apologizing though. He sneaked on me and attacked me without stating his name first. If he wasn't the crown prince then I would have beat him into a pulp long time ago... Krist looked like a gentleman and acted disciplined in front of his parents but he had a foul mouth that spoke vulgar language which would shock everyone if they hear him talk like that for the first time.

„I will forgive you if you call me by my name instead... Nammon Suthiluck... I want you to call me Nammon instead..."

„How can, I, a mere commoner, call the crown prince by his true name...", Krist knew that he would break against the tradition if he called him by his name this casually so he did not dare to try it to save his own skin.

Nammon wanted to take the opportunity and ask him for a date but again he was disturbed by an uninvited maid who rushed toward him while calling for him. The maid stated that it was time for him to appear at the banquet. Nammon's good mood changed gradually. He wanted to spend more time with his mate but people wouldn't cease to destroy his plan for him. Even if he preferred to spend time with Krist, he needed to go over there to save the King's and the Queen's face. The maid left upon his request, Nammon took the little time to bid farwell with the older man.

„It's time for me to leave. We'll continue our discussion after the banquet", this time a soft smile appeared on his lips, „Let's meet here again."

Before Nammon proceeded to leave, a hand caught his hand and forced him to stay back. He looked behind and noticed Krist holding onto him, the latter let go of him as his mate waited for him to state his reason for holding him back.

„Can Nammon keep the fact about us beeing a mate a secret?", he called him by his name even though he said that he couldn't a moment ago. One could say that Krist knew well what he was doing. He called him by his name to satisfy him and make him listen to him. He gazed down on the ground when talking to him, acting as a shy and innocent man who wouldn't do a fly any harm. He looked up to him, " I am not ready to announce this news to the world..."

Nammon intended to present his lovely mate to his people and shout to the whole world that his mate was this handsome man but Krist seemed not to be ready for this kind of living. He never gave in to someone but he did it today for his mate's sake. Krist's innocent look and sweet voice did a little damage to the crown prince's heart, it was skipping a beat. „Sure...", he replied then took the way to the hall where all the guests were waiting for the birthday kid to arrive, many were enthusiastic to meet the crown prince for the first time after many years. They wanted to see how he looked like and if he would find his fated mate among the many girls present at the party.

Krist didn't have any energy left to stay straight on his feet. He went to sit down on the bench, leaned his ellbows on his knees and looked down on the ground. Why him...? He didn't know why but he was sad that the crown prince was his mate, as if he did not expect him to be the one. As if he was waiting for someone else to appear and tell him that everything was a dream and help him wake up from this nightmare. His heart was thumping hard against his chest, he touched his chest to calm it down but his heart was too restless. His voice spoke with a certain softness that he didn't know existed in him, „He isn't the one I want...", he mumbled without even knowing why he said these words. It was just a feeling that the crown prince wasn't the right one for him. Apparantly, he was missing someone but didn't know that person yet. What is wrong with me, today? He slapped his own cheek to come back to his senses. Krist wake up instead of making a fool out of yourself. Your fate is already sealed!

****

2 years later

There was a young man standing in front of a big building, it was Sunland's biggest and most expensive university which contained many faculties and many opportunities for students to broaden their connection and knowlegdes to be successful in the future. The now 18 years old young man wore black pants, white shirt and a green necktie. He was more calm, there wasn't any glimpse of excitement in his eyes. His body language was as cold as never before, as if he would refuse everyone who approached and tried to get closer to know him better. He hang his backpack around one shoulder, entered the university and approached the faculty where he would study from today on.

There were a group of five students coming from the opposite direction toward the freshman, he realized that two of the clique were alphas while two were betas and one omega. He was surprised by this odd group who were different from classes also appearances but were having fun together as if they didn't care about rank or the society system. They were making jokes, the middle man was the one who outshone the rest the most that he even managed to catch the freshman's attention on him. He had fair, flawless and pale skin and slightly red lips, his face shining like a well polished diamond that almost blended the poor freshman and his smile... There was something about his smile. It was a smile so bright and warm that it couldn't even be compared to the sun's warmth and brightness. A smile that could bring daylight back and get rid of every darkness. His smile even caused the freshman to have his heart skip a beat.

The middle one from the group turned around and laughed about something while he walked backward. His friends were warning him about something but he was too busy joking with his friends that he wasn't careful enough and bumped against something. As he turned around, he noticed a young man slightly taller than him standing before him. He knew from his look that he was a freshman. Instead of apologizing to him for bumping against him, he retorted to the latter solution, finding fault in someone else.

„Don't you have eyes to avoid me?", the shorter man accused him, rolling his eyes. He did not even wait for the taller man's excuse before he continued his way to his faculty.

His friends shook their head in disbelief that he blamed the victim instead of just mumbling simple apology. The tallest and bulkiest one from the clique apologized to the freshman. The younger man was rather speechless, he didn't find any words that could perfectly describe that man's rudeness or his shock.

„Singto!", someone called him from behind.

However, Singto didn't react to the call but still stared at that rude man untill he turned in the corner and disappeared from his sight. Since he ignored his call, Singto's best friend dashed over to him, jumped at him and wrapped his arm around him. In the middle of being strangled by his best friend, Singto still couldn't let go of that man who dared to blame him for his own mistake. There was a single word coming to his mind. Rude! They met just for a few seconds but he had already his opinion about him. I don't like him!

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What do you think of this chapter? A reader managed to guess who was who in the previous chapter :D You'll find more about each one's secret after some chapters ;)