The General came to Rasina on the urgent call of an omega—a complete stranger to him. Do you think him capable of breaking a direct promise made to us? Kongpob's panther chided, its sharp tone echoing through his panicked mind as the prince started spiraling into full-blown, cub-like bawling.

"But he's nowhere to be seen!" Kongpob argued, pacing the room.

"He is likely elsewhere," his beast countered, its irritation palpable. "He is not our attendant. He cannot remain tethered to our side always."

The logic of the statement was undeniable, though it didn't soothe Kongpob's racing heart. He sniffled, wiping his tears hastily with the back of his hand. Closing his eyes, he expanded his senses, reaching out for the familiar scent of the bear alpha—the comforting freshness of the first rain mingled with forest earth at dawn.

But all he caught was something far more ominous: a heavy stench of scorched earth and burnt flesh along with rancid decay. It was fury given scent, thick and stifling.

"We must find him," his beast urged, snapping Kongpob out of his stupor. Determined, the prince threw open the door of the bedchamber, starting his search.

He moved swiftly through the adjoining rooms of the General's chamber, each empty and eerily silent. Then, just as he approached the final door, it crashed down with a deafening thud, revealing a towering black bear on its hind legs. The air was thick with its wrath, the stench nearly unbearable.

Before Kongpob could take cover, the beast's bloodshot eyes locked onto him. Arms spread wide, fangs glinting ominously, it lumbered forward—a storm of fur and fury.

General Arthit's warning rang in Kongpob's mind like a bell. He screeched at the top of his lungs, "General Rojanapat!"

He does not need to worry, his alpha will come soon.

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

The prince's panicked cry echoed through the Rasinian camp, drawing bears from all directions. Soldiers abandoned their posts, rushing toward their General's chambers in fear for the safety of Prince Kongpob and their leader.

Lieutenant Knot and his assassins were the first to arrive, their weapons drawn. They burst into the bedchamber to a bewildering scene.

The accompanying doors were shattered, reduced to splinters scattered across the room. Prince Kongpob, trembling yet determined, stood pressed against the far wall, while the hulking bear advanced slowly, beckoning the prince with an almost pleading gesture.

Kongpob, confused and trembling, shouted, "I didn't even give you so much as a look! Why are you acting like this? I am not interseted in courting you.  "

The bear shook its head furiously, seemingly denying the accusation, but its intimidating size and gestures made the denial look more like a threat. As it attempted to climb over the bed to reach the prince, Kongpob summoned an agility born of sheer panic. In one leap, he cleared the bed, landing on the other side before darting toward Knot and his soldiers, who now crowded the chamber.

Kongpob clung to the Lieutenant, who stiffened nervously. "Don't hide behind me, Prince," Knot pleaded. "He'll kill us all if we so much as breathe too close to you."

"Let him try..."the prince peeked at the bear from behind Knot's back." General will have his head , I am under his protection. by the way" Kongpob looked questioning at the soldier alpha.

"General Rojanapat told me to come to him if a bear ever tries to get handsy with me!" Kongpob stammered, his voice rising an octave. "Where is he? I am yelling for him since this bear came in. Why did he not come? Where is he?"

Knot, bewildered, pointed a trembling finger at the enormous black bear. "There."

The prince blinked, his gaze darting between the furious beast and Knot. "That's not him!"

"Oh, it's him, all right," Toota chimed in, stepping into the chamber. 

"It is him, prince Kongpob" Knot backed the claim."

"No... the general is kind and nice and smells wonderful and this bear-" Kongpob made the mistake of looking at the bear whose ear's had pressed flat gainst his head, waiting for Kongpob's next words. "it's nothing alike..." Kong squeaked.

The omega soldier smirked, casually approaching Kongpob. "Let me guess. He doesn't smell like 'first rain' and 'forest at dawn' anymore?"

"No," Kongpob replied, inching closer to Toota. "He smells—"

"Disgusting?" Toota chuckled, placing a reassuring hand on the prince's shoulder. "Bears does not have a particular scent but a whole range of scents depending on our moods. General Arthit right now is smelling like how forest smells burnt. Singed flesh, scorched earth, and—"

"Rotten eggs!" Prem interjected as he strode into the room, his voice dripping with mischief.

Kongpob turned, wide-eyed. "I missed it earlier, now that you said, he does smell like rotten-" the bear growled in displeasure and Kong shut his mouth.

"Glad to make your acquaintance finally, prince Kongpob" Prem said.

"Who are you?"

"Alpha Prem, at your service," the newcomer replied, bowing dramatically. He took Kongpob's hand with a flourish, much like general Arthit had the previous night, but stopped short of kissing it when a deafening growl rumbled through the room.

Kongpob flinched, yanking his hand back, while Prem smirked, clearly relishing the bear's jealousy.

Toota sighed, tugging Kongpob aside. "Ignore him, Prince. Prem just enjoys riling up the General. But you should steer clear of him unless you want the camp to reek even worse."

"Why would it smell worse?" Kongpob asked, confused. "omega-" Kongpob was lost, he did not ask the omega's name.

"Toota" toota provided his name. "And it is because of Jealousy," Toota said with a grin. "It makes the General smell like every animal in the forest decided to—well, relieve themselves in one spot."

Kongpob frowned. "But why would the General be jealous?"

Toota's eyes widened dramatically. "You think he's growling like a feral beast to invite us all to a bonfire? He threatened to castrate anyone who touches you—even me!"

Kongpob glanced at the bear, whose onyx eyes burned with intensity. "It's not jealousy," he murmured. "The General is... possessive."

"Care to explain the difference, dear Prince?" Toota teased, though his tone was lost on Kongpob.

"We get jealous when someone has something we want but cannot have," Kongpob explained. "Possessive is when we already have something but refuse to share it."

"Toota!" Prem called with a laugh. "Do you hear that? The Prince just admitted he belongs to the General!"

Kongpob shrugged nonchalantly. "Yes."

The room erupted in laughter, save for the bear, whose growl quieted. Toota waved the others off. "Nothing more to see here, folks. Let's leave the lovebirds to themselves."

"We're not lovebirds!" Kongpob protested, but his voice was drowned out by the soldiers' chuckles as they filed out of the chamber.

"Absolutely... you are love bunnies," Toota teased, making General Arthit puff his chest as if backing the claim.

"We are not love anything..." Kongpob whispered, his cheeks flushing.

"Care to explain the claw marks on the General's robe and chest this morning, then?" Toota grinned mischievously.

"There were claw marks on his chest too?" Kongpob asked, horrified. The thought of damaging such an esteemed General's dignity made his stomach churn. He could already feel his doom looming.

"Oh, don't worry; there weren't any." Toota chuckled, patting Kongpob's shoulder in reassurance. "I made that up just to tease you. But you did claw out the General's robes, didn't you? You look so gentle... but no wonder—you're a panther after all."

"Yes... we have sharp claws," Kongpob admitted, lowering his head slightly in embarrassment. "I'm just glad the General wasn't hurt."

"Oh, don't worry about that. The General wouldn't mind," Toota quipped, glancing slyly at Arthit, who was glaring at him like a disgruntled bear caught in a trap. "You wouldn't mind Kongpob's claws, would you, General Arthit?" he added in a sing-song voice, drawing stifled chuckles from the bears eavesdropping outside the chamber.

Arthit's ears twitched as he struggled internally. He knew he'd be relentlessly teased for appearing "whipped," but Kongpob's concern softened him. To soothe his mate's worries, he shook his head slowly, signaling that he didn't mind.

"The General is kind like that," Kongpob said, a hint of admiration in his voice.

This statement, however, triggered a round of uproarious laughter from the onlookers. Even Toota couldn't suppress his mirth.

"Did I say something wrong?" Kongpob asked nervously, his eyes darting around. The sudden shift in the room's atmosphere made him feel like prey in a den of predators. He said it to praise virtue of his master but made him a subject of emabarrasment.

Arthit's protective instincts kicked in at once. He let out a deep, rumbling growl that silenced the laughter instantly. Toota quickly ushered the onlookers out, casting one last grin at the bewildered panther prince before slipping through the broken doorway.

Inside the now-empty room, Arthit took a cautious step forward, only to stop as Kongpob instinctively stepped back.

Arthit paused, lowering his gaze. His massive form, still emanating the stench of scorched earth and fury, was a sharp reminder of how terrifying he must appear. He didn't want to frighten his mate further.

Several agonizingly long minutes passed. Neither of them moved; they simply stood there, staring at each other.

Toota, peeking back into the room, couldn't help but groan. "Are you two imitating statues?" he scolded Arthit over the mindlink.

"He's not letting me near him," Arthit replied, frustrated. "I don't want to scare him again."

"Of course, he won't come near you. You smell like shit and dump yard. Shift back already, you overgrown furball."

Arthit gave him a deadpan glare " Do you think I want to stuck in this form? Him getting every second isn't helping it"

Toota turned to Kongpob, his tone gentler now. "Don't be scared, Your Highness. He's still General Arthit—fur or no fur. He just needs a moment to calm down. Will you be okay if I leave you alone, or do you want me to stay until he shifts back completely?"

Kongpob looked at Arthit, who was still visibly trying to compose himself. Though the stench lingered, the small glimpses og General Arthit in even the bear form made him feel marginally more at ease.

"I think I'll be okay," Kongpob murmured, his voice quiet but steady.

"Alright. We'll be just a call away if you need us," Toota assured him, giving the prince a warm smile before turning to leave., he turned to Arthit " Give the prince a hug as soon as i am out of these non- existant doors."

As Toota reached the door, Kongpob hesitated. "Please... do come visit me again," he said softly, before correcting himself hastily, "I mean, I'll come visit you if you want, as soon as I'm permitted by my master."

"Master, huh?" Toota smirked, his teasing nature back in full force as he cast a playful glance at Arthit. "You've got unique tastes, General."

Arthit growled low in his throat, his expression a mixture of embarrassment and irritation. "I'll tell you later, now get out" he snapped over the mindlink.

Toota simply laughed, throwing a mock salute before disappearing through the broken doorway, leaving the alpha and omega alone.

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

As Toota left, the room fell into a tense silence, leaving Arthit in his bear form and Kongpob in his human form. They were alone, yet an invisible chasm stretched between them. Without wearing each other's mate marks, they couldn't communicate through mindlink, creating a peculiar limbo between understanding and misunderstanding.

Arthit tried to step forward, his massive paw barely making a sound against the polished floor. Kongpob, though stayed at the spot, shrank visibly, trembling as his wide eyes betrayed his lingering fear. Arthit froze in his tracks, inhaling deeply to calm the frustration rising in his chest. His retreating step seemed to offer Kongpob some comfort, the trembling easing ever so slightly.

Kongpob hesitated, his voice barely above a whisper. "A-Are you still angry?"

The soft, trembling question pierced through the haze of Arthit's emotions like a blade of sunlight cutting through storm clouds. The massive bear blinked, his jaws parting slightly in surprise, giving him the look of a bewildered cub caught mid-mischief. Slowly, Arthit gave a nod, the movement deliberate and earnest.

Kongpob's shoulders sagged in visible relief, but his voice remained unsteady. "Is it because I... slept on your chest?"

The omega's teary eyes and hesitant tone made Arthit's heart clench. He vigorously shook his head again, denying the assumption with an almost frantic urgency.

"You're not angry at me for tearing your robe or... scratching you?" Kongpob asked, his disbelief evident.

Arthit shook his head once more, his movements slower but no less resolute.

Kongpob took a tentative step forward, drawn by the bear's patient response. His heart, heavy with uncertainty, began to ease. Maybe this isn't a dream, he thought, though the fear of waking up lingered. Another step brought him closer, and then the dam broke.

A sob tore from Kongpob's throat, followed by a cascade of tears. In four quick strides, he closed the distance between them, throwing his arms around the bear's enormous frame. Arthit caught him effortlessly, lifting the omega like he weighed nothing and holding him against his broad chest. Kongpob clung tightly, burying his face in the thick fur, his tears soaking into it as his body shook with quiet sobs.

"I can't believe you're not angry," Kongpob hiccuped between sobs, his words spilling out in a jumble. "I thought you left me because I... I thought you broke your promise to take me with you. I was so scared. I— I'm sorry for doubting you, Master. You can punish me if you want, but please don't leave me again!"

Arthit's ears twitched at the frantic apology, his heart aching at the omega's distress. He rocked Kongpob gently, cradling him as though he were a fragile cub. The rambling, half-coherent words only added to his anxiety—he felt utterly helpless, unable to comfort his mate properly in his current form. Resolving to seek advice from Toota later, Arthit did the only thing he could: he growled softly, a low rumble meant to soothe, while reaching out to Toota for help.

Moments later, Toota returned with a jug of water, setting it on the table before retreating with a knowing glance. Arthit carried Kongpob to the table, setting him down gently and nudging the glass of water toward him with a paw.

Kongpob blinked up at him, his tears still glistening. "Oh... thank you," he whispered, his cheeks flushing as he took the glass. He gulped it down in one go, oblivious to the growls Arthit made in protest at his haste.

"You want water too?" Kongpob asked innocently, noticing the bear's watchful gaze. Realizing Arthit couldn't drink from the glass, he cupped his palms together and offered the water to him. "Here, Master."

Amused by the gesture, Arthit bent down, lapping the water from Kongpob's hands. He playfully licked the omega's palm, drawing a startled giggle that made Kongpob pull back, spilling water onto the floor.

"It tickles!" Kongpob complained, his laughter bubbling up despite himself. "Let me get you a bowl—"

Arthit shook his head vigorously, horrified at the thought. A bowl? Is he a dog? What next? A leash? The things he endures for his mate!

Kongpob seemed to take the hint, dropping the idea with a sheepish smile. "You're full already? You drank so little for such a big form, Master."

Arthit shrugged, lifting Kongpob back into his arms and holding him close. He nuzzled his nose against the omega's scent gland, inhaling deeply. The soft, sweet scent calmed his turbulent emotions, grounding him in the moment.

Kongpob tilted his head, giving him better access. "Do you... do you want to mark me as your slave, Master?" he asked hesitantly, his voice carrying a flicker of hope.

Arthit paused, his heart swelling at the innocence and trust in those words. He wanted to tell Kongpob that he would mark him, but not as a slave—never as a slave. He would mark him as his mate, his equal, his forever.

For now, he shook his head, choosing instead to remain where he was, nuzzling into Kongpob's neck and breathing him in, silently promising, Soon, my little panther. Soon.

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

Kongpob had heard tales of a bear's rage—terrifying accounts that would make any sane omega cower. Yet hearing about it was nothing compared to witnessing it firsthand. The sheer force of the alpha's anger was overwhelming, like a storm threatening to consume everything in its path. Kongpob silently vowed never to provoke such fury again. It wasn't just frightening; it was devastating.

It felt like an eternity before the alpha began to calm. Kongpob guessed that at least an hour had passed since Arthit had lifted him effortlessly like a cub and pressed his nose against his neck, inhaling deeply. The bear had rubbed against his scent glands repeatedly, the friction sending tiny electric sparks across his skin. It tickled unbearably, but Kongpob suppressed his giggles, biting down on his lip. The last thing he wanted was to disrupt this moment.

He found solace in the thought that his master sought comfort in him, him, rather than any other omega. The notion made something inside him swell with warmth, almost pride. For a fleeting moment, Kongpob allowed himself to imagine what it might be like to stand as an equal beside the alpha. But that thought was snuffed out as quickly as it emerged.

An omega could never be equal to an alpha. He knew that bitter truth too well. His mother had dared to think otherwise, and the price had been her life—and his father's, for standing by her. Kongpob couldn't bear to risk the same fate for himself or for the alpha who treated him so gently. No, it was better this way: to stay near the alpha, cherished in his own small way, and to be grateful for the kindness bestowed upon him.

When Arthit finally removed his arms, carefully setting Kongpob down on the bed, a sharp pang of loss clawed at the omega's chest. A small whine escaped him before he could stop it. Embarrassed, he swallowed the sound and glanced up at Arthit, who responded with a tender pat on his head. The alpha's massive paw—claws and all—was astonishingly gentle, as though he were handling the most fragile of glass. The gesture made Kongpob's heart miss a beat, warmth spreading through him like molten honey.

Then, without a word, Arthit turned and entered the bathing chamber.

"Prince Kongpob, can you hand me something to wear?" Arthit's deep voice called out,just after a second, breaking the quiet.

Kongpob blinked, startled by the request. Oh, he must have shifted back to his human form.

The realization stung. They were shifters. Nakedness was not ataboo among them. General could have shifted infront of himself. 

 He doesn't want me to see him naked, Kongpob thought bitterly, his heart sinking. It was a reminder that the general did not find hoim attractive. Why else would he hide himself?

All the fuzziness from earlier, the warmth and comfort of Arthit's gentle handling, burned away like parchment in a fire. Yet Kongpob forced himself to keep his tone even, obedient. "Which one would you like, Master?" he asked, his voice carefully neutral.

"Fetch me any robe that pleases you," Arthit replied.

That pleases me? The thought sent a ripple of pleasure through Kongpob before logic reined it in. He doesn't care what he is wearing, the rational part of his brain insisted. He's just being polite.

Shrugging off the whirlwind of emotions, Kongpob selected a deep emerald robe, the rich color reminding him of a forest glade—calm, yet commanding. He thought it would complement Arthit's striking features. Handing it over, he hesitated before asking, "Do you need any help, Master?"

Arthit declined with a shake of his head, disappearing back into the bathing chamber. Kongpob's beast whimpered in disappointment, but at least the alpha wasn't seeking assistance from anyone else. That small comfort was enough to soothe him, for now.

When Arthit emerged, freshly bathed and robed, the sight of him momentarily stole Kongpob's breath. The deep green fabric fit Arthit perfectly, exuding both strength and elegance. Kongpob's gaze darted to the bed, he fidgeted with the hem of his wide sleeves, unsure of how to meet the alpha's eyes.

"Prince Kongpob," Arthit began, his voice soft yet commanding, "can I ask why you were so anxious earlier? I could smell your panic and fear from afar. I thought someone had attacked you."

Kongpob shook his head quickly, though a shadow of unease lingered in his eyes. "I thought..." He hesitated, his voice barely above a whisper. "you were not around, I tried to sense you. I thought they'd taken you away."

The vulnerability in Kongpob's words struck Arthit like a physical blow. For a moment, the alpha was rendered speechless, his chest tightening with an emotion he couldn't quite name. Slowly, he stepped forward and placed a large, reassuring hand on Kongpob's shoulder. "I'm here," he said gently, his voice steady and warm. "No one will take me away from you."

Kongpob looked up, wide-eyed, searching for any hint of falsehood. Finding none, he relaxed ever so slightly. Arthit gave his shoulder a comforting squeeze before continuing, "Why don't you freshen up? Breakfast will be served soon."

The omega nodded, his fingers still nervously tugging at his sleeves, but his heart felt lighter. For now, at least, the storm had passed.

While they waited for breakfast Arthit wanted to make something clear.

"Prince Kongpob,"he asked "What was the first rule I laid out for you?"

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

A/N : What was the first rule? Do you remember?

How is it going?