Married into Alpha Lord

Epilogue 01

-- Darren's POV --

I despise Caden, at the beginning. 

Hating the fact that my partner would be a Beta and a man. I always know that my marriage would be a political one and have come to accept it long ago. But not like this. When I know I would marry him, I curse everyone involved. His family, my family, him. The rumor about him was never good things. A spoiled noble brat who only knows how to live under his family wings. A person who never works on his own.

Then, his family told me his issue and I feel even angrier. Getting a defective good. To make it even worse, his father openly allowed me to get a concubine. Only confirming his lowly worth as his own father could talk like that towards him. I have lovers before but I always thought I would marry a single person and have children from him or her. 

I hate myself that I have to agree with all this political marriage just to gain advantages from each other. Hate that I need to live up to my status and continue with this nonsense agreement.

Before our first meeting, I tried to think positively, thought that I could have a feeling for him. I was wrong. Caden came to this place looking like a scared young brat. So weak, so naive, and so dumb. A good for nothing. Yet, he managed to look like a victim. He who looks like his world crumbled apart when he got here. A selfish young brat who doesn't understand the slightest bit of responsibility.

Our marriage happens very fast. Very soon. After several meetings, after several discussions, after several agreements, it just happened. Luckily, it happened in private. I didn't need to have a public shame for marrying a man-Beta. Only selected guests were coming. Mostly relatives. I met his little Omega brother there, Gwynn, at my wedding ceremony, standing beside the second prince, his mate. I hate the fact that I lose a better potential partner. Marriages had always been a mere noble business for me but at that time, I feel like getting the bad deal.

On our first night, I just vent my anger to him. It obviously did not go well, he becomes more preserve and quite. Making me look like a bad guy. Making me even more angry at him.

And Caden took a suicide attempt.

He sliced his wrist and almost bleeds himself to death in the tub. It was lucky that I came back early at that time. Yuan said we would have lost him if I found him a little too late. I didn't feel a shred of pity, hate that he chose that cowardly move.

Then, everything changes.

I notice the oddness in his attitude the moment he woke up from the accident. His eyes were livelier, a sight I never saw. It's like he is a different person. At that time, I only knew him for a short time, but I knew that he's not the old Caden anymore. Not the one who came here as his brother's substitute. Not the one whom I wed.

I personally appointed Harry as his butler. To watch over him. Harry is one of my most trusted people since I saved pick him up from the street years before when we were still kids. At first, his reports looked normal. It just seems like Caden finally found a resolution and decided to live. He did a little activity that he can do here. Reading books in the library or walking around the garden.

After a while, I found that Harry gave incomplete reports. Hiding some facts, even lying to me. Caden didn't walk around the garden. Instead, he goes deep into the forest, practicing some combat skills. Harry also never told me that Caden read foreign language books, without any translation device. I never imagine that Harry would take Caden's side and help him avoid troubles.

I challenge Caden. From making him translate all the books, getting him into a duel in the training ground, and bringing him to Dorsenburg. All to observe him up close. To know who he really is and how can he suddenly have all those advanced skills.

Caden told me his secret, and everything becomes makes sense. He definitely changed for a reason. He is not the old Caden anymore. He is a new person. At first, I really just wanted to make use of him. I don't know how vast his knowledge and skills, but the tiny parts that he tried to hide already answered my questions.

I made him work closely under me.

He exceeded my expectations. Many ideas, methods, and solutions to problems were being brought by him. The problems that need long meetings and discussions by appointed workers were solved easily by him. He always looked bored when reading the paperwork but he surely gave his best. He always looked uninterested but always deliver the most efficient solutions, with all the neat and detailed explanations. 

I like this new Caden more. An individual who has a real personality. Knowing what he wants. I enjoy his silent companion inside the workroom. Observing his little actions and tiny habits.

I realized that I fell for him. His bored face when reviewing paperwork. His focus face when reading a book. His smile when eating his favorite foods or when he gets a chance to go out. His determination when practicing in the training room. He is full of life.

Caden always shows me his strong side. I feel guilty for my past actions. Feel guilty that he needed to be here. The old Caden probably didn't want to be here, but the current one had even littler choice and control over his situation. I feel guilty when I didn't do anything when people indirectly offend him. Yet, he never looks bothered. He just gave a tiny scoff or roll his eyes when people talk about him. 

I thought he could manage on his own. I didn't want to recklessly help him if he felt that he could control the situation. I didn't want to offend him.

I was not completely right. Every person has their own limit. I failed to notice his limit. Again, I failed him. It broke my heart to look at his betrayed face earlier. His lonely face. I wanted to protect this person.

A slight movement came from the side of the bed. A slight movement from Caden who is currently sleeping beside me. His face frowned and he looked very disturb. Scared. Restless. I know he is having a nightmare. It has been happening for several months. He never talks about it. I don't know if he just tried to hide it, or he really didn't remember it when he woke up. Only I, see this vulnerable side of him.

I put my hands over his eyes, trying to calm him down.

His slim body is covered by bruises. Hickies. His pale skin makes them look even more visible. A clear evidence on what have we been doing tonight. I couldn't stop myself. I yearn for him but I didn't want to use him against his will again. I didn't want him to hate me.

So, when he was the one who asked me for it, I couldn't control my lust over him. I was not in rut nor he is an Omega in heat, yet it feels so special to be able to hold him. The passionate night where our body finally connects with each other again. The hot sensation when our skin tangled. I never experienced something like this with my previous lovers. It feels like the most precious night of my life. The best birthday present.

Caden finally looks calmer after some time. It saddens me to see him in pain. I don't know what he dreamt, and I just hope one day all his nightmares come to end.

I stroke his hair, revealing the side of his face that finally looks peaceful again. I kiss his cheek, several times. Pulling him close and hug him, making our naked bodies touching each other under the blanket. I gave him another kiss.

"Good night, Caden,"  I whisper to his ear and then close my eyes.