I sighed, rubbing my temples. "First an interview. Then legal paperwork. Then I have to freaking pee all over Veydith. Why did no one tell me this before?! I thought winning was the hard part! But it is the peeing! I'd dry myself out before I can finish it!"

  I took a deep breath to calm myself—only for my nose to pick up a familiar scent.

  Vanil.

  Deux.

  I scanned the field and spotted him walking toward us. I waved, and he waved back.

  But something was off.

  I squinted.

  Was he... limping?

  As Deux got closer, I raised an eyebrow. "Why are you walking funny?"

  He barely spared me a gnce. "Ignore it."

  The beta males immediately stopped their push-ups, straightened up, and bowed respectfully to Deux.

  Huh. They used to treat him like an enemy. Now, they actually acknowledged him. That's a progress!

  Deux gave them a small nod before sitting down on the ground. Slowly. Too carefully.

  "Guys, you can stop the training for now. Can you please leave me and Deux for the meantime?" I asked the four beta males and they agreed to leave right away.

  I sat directly in front of him and narrowed my eyes. "Spill it, Deux. What are you hiding?"

  "It's nothing. Anyway, did you start the registration process for Veydith yet?"

  I groaned and shook my head. "Apparently, I didn't even know it was a thing. I need help. Help me."

  "What if I say no?" Deux smirked.

  I smirked back. "That wasn't a request. That was an order."

  "Oh? The mighty Champ, ordering an Alpha Prince around?"

  I simply stared at him, raising a single brow.

  Deux sighed. "Fine. I'll help."

  "Good. See? You're easy to talk to. And don't forget, I'm stronger than you now. I own two more territories than you."

  Deux didn't even argue. "I don't deny it."

  That made me angry.

  "FIGHT ME! I'm not used to you just agreeing with me!"

  Deux sighed, rubbing his temples like I was the source of all his headaches.

  And honestly? I probably was.

  I let out a heavy sigh, rubbing my temples. "Deux, I have another problem, and I have no idea how to deal with it."

  Deux, still seated, raised an eyebrow. "What is it this time?"

  "Jiggs said that, aside from registering my name, I have to—" I took a deep breath, trying to gather my dignity. "—I have to pee in one hundred spots around Veydith so that the other Alphas know it belongs to me." My face twisted in sheer distress. "Deux... I think I might die of dehydration."

  For a moment, silence hung between us.

  Then, faintly at first, I heard something strange.

  I dramatically slumped onto the ground, staring at the vast nd before me, already imagining the impossible task ahead. But then... a sound. A chuckle? No, a full-blown ugh.

  I turned my head slowly, my eyes narrowing.

  Deux.

  Deux was ughing.

  "Deux!" I snapped, scandalized, watching as he tried (and failed) to stifle his ughter.

  "I don't know what's funnier," he wheezed, "the fact that Jiggs actually convinced you of that, or the fact that you will pee a hundred times."

  I huffed. "I don't know whether I should be mad at you for ughing or at myself for actually contempting how to—never mind!" Then I sighed and managed a small smile. "But... I guess I'm gd to see you ugh, Deux. You look good when you're not brooding."

  Deux composed himself, wiping the amusement from his face like it was a crime to express joy. Yet, I could see the corners of his lips twitching, threatening to betray him.

  "Deux! This isn't a joke!" I groaned, throwing my hands up. "Do you know how stressed I was about—about peeing everywhere?!"

  Deux shook his head, exhaling. "Jiggs was messing with you. You don't have to do that. There's no such rule."

  I blinked.

  My fists clenched.

  "JIGGS IS DEAD TO ME."

  Deux chuckled again. "Your friend might be a menace, but I think he's one of the most reliable people in your life."

  I grumbled, arms crossed. "Yeah, yeah. He's annoying, but he's sharp. If only he'd use his brain for good instead of evil!"

  Deux tilted his head. "Does Jiggs know? About you?"

  I stiffened. "You mean... my real—" I leaned in, whispering, "identity?"

  "Mm."

  I exhaled. "I haven't told him. But... maybe soon."

  Deux studied me for a moment, then smirked. "You might not need to. Jiggs is sharp. He probably already knows. He's just waiting for you to say it first."

  I frowned. "Wait, are you saying—he figured it out before you did?"

  "Maybe," Deux mused. "And maybe he's just been waiting, out of respect."

  I let that sink in before nodding. "Yeah... you're probably right."

  Then, I turned to pat Deux on the back, and—

  "Nggh!" Deux flinched, his body jerking forward.

  I froze.

  Wait. What was that?!

  I stared at his back.

  There was... blood.

  "Oh my god," I gasped. "Did I—did I pat you too hard?!"

  Did my Omega powers awaken?! Did I accidentally crush his spine?! AM I TOO STRONG FOR THIS WORLD?!

  "Deux, I'm so sorry!" I panicked, my hands instinctively grabbing his chest to steady him.

  "Accck!" he choked.

  I pulled my hands away—only to see more blood staining his shirt.

  "No!" I cried. "I'm becoming a monster! My power is uncontrolble!"

  "Champ," Deux coughed, "it's not you. Calm down," Deux said, wincing.

  "H-How can I be calm?! You're BLEEDING!" I tried to peer behind him, but the blood was already soaking into his shirt. "Can I check?"

  Deux gave a small nod.

  Carefully, I unbuttoned his shirt, peeling it away.

  And then I saw them.

  Searing, deep sh marks across his back and chest—long, raw, and brutal.

  Whip wounds.

  "Deux..." My voice was barely a whisper. "Who did this to you?"

  Deux met my gaze and smirked slightly. "What if I told you... it was you who gave me these wounds?"

  "WHAT?! WHEN?! I—I don't remember doing anything like this!"

  Deux exhaled slowly, offering me a small, reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Champ. These wounds are nothing compared to what really hurt me."

  I frowned. "And what really hurt you?"

  Deux's eyes softened. "The time when you avoided me. When you thought I was a monster and wouldn't speak to me."

  My stomach twisted. "Deux..."

  I reached out again—without thinking—patting his back. Right over the wound.

  "NGGH!"

  "SORRY! SORRY!" I panicked, filing in distress.

  Deux sighed. "I'm starting to think you might actually be an Alpha. You're too aggressive to be an Omega."

  "Shut up!" I huffed. "Don't change the subject! Who did this to you? Tell me the truth, Deux."

  Deux hesitated before finally speaking.

  "My father."

  I inhaled sharply.

  "He punished me for losing the competition," Deux admitted.

  I shot up to my feet. "THEN I'LL JUST TELL THEM I LOST! I DON'T WANT THIS TERRITORY ANYMORE! IT'S YOURS!"

  Deux grabbed my wrist. "No, Champ."

  "But—!"

  "You won this fair and square." His grip tightened. "You brought Silver to his knees. Even I—a proud Alpha prince—kneeled before you willingly."

  "But because of that, you suffered," I said, voice thick with emotion.

  Deux smiled faintly. "I told you, Champ. The wounds don't matter. What hurt me the most was when you treated me like I was something to be feared."

  I clenched my fists, guilt twisting deep in my gut.

  "Come with me, Deux," I finally said. "I'll treat your wounds at my pce."

  Deux raised an eyebrow. "You expect me to walk there in this condition?"

  "Want me to carry you?" I challenged, grabbing his arm to pull him up.

  I tugged.

  He didn't move.

  I tugged harder.

  He still didn't move.

  I gasped dramatically. "Deux, did you gain weight?! Why are you so heavy?!"

  Deux smirked. "Or maybe you're just weak."

  I scowled. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

  "Immensely." Deux sighed dramatically. "I would go with you to your house, but in this condition, walking will be difficult."

  I sighed. "Fine. If you can't walk, is there a closer pce where I can treat you?"

  Deux nodded. "Yes. I know a pce nearby."