Kiss the Stranger

He strode into the room with long, purposeful steps as always. No—this time was different. He seemed angry, his pace faster than usual. In an instant, he was only a few paces from me. I pressed myself smaller against the wall. I caught sight of the door slammed shut behind him. He stood there, looking down at me. Close enough now, I could smell his pheromones even without trying. He was definitely furious.
Why?
He watched me in silence for a moment, while I froze in fear. Worried I might wet myself again, I lowered my gaze. Suddenly I heard him inhale sharply—my whole body jolted. Unable to lift my eyes, I waited as he finally spoke.
“How long do you plan to tremble like that?”
His voice was low as usual, «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» but I could almost hear his teeth grinding. My body shook uncontrollably. I forced my mouth open to apologize.
“I’m—I’m sor—sorry….”
I couldn’t even finish the word, and he sighed irritably. All I could do was pray he wouldn’t grow angrier. I clasped my hands together and bowed my head, but my whole body trembled. My teeth chattered so violently that I bit my tongue, nearly screaming, but I stifled it. I clenched my fists and tensed every muscle, trying to calm myself, when I suddenly felt something off above my head—and before I knew it, he grabbed my arm and yanked me up.
“…!”
I couldn’t even cry out; I only inhaled sharply as I was lifted. For a moment I felt weightless. Then reality slammed back—my waist was hoisted, my knees left the floor, even my toes lifted. As I fell through the air, I glimpsed Asgail’s startled face above me.
Then my body collided with his rigid chest. For an instant my mind went blank, then snapped back.
The room fell eerily silent. For some reason he didn’t move—he seemed frozen. Pressed against his sturdy chest, I heard his steady heartbeat thud, thud under my ear.
After a moment, he released my arm and gripped my waist. I felt him hesitate, as if uncertain what to do. Even in my terror, I was bewildered. Why was he acting like this?
It didn’t end there. His large hands slid from my ribs, one on each side, then traced along my spine. It wasn’t erotic—it felt as if he were counting my bones, carefully, deliberately.

His fingers followed the ridge of my shoulder blades and reached my armpits. At the faint touch I shuddered, and he grabbed my arm again, pulling back so abruptly I nearly tumbled down. I stared up at him with wide eyes.
This was no mistake—his shock was real. He looked more surprised than before, as if struck. Holding my arms, his gaze travelled slowly downward: from my neck to my collarbone, chest, and waist, then beyond. He peered at my loose kaftan as if gauging the shape beneath the fabric. Then his eyes drifted back up—though he looked at my face, I felt he was seeing something else. His gaze moved over my cheek, nose, jaw, then neck—and suddenly fixed on my lips.
He seemed utterly confused. It was proof enough—Asgail would never show such unguarded emotion, especially not toward a lowly omega like me. Unless…
With that thought, he shook himself, his eyes darting away. The hand that held my arm dropped, and he stepped back as though scorched. My heart sank—did he now hate even touching me? Of course—he only held me in his sleep. Now…
I’m an omega.
I bowed my head, and his hand reappeared at the edge of my vision—reaching out, then retracting. Silence enveloped us again. I hesitated, then cautiously lifted my eyes.
He was still staring at me, his expression unchanged. I could not recall ever seeing him look so conflicted. One thing was clear: he was not himself.
I parted my lips, determined to speak.
“Um.”
He blinked as if doused with cold water. I continued in a trembling whisper.
“Shall—I… lie down first?”
He must be exhausted—late as it was, I wanted to suggest he rest. But I couldn’t bring myself to finish. My courage ran out. I stammered, unable to speak further. He furrowed his brow, and abruptly his face returned to its usual severity. I shrank.
“You can’t even wait a moment.”
He muttered under his breath. I didn’t understand, and he sneered.
“Inviting someone you shame to sleep with you, shameless. If you’d had the chance, you’d have spread your legs for Hayden without hesitation. Your clumsy act fools only fools, not me. So stop.”
It took a moment to comprehend his words. Perhaps I refused to believe them. But each cold barb drilled into me.
“…I… came to the banquet… because you… invited me.”
For the first time I felt resentment toward him. Fighting tears, I protested.
“If you thought so… why… did you invite me…?”
My voice trembled. He merely sneered.
“I couldn’t let a guest make such a spectacle. If I hadn’t called you, you’d have been rolling around with Hayden.”
“That’s not… true.”
“Lies about a lover won’t win anyone’s sympathy—no fools remain in this palace.”
His mocking face brought tears stinging to my eyes. I dropped my head and pressed my hand to my cheek, when a cold voice cut in.
“I’m tired of your crying too. Try another tactic or give up. Who’d believe a weeping omega like you?”
Of course I’d never considered it. I would never expect such pity. But my tears spilled anyway. I gasped through sobs and, unable to help myself, whispered:
“…Why do you hate me so much?”
I wiped my tears and looked up. He paused. I knew what he would say: “Because you’re an omega.” But he said nothing. He only watched me as I dabbed away tears and sobbed.
“Just as Your Highness didn’t choose to manifest as an alpha, I didn’t choose to be an omega.”
I knew I should stop, but the tears kept flowing. I feared his anger. I had to stop crying. How could I make it stop?
“Ughhh….”
Just as I burst into loud sobs, Asgail seized my arm and yanked me forward. My gasping mouth was suddenly covered as his lips crashed onto mine.