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Phoenix roared as he came, slamming in for one last thrust. When he pulled out, his knot rolled against Lars's inner spot and triggered his own explosive climax. Lars's cock heaved, spurting a line of come into the air that spattered across his own chest and onto Phoenix's cheek. The Alpha wiped it off with two fingers and held them to Lars's mouth. He opened and licked them clean.

He told himself that this enthusiasm wasn't from affection for the Alphas. It came from letting down his guard, of finally allowing himself fully give in to their primal connection.

Afterwards, they shifted into wolf form and nested into the bed, the two Alphas curling around him to form a protective den with their bodies. The warmth of their fur surrounded him, bathing him in washes of their pheromone-saturated scent.

* * *

Over the following days, Lars found the courage to leave the building and explore Estria again. Being a checkpoint town, there wasn't much to see, just a few small businesses, official buildings, and small cafes that catered to the passing traffic of travelers heading in and out of the capital.

Lars found himself looking for Ekdolian things—the artwork and symbols that the Empire had missed removing in their hasty takeover of the place. He hoped to find more hidden paintings of his mother and father, more little hints of the things that were. As long as he could still find pieces of his old life, whether in the world around him or in his heart, then perhaps he could fully accept this existence.

The soldiers still reacted to him with fear. It seemed that every single one of them knew his face. But he also noticed that the people around town, the Ekdolian citizens, also recognized him. People whispered about him, nodded to him, looked at him with awe. Word had spread about him, an Ekdolian Omega taken by the demon dogs of the Empire who had defended a starving boy. Were people walking taller now? Did they seem to have a glimmer of self-assurance restored in their eyes? He wished there were more he could do, but if his presence inspired any sort of confidence in his people, then he was happy with that.

He occasionally crossed paths with Pym Longfang on his daily outings, oftentimes not exchanging more than a smile as they passed each other in the banquet hall’s lobby.

One day, Lars left the room a little later in the morning than usual. The brothers had ravaged him from the moment they'd risen, killing their morning erections through the use of his holes. He'd been completely worn out and had to take a few hours to rest after they'd left. His body no longer suffered from the intense withdrawal symptoms it had weeks back, but he did find himself actually missing the Alphas. He missed when they'd taken him everywhere, kept them under their watch like he was their pet. He simply missed their presence.

But he refused to make that request of them. He wouldn't give in that far. If they filled him every night in the bedroom and always left him dripping with so much of their seed that it was a constant presence inside of his belly, then that would be enough to satisfy him.

When he stepped out of the room, he found Pym in the hallway unlocking his door. "Good afternoon, Mr. Longfang," he said, passing by him. He didn't know if it was his imagination, but he thought he could feel the man's eyes on him as he walked by—or did he want Pym to look at him? Was he hoping to draw his attention?

"Oh, Lars," Pym called after him. "I was just about to go for lunch. Are you busy? Would you care to join me?"

Lars stopped and turned. He wondered if the man could smell his Alpha's scent on him. Could he tell that he'd been freshly fucked? That Phoenix and Griffin's finish still dripped from his body?

"Is that such a good idea?" Lars asked.

"Why wouldn't it be? We both need to eat, it might as well be with each other." He smiled. "Don't worry, I know who your Alphas are. I can take care of myself. Besides, there's nothing wrong with a casual meal."

Lars thought about it for a moment and then nodded. "I'll wait right here for you."

After washing up in his room, Pym returned and the two of them went upstairs together to the cafeteria.

The banquet hall was so named because of the building's large auditorium on the first floor in which official banquets, meetings and rallies were held. Outside of those special events, the guests staying at the hall were served meals from a small cafeteria and restaurant on the top floor.

The room was mostly empty save for a few Xyletian officials sat at a table who were grumbling over some issue as they guzzled down glasses of red wine. Lars and Pym took a seat at a table and ate a modest meal of roasted game hen with a side of boiled and salted potatoes. Even the food had all been replaced to suit Xyletian taste, cutting out the potent spices that Ekdol cuisine was known for.

"Your Alphas are certainly renowned men in Xyletia," Pym said. "I see the respect they command."

"Is it respect or is it fear?" Lars asked.

"Perhaps both. Their men are extraordinarily loyal. There's been an influx of high-ranking officers here over the last few days, I imagine in preparation for when the Emperor makes his official visit to the capital city."

"The Emperor? He's coming to Ekdol?"

"You didn't know? I would've thought they’d have told you. Yes, of course, he's coming to inspect his new prize. Soon the last conflicts of the invasion will be over and Ekdol will be entirely his. He'll no doubt come through Estria for an inspection." Pym took out a silver cigarette case. "Do you mind?"

Lars shook his head, and Pym lit a cigarette with a small, silver lighter. He drew in a long breath and then blew the smoke from the corner of his mouth.

"Thankfully I'll be long gone from here before that happens," he said.

"Where will you be going?" Lars asked.

"Back to home, to Ete. My commission in your fine country is coming to an end. In fact, I intend on retiring. I've seen enough from this war and Ete's indifference in its involvement." He drew another drag from the cigarette.

"You're lucky that you can just walk away from it."

"Would you walk away from it?" Pym asked.