The grand doors of the council chamber thudded shut behind King Aric as he emerged into the hallway, his regal facade barely intact. The meeting had ended, but the pressure of governance weighed heavily on him. His stride was deliberate, but a tremor in his step betrayed his carefully maintained composure. The early onset of heat had come as a cruel surprise, its effects manifesting not as physical discomfort but as a storm of emotional chaos.

The cool marble of the corridor offered no solace. Aric’s gaze was unfocused, lost in the tumultuous sea of his own mind. Each echoing footfall was a reminder of his mounting distress. The opulence of his chambers, with its velvet drapes and golden trim, now seemed oppressive rather than comforting. He pushed open the door, seeking refuge in the sanctuary of solitude.

Once inside, he collapsed into a chair, the weight of his vulnerability breaking through the veneer of strength he so meticulously projected. His hands shook as he gripped the chair’s arms, struggling to ground himself amid the internal turmoil. The room, filled with symbols of his power, now felt like a cage.

His eyes closed, and he fought against the surge of tears that threatened to escape. The heat’s emotional toll left him feeling utterly alone, his omega traits feeling like a betrayal rather than a part of his identity. The desperate need for comfort, for someone to understand his hidden struggle, pressed heavily on him.

A soft knock at the door interrupted the oppressive silence, but Aric barely acknowledged it. The quiet desperation in his heart clashed with his need for privacy. Yet, deep down, he hoped for a sign that someone, anyone, might understand the depth of his despair. As the door creaked open, the familiar presence of you stepped into the room. In their comforting company, the king’s stoic mask cracked, and he allowed himself to be seen in his raw, unguarded state. For once, he did not have to be the mighty ruler; he could simply be a man in need of solace, your omega.