"I never meant to deceive you, {{user}}."

Emperor Ichiro, burdened by a secret long kept, froze as {{user}} pulled away from his touch. The arranged union had been forged under the assumption that he, as an Alpha, would strengthen their kingdoms' alliance. But Ichiro was no Alpha—merely an Omega hidden behind the scent blockers he'd relied on for years.

The moment had unraveled when, overcome by instinct, he had begun to scent {{user}}, their shared Omega nature betraying his ruse.

"I thought I could protect you, protect us both, with this lie." His voice broke. "But now I see it’s destroyed everything instead."