Chapter 3: 1.3 A Dance of Scents
Dorian observed the room and noticed the crowd instinctively distancing themselves from Damian due to his overpowering spiritual force.
Turning his gaze to Dorian, Damian calmly instructed, "Rise."
Standing up, Dorian offered a gentle smile. The entire galaxy felt he was trying to make a favorable impression.
While it was common knowledge that Damian and Luna weren't exclusive, the certainty of his love for her lingered in everyone's minds. Threatening Luna was clearly an unwise move.
When Damian caught a whiff of Dorian's scent, his heart raced. Stepping forward, he encircled Dorian's waist, placing his hand on his nape to inhale deeply.
Witnessing the familiar gesture, Luna's and Aries' eyes darkened. The entire galaxy, watching intently, was left in stunned silence.
Dorian blushed as he was about to push Damian away, but his enticing scent captivated him.
His eyes flashed with confusion. Why does he smell so good? The realization struck that the prince felt the same way. As Damian pulled back and locked eyes, Dorian's heartbeat accelerated.
In Damian's eyes, Dorian perceived nothing but desire, a longing stronger than anything he had encountered before. It perplexed him.
Typically, as a villain, protagonists would harbor hatred and disdain, yet this one seemed to desire him fervently. Dorian checked CS, adding to his confusion.
After checking the system to understand Damian's character, Dorian couldn't figure out why Damian stared at him so intensely. Despite Damian always wearing a smile and being loved by everyone, he was a ruthless and cold alpha.
Alphas were usually aggressive and protective of their mates, but Damian didn't fit those traits. Even though he'd been with Luna for two years, he occasionally sought comfort with others when she wasn't around.
Though Damian did love Luna, his feelings didn't match the intense emotions alphas typically display. Luna, deeply in love with him, remained faithful despite his occasional escapades.
Even when Damian proposed, he lacked the typical alpha excitement. Alphas are known for being hot-headed, yet Damian appeared like an anomaly.
In the original timeline, Damian proposed to Luna in front of the entire galaxy after the first trial, without the traditional kneeling. Despite Luna's acceptance, Damian later fell in love with Aries.
Contrary to Luna's beliefs, Damian and Aries are the protagonists, relegating Luna to a cannon fodder, like the original. Despite falling for Aries, Damian remained faithful to Luna and never displayed stronger feelings for him than the ones he showed to Luna.
Dorian, puzzled by Damian's intense gaze, felt uncertain how to respond. The protagonist not viewing him with hatred was a new experience, and Damian's demeanor left him questioning the dynamics at play.
Raising an eyebrow, Dorian questioned, "Do you always do this when you meet an omega?"
Damian grinned, replying, "No."
Dorian gave a firm order, "Let go of me."
Despite the command, Damian's hands lingered on him as if claiming ownership. Dorian was unfazed by his boldness, considering how the entire galaxy treated Damian.
Ignoring the directive, Damian inquired, "Do you like my scent as well?"
Even in a daze from Dorian's scent, Damian felt his attempt to push him, the sudden halt, and the deep inhale.
Dorian admitted, "I do."
Damian's smile widened. He usually toned down his pheromones, but he hadn't in front of Dorian. Even if he wanted to, he probably couldn't. Dorian's enticing scent was unlike any omega he'd encountered.
Omega scents typically didn't affect him much, given his unique alpha nature. Yet, for some reason, he found himself drawn to the omega before him.
Observing Damian's smile, Dorian narrowed his eyes and repeated, "Let go of me."
Damian tightened his grip and stepped forward, warning, "Don't be naughty or spread falsehood; the Zenos have done nothing but take care of you."
Though Luna was furious, she felt relieved that Damian defended them, countering every lie Dorian had spoken. Every time she discussed Dorian with Damian, he painted him as an ungrateful spoiled brat. The entire galaxy would unquestionably believe the crown prince over Dorian.
Dorian chuckled, remarking, "It's a good thing you're pretty because every word out of your mouth is complete nonsense."
Feeling frustrated, Dorian thought Damian made him look like a liar. Determined, he planned to find another way to reveal the truth about the Zenos, showing they weren't the heroes people believed.
The king, observing from his palace, chuckled. Damian, turning around, narrowed his eyes at Aeron's laughter. Dorian exchanged smiles with Aeron.
Damian looked between the two and addressed Dorian, saying, "Behave from now on. Even if you're not a soldier yet, you have to respect your superiors."
Scanning the candidates, Damian added, "It goes for everyone."
Everyone nodded, except Dorian. Damian pinched his chin, asking, "Is that clear?"
Dorian grinned, replying, "Crystal."
The whole galaxy could tell that Dorian wasn't entirely sincere, and neither did Damian. Nevertheless, Damian let him go, returning to his seat, and Dorian reclined casually, reclaiming his spot.
Dorian could feel the fury emanating from Luna and Aries. If he could rile them up by making Damian kneel, he was more than willing. Originally planning to have fun with Aeron first, Dorian decided to kick off with Damian.
As people resettled into their seats, Aries turned to the alpha beside him, asking, "Can we change seats?" The alpha agreed, relocating next to Dorian.
Aries anticipated some response from Dorian, who appeared indifferent. Whatever had gotten into him, Aries aimed to bring him down a few notches.
As everyone settled into their seats, Aeron declared, "Welcome to the 3rd edition of FederationForce."
The 30 candidates clapped with excitement except Dorian, and Aeron shared an amused smile with Dorian, who smiled back.
Damian observed the interaction and announced, "Since I decided to run this year's competition, I chose your trials. Unlike previous years, there will be a final mission after the three trials."
A subtle tension filled the air as everyone processed this information. Luna added, "As you know, the first trial is to survive in the Nexus forest on the barren planet Nexylon Alpha. Tomorrow at 10 PM, you'll be beamed into Nexus, surrounded by a force field, and the forest is teeming with aliens from various planets."
A holographic display appeared, showcasing images of various aliens with numbers above them. Luna and Aries watched Dorian closely, eager to see his reaction, especially when the Phobosian was displayed. As Dorian looked at the Phobosian, noticing the high points for killing one, he couldn't help but smile.
Luna and Aries were surprised and somewhat disappointed by his response. Luna explained, "Above their race is the number of points you'll gain for every kill. If you're helped by someone, the points will be divided among the helpers, no matter how small their contribution."
Damian added, "The trial will last four nights and five days. In your quarters, each of you has a bag with everything you'll need to survive."
Aeron detailed the contents, saying, "There's a sleeping bag, a tarp, a firestarter, food for two days, a blaster, and a bottle of water. You can add anything you want, as long as it's not food or weapons. Before you're beamed to the ground, your bag will be checked."
Luna pulled out her terminal, causing a collective vibration among the candidates. "I just sent you your quarters number and password to enter."
Damian continued, "Once the assembly is over, you're free to do whatever you'd like. There are multiple training and play rooms. Remember, everyone must be at the mess at 6:45 PM for dinner, and lights out will be at 11 PM. Anyone found roaming the ship's halls after 11 will start the first trial with minus 15 points."
Upon hearing that, everyone sensed that this year's challenges would be tougher than before.
Damian explained, "Unlike previous years, you won't know the trials in advance. However, you can gain an advantage by earning the most points during the first trial."
Aeron added, "The winner of the trial will be trained by the Supreme Commander for the second trial. Meaning, you'll be the only one to know what the second trial entails."
Excitement buzzed through everyone. Aries' eyes sparkled with anticipation, eager to secure first place and spend more time with Damian.
Dorian glanced at Aries, his eyes flashing with amusement. Determined to thwart Aries' victory, Dorian planned to claim the top spot. In the original timeline, Aries' first-place win played a crucial role in Damian's evolving feelings. Dorian wouldn't let history repeat itself.
Damian said, "You're relieved."
The excitement bubbled as everyone chatted about the upcoming trial. Darius, checking his quarters number, asked Dorian, "What's your number?"
"26."
Darius smiled. "I'm 25. Let's go check."
Dorian nodded with a smile but paused after standing up, stating, "Hold on a second."
Darius nodded, watching him approach the stage. The entire galaxy sensed a daring move, while Aries smirked, anticipating Damian finally expressing frustration.
Dorian halted in front of Aeron, offering a friendly smile.
"Hey, I'm Dorian."
Aeron reciprocated the smile.
"Nice to meet you, Dorian. I'm Aeron."
Dorian's smile softened.
"Likewise. Will you have dinner at the mess?"
Aeron, unsure, asked, "I'm not sure. Why?"
Dorian explained, "I was hoping you'd join my friend Darius and me for dinner there."
Aeron's gaze shifted to Darius. Darius' cheeks flushed. He managed a quick smile and looked down. Aeron smiled back and agreed, "Sure, I'll join you."
Aeron had been curious about his name. Dorian said with a smile, "Good, I'll see you later."
As Dorian turned to leave, he felt his wrist being grasped. Turning around, he sensed Damian's dark pheromones, indicating clear displeasure on Damian's part.
Dorian raised an eyebrow at Damian. Meeting his gaze, Damian questioned, "Didn't you forget something?"
Dorian shook his head, smirking at him. Damian narrowed his eyes and inquired, "Why wouldn't you invite me?"
Dorian posed a counter-question, "Why would I?"
Damian's eyes darkened, and he issued a warning, "You better keep me a chair in front or next to you."
Dorian questioned further, "Why would you even want to have dinner with me?"
Damian replied matter-of-factly, "Because I want to spend time with you and get to know you better."
Luna and Aries were horrified by this revelation. Dorian's cheeks flushed, annoyed by Damian's straightforwardness.
Wondering why someone would say exactly what they felt, he pulled his wrist away, glared at Damian, and left. Damian watched him depart with an amused smile.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone