The next morning arrived much quieter than the last.
Aiden had barely slept.
Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Kael laughing, Ryn chasing butterflies, or little Lior curling against Theron's chest. Waking only meant remembering they were gone again.
A soft knock came from the door.
Before Aiden could answer, it opened.
Ronan stepped inside.
The younger beta stood as straight as ever, hands folded behind his back.
"The Moon God has asked me to show you the temple."
Aiden sighed, pulling himself from the bed.
"I don't have much of a choice, do I?"
"You always have a choice."
"...Really?"
"No."
Aiden snorted.
"Thought so."
The Moon Temple was far larger than Aiden had realized yesterday.
Hallways stretched in every direction, their stone walls decorated with carvings of wolves beneath a silver moon.
Ronan walked with measured, silent steps.
Aiden followed, looking everywhere.
"This is the eastern wing."
Ronan gestured toward several wooden doors.
"The guest chambers."
Aiden nodded absentmindedly.
"The western wing contains the servants' quarters and storage rooms."
Another nod.
"The southern courtyard is reserved for ceremonies."
Aiden grimaced.
"I've had enough ceremonies."
Ronan ignored the comment.
"The northern gardens belong to Lord Theron."
"I noticed."
"They are not to be disturbed."
"I wasn't planning to steal his flowers."
"They are moonflowers."
"They're still flowers."
Ronan blinked.
"...Yes."
Aiden had to hide a smile.
The tour continued.
The library.
The healing rooms.
The kitchens.
The moon shrine.
Finally they stepped outside once more.
"The temple grounds end beyond those trees."
Ronan pointed toward a stone wall running around the estate.
"You are not permitted beyond them without permission."
"So..."
"I'm a prisoner."
"You are an offering accepted by the Moon God."
"So..."
"A prisoner."
Ronan let out the smallest sigh.
"If calling yourself that makes the explanation easier."
"It does."
They continued walking.
"The daily routine is simple."
Ronan spoke as though reading from memory.
"Breakfast at sunrise."
"Morning duties."
"Noon meal."
"Evening prayers."
"Dinner."
"Night meditation."
"You are expected to attend all meals."
"Treat every resident with respect."
"Never enter Lord Theron's private chambers without invitation."
"Never interrupt his meditation."
"If you require anything, inform either myself or Li Mei."
Aiden listened quietly.
For once...
he didn't interrupt.
When Ronan finally finished, silence settled between them.
The beta looked satisfied.
"Do you have any questions?"
Aiden thought for exactly one second.
"Where's the training ground?"
Ronan looked at him.
"...Excuse me?"
"The training ground."
Aiden repeated patiently.
"Where is it?"
Ronan frowned.
"For the guards?"
"For me."
Silence.
A bird chirped somewhere nearby.
Ronan stared at him as though he'd suddenly started speaking another language.
"...You?"
"Yes."
"...Why?"
Aiden blinked.
"What do you mean, why?"
"You are an omega."
"...I noticed."
"Omegas do not train."
"They breathe, don't they?"
"That isn't the point."
"They walk?"
"...Yes."
"They eat?"
Ronan pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Aiden."
"What?"
"There is no reason for an omega to train with weapons."
Aiden folded his arms.
"There are plenty."
"Name one."
"So I don't die."
Ronan opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Opened it again.
"...That should not happen."
Aiden couldn't help laughing.
"You really believe that?"
"The Moon God's protection—"
"Won't always be there."
The words came out harder than Aiden intended.
Ronan noticed.
"So..."
Aiden looked away.
"I train."
"It's what I do."
"When I'm angry."
"When I'm stressed."
"When I can't think."
"I train."
Ronan watched him quietly.
"...It isn't permitted."
Aiden raised an eyebrow.
"Because I'm an omega?"
"Because it is not your role."
Aiden laughed once.
A dry, humorless sound.
"The last time someone told me fighting wasn't my role..."
He looked Ronan directly in the eyes.
"...I bit him."
Ronan blinked.
"...You what?"
"I bit him."
"...Why?"
"He annoyed me."
"..."
"..."
"...Did it help?"
Aiden shrugged.
"He stopped talking."
For a moment...
Ronan simply stared.
Then, to Aiden's complete surprise...
the corner of the beta's mouth twitched.
Not quite a smile.
But close.
It vanished almost immediately.
"I still cannot allow it."
Aiden sighed dramatically.
"Fine."
He turned around.
"So..."
Ronan frowned.
"So?"
"Where is it?"
"...Where is what?"
"The training ground."
"I already answered."
"You answered that I'm not allowed there."
Aiden continued walking.
"I'm asking where yours is."
Ronan closed his eyes.
This omega was exhausting.
"...East courtyard."
"There."
He pointed toward a distant section of the temple.
"But you will not be using it."
Aiden followed the direction with his eyes.
"Mm."
Ronan narrowed his gaze.
"What does 'mm' mean?"
"It means I heard you."
"...And?"
"And nothing."
"..."
"I don't believe you."
"You shouldn't."
Later that afternoon...
Ronan stood outside Theron's study.
He knocked once.
"Enter."
The beta stepped inside.
Theron sat by the window reading several old scrolls.
Without looking up, he asked,
"How is he settling in?"
Ronan hesitated.
"...Poorly."
"I expected as much."
"There is..."
He searched for the right word.
"...another matter."
Theron finally looked up.
"What is it?"
"He requested access to the training grounds."
Theron blinked once.
"...Why?"
"He wishes to train."
"With what?"
"A weapon."
Silence.
Theron slowly placed the scroll onto the table.
"He knows how to use one?"
Ronan answered honestly.
"I have absolutely no idea."
Theron remained thoughtful.
He remembered Aiden's stance.
The confidence in the way he moved.
The balance he had shown while fighting despite being chained.
No...
That hadn't been luck.
"You believe he was trained."
"I believe..."
Ronan paused.
"...he believes he was."
Theron considered that.
Then nodded once.
"Very well."
"My Lord?"
"Tomorrow."
Theron's amber eyes drifted toward the window.
"Take him to the training grounds."
Ronan looked genuinely surprised.
"...Even though he is an omega?"
Theron looked back at him.
"I did not say let him spar."
He picked up his tea.
"I said..."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"...find out."