☬♛ PART ELEVEN ♛☬

This kiss was different.

The first had been desperate.

This one was surrender.

Alex no longer fought against himself. No longer hesitated. His hands gripped Sebastian's waist, pulling him closer, his lips moving with a hunger he had spent years trying to deny.

Sebastian melted into it, fingers tangling in Alex's half-unbuttoned shirt, deepening the kiss until he felt Alex shudder against him.

It was everything Sebastian had wanted-had needed.

And yet-

When they pulled apart, Alex still looked haunted.

Sebastian frowned. "Alex-"

"Tell me what happens next, My Prince," Alex whispered, his voice rough. "When the full moon comes and Prince Gabriel demands your answer-what will you say?"

Sebastian clenched his jaw.

"You already know my answer."

Alex's fingers tightened against his waist. "Do I?"

Sebastian hated this.

Hated that even now, after everything, Alex still doubted him.

"I am not choosing him," Sebastian said firmly. "I never was."

Alex exhaled, pressing his forehead against Sebastian's, but he didn't look relieved.

"Then what happens next?" he murmured. "Because I am not a prince, Sebastian. I am not a man the kingdom will ever accept at your side."

Sebastian's chest tightened.

He hated that Alex was right.

Because this-them-it wasn't as simple as love.

It was duty. It was politics. It was a kingdom that expected its prince to marry for power, not passion.

And yet-

Sebastian refused to accept that fate.

"I will find a way," he whispered.

Alex swallowed hard. "And if there is no way?"

Sebastian smirked.

"Then I will make one."

_________________________________________

Sebastian thought he had more time.

Thought he had at least a few days before he had to face the consequences of his decision.

But the next morning, everything changed.

Because when he entered the throne room-Gabriel was already there.

Standing before the king and queen.

And the words that left his lips made Sebastian's blood run cold.

"Your Majesties, I have waited long enough. I ask for your son's hand in marriage."

A formal proposal.

In front of the entire court.

Sebastian's heart pounded.

He glanced at Alex-who stood at his usual place behind the throne.

But this time-

Alex was staring at him.

His eyes filled with something Sebastian had never seen before.

Fear.

Because now-

There was no escaping this.