When Eldric regained consciousness, the once dark starry night sky had transformed into a ceiling with pine and leaf-like patterns, with a blinding chandelier at the center illuminating the gilded room. He sat up from lying on the bed with his hands on his temples, making the discomfort in his head at ease as assessed his surroundings.
"I'm… in my room?" He pondered to himself, trying to remember what had happened the previous night. A hint of gold glinted in his eyes as his memories of the previous night replayed in his mind–the memory of that silver-haired guy… those mesmerizing silver eyes.
"My son!" A lady's voice echoed around the room, snapping Eldric back to reality. "You made us worry! How are you, dear?"
The lady had a slender figure with long blond hair, her warm and gentle golden eyes filled with worry. It was the Mistress of the house, Lady Venus.
"I am fine, do not worry much, mom," he responded to his worried mother.
In this world, society functioned under a distinct hierarchy based on three dynamic genders: the alpha, beta, and omega. Alphas were born with excellent traits, excelling in strength, intelligence, artistry, sports, and all fields; they possessed these as natural talents. The betas, on the other hand, represented the middle class and comprised the majority of society. Then, there were the omegas, the weakest and lowest in the societal hierarchy.
But the special genders have distinctions akin to themselves.
Alphas and omegas were further classified into two major classifications: the recessive and the dominant traits. Recessive traits often showed weaknesses compared to their dominant counterparts, whether in strength, different disciplines and fields.
Eldric McMillan is an alpha, the second son in McMillan family and they owned one of the well-known companies in the whole country. His well-toned physique exuding confidence and strength, and culturedly handsome facial features, including sharp phoenix-shaped eyes and a chiseled jawline that radiates refined charm, he was a striking figure. However, despite his striking appearance, his demeanor is surprisingly gentle and reserved, contrasting with the typical alpha that has the desire to conquer and determination for domination. That is although he is identified as an alpha, his recessive trait undermined his standing.
Not long after his mother entered the room, another visitor arrived. He looked younger compared to Eldric and has the same hair color as their mother, unlike Eldric, who has black hair.
His name was Ezekiel McMillan, the third son of Lady Venus.
"We were worried sick when we couldn't find you in your room, brother." Zeke entered the room, his brows furrowed in concern. Unlike Eldric, Ezekiel's stature imposed an aura of dominance and exuded an air of authority that left others with no room for doubt.
As Zeke spoke, Lady Venus held her son's hand tenderly, her face reflecting her worry with her burrowed brows as she traced the lines of Eldric's fine fingers. "Yesterday evening, I asked Dillon to look for you since there was something we wanted to discuss with you, and found out you were not in your room. Ezekiel, your father, and his men searched for you afterward."
"I thought something happened to you when I heard you were lying with bodies around you." Tears started to build up in her eyes and lightly wiped them, but like a stream, she couldn't stop it from flowing. Seeing his mother cry from worry because of him, Eldric felt guilt and ache in his heart. He met his mother's eyes, wiping away her tears to soothe her.
"Do not ever, ever sneak out again, you understand?" As a loving mother, she wouldn't let this accident happen once again, and demanded her son with a stern voice allowing no space for objections. With sweat on his forehead, Eldric avoided his mother's glare, appearing guilty. How could he promise something he knew he couldn't keep?
Trying to change the subject and escape his mother's request, he asked, "Anyway, mom, how long was I unconscious?"
"You were out the whole day. It's noon already."
"Did father say anything about who those men were? I don't have any clue why they chased after me." Eldric asked. Lady Venus' expression went stiff. She had a rough idea who those people were, but how could she explain this to her son alone?
"Let's talk about this later with your father when he arrives, okay? But in the meantime, take a bath already. You stink!" She stood up and kissed his forehead before leaving the room. Ezekiel, who has been watching, sat down where their mother had taken a seat earlier.
"Brother, why did you go out last night?"
"Well, no specific reason. I just want to breathe some fresh air and feel the breeze outside without bodyguards. But, Zeke, I have something important to say." Eldric said with his eyes fiercely focused and Zeke could hear his brother's eager anticipation tone. "I have someone I want to pursue."
"Oh, my brother is now interested in someone. Who is it?" Zeke was amused with his brother. How did this become more important than why he went out last night and almost cost him his life?
"Well, someone helped me yesterday. Have you and father seen him?" Eldric asked, hoping with a slim chance that perhaps they saw that person.
"There's no one else in the area except you and the bodies. We also concluded that someone might have helped you since you couldn't hold a gun, while the bodies on the ground had bullet holes in their bodies."
As he thought. His earlier expectant look vanished.
"Is the person who helped you the one you want to pursue?" Zeke asked with curiosity. It's not as if his older brother lacked admirers. He might be recessive but no one could deny his magnificent looks and his calm temperament that anyone would find attractive. However, his brother never gave them time, maintaining only his peaceful world.
"It is fine. I will look for him." Eldric said.
A knock on the door called the attention of the two brothers. It was Dillon, their butler.
"I apologize for interrupting, young masters, but master has arrived."