"I can meet her before we are going to the dinner if I bring this to her now. Alas… she said she's wearing it tonight, so… I have to give it to her earlier than we leave anyway."
After recharging himself with a bowl of ice cream, Arthur took a deep breath, glanced at himself in the mirror—twice—then took small, nervous steps out of his room, peeking into the living room and kitchen.
He didn't want to give this to her when Auntie and Uncle were around.
'She's not out here. Then… she must be in her room.'
Arthur felt his stomach twist in that weird way again, a grin stretching across his face before he could stop it.
He wasn't even going to question if he was being weird.
He was weird. Weirdly excited just to knock on her door. Weird for the way his heart pounded at the thought of seeing her open it.
'Don't get your hopes up...Will she even like it?'
Arthur stared down at the small pouch he had been holding tightly to his chest. Fear crept in, soft but persistent.
'No, Arthur. Even if she doesn't like it… she'll accept it. So don't whine. Just go.'
He gave himself a little pep talk and gently knocked on her door—so softly it was as if the door might get hurt.
Then he waited.
Each second stretched longer, his heart pounding louder.
"Arthur?"
Arthur suddenly jumped when aunt Kelly's voice came from behind him.
Turning, pale and nervous, he quickly hid the pouch behind his back. But it was too late—he was standing right in front of Natalia's door.
Anyone could guess why.
He was obviously there for her.
"A-Auntie…" Arthur stammered, scrambling for something to say.
But to his surprise, Aunt Kelly grinned from ear to ear, gave him a dramatic thumbs up, and then practically sprinted away, leaving a trail of giggles.
Arthur stood frozen, stunned, staring at the spot where she disappeared, until—
"What are you looking at?"
He flinched and spun back around.
Natalia was standing in the doorway, one brow raised, arms crossed loosely, a teasing smile tugging at her lips.
"Ah… nothing. Nothing."
Arthur managed a sheepish smile, silently praying Aunt Kelly didn't just blow his cover completely. Not that anyone suspected he had a crush on Natalia anyway.
At least… he hoped not.
"I—I came to give you this," he said, carefully extending the pouch toward her.
Natalia's eyes drifted from his face to his trembling hand… and then back up, locking onto his gaze again. Arthur immediately looked down, chewing his lip.
She didn't take it.
The silence stretched. Her stare was unreadable.
And, Arthur panicked.
"I-I did my best… D-do you not like it?"
His voice cracked. His throat burned with sudden disappointment. He had poured so much of himself into this. Why did he feel so foolish now?
Natalia blinked, startled. That wasn't what she meant to do. She didn't want to make him feel that way. God, it hurt seeing him so disheartened.
"Sigh… Take it out, Arthur," she said gently. "How can I see it if you're hiding it like that?"
Arthur's eyes lit up with a flicker of hope as he quickly opened the pouch, pulling out the necklace, holding it carefully between his fingers.
Natalia just watched.
Really watched...
'Am I near my rut? His lips look… plump. But I shouldn't be staring at his lips. Right?'
Natalia quickly looked away the moment Arthur's eyes met hers, focusing on the necklace.
"Why are you just holding it? Put it on me."
Natalia smirked and said, making Arthur's heart skip.
Arthur's mouth dropped open slightly, pure shock washing over his face.
Natalia could feel the tension spark in the air as Arthur hesitated, hands trembling, eyes wide.
"P-Put it on you?"
"Why? You planning to put it on someone else? It's supposed to be mine, right?"
"Y-Yeah."
Arthur's voice was barely a whisper. He took a hesitant step forward, so close now he could feel the heat from her skin… smell her scent.
Too close…
Not that he was complaining.
But who thought he would get the chance put this on her?
Well, he didn't.
Arthur was excited but also nervous as his fingers fumbled, the clasp refusing to slide in as it refused to cooperate with Arthur's trembling fingers.
And, he just realised maybe he should've asked her to turn around. That would've made this a lot easier. But he didn't. He forgot...
So now, Arthur stayed close, his breath shallow, arms trembling as he tried to fasten the necklace, standing on tiptoe, desperately trying to maintain some distance between their faces.
He was failing.
Badly.
His knees were shaking. His grip was unsteady.
And just when he thought he couldn't be more embarrassed, he looked up—
Only to find Natalia staring at his lips.
He froze.
And slipped.
His balance gave out, and before he could fall, she caught him, arms around his waist, their chests pressed tightly together.
Arthur's breath caught in his throat and he thought he might just die right then.
And, Natalia didn't let him go.
In fact, she pulled him closer, her arms tightening around him, her gaze scanning his face.
It was too close.
He could feel her breath. Her phermones. Her everything.
And then, as if the moment couldn't get any worse—he dropped the necklace.
"Ah—!"
Arthur looked down, crushed. The necklace was on the floor, never even making it to her neck.
'I ruined it… even before I put it on.'
Arthur's heart sank and he couldn't even find the will to move as he still stayed cradled in Natalia's arms.
If he wasn't so upset about his stupidity, he might have noticed...
How Natalia's heart was beating just as fast as his...
"Arthur..."
Arthur looked up, his conciousness back as he remebered how he was basically on Natalia.
But...he really didn't want to move away.
And she didn't either.
And that call...
Her voice was soft. Barely a whisper.
And, it sent chills racing across his skin.
He felt it.
The desire...
Arthur looked at Natalia, his fingers unknowingly clutching the hem of her shirt, knuckles white.
"Y-Yeah…?"
His voice was hoarse, desperate, laced with something else he didn't fully understand.
It had never been this intense before...
At Arthur's voice, Natalia's breath hitched as he felt Arthur twitch in her arms, the unmistakable release of his pheromones filling the air around them.
Arthur had never been this close to an alpha before—never felt this dizzy with need and desperation...But now…
His body responded in kind.
He wanted her.
His phermones told her that, loud and clear.
Or...they 'gave him away'.
Natalia exhaled shakily, her own control slipping away.
She should have known...
Since the first time she saw him yesterday, the attention she paid toward him wasn't just interest.
It was her heart slowly getting stolen by him...
It's been so long since she ever even felt this comfortable being this closed to an omega and even to talk let alone touch...
Which also makes Natalia feel this is a special moment.
She had had a lot of omegas trying to get close to her, craving her attention.
But this is the only time she felt thrilled about, and felt the same way back while being covered in an omega's phermones.
And, she also should have known...
His mom's baby boy wasn't blushing just because...
'...He wishes for me?'
Natalia's phermones flared to life, responding to Arthur's phermones and the thought of him liking her.
Gently, Natalia's hand brushed the back of Arthur's neck, her thumb trailing over his nape.
Their foreheads touched, breath mingling as the two flushed.
"Can I kiss you, Arthur?" Natalia whispered.
And, it undid him.
Every doubt, every fear, every anxiety and that nervousness…
Gone.
And all he could do—was nod.
And...
He wasn't even surprised.
He was too happy.
Because, this meant she accepted him.
Just as the way he wants, likes and loves her.
'G-god...This must be a dream... Everything is happening so fast!'