Bound by the Mark of Lies (BL)

Damian was an enigma, his golden eyes gleamed with intelligence, the subtle curl of his lips revealing that he was always three steps ahead in any conversation. The air around him was thick with the unspoken authority he wielded. Max knew that look—he knew it well. It was the same look Damian gave when he had a question, and Max was the one who would provide the answer, whether he wanted to or not.

They had grown up together and had known each other their entire lives, but in rare moments like this, Max had no idea what triggered the man.

"So," Damian began, his voice low but rich, filling the room effortlessly, "you're telling me that the one responsible for the Blue Ether Project is Gabriel von Jaunez?"

Max let out a slow breath, trying to keep his tone neutral. He couldn't help but feel the weight of Damian's gaze pressing on him, each word hanging heavy in the air. He didn't know what he was supposed to tell him. There wasn't much to say.

"Yes," Max replied, his voice steady but measured. "Gabriel von Jaunez. He's the coordinator for the project. He's been overseeing it for months now."

Damian's gaze sharpened, his eyes narrowing as if he were mentally cataloging every detail Max had just given him. "Gabriel von Jaunez," Damian repeated the name slowly, as though testing its sound in his mouth. "I've heard of him. The youngest son of the Jaunez family. But I've never met him. Curious," he mused, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest of his chair. "How is it that the von Jaunez family has never mentioned him to me?"

Max's fingers drummed absently on the armrest of his chair as he shifted his gaze to the window, the dimming sunlight casting an amber glow on the walls. He could feel Damian's insistent stare burning into him, but he didn't meet it immediately. Instead, he allowed himself a moment to collect his thoughts.

"Maybe they're preoccupied with their own affairs," Max said, rising his shoulders. "Gabriel isn't exactly the type to seek attention. He's... different from the others. You know how the von Jaunez family is. They're alphas through and through—always at the forefront, commanding attention. But Gabriel? He's an omega, the youngest of them, and it feels like they're shielding him."

Damian tilted his head slightly, intrigued, though his expression remained guarded. "Different how?"

Max hesitated. He knew this conversation could go anywhere, and he wasn't sure how much to reveal, but Damian was relentless when it came to uncovering information. If Max didn't share something, the Emperor would find a way to pry it from him or others.

"Gabriel's twenty-five, a dominant omega, and a long friend of Prince Olivier," Max began, carefully choosing his words. "He was one of our informants from the capital before the rebellion began, and he persuaded his family to support us."

"What makes things even more complicated is that he left the city, withdrawing from the social scene. It was unexpected, but no one knows why. Uncle George seems to know more, but he refuses to tell me. Not yet at least."

Max took a moment to eat a butter cookie from the table in front of him before continuing.

"I tried to find more and I did find something interesting. He was marked at the same time as the rebellion, but he can not remember who it was."

Damian's golden eyes flickered with something—curiosity, maybe, or the glint of something darker. His fingers stilled on the armrest, and for a brief moment, he seemed lost in thought. "Marked," he repeated, his voice low, almost to himself. "That is... unusual. And it happened during the coup, you say?"

Max nodded. "Yes. It's one of the strangest things about him."

Damian leaned forward slightly, his posture shifting from relaxed to intense, his sharp gaze never leaving Max's face. "A marked omega," he repeated, tasting the words again. "And yet, I could feel his pheromones on the report. How come?"

"So that's why you were so annoyed earlier. I don't know, either you marked him and you forgot or something is very wrong." Max took another cookie and leaned back in his armchair. "But that would be impossible."

Damian let out a short laugh and placed the report on the round table between them. "Take it. If you feel them as well, there is no mystery. Someone is lying. If you don't, I have found something to keep myself entertained."

Max took the report and opened it. He expected to feel the pheromones, but there was none. He turned page after page. Nothing. 

"I don't feel anything." 

 Damian's lips curled into a thin smile, one that barely reached his eyes. "A marked omega with a mysterious past. And pheromones only I can feel?"

Max's eyes narrowed, but he didn't respond. 

Damian sat back in his chair, the faintest trace of amusement dancing across his features. "Interesting," he mused. "I think we have to host the coming-of-age party."

Max's stomach churned at the mention of the celebration. Gabriel had retreated to Ashmont, seeking solitude and a reprieve from the pressures of the social world, yet Damian seemed determined to pull him back into the spotlight. 

"Yes," Max said, his voice tinged with a hint of frustration. " All the heirs, all the powerful young people of the Agaron Empire, they'll be there. And of course, Gabriel will be one of them."

Damian's smile widened, and Max immediately regretted saying anything at all. The Emperor's amusement was evident now, and it wasn't the pleasant kind. It was the kind that came with a wicked glint in his eyes, a hint of something much darker beneath the surface. "Ah," Damian said, his voice low and filled with a teasing edge. "You and I, surrounded by all the heirs of the Agaron Empire... and Gabriel. This will be much more fun than I originally thought."

Max's pulse quickened, and he fought to keep his composure. "Damian, you should know better. I don't have a title. I am in no rush to find someone. And stop using me for your amusement."

Damian raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Oh? So you have other plans?" His smirk deepened as he leaned back in his chair. "Because your concern is your lack of title, Max, rest assured, I will personally make it known that your contributions to the dynasty's change are unmatched. Oh, people already know; you were the one who begged me not to give a title after all."

Max sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I already have a blind date arranged."

Damian leaned forward. His interest piqued, though the teasing smirk didn't leave his lips. "A blind date?" he repeated, his voice low with amusement. "Do tell, Max. Who is the lucky one?"

Max hesitated for a moment, the weight of the conversation pressing down on him. He had hoped to avoid this, but it seemed inevitable now. "Gabriel von Jaunez," he said, his voice quieter than he intended.

Damian's reaction was immediate. His eyes widened, and for a fleeting moment, the Emperor seemed at a loss for words. But only for a moment. Then, the amused glint returned, and a dangerous edge crept into his smile. "Gabriel von Jaunez?" he echoed, his voice laced with disbelief. "You've arranged a blind date with him?"

"Yes, Gabriel. My uncle George and his partner Callahan Talay set it up. It's... complicated. None of us really want it, but we have our motives."

Damian leaned back, his fingers steepled in front of his lips, as he considered this new development. "How very... intriguing," he murmured. "I had no idea you were so involved with the Jaunez family."

Max felt the unease grow in his chest, his instincts screaming that he had made a mistake by revealing this information. Damian's interest in Gabriel had now shifted from mild curiosity to something much more calculating. He could feel the Emperor's gaze bore into him, as though Damian were trying to dissect every aspect of the situation, searching for weaknesses and opportunities.

"You'll be attending the celebration after all, Max," Damian said, his voice soft but filled with a quiet certainty. "I'll be watching closely. I have a feeling that Gabriel is a key to something more."

Max clenched his fists, trying to keep his voice steady. "Just stay out of it, Damian. Don't make this worse than it already is."

Damian's smile widened, and for the first time in their conversation, Max saw a flicker of genuine excitement in his eyes. "Stay out of it?" Damian repeated, his tone low and teasing. "Oh, Max, where's the fun in that?"

Max's stomach twisted at the thought. Damian wasn't the type to let anything go, and now that he had Gabriel in his sights, there was no telling what he would do next.

"Are you that bored that you need to pray for me and Gabriel? We don't have anything together. And his secrets are his to keep or tell."