The Grand Coming-of-Age Ball will be held on September 30th at the Imperial Palace, as decreed by His Majesty, Emperor Damian Orion Lyon. All young adults aged 20 to 25 are officially invited and expected to attend. This event will serve as both a celebration and an opportunity to make new connections among the Empire's noble and influential families. While attendees must be of the specified ages, the ball itself is open to all members of high society.

Gabriel leaned back against the couch in his apartment, an unfinished cup of tea cooling on the table beside him. He was watching the Imperial Channel as background noise when the announcement caused him to look up from the folder he was reading.

He knew the ball would eventually arrive; his sister, Alexandra, had already contacted him about his return to the capital. His family could barely contain their excitement at the prospect of him coming home, though he wasn't sure he felt the same. They meant well, but he could already picture their attempts to pull him back into their world, a world he had fought hard to step away from. The thought of returning to the family manor left an uncomfortable weight in his chest.

He had no intention of moving back. He was ready to do his part in George's plan, but he had no intention in remaining in the shining lights of the social world.

The past week had passed in a blur of exhaustion and deliberate avoidance. He wasn't sure how much longer he could avoid meeting George and Maximilian, but he was grateful for the brief reprieve. Anabelle had done an excellent job shielding him, ensuring that business matters didn't reach him while he recovered. She had also handled the details of the Emperor's pilot project in his stead.

Things at the company had shifted during his absence. Elliot had been officially informed that he would not inherit the Claymore name, and from what Gabriel had heard, he hadn't taken the news well. Rumors circulated about Elliot's outburst—how he had raged at George, called him senile, even threatened legal action. It was a pathetic display, but no one was surprised.

George, as always, remained unfazed. The decision had been made, and Elliot's protests carried no weight. As a final act of control, George had sent him to the capital, forcing him to attend the coming-of-age ball before assigning him the Count of Nissa title. It was a consolation prize, nothing more.

Gabriel had little interest in Elliot's tantrums, but he knew this wouldn't be the end of it. Elliot had never been the type to accept defeat gracefully.

Adding to the pressure, Maximilian had apparently been trying to meet with him, though the demands of work had kept him busy. The announcement of the ball had only added more to his plate, forcing him to oversee preparations and manage the expectations of those involved. Gabriel wasn't sure if he should be relieved or annoyed that Max hadn't been able to reach him yet.

He reached for his now-cold tea; his heat was still lingering. he closed the folder with a loud thud and placed it on the table. Gabriel disseminated all his intel to find out more about the magical contract with him. But things didn't go well; maybe he was too impatient. Maybe he needed more time.

Gabriel took a sip of his cold, bitter tea and closed his eyes. His long, black lashes trembled while he tried to calm his body. His apartment was engulfed in his pheromones; he smiled bitterly before forcing himself to finish the tea. The doctor warned him not to use the inhibitors for more than a few months; his body will experience harsh side effects.

He sighed; he was and wasn't an omega at the same time. Gabriel didn't bother to tell the doctor that no matter how many types of medication he will try, he will always have side effects from them.

Gabriel's memory before the death of Olivier was hazy at best; he barely could remember his family at first; they seemed so wounded that he didn't trust them. They were strangers to him; he just knew what everyone else knew about them.

His return to the capital made him nervous, but he welcomed the change; perhaps he could recall their relationship. He could not tell them that he had forgotten most of his life and that the only looming figure hunting his dreams was Olivier.

Heat started to spread from his lower abdomen over all his body; he closed his eyes once again and tried to relax, in a futile attempt to control what was happening to him. His mouth was dry despite the tea and water he had all day; his jaw clenched. Gabriel tried to empty his mind. He knew that masturbating would only make things worse; he had no alpha to help him.

Gabriel was briefly distracted from his thoughts when his phone rang. He opened his eyes, his eyelids drooped over his clouded black eyes. It was Lucius; Gabriel paused for a moment to consider whether he needed to respond, but he knew he was only delaying the inevitable.

"Father." Gabriel's voice was hoarse, and he did not speak to anyone during his last days at home.

"Gabriel, how do you feel?" Gabriel laughed to himself, of course that his father knew. He probably had men watching him for different reasons.

"I'm good. It was just my heat cycle."

"You fainted and had a three-day stay in the hospital. Gabriel… Come home earlier. We are worried enough to come after you." Lucius voice was full of worry, and Gabriel knew that he had to go back for the ball; he was preparing for that.

"I see. I… I almost finished my work here; I will book a portal for Monday." He knew that there was no point in stalling more in Ashmont. Maximilian and George were in the capital most of the time and there were no new projects for him.

"Alright. Send me the coordinates of the portal; i will be there to get you." Lucius wouldn't accept any refusal and Gabriel didn't bother to protest. Time for that was long gone.

A sharp, short knock at the apartment door echoed in the room. Gabriel's brows furrowed; he wasn't expecting anyone. He looked at his wristwatch. It was nine thirty in the evening.

He exchanged some pleasantries with his father and closed the call and get to the door to open it.

Gabriel clenched his hands in hesitation. Something was wrong. He opened the door with a powerful swing.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" He asked, his voice trembling.