1.6 Echoes of Insufficiency

Aries hurriedly caught up with Damian, grabbing his wrist to get his attention. Damian halted and turned to face Aries, who bit his lip nervously before confessing, "I'm sorry. This mess is all my fault. I never anticipated Dorian reacting like this after I rejected him."

Damian's expression shifted, his face growing cold as he questioned, "What are you talking about?"

Aries explained, "Dorian has been in love with me since we were kids. Things got tougher for him, especially after his father's passing. He can't even sleep if I'm not around, and he made me his successor because he claims I'm the person he loves the most. But, just before the show, I told him I don't feel the same way, and he's been acting out since we got here."

Damian's eyes briefly darkened, but then he smiled. "You don't have to blame yourself for that. It's not your fault."

Aries, concerned, added, "I know you have feelings for him, and I don't want Dorian using you just to get back at me."

Damian assured him, "Dorian isn't good enough for me. So, as I've said, don't worry about it."

Aries nodded and watched as Damian walked away. Suppressing a smile, Aries felt that orchestrating this situation was the perfect way to ensure no one doubts his position once he inherits everything, since Dorian never transferred the lease.

Aries, with a calculated understanding, is confident that Dorian won't witness the live events, ensuring everyone becomes aware of the unfolding situation. Aries envisions that Dorian's fate is sealed, and he'll meet his demise before the conclusion of the initial trial.

Damian stepped into his office, shutting the door behind him. He powered up his computer and glanced at the file about Dorian, a document he had received but hadn't found the time to peruse. His gaze shifted to the will, along with the letter Dorian had left to be read by Aries upon his demise.

A surge of intense emotion overwhelmed Damian, his aura turning hostile. He grappled with unfamiliar feelings, realizing that, for the first time, he was experiencing what every alpha feels when they believe they've found their mate. The complexity lay in the fact that these emotions were directed towards someone already entangled in unrequited love.

Damian's gaze dropped, contemplating whether he had made the right decision in avoiding such entanglements. Resolving to focus on his relationship with Luna, he decided to proceed with his initial plans. After sharing a message on Stellarnet, he immersed himself in work.

Dorian awoke in a sour mood, deciding to forgo breakfast and opting for a lengthy shower. Once dressed, he added his tablet to his bag. As an alarm echoed through the ship, he grabbed his bag and headed to the meeting room.

Finding a seat reserved for him by Darius at the front, Dorian greeted him with a smile. "Hey."

Darius reciprocated the smile. "Hey, are you okay?"

Dorian nodded. "I'm fine."

Despite Dorian's assurance, Darius still appeared concerned. Dorian could sense it and added, "I'm okay, I promise." Accepting the reassurance, Darius nodded.

Dorian shifted his gaze to the right as someone settled into a seat, and he found himself next to a figure radiating elegance and confidence.

This man, exuding a commanding presence, possessed handsome features embellished with a hint of rugged charm that effortlessly captured attention. His captivating blair and gold eyes, paired with a piercing gaze, reflected a compelling blend of strength and warmth.

With unwavering self-assurance, he carried himself confidently, leaving an indelible impression on anyone lucky enough to witness his striking presence.

The man turned and offered a friendly smile. "Hey, I'm Evander."

Dorian began introducing himself, but before he could finish, Evander interrupted with a knowing smile. "You're Dorian."

Dorian reciprocated with a smile. "Of course, you know who I am, just like the entire galaxy."

Evander grinned. "I liked what you said to my cousin, although I felt you went too easy on him."

Confused, Dorian checked CS and discovered that Evander was the adopted son of King Sage Nova. Adopted after the death of his brother, Evander was raised as Sage Nova's son alongside Damian.

However, Dorian realized the unfortunate truth for Evander – he was cast as the villain, destined to fail. Evander's deepest desire was the throne, and to achieve it, he needed to eliminate Damian, the next in line.

Dorian's eyes darkened, and he spoke with a bloodthirsty smile, "I agree. I went way too easy on him, but I won't next time."

Evander tilted his head, studying the captivating omega. Dorian seemed like an anomaly among the omegas. His temperament and demeanor set him apart, clearly showing a vengeful nature.

Evander smiled, "Then let's hope I'm there to watch the show."

Dorian returned the smile and inquired, "Why weren't you here yesterday?"

"I had something important to deal with."

Amused, Dorian tilted his head and asked, "Did you?"

Evander leaned in, flashing a seductive smile. "I did."

Dorian chuckled. Regardless of Evander's efforts, Dorian knew he was destined to fail. Still, it amused him to be on the outside looking in for once.

The room fell silent as the supreme commander, marshall, and general entered. They ascended the stairs and took their seats.

Aeron greeted, "Hello, everyone. Someone will pass to check your bag. Once you've all been okayed, we'll leave for the beaming pad."

Aries leaned in, glancing at what was in Dorian's bag during the check. His heartbeat quickened with excitement. After they finished inspecting his bag, Aries stood up and crouched in front of Dorian. "Hey, Dorian."

Dorian greeted, "Hey."

Aries responded, "You forgot to give me my Soldierskeeper."

Dorian slung on his backpack and questioned, "What are you talking about?"

Aries clarified, "I told you when you went shopping to take two of everything."

"And I did."

Aries grinned, "I know. I saw the second Soldierskeeper in your bag when they were checking it."

"Did you think it was for you?"

Aries said, "I told you to take two of everything, so yeah."

Dorian burst into laughter, and the producer swiftly turned the camera toward him. Dorian asked, "Are you high?"

Aries blinked, "What?"

Dorian explained, "I've paid for every single thing you wanted since you and your family moved in with me, including all your credit card bills. Yours this month was 350,000 credits, yet you think I'm going to buy you a Soldierskeeper that costs half a million credits? That's why I'm asking if you're high."

Aries opened his mouth, but no words came out. He was certain they agreed not to bring this up again. Aries turned his head and noticed they were being filmed.

He said, "Dorian, I don't understand why you keep saying things that make no sense. Why would you even buy two Soldierskeeper when it's self-cleaning? You clearly got it for me but changed your mind."

Dorian replied with ridicule, "Despite what you think, my world doesn't revolve around you, Aries. Get over yourself and get out of my face before I make you."

Aries looked at him wide-eyed, tears welling up. Dorian rolled his eyes at his acting and pushed him. Since Aries was crouching, he fell backward. He stared at Dorian incredulously while crying, "How can you treat me that way after everything?"

Luna stood up and yelled, "You've gone too far this time, Dorian..."

Before she could continue, Dorian clenched his fist, and her mouth was forcefully shut. Luna attempted to speak but couldn't. She looked at Damian with tears in her eyes, but he was focused on Dorian.

Damian stood up and walked down the stairs. Dorian kept his fist tightened, still looking at Luna mockingly but shifted his gaze to Damian when he stood before him. "Rise."

Dorian stood up, and so did Aries. Dorian met Damian's eyes.

"Let her go."

Dorian asked with a smirk, "Or what, your Highness?"

Evander smiled. He liked Dorian more and more. Damian's dark spiritual force spread, and just like before, everyone dispersed.

Damian took a step forward and repeated, "Let her go."

Dorian kept looking at him with a smirk. Damian grabbed his wrist, and as he did, Dorian's eyes darkened, and his spiritual force washed over them. He made sure that Damian would be the only one to feel it.

He warned, "You better let go of my wrist before I show you what kind of villain I am."

Damian looked into his eyes intently. He couldn't see anything but hatred in Dorian's eyes. Just yesterday, he was blushing, but now he only saw animosity. Seeing Dorian's hatred for him made his heart clench.

Damian said, "Don't lash out at them because you're angry at me."

Dorian smiled and said, "Fine."

He loosened his hands, waving his hand to the left. The entire galaxy watched Damian fly against the wall, wide-eyed.

Damian used his spiritual force to stop himself from hitting the wall, gracefully landing on the ground. He walked to Dorian, yelling, "Aren't you taking this too far? It was just a comment."

Dorian's body trembled, and his eyes darkened. He screamed, "You dared to say that I wasn't good enough for you, and you say I'm taking this too far?"

Damian opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He thought he was angry at him because of the comments he received on Stellarnet. He made sure no one would post anything anymore, and they stopped, so he couldn't understand why he would be so furious. But it turns out he saw his conversation with Aries.

Dorian yelled, "Do you think you're the first person to say that about me?"

He took a step forward and said, "There's a long line of people like you who have before, but you..."

Dorian blinked back his tears and continued, "You said that you wanted to spend time with me and get to know me. Yet you dared to say that."

In every single one of his lives as a villain, he was told at least once that he wasn't good enough. He heard it so much that just hearing it infuriates him.

But Damian clearly feels drawn to him, yet he said that. It somehow hurts more than if he only felt hatred for him. The craziest part in all of this is that Dorian feels a little drawn to him.

When they were talking in the mess, he felt that maybe he judged him too fast, but he didn't. Why did he think that things would be different just because he was free?

Damian swallowed, and he took a step forward. "I didn't mean it, I was angry."

Of course, he didn't mean it; he was just jealous and angry. Dorian smiled sadly. "I was right about you; I should have trusted my instincts."

Damian reached out to caress his cheek. "I swear it isn't how I feel..."

Dorian pushed his hand away. "There's no need to do this. I'll only see you as the supreme commander from now on unless I'm disqualified. If so, tell me now so I can leave."

Damian looked into Dorian's indifferent eyes and said, "You're not."

Dorian reclaimed his seat in silence, his expression blank. Damian glanced at him for a moment before returning to his seat. The room fell into a heavy silence as everyone settled back into their places. Aeron noticed Damian's gaze lingering on Dorian, who remained impassive, staring ahead.

After confirming that everyone had been checked, Aeron spoke up. "Let's head to the beam pad."

Damian, Aeron, and Luna led the way out, followed by the candidates. Darius lingered behind, walking with Dorian. Dorian glanced at him when he felt Darius's hand in his.

Darius offered a reassuring smile, and Dorian felt a flicker of gratitude. It was strange to have someone there to support him in moments like these.

As all the candidates gathered on the beaming pad, Aeron held up the tablet, addressing them with a smile. "Good luck."

Damian's gaze shifted to Dorian. He noticed Dorian still seemed upset, his gaze cast downward. Just yesterday, Damian had resolved to focus on Luna, but seeing the disappointment in Dorian's eyes made him reconsider. He knew he needed to speak with Dorian alone. He decided to wait until nightfall, watching as Dorian faded from view.