Page 80 of Seraphina (Castle Omega)

His scent fills the room—a heady mix of dark amber with a hint of sweetness.

His jeans join his shirt on the floor.

I’ve watched more than my share of salacious videos, but seeing Max’s knot in person is an entirely new experience. My fingers itch with the desire to reach out and explore.

Max’s physique is imposing, particularly his prominent erection and the sizable knot at its base. It’s almost overwhelming.

“You really shouldn’t look at me like that, sugarplum,” he says, his voice deep and rough. He steps into the tub, his muscular thighs displacing the water. “I’m trying to maintain some decorum here, so maybe we could discuss something other than what your eyes are clearly suggesting.”

“And what might that be?” I tease, fully aware of the message my gaze is conveying.Knot. Knot. Knot.

Instead of responding directly, Max just arches an eyebrow and launches into an explanation. “As I mentioned, betas are quite the anomaly,” he starts, slipping into his scientific mode, which I find endearingly attractive. “They share our DNA yet lack certain characteristics. Fascinating, isn’t it?”

“You’re the scientist,” I reply, playfully splashing water at him, which earns me one of his alpha looks. My feet rest comfortably against his legs.

“Yes, I am,” he replies, a serious undertone in his voice that reminds me of our first meeting. “Many assume betas don’t have scent glands, but my research suggests otherwise.”

“Do you think the council’s reluctance to collaborate with beta scientists has limited our understanding of our heritage and evolution?” I muse, tilting my head back to wet my hair.

“Absolutely,” he responds confidently, his demeanor shifting from aroused alpha to passionate nerd, a transformation I find equally appealing. “I’ve worked extensively with beta scientists. The council’s long held belief was that betas couldn’t reproduce without an omega. That’s been proven false.”

“Really?” I inquire, intrigued.

His excitement is tangible. “Yes. Betas have the same reproductive systems as us,” he explains, pausing for my nod of understanding. “We thought they lacked certain hormones, but it’s not that simple. It’s the hormone levels that define our designations. That’s why, under the right circumstances, a gamma can transition into an omega despite being born a gamma.”

“What’s the situation with male gammas?” I ask, curious about his insights.

“They don’t have an internal uterus, so they remain solely as gammas,” Max explains with a hint of sadness, then he quicklyregains his enthusiasm. “For so long, the council believed that betas couldn’t conceive, but why do they think that?”

I nod, recalling my biology classes. “They always taught us that only omegas can bear children.”

“Actually, beta women can get pregnant,” he corrects me, “but the catch is they can only conceive with beta males. Our previous misconceptions were based on attempts by alphas to impregnate beta women.”

“That would explain why their population is burgeoning, almost outnumbering ours,” I muse, a fact the previous administration lied about. I remember them explicitly stating how impossible it is for betas to reproduce without an omega.

Everything I learned is a lie.

“Exactly. In the Northern Province, this is well known. It’s just the rest of the world that lags in this understanding,” he says, playfully splashing some water. “And I’ve found out that betas do have scents, just not like ours. They have what they call sweat glands.”

“You’re really passionate about this research, aren’t you?” I tease, sliding my foot along his thigh.

“I’m passionate about research in general,” he admits with a smile. “Learning about our designations has been fascinating. The council tries to make us believe we’re entirely different species, but we’re not.”

“What about mages?” I inquire, intrigued. “They are different enough to manipulate energy.”

Max becomes animated. “Mages are a whole other level of intriguing. I haven’t had the chance to study one directly in a lab setting, but they invited me to their island multiple times. While I can’t speak to their male anatomy, their culture is something I’ve observed closely.”

“Will you tell me more about mages?” I ask, my curiosity piqued. Mages are a fascinating, rare breed, capable of wielding magic and healing our race.

Max nods, a smirk playing on his lips. “Before the great war, they believed only three designations existed. However, the isles and mages are millennia old,” he shares. “Their culture is rich with history, serving as healers throughout time. Their records are the oldest in all of Terra, predating even the great war. During times of conflict on the mainland, they shrouded their island in fog, remaining hidden. They even hold knowledge of the first civilizations.”

“The first civilizations?” I frown, my face crinkling in curiosity.

“Yes, a time when betas solely inhabited Terra,” he whispers, as if revealing a secret.

“How did you learn all this?” I ask, knowing Max’s intelligence surpasses most. He’s probably the smartest alpha I’ve ever met.

A blush creeps onto his face, and he clears his throat, looking away momentarily. “Well, I had a... um...”

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