Escaping The King's Confinement

He intended to make his visit to Karrim's palace brief, opting instead for a hotel where he could rest as he continued his search for his wife. All he wanted was to meet Karrim in person before eagerly pursuing his quest. As he settled onto the bed, the exhaustion from his eight-day journey enveloped him. It had been the first time he had the luxury of a comfortable mattress since leaving the kingdom, and soon, his weary eyes closed as he surrendered to sleep. A sudden ringing from his cellphone jolted him awake. "Just a bit," he murmured, hastily answering the call before disconnecting. It was Karrim inquiring about his location. Before he could weigh the decision of whether to head to his palace, another message from Karrim urged him to come, indicating they had been waiting for his arrival. Frustration washed over him as he considered what purpose a visit to the palace could serve, aside from making use of the bodyguard he had arranged for the occasion. After all, he could choose to go there whenever he wanted. "Ugh! Why did I even think of hiring a bodyguard if I didn't need one?" he grumbled, rubbing the back of his neck in annoyance. He had prepared himself meticulously. After cleansing his body, he donned one of the royal garments he had brought with him.It was essential for him to appear presentable, especially in the presence of Karrim's palace, which was his destination. Upon arriving, the epsilons at the palace gate greeted him with respect. "Welcome, your Majesty," as he stepped out of his car. They bowed deeply, honoring him with their respects. He could tell that Karrim had swiftly organized everything for his arrival. Standing tall, he walked gracefully into the palace, guided by two betas who escorted him to the room where his cousin awaited. As they approached the closed door, two additional betas stood ready and promptly opened it for them. "Welcome, your Majesty," Karrim greeted him, paying his respects, even though it was not obligatory. Karrim understood that this gesture was important to avoid any rumors regarding his lack of respect for the king, despite their family ties. Maintaining a formal demeanor in front of their staff would set a proper example of how a royal guest should be received. Given their familial relationship, it was only natural for them to connect with each other as fellow royals. "Shukraan lak abn em." (Thank you, cousin.) His seriousness about the matter was evident; he even felt a surge of anger at being left alone in the kingdom of Sahara. "Tueal ya, sahib aljalala." (Come in, your majesty.) As he invited him inside, he suddenly paused, captivated by a familiar scent that filled the air. He longed to close his eyes and savor the fragrance he had missed for so long, yet he restrained himself. With a shiver, he tilted his head, and as he turned toward the left side of the room where the intoxicating aroma that tickled his nose originated, he found the very person he had been searching for. A smile crept onto his face as he gazed at him, and it felt as though his feet moved of their own accord, leading him closer. "'Iilaa 'ayn 'ant dhahib ya, sahib aljalala?" (Where are you going, your Majesty?) Karrim inquired as he approached, but Zarim brushed off the question, for his gaze was locked on the one who had caused him great trouble in his search. He paid no mind to Karrim's curiosity, his focus entirely absorbed by the sight before him. "lam 'akun 'aetaqid 'anani 'astatie ruyatak huna, habibi." (I didn't think that I could see you here, baby.) He remarked with a hint of dryness in his voice. “'Ant taerifuh ya sahib aljalala." (You know him, your Majesty?) Karrim expressed his astonishment, yet his attention quickly shifted back to his wife, still captivated by his presence. With an instinctive motion, he lifted his hand to rest under his chin, his fingers brushing softly against his skin. "I never imagined you would be hiding here. If only I had known." He tightened his grip slightly, eliciting a faint wince from him. "Your majesty." Karrim's voice broke through his thoughts, causing his wife to look away from him in fear before darting out of the room. "Damn it," he muttered, ready to pursue him, but Karrim stepped in his way. Their eyes locked for a moment, a mix of tension and understanding hanging in the air. "You frightened him," Karrim remarked, a frown creasing his brow as he assessed him. Clenching his jaw, still simmering with anger, he turned his gaze from Karrim and focused instead on the door through which his wife had fled. He hesitated to follow him, knowing he could easily trace his scent; the thought of confronting him again felt unbearable. "What was that all about, your Majesty?" Karrim inquired, his attention still fixed on the exit where his wife had vanished. "How long has he been in Tierra de Lobo?" he asked, inhaling the lingering pheromones of his wife that filled the room. "Who? Ishan?" Karrim inquired again. "Who else?" he snapped back, frustration rising. "Ishan is one of Iron Wolf's secret agents, your majesty. But don't worry; despite being just an Omega, he is an exceptional fighter. He performs admirably in battle, so you have nothing to fear," Karrim elaborated, his long explanation fueling the escalating tension in the room. "What?" His fist nearly crushed as he clenched it tightly, anger boiling inside him at Karrim's words. "He is one of my best Omega..." "My Omega," he interjected sharply, emphasizing the possessive pronoun. "Huh." Karrim seemed confused, struggling to grasp the shift in the conversation. "And you dare to involve my wife in a battle." His fist tightened further, a surge of aggression aimed at Karrim. "Leave us alone." Zarim waved off the others in the room, making it clear he wanted to be left to confront this matter privately. "Yeah! Leave us alone," Karrim commanded his men, his tone reflecting a sudden shift in demeanor as he suddenly feared losing what his cousin knew about his wife. "Yes, Lord Uno. Excuse us, your majesty," they responded in unison, quickly departing and leaving the two of them behind. "How long has he been here, Karrim?" Zarim pressed, seeking clarity. "Who?" Karrim replied, feigning ignorance. "What the hell, Karrim? Who else?" Zarim's frustration boiled over, and he couldn't prevent himself from raising his voice, feeling trapped in a cycle of pointless questions. "Ishan?" Karrim repeated the inquiry instead of providing an answer. "Haha, relax. You’re just too hot-headed, Zarim. By the way, who is your wife? I thought your wedding didn't go through three months ago," he added, which only deepened Zarim's annoyance. "This is ridiculous. You’re sidestepping the issue, Karrim." "Not at all. If you’re referring to Ishan, stop pursuing him, Zarim. That Omega has already been marked." "What?" Zarim nearly shouted, appalled by Karrim's words. "You heard me correctly, Zarim," Karrim confirmed, his words igniting a surge of anger within Zarim. The confirmation felt trivial, only fueling Zarim’s rage further. He couldn’t restrain the surge of his pheromones, exuding an intimidating presence. "And who the hell marked my wife?" Zarim's demand echoed ominously, as if it could shake the very foundation of Karrim’s palace.