Archive of Our Own ^beta

London, June 1815

London welcomed Harry back with a warm breeze, the sun shining, and the flowers blooming in time for summer. It had been two years since he’d seen these streets with the grand, Georgian mansions, the small shops with the friendly owners, welcoming patrons inside, and all the familiar faces. He smiled as he looked out his carriage window, spotting the Atkin’s daughter, Lux, playing hopscotch, Mr. Corden reading today’s newspaper with his wife on a bench, and even Mrs. Grimshaw with her son, Nicholas, as they strolled out of the tea shop with a bag of pastries in hand.

His heart warmed and he couldn’t help but smile to himself. It had been a long two years away in Paris, and while he’d been eager to go and pursue his dreams of learning different art techniques at Gerard Williams Art Institute, he was happy to be back home.

Nothing felt as good as being home.

He could tell from the familiar streets that they were nearing his family’s manor and he looked down at his shirt and trousers, straightening himself up to look more presentable after his long journey. His parents were supposed to be home to welcome him, but he knew it was the busiest time of the year with the social season upon them, and they might be out by the time he arrived. Every day there were events and games to attend during the day, tons of gossip shared during teatime, and balls and operas to finish off the night.

Harry was sure his family was invited to almost everything as they were a sociable bunch, plus his father was a big man around here since he had one of the larger estates in town. Harry would have inherited all their land had he been an alpha. Deep down, Harry always wondered if it bothered his parents to have an omega son who wouldn’t inherit and take over their estate, but they’d always shown him nothing but love and support.

Harry’s sister, Gemma, was a beta, and she married Mr. James Holloway from Norwich three years ago. After that, his father spoke with the couple about taking over the Styles estate and manor when it was time. They’d agreed graciously and were expecting their first child soon. Gemma wrote to him about a month ago, telling him that she’d been ordered to bedrest until she gave birth, which she hated because she’d be missing all the action this summer.

“We’ve arrived, my lord,” Harry’s driver, Simon, announced from the front.

Harry looked outside and sure enough, there was the Styles manor, a spacious and vast brownstone with vines of ivy covering it along the edges. Simon opened the carriage door for Harry, helping him out while the footmen gathered all of his belongings from the back.

“Thank you, Simon,” he said to the driver before addressing the butlers. “And thank you, Fred and Victor. You may take those to my bedroom.”

They nodded in acknowledgment and the doorman held the door open for Harry, offering him a kind smile, which Harry returned. Upon entering the house, Harry was hit with the warm smell of apple pie and earl gray tea. He walked around the foyer, the living room where they entertained guests, and the dining room, yet he couldn’t find his parents anywhere. Maybe he had missed them, after all. “Mum?” Harry called out. “Are you home?”

Moments later, he heard footsteps scurrying down the stairs, and his name being called by his mother, Anne. “Harry!”

“Mum!” He rounded the dining room and to the front hall where the stairs to the second floor were. Anne beamed at him as she pulled him into a big hug, and Harry couldn’t help but sag in relief at being back in his mother’s familiar arms. “I’m so happy to see you.”

“I’m so happy to see you, too, pup,” Anne cooed, her sweet honey scent emanating from her. “Oh goodness, you’ve grown so tall. I can’t believe it!”

“I was just about your height when I left, wasn’t I?” Harry grinned cheekily as he pulled back to look at his mum. She looked just as beautiful and vibrant as always, green eyes sparkling and lips painted a shade of mauve pink. His mother was an omega like him, and he was proud to say they were very similar in all their mannerisms and interests.

“You were,” she cried, laughing. “And your hair! It’s gotten so long!”

Harry smiled meekly. “Do you like it?”

It had been a choice to grow his hair out. Initially, Harry was so focused on the art classes he was taking, he hadn’t bothered to go out for his bi-monthly haircut. When it had gotten to a certain length, he’d found that he really liked how he looked with long hair. It was now just past his shoulders, his curls hanging loose and flowy, but he knew it wasn’t typical for the boys in London to have such long hair. Anne admired him with weepy eyes as she ran her fingers through his locks.

“You look beautiful,” she said. “Always do.”

He smiled at her bashfully. He’d been nervous about everyone’s reaction, but having his mum’s approval meant a lot.

“How was your journey?” she asked him. “Not too difficult, I hope?”

“Not at all,” Harry told her. “It was a quick train ride from Paris and Simon picked me up right on time from the station. I’m excited to be back, honestly.”

“We’re happy you’re home, too, darling. Your father’s just run out for a quick errand, but he should be home soon. He was hoping to catch you before he had to go, but you know how it is.”

“Yes, that’s fine, I understand,” Harry nodded, leading his mother to the living room and sitting down on the sofa with her. “It smells delicious in here.”

“I told Sarah to prepare your favorite — apple pie and strudels. She knows how much you like them.”

“Hers have always been the best. Never had any like it.”

Harry’s eyes wandered around the room. The walls were still the same off-white shade, they still had the blue lamps on every side table, and the corner seat on the sofa he was on still felt just as comfortable as it always had. There were subtle changes, though. Like the new books sitting on top of the fireplace, titles he didn’t recognize from their family’s library. His mum had installed new drapes for their windows and some new paintings were hanging up on the walls.

“Have you been in touch with your sister at all?” Anne asked, shaking Harry out of his stupor.

Harry nodded. “Yes, we’d exchanged letters as recently as last month. She told me she’s to be on bed rest until the baby is born.”

“I’ve heard from James that she has been quite the diva,” Anne chuckled. “He’s been at her beck and call.”

“As he should,” Harry joked. “I’m sad she won’t be at all the festivities that are being planned for the social season. I should make some time to go and visit her. It might cheer her up since she’s missing it all.”

“Definitely,” Anne agreed. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen her as well. We’ll both go.”

“Sounds like a plan. Mum, may I be excused? I’d like to go upstairs and freshen up. We can meet here for tea if you’re not busy?”

“Of course, love. We’ll have apple pie and strudels as well,” she said.

Harry nodded, giving his mother a smile before heading upstairs. The omega was pleasantly surprised when he stepped into his old bedroom. Not a single thing was out of place. It was exactly how he’d left it two years ago. It still smelled like him too — a sweet mix of strawberries and honey. Crossing the room, Harry opened the closest suitcase to him, taking out a set of his clothes and putting them in one of his empty drawers. He had his work cut out for him. There was two years' worth of stuff in his bags. Perhaps he’d dedicate today to cleaning everything so that by tomorrow he was ready to properly take on London and being back home.

⚭

Teatime was spent with both of his parents present. Harry’s father, Des, had made it back from his errand and they sat in the sitting room and caught up over earl gray tea, apple pie, strudels, and even chocolate scones. His parents wanted to hear all about Paris, asking to see his latest pieces, and about the art show that he was part of a couple of months ago. Harry wouldn’t say he was where he wanted to be as an artist, but he felt like he was getting there. He would need a few more years of training, an option that was given to him by the art institute before he’d left, but he wanted to come back to London.

His reasoning to return was one he hadn’t yet told anyone and he was glad his family hadn’t asked him. They were just happy to have him back. In time, Harry knew he’d have to tell them, but until then, he was grateful to them for respecting his privacy. After tea, Harry felt the exhaustion of his travels catching up to him, so he excused himself to his room for a kip. He woke up hours later with the sun setting outside of his window, disoriented and hungry again. It was nearly suppertime, after all, so after freshening up, he made his way downstairs. As he reached the last step, he was surprised to see his parents all dressed up and heading for the front door.

“Oh, are you two going out?” Harry asked, interrupting them.

Anne looked over at him in surprise. “My apologies, love. I thought you might have still been asleep. Your father and I remembered last minute that there is a party tonight and we didn’t want to wake and bother you.”

“That’s alright,” Harry replied slowly. “You could have woken me.”

“Would you like us to stay back? We don’t need to go. Right, Des?” Anne asked her husband.

Des shook his head. “We can stay.”

“No, no,” Harry said. “Please go. I’ll be fine on my own tonight. You must be very late already.”

“Are you sure?” Anne asked, and he nodded. She smiled at him, her eyes glittering with something Harry couldn’t place. It almost looked sad and sympathetic, but he couldn’t make sense of it. It wasn’t like this was the first time he’d stayed back from a party. “I’ve got Sarah preparing your supper. We won’t be long, alright?”

“Okay,” Harry nodded, offering her a reassuring smile.

“See you soon, son,” Des called to him, leading Anne out the front door. Once the door closed behind them, Harry walked over to the kitchen. He found Sarah, the family cook, just putting together his plate of food.

“Hi Sarah,” he announced himself.

Sarah turned to look over at him. “Hungry, Mr. Styles?”

“Yes, and I always tell you to just call me Harry, Sarah. My father is Mr. Styles.”

She laughed. Sarah had been in their family for years. She’d helped take care of both Harry and Gemma from when they were newborns. It didn’t feel right to have her refer to him as anything but his name. “I’ll set the table for you in just a moment. Go have a seat,” she said.

Harry nodded and made his way to the dining room where he sat down at the empty table. He wasn’t going to lie, he felt a bit pathetic. It was his first night back in London and he was eating alone. His parents had offered to stay, but he’d have felt bad making them miss out on whatever party they were going to. He wished they’d just woken him up so he could have gotten ready and gone with them. As Sarah set up the table for him and placed his food in front of him, he gave her a thank you.

“Let me know if you need anything else, alright?”

“Actually,” Harry stopped her before she could walk away. “I was wondering if you knew where my parents went to.”

“They’ve been invited to a party tonight,” she replied.

“Do you know where? Who’s hosting the party?” Harry asked.

Sarah hesitated for just a moment. “The Tomlinsons,” she replied carefully.

Harry’s lips parted in surprise. “Oh.”

“Your mum actually forgot about it what with you coming home today,” Sarah continued. “But your father remembered when he came across the card in his office just about an hour ago.”

“Thanks, Sarah,” Harry said as he turned away and focused on his plate. It was all his favorites, roast chicken and grilled veggies, but Harry could barely focus on his food when he knew where his parents were.

He wasn’t completely sure how the Tomlinsons felt about him, but he knew it probably wasn’t positive. Not after what he did when he left. This explained why his mum looked so off when she was saying goodbye to him. Knowing her and how protective she could be, it was likely intentional that she didn’t ask him if he’d want to go. The more Harry thought about it, it was probably for the best, and yet, he couldn’t shake it off.

Was this party just a get-together, or was there something more to it? It wasn’t any of their birthdays, as far as he knew. Maybe they wanted to kick off the social season and have the first soiree. He really wouldn’t know until his parents got home and then he could ask them, but Harry felt restless. He was finally back in London and he felt left out. More than that, it was the thought of Louis that was making him itch to just go there even though the invitation was likely not extended to him.

But Harry had made the brave decision to come back even though it was so hard to leave in the first place. He came back for Louis and knowing Louis was so close, he felt himself giving in to his urges. He couldn’t wait any longer.

He had to go to this party and he had to see Louis.

⚭

It took Harry an embarrassingly short amount of time to get himself dressed and ready to head to the party. He was eager now that he’d made up his mind about going.

Taking the last few bites of his supper, he mentally decided which of his suits he was going to wear, and decided on the black and white floral printed one with a black shirt. It was a classic and one that wouldn’t draw too much attention to him as opposed to his other suits, which were made up of bright colors and prints. When Sarah came to collect his plate, he told her he was going to the party and to have one of their carriages drawn and ready to get him in 15 minutes. Sarah nodded but looked apprehensive, though, she didn’t tell him anything otherwise. From there, he ran upstairs to his room and got dressed. He did spend a bit of time on his hair, making sure the curls were nice and in place, and added a bit of rouge to his cheeks and lips before heading downstairs.

The ride to the Tomlinson manor didn’t take long. They lived only a few streets away and it all brought a sense of nostalgia and familiarity to Harry. There were times when he dreaded going over and times when he came back home with reluctant butterflies in his stomach. There were so many mixed emotions, which Harry always resented, but now understood came due to his naivety at the time.

When he reached the party, it looked like guests were still arriving. Harry stepped out of his carriage and looked up at the grand house. The lights were all lit up inside and people were walking in, chatting and laughing amongst themselves. Harry took a deep breath and followed them, trying to be as discreet as possible. Now that he was here, he was starting to feel a little nervous and shy.

At first, Harry got away unnoticed. Most guests were focused on whoever they were with and it looked like they were all heading to the garden, which was probably where the main party was. Harry lingered in the living room for a bit, admiring the bright chandelier that he’d always liked as well as the new throw pillows on their sofas. Waiters were walking around with flutes of champagne and hors d'oeuvre, which Harry politely declined. His stomach was turning with nerves and he didn’t want to upset it any further.

It was all going to be fine, he told himself. Maybe he should find his parents first and that could lead to him seeing Louis. They could be in the garden, or maybe they were in the dining room getting food. He thought about checking the latter first, but then a pair of arms wrapped around his waist from behind. Harry froze, glancing down, and was delighted to see it was Daisy, one of Louis’ younger sisters.

“Harry!” she squealed. “Is it really you?”

“Of course, it’s him,” Phoebe cried, running over and hugging him as well. Harry bent down and hugged the twins back, his heart soaring at their warm welcome. He was worried for nothing. These two wouldn’t be mad at him. He’d be heartbroken if they were.

“It’s so good to see you both. You’ve grown so much!” he said.

“So has your hair!” Daisy giggled. “It looks so lovely. When did you get back to London?”

“Today,” Harry replied. “I just couldn’t wait to see you both.”

“We were hoping you’d come when we saw Miss. Anne with Mum earlier,” Phoebe replied, tucking a strand of Harry’s hair behind his ear lovingly. “You just had to go and move to Paris, didn’t you?”

“I’m back now,” he told her.

“For good?” Daisy asked.

“For good,” he nodded.

“Promise?” Phoebe looked at him, her eyes growing soft. He couldn’t help but pull her into another hug.

“I promise, darling. Now, tell me how you two have been. Have you continued practicing the piano as I’d taught you?”

“Yes,” Daisy replied. “Louis began helping us once you’d left. He was always moping around, but playing the piano seemed to cheer him up a bit.”

Phoebe nudged Daisy hard on the stomach at that and Harry felt his smile falter. “That — that’s great. I’m glad he was able to help. He’s always been a much better piano player than me anyway. Uh, is he around?”

Daisy pointed to the garden. “He’s out there. Everyone is, actually. We were just going to get something to eat. You should go.”

“Yes,” Harry said shakily. “I think I should.”

Phoebe gave him another hug, squeezing him a bit harder this time. “See you in a bit.”

Harry pressed a kiss to her cheek and straightened up. The girls left him on his own, walking toward the dining room, and Harry turned to face the garden. He could do this. He’d come all this way to see Louis and he was going to go through with it even though it suddenly felt like his stomach was going to give out from nerves. It would be fine. Louis wouldn’t treat him any differently. He wasn’t like that. He never had been. He was kind and wonderful, and those were the thoughts running through Harry’s mind as he bravely took small steps toward the garden.

Upon entering, he got caught up in a crowd of people and couldn’t recognize many of them. Hanging back, Harry opted to lurk around the edges of the garden. To calm his nerves, he grabbed a flute of champagne off a tray from a waiter walking by and gulped it down. It helped a bit and he slowly observed the room. There were flowers everywhere, pink roses with small fairy lights strung up along the edges. Someone was playing a soft melody on the piano and everyone looked to be in great spirits. Harry wondered once again what this party was for and wished he’d asked Daisy and Phoebe, but then his answer came soon enough.

Someone tapped their champagne glass asking for everyone’s attention. Whoever it was, they were at the center of the garden and Harry couldn’t see them at first, but then a couple of people shifted to the side, clearing his view. It was Louis, standing at the center of the room, and immediately, Harry felt a swarm of butterflies in his stomach.

Louis.

Louis was right there.

The alpha looked around the room, a small smile adorning his gorgeous, rose-petal lips. He looked unbelievably handsome, Harry thought to himself. Louis was wearing a dark blue blazer and pressed trousers, the fabric fitting him like a glove. It was unfair, really. No one should be allowed to be as gorgeous as he was.

“Thank you all for coming,” Louis began. “I really appreciate every single person in this room because tonight is a very special night.”

Harry frowned in confusion. So there was a reason for this party. But what could it be?

“As many of you know, I’d begun a courtship with Miss Jane Beaumont a couple of months ago and I have recently proposed to her,” Louis continued.

A gasp left Harry’s lips and his heart physically sank. Jane appeared beside Louis, dressed in a matching dark blue dress, the velvet shimmering underneath the lights. She beamed happily, tucking her arm under Louis’.

Louis smiled. “We hope you all can join in on the festivities and tonight’s engagement party.”

“To Louis and Jane,” Harry heard someone shout, raising their glass in the air. Everyone followed suit, cheering and clapping for the couple.

He let out a shuddery breath, unable to move, or do anything. And then the worst possible thing happened. Louis was looking around the room, smiling and saying thank you, when he caught Harry’s eyes. He did a double take and his expression mirrored Harry’s own — shocked and confused. Louis’ grip on his champagne glass loosened and it fell down with a crash. Harry took that distraction as an excuse to quickly make his escape.

He inched along the back of the garden and ran for the front door. He needed to leave. He couldn’t believe he’d been so stupid to come. Gulping, he tried shaking off the impending tears threatening to spill down his cheeks, but he wasn’t sure if he was succeeding. By the time he got to the front door, his face was hot with embarrassment and regret and so much more. He felt completely shaken like someone had ducked him in ice water. This was his fault. This was all his fault.

As he reached the front door, ready to make a run for it, he bumped into someone. His apology barely left his lips before he was pulled back by the person. Harry whined as he tried getting away, but then he saw it was Niall who was holding on to him.

“Harry?” the alpha asked. “What are you doing here?”

Harry shook his head, unable to speak, and his eyes trailed over to Liam and Zayn, who looked at him with similar expressions as Niall. “I don’t — I need to leave,” he said.

“Oh, H,” Liam began in a soft voice, attempting to move closer, but Harry shook his head again.

“I’m sorry. I need to go.”

He stumbled outside and began running toward his house, not looking back once just like he’d done two years ago.

⚭

Harry got his acceptance letter from the Gerard Williams Art Institute exactly two days before he was going to get married to Louis. At first, he was overjoyed. He’d wanted to go to this school for so long and he couldn’t believe he’d been accepted. It had been six weeks since he’d applied and when he hadn’t heard back, he was dejected, wondering if he had it in him to become an artist after all. But then he got the letter. Omegas rarely got accepted to this program and Harry knew he had to go.

However, once that happy feeling settled in, he was immediately filled with dread and anxiety. Harry was going to get married in two days. How would he get to go to his dream school if he got married?

His arranged marriage with Louis was set when he was presented to society the previous summer. Harry liked the idea of dressing up and being at the center of everyone’s attention as a newly presented omega, but he wasn’t interested in getting married just yet. His parents, on the other hand, had different ideas. They introduced him to Louis, the alpha son of a well-known and rich family in London. Turned out the Tomlinsons had been talking to Harry’s parents for a while and they wanted to bring their families together with Harry and Louis’ marriage.

And so Harry and Louis entered into a courtship.

It was horrendous at first, but only because Harry was so resistant. He hated it. He didn’t want to get married, let alone have an arranged marriage, and he didn’t want to get to know Louis, even if he was a very handsome alpha that had a way with words. It was frustrating, really, because if Louis was terrible then this whole ruse would be over with. But Louis wasn’t terrible. The alpha was patient and gentle and so unbelievably kind. More than Harry deserved with all of his silent treatments and difficult attitudes. Over time, Louis began chipping away at the omega’s walls during their long promenades around the park, in between dances at the balls and joined family dinners.

The turning point for Harry came on a winter night. He was struggling to finish a painting he was working on. He’d gone to the botanical garden earlier that week and wanted to recreate the flowers there, but he couldn’t get the shade of purple he’d seen right. No matter what colors he mixed or the depth of his paintbrush strokes, it looked wrong. Frustrated, he moved his arm back against his table at one point, and all of his paint went tumbling down. That sent him over the edge.

Fifteen minutes later, Louis walked in, finding the omega in tears on the floor. He bent down in front of Harry and talked him through it, quietly helping him stand up and clean all the paint. Eventually, Harry found the shade of purple he was looking for, and the painting was complete. Louis not only helped Harry calm down, but he encouraged him, told him to trust the process, and was always so understanding. He was perfect.

That night was actually the night Harry gave his first kiss to Louis. Swept up in all of his emotions and filled with gratitude and sudden love for the alpha, he leaned over and pressed his dry, inexperienced lips against Louis’. At first, Louis froze, taken aback by Harry’s gesture, but then he kissed Harry back, soft yet eager. They both pulled away after a few moments, red in the cheeks and smiling, as they created distance between each other. They still weren’t married and it would be inappropriate if someone found them in that position.

From that point on, Harry wasn’t as resistant to Louis’ charms, and he allowed the alpha to take his hand at soirees and balls, and fill his dance card with just his name. He looked forward to seeing him and talking with him. So much so that when their families told them to move forward with the wedding, Harry agreed. He hadn’t received an acceptance letter from the art school, but he couldn’t hold out hope any longer.

Time was ticking.

⚭

Harry was sweaty and out of breath by the time he made it back to his house. He barely answered any of the footmen or maids as he went up to his room and shut the door behind him, falling onto his bed and curling into a ball while sobbing into his hands. He should have never gone to the party. He should have just stayed home. Ignorance was bliss, right? But then he’d never know that Louis was newly engaged. He’d have to find out from gossipy members of the ton, whispered during balls or teatime. He wasn’t sure if it’d hurt more to hear it that way or directly from Louis.

Letting out a frustrated growl, Harry sat up and tugged his jacket off, and unbuttoned a couple of his buttons. He felt agitated and he also wanted to cry some more, but more than that, he felt stuffy and uncomfortable. Like he didn’t belong there anymore. He was gone for two years and he’d thought things would still be the same, but that wasn’t true. Everything had changed. He was naive to think otherwise.

As he sat there, stewing in his misery, he barely heard the knock on his door until it opened and his mum peered in. “May I come in?” she asked.

Harry nodded, looking away from her and trying to wipe his residual tears away, though he knew it was fruitless. He’d always been a messy crier. His face got all pink and he couldn’t hide the emotions on his face even if he tried. Anne closed the door behind her and sat down beside Harry on the bed.

“I heard you went to the party,” she said.

“From who?”

“Niall found me. Told me you looked upset and left. He wanted me to make sure you were alright.”

Harry couldn’t help but let out a wet, exasperated laugh. Niall always meant well, but he did love to meddle. “I bumped into him, yes.”

“Sweetheart,” Anne said carefully. “I wanted to tell you, but you just got back from Paris. I didn’t think you’d want to be there.”

“I didn’t,” Harry said. “I mean, I wanted to go when I heard it was their party, but not when I realized what it was for.”

“There wasn’t an easy way to tell you.”

Harry nodded, roughly wiping at his cheeks. “I get it. It’s quite stupid of me, isn’t it? To think Louis would still be exactly where I left him.”

Anne sighed softly. “Is that why you came back, dear? Because of Louis?”

Being asked so directly, Harry felt cornered. He couldn’t lie to his mum. He didn’t want to, so he looked at her and nodded, letting himself be pulled into a tight hug that he desperately needed.

“I just missed him so much,” Harry sobbed against her shoulder. “When I first got to Paris, it was bearable because I was excited to be there and I got swept up in this new city, but I missed him all the time. As days passed, I couldn’t handle it anymore. I didn’t want to be there — away from him. As soon as I finished my program, I just knew I was coming home, but I didn’t think this would happen. He was supposed to be mine, Mum. We were supposed to be together.”

“Oh, dear,” Anne cooed quietly. “I’m so sorry, love. I’m so sorry.”

Telling her and getting this off his chest made Harry feel lighter, but still, the truth remained that no matter why he came back, Louis was no longer his.

⚭

Harry allowed himself three days of wallowing in his bedroom. It would have gone on longer had his mother not come in on the third day, opening his curtains and ripping his blanket off of him. She ordered him to take a shower, eat a full meal at their dining table instead of his bedroom as he had been, and go for a walk. He’d been hiding away for too long, according to her, and his hair was starting to look like he’d dipped it in all sorts of oil. It was greasy and he had to admit, he was starting to smell a bit rank.

By the time he’d stepped out of his house and walked to the park, he did feel a lot better. The sun was shining against his face, and he tilted his head up to bask in it for a bit. While he would have liked to have a quiet walk on his own, he knew he’d bump into members of the ton on his walk. During the social season, it was very busy, as everyone wanted to step out, run errands, and socialize with their friends, especially after a night out.

There had been a ball the night before at the Fitzgerald residence. Harry’s parents had attended, but he sat this one out, so he missed out on all the action. Maybe he’d overhear if anything scandalous had happened. Harry walked at his own pace, following along the trail in their park, smiling and nodding at those he recognized. He was just considering heading back when he saw a familiar face walking his way.

“Niall,” Harry called, waving at the alpha.

Niall turned at the mention of his name and his face broke into a grin upon seeing Harry. “Styles,” he greeted. “So good to see you.”

“It’s good to see you, too. I — uh, I should apologize for the other night. I wasn’t feeling well.”

Niall’s expression softened and he put his arm around Harry’s shoulder in a comforting manner. “You don’t have to apologize, alright? We all understood. Speaking of, Zayn and Liam are here, too. I actually just left them back there. I was going to head home.”

“I’d love to see them. I need a proper catch-up. With you, as well. Would you mind staying? Maybe the four of us can chat?”

“Definitely,” Niall grinned. “It has been too long.”

The alpha led the way to where Zayn and Liam were. They found them sitting on a bench under the shade of an oak tree. Upon seeing Harry, Zayn and Liam greeted him with hugs. It was great to be reunited properly. Harry had missed them a lot as they often spoke and spent time together every social season growing up.

“We didn’t see you at the ball last night, Harry,” Liam said. “Thought you’d be there since your mum and dad were.”

“I wasn’t feeling well,” Harry replied. “Did I miss anything exciting?”

“Do you remember the Richardsons?” Zayn asked.

“I remember Sybil Richardson. She was the one who was being courted by that one duke, right?” Harry asked.

“Yes,” the beta nodded. “She and her parents came and I think it didn’t work out with the duke.”

“Sad to hear that,” Harry said. “What about you all? Are any of you tossers ever going to settle down?”

He said the last bit with an amused grin that they all matched. “If you must know,” Liam said. “I am engaged. I proposed to Bridget Pembroke two months ago and the wedding is set for winter.”

“That’s amazing, Liam,” Harry said earnestly. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks, H,” the alpha smiled warmly. “Zayn here is also engaged.”

Harry looked at the beta. “To whom?”

“Lydia Grant,” Zayn replied, his cheeks tinting a nice shade of pink. “Hoping to get married by the end of the year as well, but nothing has been decided yet.”

“Any reason for the delay?” Harry asked.

“Lydia’s dad is ill at the moment and they’re hoping he recovers fully by the time we start thinking about our wedding. It’s just not a good time, you know?”

Harry nodded. “Understandable. Hoping it all gets better soon. I’m sure it hasn’t been easy to deal with.” He turned to Niall, who had been sitting quietly for the most part. “And you, Niall? What have you been up to?”

“My dad’s passing over his estate to me sooner than I’d thought he would. I’ve been busy learning all the business there, but I have been courting an omega I met a few months ago. Her name’s Effie. You could have met her if you came last night.”

“I’ll be sure to be there next time,” Harry promised. “I just needed a few nights to recuperate from my travels and settle in, you know?”

“You must tell us about Paris,” Liam said. “What was it like?”

“Wonderful,” Harry said, smiling. “I’d made a couple of friends at the program and we explored the city together. They’re married, actually, and I was often the third wheel, but they’re lovely. There was a lot to see and sometimes I was truly shocked that I was actually there and so far from home. I missed you all.”

“We missed you, too, H,” Zayn said. “But it’s incredible that you went. You must show us some of the work you did there.”

“Definitely. You should all come around for tea one day and I’ll show you then.”

The four of them continued to catch up, sharing stories of the last two years and laughing over old times. It was nice and it was the first time Harry had laughed since he’d gotten back from Paris. He was so overjoyed that for a little while, he’d forgotten about what had been causing him so much heartache the last few days. That was until he saw them.

Louis and Jane.

They were walking past the group along the walkway. Jane’s hand was tucked into the crook of Louis’ elbow and while they weren’t chatting, they were close. Everyone was watching them, mesmerized by the newly engaged couple. Harry couldn’t look away and was startled when he felt a hand over his arm. He turned to look at Niall, who was looking at him with a sad expression.

“We know the other night must have been a shock for you,” he began.

“It was,” Harry confirmed, looking down at his hands. The mood had suddenly taken a somber turn, and he hated that it was because of him. “It’s fine. I know it’s awkward, but it is what it is, right?”

“Yes,” Liam said. “But I’m sure it’s still not easy. You were so close.”

They were going to get married, Harry thought, as he glanced back at Louis. This time the alpha was looking back at them, namely Harry, his expression unreadable. Harry held his gaze until he finally looked away, continuing to walk with Jane.

⚭

Later that week Louis called for Harry, asking if he’d be able to come to visit him that day. Harry had been back in London a little over a week now and they’d managed to avoid any more awkward encounters since that day at the park. The omega was hoping Louis would reach out and when he did, he was happy, but more than that, he felt relieved.

In his note, Louis mentioned that he was free after teatime and Harry could come over if he had time to chat. The omega spent an annoying amount of time going through his clothes to decide what to wear before deciding on cream-colored trousers and a white shirt with his sleeves rolled up. He bathed and worked on his hair with intense precision. He wanted to look good since this would be their first conversation in two years.

Upon arriving, Paul, who was the Tomlinson manor butler, opened the door for Harry, giving him a kind smile. Inside, things felt a lot calmer than they did the night of the engagement party, but Harry preferred the crowd as opposed to this. He felt more exposed and very unsure of himself. He couldn’t really hide here. He waited out in the hall, hoping a maid or footmen would walk by so that he could ask them where Louis was. Instead, it was Charlotte and Felicity who walked down the stairs, eyeing him with shock and distrust.

“What are you doing here?” Charlotte asked, approaching him.

“Charlotte,” Harry smiled meekly. “It’s nice to see you. You too, Felicity!”

The latter narrowed her eyes at him. “Can’t say the same, to be honest with you.”

Harry nodded, trying not to look as hurt as he felt. “I guess I deserve that.”

Charlotte rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. She was dressed in a light pink dress, her blond hair tied up in a ponytail with a bow that matched. “You don’t get to try and make us feel sorry for you,” she told him. “You broke our brother’s heart. We’re allowed to be angry with you.”

“Are you here to see him?” Felicity asked him.

“He sent me a note,” Harry told them. “To meet him here.”

The girls looked at one another, confused and still suspicious, but before they could respond, they were joined by Mrs. Tomlinson. “Harry,” she said, a soft smile on her face as she walked over from the living room. “It’s nice to see you, dear. You look amazing. Paris treat you well?”

Harry awkwardly shrugged in response. “It was nice. Hope everything’s been well here. How’s Mr. Tomlinson?”

“He’s well,” she replied. “He’s out at the moment, otherwise, I’d have called him over to meet you. Your mum mentioned you popped by the other night.”

At this, Harry felt flush in embarrassment. “I’m sorry about that. I — I didn’t know.”

“No need to apologize, dear. Just sad we couldn’t give you a proper welcome. I assume you’re here to see Louis? He mentioned writing to you.”

“Yes, would you happen to know where he is?”

“In his office. You can go on ahead,” Mrs. Tomlinson said. She put her hands over both Charlotte and Felicity’s shoulders, turning them away and leading them back to the living room with her, promptly shutting down any more conversation between the three of them. Harry wondered how much of it she heard from the living room before deciding to intervene.

Since he was familiar with the Tomlinson house, Harry was able to find his way to Louis’ office easily. As he approached the door, he took a deep breath and prepared himself for the conversation they were about to have. It wasn’t going to be easy and based on everything going on, Harry was going to walk away having to accept that Louis had moved on. But it was important to see him. He knew that they needed to talk.

He knocked on the door twice and waited quietly. Moments later, he heard movement inside and then the words, “come in.” Harry twisted the knob, walked into the dimly lit office, and found Louis sitting behind his large, mahogany desk. The alpha looked tired but offered him a small smile, which Harry returned. He stood up, coming around to approach the omega. “You got my note,” he said.

“Yes,” Harry said. “I’m glad you called.”

“I figured we had a lot to talk about,” Louis replied. Harry nodded, unable to do much other than stare at him. He looked warm and inviting and Harry wished he could walk into his arms. He almost couldn’t believe he was here and actually talking to him. While in Paris, Harry often daydreamed about what he would do or say when he saw Louis again in person. He allowed himself to get carried away in those dreams, picturing them in passionate embraces, exchanging sweet kisses, and more. He never thought it’d be this awkward like they were strangers.

“Shall we sit?” Louis asked, gesturing over to the armchairs that were placed by his bookshelves.

“Yes, sure,” Harry replied, walking inside and inhaling softly. The room smelled so strongly of Louis and his sharp alpha scent, which was a mixture of cinnamon and coffee. As they both sat down, Harry looked at Louis, wondering if he should just come out and tell him everything he was feeling. He didn’t want to ambush the alpha, though. He looked a bit uncomfortable now that they were sitting down and properly facing each other. “How have you been?”

“I’ve been good,” Louis replied amiably. “And you?”

Harry shrugged. “Okay, I suppose.”

“Your hair. It’s so long now,” Louis pointed out, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he smiled.

Harry touched it instinctively, smiling bashfully at Louis. “I decided to grow it out. It’s different, I know.”

“It’s perfect, Harry,” the alpha said kindly. “When did you get back?”

“A little over a week ago. The night of your engagement party, to be precise.”

Louis lowered his gaze. “I thought I saw you.”

“I’m sorry for coming,” Harry replied, his voice softening. “I didn’t know what the party was for.”

“It’s completely alright,” Louis said, clearing his throat. “I honestly called you here today so that we could come to some agreement that would make this whole thing a lot less awkward and painful.”

Harry frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I just mean I don’t want things to be bad between us, Harry. Or our families. This ton can be very talkative and love to gossip. I wanted to make sure that you and I were okay and that we could be cordial when we see each other during this season.”

“Whether we’re okay or not, the ton will still talk,” Harry reasoned.

“Yes, but only until something more interesting comes along. Are you not on board with this?” the alpha asked, watching him carefully.

Harry let out a dry laugh. “It’s awkward, Louis. What can I say?”

“It doesn’t have to be. You and I are no longer engaged.”

“No,” Harry shook his head sadly. “You’re engaged to Jane. She’s pretty. How did you meet?”

Louis sighed softly, leaning back against his chair. “My parents introduced me. Father’s getting old. They wanted me to be married and step up for the family and our estate.”

“Oh,” Harry said. “And this was recent?”

This time, it was Louis that looked exasperated. “Does it matter? This was what you wanted, right?”

“I don’t —” Harry stopped short, wondering what he could say. He didn’t want this, but he did give it up. He had no right to argue right now. “I want you to be happy.”

Louis watched him for a long moment, his crystal blue eyes tracking every minute detail of Harry’s face, and he gave him a sad smile. “I want you to be happy, too.”

“Are you?” Harry asked.

“Am I what?”

“Are you happy?”

The alpha didn’t answer, his lips in a thin line as he struggled to reply. Just as he began to say something, someone knocked on the door. Louis glanced over, calling in whoever it was, and one of their footmen opened the door.

“You have a visitor, Mr. Tomlinson,” he informed.

“Oh,” Louis replied, glancing back at Harry. “I’ll just be a moment.” He got up from his seat and followed the footman out the door, closing his office door behind him. Harry slumped back in his chair and took a deep breath. This conversation was a difficult one, but at least they were trying. When a few minutes passed with no return from Louis, Harry got up and began pacing the room. He was restless and anxious. He felt like he wasn’t properly expressing himself to the alpha and he wanted to be ready for when he got back.

As he passed Louis’ desk, filled with financial books, letters, and multiple quills, he dragged his finger along the edges, his eyes glazing over everything until his name on an envelope caught his eye. Doing a double take, Harry looked down at the envelope half stuffed between two books. His hand hovered over it, but then he hesitated as he realized it wouldn’t be proper to snoop through Louis’ belongings. Technically, though, it had his name on it, so didn’t that mean it was for him?

Before he could overthink and lose his chance, he quickly grabbed the envelope and opened it to find a letter. Harry nervously looked at the door, listening closely to see if he could hear anyone coming back, but it was still silent. He opened the letter and began to read.

Harry,

It has been a year, ten months, and thirteen days since you left. That should be enough time for me to move on from what had happened between us, but I’m afraid to admit that I haven’t. I still yearn for you, Harry. I still think about you every day, picturing your beautiful smile and big, forest green eyes. I still miss you when I wake up in the morning and when I go to sleep at night. And I still wish you never left even though I didn’t stop you when you did.

There are times when I get so angry thinking about what you did. The memory of our last meeting haunts me. It was supposed to be the happiest day of my life…our lives. I remember being so eager to get to the church. It was a surprise when I got your note in my dressing room to meet you at the landing of the grand stairs that leads to the aisle we’d walk down together after getting married. I know we aren’t supposed to see our spouses beforehand, but I just wanted a glimpse of you.

Maybe that was my mistake. Maybe if I hadn’t gone there to meet you, things might have been different, but I know realistically, it wouldn’t have. Because when I went to meet you, Harry, I knew you’d already made up your mind about leaving. You were apologetic as you handed me my mother’s ring back. Your pleading eyes looked into mine when I held your hand, begging for a moment to think about it. You wouldn’t. You dropped my hand like you dropped my heart, shattering it as you went. It’s strange how I spent hours on my vows that entire week because I couldn’t find enough words to tell you how much you meant to me. I had so much I wanted to say and realized words wouldn’t mean anything anymore. Not even me getting on my knees to beg you.

I was crestfallen. In utter shock that you’d make me fall in love with you and give me hopes of a beautiful future together only to leave me. When you left, Harry, you took the best of me. I had to find ways to figure out what life was like before I met you because when I did, you rearranged everything until you were the center of my universe.

In hindsight, I don’t regret anything because at least I got the chance to know you, even for a little while. And if I had another heart, Harry, I’d let you break that one, too. You’re so special to me and you always will be. Just know that through all of this, I just want you to be happy. But I must try to find some happiness as well. My parents introduced me to Jane and I’m going to propose to her soon. It’s been a lot for me and I don’t really know what to do, but I have to do it. I need to move on. This letter will probably never find its way to you, but I still needed to write it as a way of saying goodbye to you.

You would have made a lovely husband, Harry. It’s a shame we’ll never know what we could have been, but know that you’ll always be in my heart.

Yours sincerely,

Louis

Two, thick teardrops rolled down Harry’s cheek while his heart thudded violently against his chest as he held the letter. He took a shuddery breath and debated between reading it again and putting it back. On the one hand, Louis’ words were filled with so much love and adoration, but it pained Harry to read how much he’d hurt Louis too.

The moment Harry told Louis that the couldn’t marry him was one that he blocked out from his memory. He didn’t want to remember the look of devastation in the alpha’s eyes, but reading this letter was bringing it all back. He remembered rushing through his words, apologizing profusely, and leaving as quickly as he could. There were guests and their families waiting for them in the church, looking forward to their union, and Harry wanted to get away from their suffocating expectations.

He’d made a hasty escape, but he never thought about the consequences of what he left behind and how Louis was stuck to deal with it. It couldn’t have been easy. Harry was self-aware enough to know that he was selfish at that moment. He was stuck between being a good omega and wanting to leave London to follow his dreams. If he told everyone what he wanted to do, they wouldn’t have let him go. In the end, he had to choose his own happiness and do it for himself and not look back.

The omega didn’t regret going to Paris because he had a wonderful time and he did it all by himself, but what he did regret was not trusting Louis and asking if he’d want to go with Harry. A part of Harry believed that maybe Louis would have agreed. But those were all what-ifs. It didn’t matter anymore.

Suddenly, Harry heard footsteps approaching the office, and he quickly folded the letter back into the envelope. He decided at the last minute that he was going to keep the letter and hurried back to his seat while tucking it into his coat pocket. Just as Louis opened the door to the office, Harry wiped the last of his tears and glanced at the alpha.

“Everything alright?” he asked.

Louis nodded. “Yes, sorry. Didn’t mean to keep you waiting that long.”

“It’s alright,” Harry said, the letter weighing heavy in his pocket.

“So you’ve been back a week,” Louis said, sitting down again. “Have you done anything exciting since?”

“Not really. I caught up with Liam, Zayn, and Niall at the park the other day.”

“Right, I had passed by you all,” Louis nodded.

“Yes. They were telling me everything I’d missed while I was away. I’ve mostly been home, otherwise. Sarah made Sunday roast the other day and that was really good. I’ve missed her cooking.”

“I will say, Sarah’s Sunday roast is much better than our cook’s,” Louis laughed, his eyes twinkling.

“You should come by next week for it,” Harry offered.

“Maybe,” Louis nodded, though, Harry wasn’t sure he would. He used to come by most Sunday nights during their courtship, but Harry couldn’t help but wonder if now he went to Jane’s for dinner.

“I actually learned how to cook while I was away,” Harry added, eager to continue talking with the alpha.

Louis’ eyebrows raised in surprise. “Did you? What have you learned?”

“I can make really good shepherd’s pie, Yorkshire pudding, and a mean full English. My beef wellington need’s a bit of work, but I’m getting there.”

“That’s amazing, Harry,” Louis grinned, looking delighted. “Classic English meals. Did you not like French cuisine as much?”

“Not really for me, though, their pastries are amazing,” Harry said sheepishly. “I had no choice but to start learning since I couldn’t rely on Sarah anymore, but it was fun. I liked the process of getting the ingredients and putting it all together.”

“Charlotte’s actually taken a liking to cooking as well. She helped our cook with Sunday roast last week and did a pretty good job.”

“I’ll have to ask her about it because I haven’t gotten a chance to make that,” Harry replied, his eyes drifting down to his lap. “She isn’t my biggest fan right now, though.”

Louis frowned. “Did she say something?”

“Nothing I didn’t deserve.”

“Hey, no,” Louis shook his head, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, his expression serious. “What did she say? I’ll have a word with her.”

“No, please,” Harry said, his eyes meeting Louis’. “I don’t want to cause any more trouble. I just saw her when I came in and both she and Felicity were upset, justifiably so.”

“That still gives them no right to be rude and I apologize on their behalf.”

Harry felt emotional again because Louis was just so kind. He didn’t know how he had it in him because had it been Harry in his spot, he wouldn’t be so forgiving and patient. No one deserved him. He was too good for this world. He gave Louis a small smile.

“It’s completely okay,” Harry said. “As I said, I deserved it. They are protective of you as any sibling would be. If anything, I would have been surprised if they were completely fine with me. I expected it. Even your mum, but she was very kind to me.”

“Mum doesn’t think any less of you. She’s always thought very highly of you,” Louis told him, his eyes sincere.

“You know, I was actually surprised that my parents were invited to your engagement party,” Harry admitted. “I’d thought that maybe with everything that had happened, things would be very weird between our families.”

“I didn’t want there to be any bad blood,” Louis replied. “It’s important to me that we all can coexist in this town because this is all of our homes and just knowing the community we live in, I didn’t want anyone to feel left out or targeted. People are so quick to villainize and twist things to fit some scandalous story they make up. Your parents have always been incredibly lovely to me and I will always take that into consideration. In fact, Anne and I would meet quite often after you left.”

“Really?” Harry asked, frowning. “I didn’t know that.”

“Yes,” Louis chuckled. “It was shortly after you left, actually.”

“I left two days after the wedding was supposed to take place. My parents didn’t take the news of me leaving well. We fought a lot, but they eventually came around.”

“Anne had mentioned that. She told me she tried talking you out of it, but you were adamant.”

Harry nodded, feeling rather embarrassed. “I didn’t tell them anything until after I told you. They came home from the church and they were furious. I explained what I was doing and we went back and forth for hours. I should have handled it better than that, but I don’t know why, I just thought that if I didn’t fight for this, I would lose out on the opportunity. That no one understood me and what I wanted.”

“I think your parents did eventually understand. Everyone, really,” Louis said, his voice quiet and thoughtful. “I had gone over to your house a few days after and that was when Anne and I spoke. She was truly a friend as well as a maternal figure to me. I was obviously really upset at the time and we just leaned on each other. She was the one who told me everything. About your acceptance into the program and how you left so quickly. It helped me put everything together.”

The omega felt another wave of guilt wash over him. He couldn’t have handled that situation any worse than he did. The fact that Louis had to find out the full story from his mum because Harry barely gave him any answers made him feel shameful. Louis deserved better. So much more than what Harry had given, but he wouldn’t do that anymore. He knew now what he was foolish enough to let go of.

“Look, Harry,” Louis added. “I’m not saying any of this to make you feel bad or anything.”

Harry shook his head. “I messed up. It’s not you doing anything.”

“Let’s just move on as I said. We can do this. We’re both at different points in our lives now.”

“Yes, things are really different,” Harry murmured. “You’re engaged to someone else.”

Nodding, Louis cleared his throat. “Jane is a great person.”

“Right….you said your parents introduced you to her?”

“Yes. She’s the daughter of one of my father’s acquaintances.”

“What is she like, then?”

Louis hesitated in answering, almost like he didn’t know what to say, and Harry wondered what was hindering him. “She’s nice,” Louis settled on. “Likes horses a lot. All animals, really. She’s got a dog. His name is Chester.”

Harry wanted to laugh. Did Louis know his fiancé at all? It didn’t seem like it. Still, he smiled politely.

“Chester is a really cute name for a dog.”

He was about to follow up with another question when his eyes landed on the painting behind Louis’ seat. It was one of his own paintings — a still life of the gazebo in Louis’ garden. He’d painted it after visiting it for the first time, in awe of the pink roses encasing it. When Louis saw it, he loved it so much. He couldn't stop marveling at Harry’s talent, saying how he’d captured it so realistically. His compliments charmed Harry and he’d gifted it to him, but he never thought Louis would hang it up in his office and still have it there.

Harry has had art shows in Paris with his paintings up on the wall, but somehow, this meant more to him.

Louis seemed to catch on to what he was looking at and laughed shyly. Harry looked at him and couldn’t help but smile back fondly.

“You still have it up,” Harry said.

“Yes,” Louis shrugged like it was nothing. “It’s one of my favorites.”

It became so obvious to Harry then that he couldn’t let this go. He’d always been too stubborn for his own good, but this time for good reason. Reading that letter, talking to Louis now, and knowing he still remained one of the kindest and most thoughtful people Harry had ever met, and now seeing his painting still hanging up in Louis’ office — it all clicked for Harry. Things weren’t finished between them. Their feelings were still there. It was just a matter of convincing Louis to give him another chance.

“Thank you for calling me to chat,” Harry said then. “I understand and agree with what you were speaking about earlier. I’m open to moving forward.”

Louis smiled. “I’m happy to hear that, Harry. I’m — I’m happy you’re back, too.”

Harry returned Louis’ smile, both quiet as they looked at one another. He was going to win the alpha back. He was determined and nothing was going to stop him.

⚭

The Maliks were throwing a ball and Harry had it on good word from Niall that Louis would be attending. It was the perfect way to start his master plan of winning Louis back, and the first part was making sure he looked the part. Harry had always been told he was handsome, a natural beauty that rivaled and stood out amongst most omegas. But it didn’t hurt to put in a little extra work so he spent the day of the ball sitting in a bath full of rose petals while his maids pampered him with facials and painted all of his nails a pretty light blue color. He wore his light blue suit with a lace white button-up underneath and he finished off his look with his pearl necklace.

Standing in front of his mirror, he looked at himself and wondered if he would catch Louis’ eye. He remembered Louis once telling him that in a room full of people, Harry was the only one he wanted to look at. He hoped that still remained true.

Harry joined his parents in their carriage and they were off. Upon arriving, they were escorted inside and Harry’s eyes roamed the ballroom for Louis’ familiar face, though he couldn’t find him. They greeted the Maliks with hugs and kisses, and Harry was acutely aware of the alphas around the room who were glancing his way. Despite a broken engagement, Harry was still an eligible, unmated omega, and it was natural that alphas who were looking to marry this season would consider him.

This was perfect for his plan.

“Harry,” Zayn smiled, clapping his hand over the omega’s shoulder. “So good to see you, mate. This is my fiance, Lydia.”

“Pleased to meet you,” Harry smiled at the beta, taking her extended hand into his.

“You, too, Mr. Styles,” she replied. She was very pretty and perfect for Zayn with her warm hazel eyes and gentle demeanor. “Zayn has told me so much about you. I’d love to hear about your travels to Paris.”

“Of course,” Harry responded. “Have you ever been?”

“Once when I was young. My father had business there and took the whole family with him. It’s a beautiful city!”

The two of them got swept up in their conversation and Harry spent a good portion of time getting to know her. She loved to read and recommended a few romance novels to Harry. She also had dreams of moving to the countryside because London was a bit too loud and crowded for her, which was perfect because Zayn also felt the same way. Eventually, Lydia did have to go and speak with a few guests with Zayn, so Harry walked away to get himself a glass of champagne.

The person he was most looking forward to seeing hadn’t arrived yet and he began wondering if Niall had his information right. Just as he considered looking for Niall and asking, the ballroom doors opened, and in walked Louis. Time seemed to slow as Harry watched him, mesmerized by the way his dark coat shimmered underneath the chandelier lights. The moment he entered, the guests parted, making way for him to walk through, and it seemed Harry wasn’t the only one taken by Louis’ beauty. Several eyes were on the alpha, watching as he walked through the crowd with his family behind him. He was shining, glittering.

The omega wondered, not for the first time, how he could have ever resisted Louis. Was it his pride that clouded him? Because looking at him now, Harry was more sure than ever that he loved that alpha, and despite leaving him, he realized now that it wasn’t what he wanted. He wanted Louis, forever and always.

He sipped his champagne, wondering how he could execute the next part of his master plan because it seemed Louis hadn’t noticed him yet. Maybe he needed to get closer to him, but he wasn’t sure he could say hello. Not with Charlotte and Felicity walking beside Louis now, whispering and giggling with him about something. It made Harry sad that they hated him so much now, but it was his doing, after all. He really hoped that one day they were able to forgive him.

While Harry spied on the Tomlinson family, he barely noticed the alpha walking up to him. He glanced over belatedly and took a step back in surprise. “Mr. Styles,” the alpha said, undeterred. “It’s nice to see you again.”

Harry frowned, wondering where this alpha knew him from, but then realized it was Xander Ritz. They’d met years ago when Harry was first presented to society and not yet matched with Louis. They might have shared a dance, but Harry was forgetting details. The Ritz were an influential family and Xander was quite handsome with a calming ocean mist scent, but Harry had no interest in him or speaking with him.

Despite that, he knew he needed Xander’s interest in him for his plan. He replied politely, “I’m well, thank you. How are you doing?”

“Great,” he responded. “It’s a nice night for a ball. I’m happy to see you are back in town. Is this move permanent?”

“It is,” Harry told him. “I realized Paris just wasn’t for me.”

“As they say, there is no place like home,” Xander smiled. “Mr. Styles, may I put my name on your dance card? I’d love to spend more time with you.”

Nodding, Harry handed over the dance card, which was wrapped around his wrist. He watched as Xander wrote his name down and handed the card back to him. He looked pleased with himself and Harry politely excused himself. He just needed nine more of these names on his dance card and he was good to go. Glancing around the ballroom, Harry discreetly tried to see where Louis was, only to find the alpha staring at him already.

Harry awkwardly looked away and let out a breath of relief when he saw Liam standing a few feet away. He quickly walked over, standing beside the alpha, and pretended to look engrossed in the conversation he was having with Niall’s parents. There was talk of some upcoming charity ball, but Harry wasn’t really listening. He was too busy looking over at Louis, who was now speaking with his mother, but his face looked tight with anger. Harry smiled to himself, hoping it was because of him and Xander.

An hour later after talking to several more alphas that approached Harry, the omega’s dance card was now filled to the brim. He took a breath of relief as he sipped the champagne in his hand. It was torture having to have the same conversation over and over again while trying to sway the alphas into wanting to dance with him. Thankfully, it didn’t take all that much effort. They were charmed by his coquettish smile and fluttering eyelashes.

Looking up from his dance card, Harry scanned the room. The music was still quite mellow and the dances wouldn’t start for a while since some guests were still arriving. Harry had time to kill and he decided to go find Niall since he hadn’t greeted him yet. He’d seen his parents earlier and figured he’d be somewhere here. He finally spotted him a few feet away except he wasn’t alone.

He was standing with Louis and Jane, who had arrived a little while ago as well. Harry pouted to himself as he surreptitiously watched Louis, just to admire him a little. He didn’t know how to take his eyes off him because he looked so handsome. But then he was caught off guard when he found the alpha looking back at him, his eyes intense and pained. Harry felt embarrassed and decided he needed to go and get some fresh air. While the idea was to make Louis jealous, he wasn’t all that prepared for the way the alpha was looking at him with so much hostility.

Walking past the guests, Harry walked out through the back doors and into the quiet garden. It wasn’t entirely empty. He spotted a rowdy group of teenage alphas, talking about some omega they all fancied in a crass manner. Harry glared at them. He also spotted a couple of kids, playing with the Malik dog, Chester, who was barking and having them chase him. And if Harry wasn’t mistaken, Penelope Orwell was making out with Roger Garamond behind a bush, and those two were certainly not engaged or married, so Harry was going to pretend he didn’t see them.

He walked further into the garden, his steps slow, and twirled his dance card in his hand. It sucked that he had to get through ten dances with ten different alphas. He hoped it would be worth it. He hoped Louis would notice. But maybe Louis was mad about something else. Maybe Harry had it all wrong and Louis couldn’t care less which alpha Harry was with. Harry grumbled under his breath, feeling unsure of his plan when all of a sudden he heard loud footsteps approaching from behind.

The omega turned just in time as he let out an embarrassing, shrill shriek to see it was only Louis, the very man who was on his mind at that moment. And always, if he was being honest.

“Louis?” Harry asked, clutching his chest. “What are you doing? You scared me half to death.”

“I was just trying to catch up with you,” the alpha replied, smirking amusedly. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.”

“It’s fine. Did you, uh, need something?” Harry cocked his head to the side, watching him underneath his mascara-coated eyes.

Louis looked at a loss for words then, his lips parted as he struggled to answer, but his eyes roamed Harry from head to toe like he was finally properly taking him in. Harry felt his cheeks flush underneath the attention. He had always liked the way Louis looked at him. He remembered when they first began courting, Louis’ eyes would watch him secretly like he couldn’t get enough. Back then, Harry would just roll his eyes and appear disinterested because he was so against their union, but now, he wanted to bask in it.

“I just — I saw you walk out. I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“I’m fine. I’m just taking a walk. It got a bit stuffy in there.”

“Did anyone say anything to you?” Louis asked. “Anything to upset you?”

Harry shook his head. “No, everyone’s been lovely, actually. Why do you ask?”

“You’ve been quite popular tonight,” Louis remarked, raising his eyebrows. “A lot of people want to chat with you.”

Harry’s stomach swooped and he felt giddy at the fact that Louis noticed the alphas talking to him. He gave him a casual shrug. “I suppose.”

Louis watched him closely and sighed. “Harry, what are you doing?”

He shrugged again. “I’m enjoying the ball, Louis.”

“I mean…are you looking to be courted?” He sounded frustrated, his blue eyes dark and stormy all of a sudden. It was a bold question to ask and Harry knew he was really struggling within himself if he was following Harry out here in the garden to ask him this while his fiance was just inside as well as the rest of the ton.

The omega smiled sweetly, his voice quiet as he replied. “Not really.”

“What does that even mean?” Louis asked throwing his hands up in defeat.

“Exactly what I said,” Harry giggled. “How is your night going? I really like that color on you.”

This time, it was Louis who looked flushed, his cheeks tinted pink. My God, Harry loved him. No matter what his reasoning was before for being stupid enough to leave this alpha in front of him, he was glad he’d realized that he didn’t want to be without him. If his plan didn’t work and he lost Louis forever, he would regret it until the day he died.

“My night is going fine,” Louis replied. “I actually didn’t want to come tonight, but my mum told me we should since the Maliks are such close family friends.”

“You were never really a fan of these things.”

“Still not a fan of these things.”

“I’m glad you came, though,” Harry gave him a soft smile. “Do you remember when we used to sneak away from these balls? We’d come out to the gardens and find a place to sit where no one could find us and talk for hours.”

Louis smiled at him sadly and nodded. “I do, yes. That was always nice.” He paused, watching Harry closely. “Were you hoping to take a walk alone, then?”

Shaking his head, the omega replied, “I think I’d much rather walk with you if I’m honest.”

“Alright,” Louis tried containing his smile but failed. “Let’s walk and maybe you can tell me a bit about Paris? We haven’t gotten a chance to talk about that yet.”

“Of course,” Harry replied as they began walking together. “There has been something I’ve been dying to tell you about. Do you remember that artist I was obsessed with? Francesca Rollins?”

“She did those landscape paintings, right?” Louis asked. “The ones hanging in your room?”

“Yes,” Harry nodded. “Well, I got to meet her while I was in Paris and she’s so brilliant, Lou.”

The nickname slipped out so easily, but it only made Louis beam wider at him, his eyes sparkling.

“Well, tell me about it,” the alpha said. “What was it like meeting her?”

“She came to one of our classes,” Harry began. “I think maybe our fourth or fifth week in. It was very early. Though, I can’t remember the exact date. We were working on landscape paintings at the time and our teacher wanted us to pick one that already existed and try to put our own spin on it. I’d picked the cover of a book my mum used to read me when I was younger. I didn’t have the book on me, though. It was back home in my bedroom, but I remembered it pretty well, I think. I may have gotten a color or two wrong, but at least then I knew I had made it my own, right?”

“Right,” Louis nodded.

Harry felt overwhelming happiness at the way Louis was listening to him so attentively. He was always really good about that, keeping up with all of Harry’s long pauses as he recounted certain details. Harry knew he was a rambler sometimes, but Louis never made him feel bad about it. He always gave Harry his complete and undivided attention.

“Our teacher — Mr. Blanchet — told us we were going to have a special guest in our class and in walked Francesca Rollins. I nearly dropped my paintbrush. She was so humble and down to earth. I wasn’t expecting that. I mean, she’s had her paintings go worldwide, but she acted like she was just one of us.”

“Well, did you introduce yourself?” Louis asked.

“I did! She went around and spoke to each of us. She said I really had an eye for detail and that she saw a lot of potential in me.”

“That is so incredible, Harry! Now you know that I wasn’t always flattering you when I complimented your work. Even Francesca Rollins agrees.”

Harry blushed, his grin wide as he looked at the alpha. “Yes, I suppose. She helped me finish that painting. I brought it back with me if you want to see it sometime.”

“I’d love to see it. All of your work, really. Did the school give you some sort of certificate once you finished? Or did you have a ceremony of some sort?”

Harry shook his head. “It’s technically a four year program. I only did half of it, which is still a complete run. But I would need to do another two years to get the certificate. They offered me to stay, but I turned them down.”

“Why?” Louis asked, his brows furrowing in confusion. “I had thought you’d completed it.”

“I didn’t want to stay there,” Harry told him. “I really missed home. I missed the people here.”

His gaze bore into Louis, hoping the alpha would catch that Harry meant him. He’d missed Louis. Louis gazed back at Harry, his expression unreadable, and nodded his head in acknowledgment.

“I suppose I understand that,” he responded. “I don’t think I could be away from home or my family for that long.”

“It got lonely at times,” Harry agreed.

“Did you keep in touch with your parents and Gemma?”

“I did, but sending letters always took so long to reach. I thought about writing to you sometimes.”

“Did you?”

Harry only nodded as his gaze swept the garden. They’d made it quite far, so much so that he could barely hear the music or chatter from the ball.

“Well, then why didn’t you write to me?” Louis asked, his shoulders nudging Harry’s.

“I guess I wasn’t sure if you’d want to hear from me.”

Louis tutted. “I always want to hear from you. I apologize if I made you think otherwise.”

“You didn’t. I just — I wasn’t sure, you know?” He lifted a hand up to tuck his curls behind his ear when he noticed Louis staring at his wrist. More specifically, his dance card.

“That’s a lot of names,” Louis remarked, raising one eyebrow.

“Mum always said a full dance card was a good thing.”

“It is as if you’re looking to be courted. Which you said you’re not?”

Harry shook his head, smiling sheepishly. “I’m not.”

“Do you just feel like dancing then?”

“I guess you could say that. I haven’t danced in a long time, you know? I’ve gotten rusty, so I figured I’d use tonight to brush up on my skills.”

“That’s fair,” Louis amended. “Who is on your list then? Read them out to me.”

“What?” Harry laughed. “You want all the names?”

“Why not?” Louis shrugged as he placed his hands behind his back. “I know most of the alphas in our ton. I may be able to help you by telling you more about them.”

Giggling, Harry tugged off the dance card from his wrist, which was hooked through a light pink ribbon. Clearing his throat, he glanced at the alpha, amusement dripping from his eyes. “Xander Ritz.”

“Terrible dancer,” Louis said without missing a beat.

Harry guffawed. “And you know this how?”

“I’ve seen him. He’s been trying to find an omega for ages and he’s at every ball, dancing with two left feet.”

“That is…good to know,” Harry giggled. “Okay. Next up is Oliver Burton.”

“Drinks like a sailor. Smells like one too.”

“Martin Davies.”

“Has a secret child with the modiste.”

Harry gasped, his eyes wide in shock, as he gaped at Louis. “No way.”

“Yes way,” the alpha responded. “Who else?”

“George Cooper.”

“Frequents brothels more than his own home.”

“Remington Horace.”

“His name is Remington Horace, Harry. Come on.”

Harry burst into laughter. “It truly is a terrible name.”

“The worst,” Louis shook his head.

“Braxton Thomas.”

“Having an affair with his footman.”

“Archie Williams.”

“Such a sore loser, that one. One time, we were all playing cards at the club. He lost and started swearing up and down that he’d make sure his father heard about this and put down the establishment. He claimed everyone was cheating, but no one was. It’s a card game, mate. Not the end of the world.”

“Wow,” Harry commented, rolling his eyes. “I can’t stand people like that. Well, moving on. Emerson Jones.”

“Once said an omega’s role in life was to be quiet and bear children.”

Harry looked affronted, shaking his head disapprovingly. “Duly noted. What about Jackson Thatcher?”

“Nice enough lad except he has no sense of humor. Never heard him laugh at anything. So boring.”

“Landon Miller.”

“Don’t have much to say about him other than I can’t stand him.”

“Oh,” Harry exclaimed. “What has he done?”

“I just think he’s a spineless, smarmy git,” Louis responded casually.

“There has to be a reason why you think that. I know you don’t just go around hating people for the sake of it, Lou.”

Louis smirked, looking at Harry. “I’m surprised you forgot.”

“Forgot what? You’re being so cryptic,” Harry whined.

“He tried courting you when we were already in a courtship.”

“He did?” Harry asked, narrowing his eyes. “I don’t remember this.”

“You may have forgotten, but I definitely didn’t. He was always asking you to dance, trying to talk to you, and even brought you flowers once. I told him that I was courting you and that our families were already in talks about our future, but he simply didn’t care. He’s a disrespectful wanker.”

While Harry couldn’t remember any of this, he still felt his heart skip a beat at how jealous Louis was, his scent darkening as he spoke of Landon. If he was still affected after all this time, that had to mean he felt something for Harry. This couldn’t be one-sided, he was sure of it.

Harry sighed heavily. “He must not be very memorable if I can’t remember him. Well, that’s all of the alphas and you’ve just canceled every single one.”

“It’s a bad batch,” Louis said matter-of-factly, making Harry laugh. “Maybe you’ll have better luck next time.”

“Maybe you don’t think any alpha is good enough for me,” Harry accused.

“Most aren’t.”

“Is that what you think?” Harry cocked his head to the side.

“Not everyone can handle you,” Louis teased, though, there was probably a lot of truth to that. Harry could be a handful and he knew that.

Harry sighed. “No, I suppose not. It’s a shame that not every alpha is as perfect as you.”

“I’m hardly perfect, Harry,” Louis blushed, his cheeks scarlet.

“Except that you are. You’re smart, confident, well-mannered, kind, and an amazing dancer, too.”

Louis’ cheeks got even redder as he ducked his head down. “My parents just did a good job instilling all of those things into me. Besides, all of these alphas could be much better if they took their roles seriously.”

“What do you mean?” Harry asked.

“They’re all mucking about and are very narrow-minded. Alphas get a lot more leeway than omegas do and most alphas just choose to be idiots.”

“I assume it must be a lot of pressure. Do you like being an alpha?”

“I do like it,” Louis said. “I like to be relied on. I like the responsibilities because it makes me feel like I have a sense of purpose in life and know what’s expected of me. My parents entrust me with so many decisions around the estate and our family. That’s why it’s so important for them that I marry because they don’t want me to do it all alone.”

“Don’t you think marriage can be a lot of pressure? I did for the longest time.”

“I can understand why you’d feel that way, but to me, it was always a lovely concept. I like the idea of having someone be my person. I like the idea of love and courting.”

“You like courting?”

“Is that a surprise to you?” Louis laughed. “It’s a really sweet process. I enjoy showering others with compliments and gifts and my company.”

“Did you like courting me?” Harry inquired boldly.

“Seeing as how you’re the only omega I’ve ever courted, I would say yes, I did.”

“Even when I was being a brat?”

Louis chuckled. “Even then.”

“Well, I will say your courting worked. I was charmed even when I was acting like I wasn’t.”

The alpha glanced his way, eyes studying him. “That’s good to know.” He took a deep breath as he checked his watch. “We should probably start heading back. Everyone will be wondering where we’ve gone off to.”

“I guess we should,” Harry agreed reluctantly.

They began walking back to the ball, still chatting between themselves. When they reached the house, they shared a smile before entering. Louis stood beside Jane while Harry joined his parents until it was time for the dances. He danced with alpha after alpha, but his mind and eyes never strayed from Louis.

⚭

The ball had taken a lot out of Harry. Even when he was presented to society, he didn’t dance as much as he did the night before, but he supposed, it also had to do with how much he’d walked around the entirety of the Maliks garden last night, talking Louis’ ear off. The following day, Harry woke up feeling exhausted, and relaxed in a warm bath for an hour. While last night was a success, he still needed to keep going with the plan, and what he was planning for today was crucial. After his bath, Harry dressed in a pair of black trousers and a mauve pink satin shirt with short sleeves. “You look nice,” his mum commented when he came downstairs for breakfast. “Going anywhere?”

“Yes, actually,” Harry said, sitting down beside her and tucking his curls behind his ears. “Where’s Dad?”

“He’ll be down in a bit. Where are you going?” she asked curiously.

Harry avoided answering as he picked up some toast and strawberry jam to spread on it. He also added some fruits to his plate. When he looked up, his mother was still staring at him, and he let out a frustrated laugh. “Mum, I’m just going out to visit someone.”

She frowned but didn’t push as she likely realized he didn’t want to share. Harry focused on eating, wanting to head out as soon as he was done. He needed to find the best florist in town and beat all the other alphas there so they didn’t take all the flowers. It was customary that after balls, like the one last night, alphas who were looking to court and woo omegas brought them flowers to their home. Harry wasn’t looking to receive any, but he was hoping to give, instead.

From his memory, he remembered that the Tomlinsons always had hyacinths and peonies in their home, freshly picked and placed in vases. Thankfully, by the time Harry finished breakfast and took his carriage to the flower shop, he managed to grab a few bouquets. The place was packed with alphas and his scent threw many of them off when they realized an omega was present.

Harry ignored them, for the most part. He didn’t understand why it was so shocking to them. He was enjoying himself as he browsed the different options. The smell of the flowers overtook everyone else’s and there were so many colors to choose from. With the flowers in hand, Harry headed to the Tomlinson manor. When he arrived, he was let in by Paul, who helped him carry the bouquets inside.

“Harry, dear,” Mrs. Tomlinson said, her hand covering her mouth in shock. “What is all of this?”

“I’ve brought you and the girls flowers,” Harry replied, smiling as he handed over one of the bouquets to her.

“Oh, that is so sweet of you, honey. You really didn’t have to.”

“I know. I just wanted to since the last time I was here, I came empty-handed.”

She smiled at him warmly before calling Charlotte, Felicity, Daisy, and Phoebe downstairs to come to get their flowers. Harry handed them each a bouquet and as he expected, their reactions were quite different. Both Charlotte and Felicity looked wary of him, their calculating gazes could cut deep, but they still accepted with a quiet thank you. Daisy and Phoebe, on the other hand, hugged him and told him they loved their flowers. Harry couldn’t help his wide grin as he hugged them back. They truly made him feel that all hope wasn’t lost. And while Mrs. Tomlinson was only being polite, she was probably wary of him as well, but Harry was sure that she didn’t hate him. That was all that mattered. He could work with that.

As Harry was pulling away from the twins, he noticed Louis coming through the front door. “Harry,” the alpha said. “This is a surprise. Everything alright?”

He nodded, but it was Mrs. Tomlinson, who filled Louis in. “Harry’s brought us flowers. Isn’t that sweet of him?” she asked.

Louis glanced around the room at all the different bouquets in their hands. “It is. I’m sure it must not have been easy to get these the morning after a ball.”

“I went early,” Harry replied. “Beat out most of the crowd.”

“This is very kind of you, Harry,” the alpha said, smiling fondly at him. “Thank you.”

Harry smiled back, the two of them staring at each other for who knew how long because it took someone clearing their throat for Harry to startle and look away.

“Would you like to have some tea?” Mrs. Tomlinson asked Harry, her eyebrows raised in a knowing manner.

He nodded. “I’d love some.”

She corralled the girls with her and headed into the kitchen where she began calling for their maid to prepare some tea. Harry looked back at Louis, who was standing there looking unsure of what to do.

“Do you have a second?” Harry asked.

“Uh, yes, sure,” Louis replied. “Come follow me.”

The two of them quietly slipped away down the hall toward Louis’ office. The alpha opened the door for Harry and followed him inside. Harry only walked halfway into the room before plucking the single red carnation that he’d hidden in his trouser pocket and underneath his shirt. He turned to look at the alpha and handed it over quickly. He had hoped to have more grace and confidence when he did this part, but he was nervous. What he was doing was bold, not just for an omega, but given their history and where they were now. He just hoped Louis wouldn’t be angry.

Louis looked at the carnation in his hand and his eyes widened in surprise. “Is this for me?” he asked.

Harry nodded. “It is,” he responded, his throat feeling dry. “The florist told me that a red carnation represents deep love.”

Louis’ lips parted slowly and he stared at Harry in shocked silence.

“You don’t have to say anything. I just wanted you to know where I stand, is all,” Harry breathed out, his words a rushed whisper. He quickly brushed past Louis and walked out of the office, hoping that Louis understood. He didn’t really explain himself, but he was honest and direct.

Yesterday, it was hard for him to go through dance after dance whilst feeling Louis’ eyes on him, watching from afar with dark eyes. He didn’t imagine his anger or his jealousy, which meant Louis still felt something for him. He needed him to know that while other alphas wanted Harry, Harry only wanted Louis.

He’d gone back and forth a lot as to whether he should get that flower for Louis, or play it safe and get him a peony or hyacinth as he had with the rest of his family, but he wanted to be bold. He wanted Louis to know that his love for the alpha was similar to a flower. He’d seeded himself into Harry’s heart and over a slow period of time, his love for him bloomed as a flower did.

⚭

It was the first Royal race of the season and Harry had a date.

It was his mother’s doing. Turned out, the morning after the ball at the Malik’s, Xander Ritz had shown up to the Styles manor to call upon Harry. Harry wasn’t there since he’d gone to visit the Tomlinsons, so he missed him. Xander had come over with white roses and apparently sat with Anne for over an hour, talking about his family, their estate, and how he wished to spend more time with Harry. Something Harry completely missed while dancing with Xander was learning that the alpha was a Duke. Anne was delighted and charmed by him. She wanted to marry Harry off and get him settled down, and Xander was a good match in her opinion, especially given that he was royalty.

Harry spoke about it at great lengths with his mother the night before the race and he realized after much arguing that it was fruitless. Anne was insistent that he should give Xander a chance and the more Harry thought about it, the more he realized he could use this to his advantage. Louis hadn’t written to him or made any moves since Harry went over to their place with the flowers, so maybe Harry needed to up his antics.

“A wonderful day, isn’t it?” Xander asked Harry as he helped him down from their carriage.

Harry nodded, squinting underneath the bright sunlight. He stepped aside, allowing the carriage to leave, and Xander extended his arm for Harry to take. He was a lovely alpha, but Harry cringed every time they had to interact. He was leading him on and he felt bad about it, but he wasn’t sure what else to do. His mum had practically pushed him out the door this morning and told him he was to report back later that night with every single detail when he got back.

If she only knew where his mind and heart were at.

“Do you come to these races often?” Xander asked, attempting to engage in conversation once more with Harry. The carriage ride was mostly silent except for Xander asking him mundane things like what Harry’s favorite color was and how he took his tea. He was clearly trying, but the more time passed, the more Harry couldn’t find it in him to try.

“Sometimes during the social season,” the omega replied. “Not really my thing, though.”

“What do you like doing in your free time, then?”

“I like going to museums, mostly. There’s a few in London that I frequent almost monthly.”

“I’ll have to ask you to take me to your favorite one sometime,” Xander chuckled. “I’ve never been to a museum.”

“Really?” Harry cocked his head to the side. “Any reason why?”

“I’ve never been interested,” Xander replied. “I think I just might need you to show me how to appreciate fine art.”

“I think so,” Harry laughed. They approached the entrance to the race where the organizers had set up bleachers for everyone to sit on while riders got their horses ready on the field. Harry looked around the crowd, appreciating all the colorful outfits and jubilant conversations going on. It was only moments later that he found Louis. He was standing with Jane and while Harry had seen them together a few times now, his stomach sank at the way Louis was laughing with her. Jealousy swirled in Harry’s gut and he didn’t realize he was pouting until Xander nudged him.

The omega looked up at him and tried smiling. “Sorry, did you say something?”

“I was just saying it looks like there will be five horses racing today,” Xander pointed out. “Which one do you think will win?”

Harry glanced over at the horses on the field and shrugged. “The white one is really pretty. Maybe that one. I’m not sure. What about you?”

“I reckon that black one with the brown tail would do very well,” Xander commented. “Did you know that the alpha who is racing him studied abroad? We used to frequent the same club together.” He began recounting how he’d met the lad and Harry tuned him out again, eyes skirting back to where Louis was standing. It appeared Louis had spotted him now as well, his eyebrows furrowed as he watched Harry and Xander standing together and chatting.

Harry caught the alpha’s eyes and gave him a small nod in greeting. Louis only narrowed his eyes back at Harry and Harry raised his eyebrows at him in question. He wanted to know what was going through Louis’ mind. He was so unbelievably confusing. Louis had written that letter to him not even three months ago. He’d said he’d always love Harry and yet, here he was, with another omega by his side when Harry had, more or less, told him he felt the same way as him. The ball was in Louis’ court and he wasn’t doing a single thing.

“Shall we sit?” Xander asked Harry, snapping him out of his thoughts once more.

“Sure,” Harry nodded, walking forward with the alpha.

At that moment, Louis and Jane began walking toward the seats as well from the opposite side. Harry slowed his steps so that they approached each other at the same time.

“Mr. Tomlinson,” Xander greeted, smiling broadly at Louis. Harry frowned. He didn’t realize they knew each other. “It’s nice to see you out here. Great day for a race, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” Louis said tersely. “Are you accompanying Mr. Styles, then?”

“He is my date for today,” Xander confirmed. “I’m a lucky man.”

Louis only grimaced as he began walking up the steps of the bleachers with Jane in front of him. Harry strategically stepped in behind the alpha and followed him up. Louis took a seat next to Jane in the third row and Harry followed, sitting down next to him as Xander took the seat on his opposite side.

Xander seemed keen for the race to start and Harry hoped for his sake that he enjoyed himself because now that Harry was sitting next to Louis, all the omega could focus on was the alpha beside him and his scent that had become so familiar and comforting to him after all the time they spent together. Despite being outside, the air around Harry was permeated with the smell of cinnamon and coffee, and he felt himself relaxing beside the alpha who was giving off those pheromones. There was plenty of space on the bleachers. Enough that if Harry wanted he could spread his legs, but he shifted closer to Louis’ side until their thighs touched and leaned on him ever so slightly.

Harry waited with bated breath for Louis to do something. Maybe nudge him off or shift closer to Jane until Harry got the hint. Anything. But Louis remained still and then slowly moved his thigh closer to Harry’s as well. The butterflies in Harry’s stomach multiplied and he smiled to himself, ducking his head down to hide away his face. This was why he found Louis so confusing, but so endearing at the same time.

As the game began and everyone cheered for their choice of horses that they were supporting, Harry just relaxed, basking in being this close to Louis. Several times, he felt the alpha’s eyes on him and he warmed under his attention, but never initiated any conversation or eye contact. With Jane right there, Harry didn’t want to cause any trouble even if his omega was wanting to make a scene and claim the alpha he was in love with.

In the end, it was a brown-haired horse that won, but Xander looked to be in great spirits anyway as they all began getting up and walking down the bleacher steps. He was talking animatedly about some moment during the race and had his hand extended to help Harry down, but then his grip loosened and Harry felt himself almost tripping down. Before he could meet the ground, a pair of firm hands gripped him from the back, holding on to his waist, and Harry straightened himself, the smell of coffee and cinnamon stronger than ever.

Louis slowly let him go and then charged down the rest of the way, glaring at Xander. “Are you even paying attention, mate?” he asked him. “Harry could have gotten hurt just now.”

Xander looked chastised and embarrassed. “My apologies, Mr. Styles. I wasn’t looking.”

“Next time be sure to do so if you think you’re so lucky to be in his company,” Louis snarled angrily at him. He turned to Jane and grabbed onto her elbow, and began walking away as she looked back at Harry and Xander in confusion.

Harry stood in front of Xander and gave him a small smile. “No harm done,” he said.

“Are you sure?” Xander asked. “I really didn’t mean to.”

“I’m sure,” the omega grinned and watched Louis as he walked toward the park exit. The alpha glanced back at him once before continuing on.

⚭

Last year on Harry’s birthday, he’d spent the day alone. His friends in Paris had offered to plan a whole day for him, but he’d declined, telling them that he had too much work to do for the art program and he also needed to run a few errands. In reality, he just wallowed. It had been around the time that he realized how much he missed Louis and wanted to be back home in London. He had no interest in going out. Instead, he sat around drafting letters to Louis only to rip them up and throw them out. He also spent a great deal of time reminiscing about his previous birthday, which he’d spent with the alpha.

It was pathetic, really, and one of Harry’s lowest points while he was away. But it sucked that this year was turning out to be similar.

Harry woke up on the morning of his 20th birthday with the sun shining outside. The windows were wide open and the breeze was welcoming, but he didn’t feel great. It had been another week of silence from Louis and Harry was at his wit's end. How much more did he have to put himself out there before Louis acknowledged him and his feelings? He’d given him so many signs at this point and received so many back only for nothing to happen in the end.

He slowly got out of bed and freshened up before joining his parents for breakfast. They wanted to do a nice dinner later that night and he tried appearing happy and excited, if only for their sake. After breakfast, though, Harry locked himself away in his work room, taking out a fresh new canvas and placing it on top of his easel. Painting was the only thing that brought him a sense of ease and calm, and he really needed that today since he couldn’t stop stressing about Louis.

The alpha had to know that Harry was waiting for him to make a move. Harry wondered if he even remembered that it was Harry’s birthday today. He didn’t hear from him last year, but he didn’t expect to. Maybe he shouldn’t expect anything this year either. His silence was deafening.

Harry couldn’t help but wonder if this was all out of respect for Jane. She didn’t seem to mind Harry as much, though. He wondered how much she knew about him considering Louis and him were once engaged. Their wedding was the talk of the ton that year. In all the times that they’d seen each other at balls and the Royal race, she never made any moves to engage in conversation with him. If Harry was being honest, she seemed rather aloof. She didn’t do or say much, and Harry wondered how much Louis even knew about her. Did he like her more than he liked Harry?

The thought drew angry emotions to the surface and Harry had to stop himself from spreading his paintbrush too harshly against the surface of the canvas. He didn’t have a goal in mind when he began the piece, but just let his fingers do the work. He’d begun by painting a sky first — the one he’d woken up to this morning — and added in different colors to get the shade just right. Baby blue like Louis’ eyes, the very ones that drove Harry crazy.

A knock at the door startled him and Harry looked over to see their footman, Victor, peeking in. “May I come in, sir?” he asked.

“Of course,” Harry nodded. “Everything alright?”

Victor nodded, walking into the room. “These came in for you.” He placed a bright and colorful bouquet of flowers over an empty space on his table. It was an arrangement of several different colored hibiscus flowers, all wrapped together in a forest green bow. There was even a note tucked on the side.

Harry smiled as he picked it up. “Who brought this?” he asked, studying the envelope, which had his name on it.

“I’m not sure, sir. The florist delivered it,” Victor replied.

Tucking his bottom lip beneath his teeth, Harry opened the note and read it.

Happy birthday, Harry! I hope it’s a wonderful one.

Yours sincerely,

Louis

P.S. Hibiscus flowers represent delicate beauty, such that you are.

A massive grin spread across Harry’s face and he quickly grabbed an empty sheet of paper from his desk drawer. He scribbled down a quick note.

Louis,

Thank you so much for the flowers. It means so much that you thought of me. Would you be so kind as to have lunch with me in my garden this afternoon? It would really make me so happy.

Hope to see you soon.

Yours,

Harry

He folded the note and handed it to Victor, who took it from him. “Can you please deliver this personally to the Tomlinson manor and make sure it reaches Louis?” he instructed.

Victor nodded. “Of course, sir.”

“Please make haste,” Harry smiled, standing up from his chair and picking up the bouquet. There were so many colors — yellow, red, pink, purple, and blue. They were beautiful and Harry rushed out of the room to go place them in a vase in his room. He had to hurry since it was almost lunchtime and he wanted this lunch to be special. He wasn’t sure if Louis would even come, but he had a good, strong feeling he might.

The omega wasn’t much of a cook, but he knew how to make simple finger sandwiches and Sarah helped him put together a cute little picnic. His basket was filled with sandwiches, pastries courtesy of Sarah, fruits, and a container of lemonade. Harry went up to his room after preparing the picnic and fixed his hair a bit before adding some rouge to his cheeks and lips. Once he felt more presentable, he grabbed a picnic blanket from their linen closet and went to the garden.

It really was the perfect day. The sun had gone down a bit and the breeze felt perfect. Harry picked a spot right below the willow tree and placed the blanket over the grass before sitting down on it with the basket. He didn’t want to take anything out until Louis got there, which would hopefully be soon. He hoped he wasn’t being too presumptuous in expecting the alpha to spend his birthday with him, but Harry was waiting for this — a sign.

Anything to show him that Louis was thinking of him as well. And his note. God, his note. He couldn’t stop rereading it in his bedroom earlier, the butterflies in his stomach doing cartwheels at the thought of Louis going to the flower shop to pick an arrangement just for him. He wanted that. He wanted Louis for the rest of his life and maybe if he played his cards right today, that would become a reality.

Harry sat there patiently, trying to keep his mind preoccupied with other things, but it always somehow came back to Louis. He considered strolling through his garden to settle his nerves. It was one of his favorite parts of the house, especially the flowers around the edges that his mum spent so much time working on. He particularly liked the shade below the willow tree he was currently sitting under. It was where he liked to read the most.

As the minutes passed with no sign of Louis, Harry wondered if he jumped the gun with this invite. Perhaps Louis sent those flowers as a courtesy…not because he wanted to be with Harry. But that didn’t make sense. Why would he do that? Why would he fill Harry with so much hope only to let him crash in disappointment? Or was it all in Harry’s head? He was becoming more and more delusional about his feelings.

An unsettling feeling curled in his stomach and he pulled his knees to his chest, resting his chin over them. He closed his eyes and wished that Louis would just walk through those doors and toward him now. Please, he thought to himself. Please, please come.

He heard the familiar creak of the door to his garden and his eyes flew open, struggling to adjust to the sunlight at first, but then he saw him. Louis stood just at the doorway, smiling back at him, and Harry jumped to his feet. He let out a shaky, relieved laugh and ran across the garden until he reached the alpha, hugging him close. His heart was racing against his chest and he squeezed Louis tighter to make sure he wasn’t just dreaming. But no.

Louis was there.

He came.

The alpha slowly wrapped his arms around Harry’s slim waist and chuckled. “Happy birthday,” he said.

“Thank you,” Harry rasped out, giving him one last squeeze before letting go. “Sorry. I just — I’m really happy that you’re here.”

Louis looked at him with a small smile. “I had a couple of things to get done before I could come over, but I did get your note.”

“I’m glad. I prepared us lunch,” Harry told him, gesturing over to the picnic set up.

“You did this all by yourself?” Louis asked, following Harry over to the blanket.

“Actually, Sarah helped me, but most of it was me,” Harry admitted, sitting down and watching Louis settle down beside him. He looked mesmerizing, his white shirt ruffling against the breeze. Below he had on cream-colored breeches with his black boots. It was casual and perfect for a summer day like this and Harry had seen Louis much more dressed up, but something about him now was so breathtaking. It went to show that even when Louis dressed down, he was still gorgeous. He was the epitome of Harry’s dream alpha with his chiseled jaw and perfectly tanned face. His prince charming.

When Louis turned to look at him and say something, he faltered, caught off guard by the way Harry was staring at him. The omega quickly looked away, his cheeks warming as he began taking out the sandwiches and pastries he put together. It worked as a distraction. Louis looked completely charmed by the spread. He bit into the cucumber sandwich Harry gave him and moaned around the first bite. Harry giggled.

“Don’t tease me. I know it’s not the best, but I had to make do with the short time I had,” he whined, unable to look away from the large bite Louis took.

“I’m not teasing,” Louis shook his head. “This is probably the best cucumber sandwich I’ve ever had.”

“If you say so,” Harry smiled to himself as he took a bite himself. “I hope I didn’t take you away from any other important plans. I just thought I should invite you over when I got your note. Thank you for the flowers, by the way. They’re beautiful.”

“You’re welcome,” Louis smiled back. “And you didn’t. I didn’t have very many plans today. Just some work with the estate. Do you have any plans?”

“I don’t. Mum and Dad want to do dinner later, but that’s all.”

“What were you doing before?”

“I was painting, actually,” Harry told him. “Nothing in particular. Just wanted to do it for fun.”

“Well, whenever you’re finished with this piece, I’d like to see it.”

“Alright,” Harry nodded, taking another bite of his sandwich. “Do you still fence in your free time?”

Louis laughed, looking rather embarrassed. “I don’t, no. I don’t have as much time anymore. I was never quite good at it, but I do miss it.”

“You should try and make time. It’s important that you do things you enjoy otherwise you’ll just go mad.”

“Very true,” Louis said. “It’s just been hard. My father’s been very adamant about me taking care of everything now.”

Harry could tell then that the pressure of it was weighing on Louis. As he looked at him closely, he noticed the dark circles under his eyes from lack of sleep and the way he looked so much older than he had two years ago. He was only two and twenty. Much too young to carry so much on his shoulders already.

“Do you want to take over your family estate?” Harry asked. “I mean, is that something you’ve always wanted, or are you just accepting because your father asked you to?”

“I do like it,” Louis nodded. “It’s a lot of work, but I feel like I’m making a difference in other people's lives by providing them with work and a place to stay. I just wasn’t expecting it so soon. Father’s a bit ill. I don’t know if I’ve told you.”

“You didn’t,” Harry shook his head. “I’m sorry to hear that. I hope it isn’t too bad.”

“He’s alright now,” Louis replied. “But due to his older age, he grew ill a few months ago, and it scared him a bit. He decided he needed to start thinking about the future, Mum, and the girls.”

“I see. I only ask because my parents asked me if I wanted to take over the estate,” Harry explained. “They said they would try to get around the whole me being an omega thing. They gave it to Gemma and she isn’t even an alpha.”

“Yes, I suppose if you wanted you could bend the rules a bit. I take it you didn’t want the estate then?”

“No,” Harry shook his head. “It would have made me feel like I was trapped here. And even if I never end up moving, I still didn’t like the idea of that. I don’t want to be chained anywhere.”

Louis reached for another sandwich from the container. “I’ve always liked that about you, you know?”

“What?” Harry asked, smiling softly at him.

“Just that you dream of places beyond where we live and what we’ve always known. Not a lot of people are brave enough to do so. They’re comfortable here. But you…you aspire to be someone and you are. You’re so talented and special.”

Harry bashfully looked away, unable to meet the alpha’s eyes. If he didn’t know any better, he’d think Louis was flirting with him. He busied himself with pouring both of them lemonade and they continued to chat until they finished all the food. When they were done, Louis leaned back against the bark of the tree and looked at Harry.

“I’ve got to start heading out in a bit,” he told him.

The omega tried not to look too upset as he nodded understandingly. “Thank you for coming again. This really…it meant a lot to me, Louis.”

“I’m happy to spend time with you,” Louis said. “And thank you for preparing the picnic. I know this was probably not as glamorous as your birthday in Paris, but I hope it was fun, at least.”

Harry laughed ruefully. “My birthday in Paris was quite boring, actually. My favorite birthday was the one the year before. In London.”

Louis’ expression grew pensive for a moment as he thought back and Harry knew it clicked when his cheeks blushed a light shade of pink. It was Harry’s 18th birthday and his parents had thrown him a party. Louis had come, of course, since they were engaged and the two shared a sweet kiss up in Harry’s bedroom at the end of the night. It was only their second kiss and the last one at that, but it still brought a surge of butterflies to Harry’s stomach whenever he thought about it.

Their first kiss was so quick and fleeting, but this one was so much more. He’d been eager to kiss the alpha and Louis seemed to be faring the same, his hands holding Harry’s waist as their bodies moved flush together. It was over just moments later and Louis left him in his bedroom feeling completely debauched from a simple kiss.

Looking at Louis now, Harry saw he looked touched, his eyes warm as he gazed at Harry.

“Harry,” he sighed, his voice quiet. “What is going on? What — what are you doing? You’ve been clear about certain things, but I don’t know. I just don’t understand.”

This was Harry’s moment. He had to be honest and he had to tell Louis exactly how he felt.

“I want to be with you again, Louis,” Harry confessed, his mouth dry from nerves. He could feel his face burning hot and his heart racing, but he plowed on while Louis stared at him, his expression unreadable. “I realized a while ago that I love you and I regretted leaving you the way I did. Paris was great, but more than that, it was awful because of how much I missed you. I came back with hopes of mending things with you, but I didn’t know how much I’d missed while I was gone.”

“Two years,” Louis rasped. “You were gone two years, Harry.”

“I know,” Harry replied, his eyes watering. “It’s a long time and I lost everything. I’m so sorry. But I need you to know that I want you back. I love you.”

“I don’t know what to say,” Louis said, running a hand over his face.

“I read your letter, you know? The one you’d written to me but never sent.”

At this, Louis looked up, his brows furrowed. “You what? What letter?”

“The day I came to visit you, I saw the letter you’d written to me. It was there on your desk and I couldn’t help myself. I read it.”

Louis shook his head disapprovingly. “Harry, you shouldn’t have gone through my stuff. I was never intending to send that letter.”

“I’m sorry — I just saw it and I made a rash decision,” Harry rushed to say, desperate for Louis not to get angry with him. “You said you love me in that letter. Is that…is that no longer true?”

The alpha sat there quietly while Harry watched him in silence. He took a long, shuddering breath and then stood up, slowly walking away, leaving Harry sitting there, confused, vulnerable, and hurt.

⚭

Harry had always been a fan of the opera. He looked forward to attending whenever his family was invited. There was something so glamorous and decadent about the high ceilings, the velvet red drapes, and the glittering, gold stage. He was a lover of all art and music was one of them. Tonight, however, he was absolutely loathing being here.

For one, his mother insisted that he be accompanied by Xander Ritz, once again. So now he was being subjected to another night of Xander asking him the most mundane questions. Secondly, there were too many people around them. All the scents mixed together were suffocating him and Harry felt like a child, so close to throwing a tantrum at having to come out tonight when he wasn’t in the mood.

But what he loathed the most about tonight was that just across the opera hall was Louis with his fiancé, Jane.

He glared at the pair the second he arrived because he was angry at Louis now. He walked out of the Styles manor only four days ago and since then he had not reached out to Harry at all. He never came back to visit, wrote him a note, or anything! Harry laid out his feelings for him as Louis had asked. Now, he didn’t know where they stood, but one thing Harry knew was that he was done with these games and his plan. He’d done what he needed to and now he wasn’t going to pretend like seeing Louis with Jane didn’t rip his heart out every time. His omega was screaming inside, anguished and jealous, and he was over it.

“Are you feeling alright?” Xander asked him.

Seeing how unsure Xander looked made Harry feel bad because he didn’t want Xander to think he’d done anything wrong. It wasn’t his fault Harry’s life and his feelings were a complete mess. Harry shook his head.

“No, I’m sorry. Just not feeling the best,” he answered.

“Would you like me to escort you home?” the alpha asked, a concerned expression on his face.

“I’ll be alright, but thank you,” Harry attempted to smile.

Xander nodded. “Just let me know, alright?”

They faced forward as everyone started to settle down into their seats. The show would be starting soon. Harry’s parents were somewhere here as well, but they left Harry and Xander alone to give them some time to get to know each other. He discreetly looked over at Louis, finding him in deep conversation with the omega beside him. Harry continued to watch them even though it was complete torture. But he couldn’t look away. It was almost like his body was trying to convince himself that if he looked at them long enough, he could accept that he’d lost Louis for good.

No matter what plan Harry made and all of his efforts to court the alpha, he didn’t succeed and he’d just have to accept it. It was almost working. He was nearly numb to it until the lights began to dim and just as they did, Harry saw Jane lean over across her seat to press her lips against Louis’ jaw.

Harry saw red.

He didn’t know what Louis did or what happened after because the entire room was dark, but Harry had had enough. He immediately stood up, his seat clattering in the otherwise quiet room, and stormed out of the aisle. Several people looked over at him, but Harry couldn’t see them with the tears blurring his vision. He wasn’t even sure where he was going, but the second he left the opera hall and walked into the lobby, he took a shaky breath. He gulped as he looked around the room, trying to find somewhere he could go, and spotted the sprawling staircase that led upstairs to the private rooms where VIP guests went to sit before and after shows, mostly to drink and socialize.

Since there was a show going on now, all the rooms upstairs were empty so Harry picked a random one to go into, closing the door behind him soundly. Once inside, his eyes took in the lavish velvet sofas and the large fireplace in the corner. It was a beautiful room to fall apart in and that was exactly what Harry did. He felt so utterly broken. So helpless and desperate and wild. He began pacing the room, trying to even out his rapid breathing, but he was only getting more and more worked up. How could Louis let her do that? How could he sit there right in front of Harry and be so charming and flirty with his new omega?

Just thinking of Jane as Louis’ omega made Harry want to flip over every piece of furniture in this room. He growled to himself and his lips quivered as he desperately tried not to cry, but he was so shaken up. Everyone had seen him. They’d all witnessed him running out of there and he had no explanation. He didn’t have it in him to lie to anyone anymore. He wanted to scream and shout that he loved Louis and his heart was breaking.

The room’s door opened suddenly and Harry turned around to see Louis walk inside looking out of breath and flush. He watched Harry with trepidation as he closed the door behind him, the noise echoing around the walls. Harry didn’t say a single word to him as he slowly approached the omega like he was scared of setting him off. He only looked back at him with fierce, stubborn eyes, daring him to say something.

“I just wanted to make sure you were alright,” Louis finally said.

“Why?” Harry asked him angrily. “Why do you care if I’m alright?”

Louis sighed deeply. “Don’t do this, Harry. Just be calm.”

“I don’t want to be calm,” Harry cried, his vision blurring once more with tears. He didn’t try to stop them this time, allowing them to flow freely down his cheeks. “I hate this, Louis. I hate seeing you with her. I hate seeing her sitting by your side, so close as if she has any right to be. You were mine first. I loved you first.”

“Except you decided you didn’t want me anymore, Harry!” Louis shouted back, stunning him. “You left. On our wedding day, no less. Have you forgotten that?”

“Of course, I haven’t!” Harry said. “I think about it every single day. I regret it every second. I have regretted it for two years, Louis.”

“It’s too late for that,” the alpha responded, his voice lowering.

Harry shook his head petulantly. “No, it’s not. Please believe me when I say I will apologize for that for the rest of my life, but please, Louis. Please don’t say it’s too late. Let me prove myself to you. I love you. I love you so much.”

His tears streamed down his splotchy, hot face. He didn’t care how this looked to Louis. He was ready to get down on his knees and beg. He was ready to do anything. Louis looked pained, his eyes watering and the edges pink, like he was seconds away from falling apart himself. Harry let out a wracked sob and Louis stepped close, like he wanted to comfort him, but stopped himself short.

“You keep saying that,” Louis said to him, his voice hoarse. “That you love me, but I never got the sense that you felt that way about me. You were so against our marriage from the start.”

“At the time, I didn’t want to get married,” Harry explained. “When my parents introduced us, I wasn’t interested in that.”

“You made it plenty clear. You never wanted to spend time with me. I was persistent, Harry, but I wasn’t stupid.”

“No,” Harry shook his head, wiping at his eyes and taking a deep breath. “I was the stupid one. I was stubborn and I was so mean. But I did feel something for you, Louis. I just thought that I had to choose between you and my dreams.”

“You didn’t,” Louis told him. “Harry, if you’d told me that you wanted to go to Paris to study, I would have gone with you. I would have followed you anywhere. You just left me.”

“I didn’t know I could ask that of you. I didn’t know that was a possibility. I mean — what about your father’s estate?”

“I would have figured it out. Just admit that you didn’t believe in me. You didn’t know me because if you took the time to know how much I cared about you…how much I loved you, then you would have,” Louis said, his voice rising again.

“I regret that,” Harry told him pleadingly. “I regret the way I handled it. I wish you were there with me.”

Louis shrugged, his shoulders sagging in defeat. “What’s done is done. I didn’t mean to come in here and shout at you. I just wanted to make sure you were alright.”

“I’m not alright. I couldn’t sit there and watch her kiss you,” Harry cried. “It was killing me inside. Did you kiss her back?”

“What?” Louis asked, sounding exasperated and so frustrated.

“Did you kiss her like you kissed me?” Harry asked him.

“No,” Louis shook his head. “What you saw was the first time that happened.”

A sense of satisfaction filled Harry because that meant Louis was still his, in a way. He had those parts of Louis that Jane didn’t have yet. It made him feel good that it was only with him that Louis let himself be pulled by desire enough to kiss him and give in to their temptations. Harry took a step closer to the alpha.

“Do you love her, Louis?” he asked.

“Harry,” Louis warned, looking away from him.

Harry closed the gap between them, his body nearly flush with the alpha’s. “Do you love her?” he asked again.

“No,” Louis shook his head, still not looking at Harry, but not moving away either to create space between them.

“Do you love me?” Harry asked him.

“Why do you get to do this?” Louis questioned, turning his face to glare at the omega. “Why are you pushing me after you hurt me? Why can’t you move on and let me go, too? I’m trying, Harry. I’m trying so hard and you’re making it difficult.”

“Because I love you and I will always love you,” Harry told him, his voice shaking as several more tears rolled down his cheeks. “I will spend my whole life loving you and if you tell me to move on, I will have to spend my whole life trying to get over you.”

“So stubborn,” Louis whispered to himself.

“Do you want me to be with another alpha?” Harry asked him cruelly. “Did you enjoy seeing me with Xander?”

“I want you to be happy,” Louis argued. “I’ve told you this.”

“That doesn’t answer my question,” Harry retorted. “Don’t even lie to me and tell me you were okay with seeing me with other alphas. I saw the way you looked at me when I talked with them and danced with them. You yelled at Xander at the race, too!”

“He nearly dropped you like the fucking moron that he is! You deserve better.”

“Xander is perfectly fine. He’s handsome. He’s kind. He’s also a duke.”

“He’s a duke?” Louis scoffed. “Is that why you’re interested in him?”

“You’re telling me to move on, Louis. I’ll move on with Xander then just like you asked.”

“I’m not telling you to be with Xander,” Louis shook his head, his expression wrecked and anguished. “That’s not what I said.”

“What are you saying then? To move on. To not love you anymore. To find someone else,” Harry laughed bitterly. “I will but I won’t love them like I love you. If I can’t have you, then I don’t want anyone.”

Louis blinked at him, his eyes glassy and red, unable to say anything more. Harry’s eyes drifted down to the alpha’s lips. Being this close and inhaling his strong scent, Harry wanted to burrow himself in Louis’ neck. He wanted to pull the alpha on top of him and kiss him until every inch of him was Harry’s, so much so that Jane couldn’t go near him even if she tried.

“Stop looking at me like that,” Louis said to him, his eyes pleading. “Harry.”

“You still haven’t answered me,” Harry said, his head tilting forward as he nosed along Louis’ jaw. He felt the alpha shudder beneath him, inhaling sharply. “Do you still love me?”

Louis growled lowly, his hand reaching out to grab Harry’s waist, and Harry leaned forward, his nose dragging along to the top of Louis’ cheekbones. “You’re so breathtaking,” Harry whispered to him. “Every inch of you is art. I could sit and look at you forever. I’ve thought about nothing but your lips on mine for two years.”

“You can’t say these things to me,” Louis shook his head, pulling his head back, his eyes scrunched close. “This isn’t right.”

“Maybe not. But I still love you,” Harry said. “And I’m sorry. Please don’t give up on me.”

Louis took a step back and Harry instantly felt like he dragged all the warmth away with him. “I need time, Harry. I need to think, alright?”

Blinking away more tears, Harry nodded, turning around so Louis couldn’t see him falling apart once more. He heard his footsteps walk away and the door shut behind him. He wasn’t sure how long he sat there crying, but by the time he left, he was completely numb.

⚭

News about Harry’s sudden abruption at the opera had spread throughout the ton like wildfire. His mum told him that Sarah told her that people at the market were overheard saying all sorts of things about why he ran out of there the way he did. The biggest rumor was that he fell into heat, which was really embarrassing, but at least they didn’t know the real reason. No one had caught Louis following him since the lights were down and he was quiet and stealthy about it.

Harry had a feeling people would talk like this so he didn’t even go back to his seat at the end of the night. He snuck out of the room before the opera ended and took his carriage back home. Once he did, he stripped out of his clothes and changed into his softest nightgown, and curled up into his bed, crying until he felt like his body didn’t have any more tears left.

When his parents came home, they came by to check on him, but Harry pretended to be asleep. He didn’t have it in him to tell them what had happened. He didn’t want to tell them about Louis and be lectured. Harry was well aware that it was inappropriate of him to try and court a man who was already betrothed to another. He blew it, in the end, so it didn’t matter and he needed to accept the consequences of his choices.

He stayed in bed the next morning and well into the afternoon until teatime when his stomach grumbled too much for him to ignore it. Downstairs, his mum was sitting by the window with a book in her lap. She looked up when he entered and when she saw the state of him — messy hair, puffy, red eyes, and pale skin — she just sighed.

“Oh, love,” she said. “Come on and sit next to me. Let’s have some tea.”

Harry took a seat beside her and picked up the teacup she poured for him. He looked at her. “You’re not going to ask?”

“I think I have an inkling,” she replied. “We’ll talk when you’re ready, okay?”

“Thank you,” he whispered and she reached her hand over and squeezed his hand in a comforting manner.

Once they were done eating, Sarah cleared the table. Harry went to grab a book from the shelf to join his mum and read with her when Victor approached them. “We have visitors, Mrs. Styles,” he informed her.

“Who is it?” she asked.

“Mr. Horan, Mr. Payne, and Mr. Malik,” Victor replied.

Harry turned to him. “They must be here for me. I’m not sure I’m ready for company, though.”

Anne hesitated to speak as she stood up, picking up her book with her. “Harry, dear, I think it might be good for you to talk with them. You might not feel comfortable telling me, but they’re your friends. They’ve been there with you since you were little.”

Harry looked down at the floor, mulling over his mum’s words. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust the boys, but so much had happened. Maybe if he told them everything they could give him some advice. They were, after all, there from the beginning and watched it all unfold. Despite knowing Louis and being his friend as well, they never made Harry feel unwelcome when he came back despite what he’d done. Harry was guarding himself too much. He ought to listen to his mum and maybe he’d feel a lot better. A lot less alone.

“Victor, can you please bring them in here?” Harry asked. The footman nodded and walked away. Anne smiled at Harry and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

“You let me know if you need anything, alright?”

He nodded, giving his mum a small smile, and waited quietly as his friends walked in. When they did, they immediately pulled him into a group hug and Harry felt so overwhelmed with emotion that he began to cry again, which was insane to him. How many tears could one person hold? Clearly, there was no limit. He really felt so lucky to have the friends that he did.

As they sat down, Harry wiped his cheeks and attempted to smile at them. “Thank you for coming over,” he said. “This is so embarrassing.”

“Don’t be embarrassed, Harry,” Niall shook his head. “You’ve got nothing to be embarrassed about.”

“I think I do,” he admitted. “I’ve been a complete mess.”

“You’re going through something difficult,” Liam reasoned. “It’s understandable. I wasn’t there last night, but my parents were and they told me that the ton was being nosy and disrespectful for no good reason.”

“I didn’t leave because I was in heat,” Harry told them, clearing up the rumors, and all three boys began laughing.

“We’ve gathered as much seeing as how you’re sitting in front of us, completely fine,” Zayn told him. “We just wanted to know what happened and that you were okay.”

Harry shrugged. “I’m not really okay, to be honest. The real reason I walked out of there had to do with Louis.”

“Oh,” Niall said. “Did he do something?”

“His new fiancé kissed his cheek and I completely lost it,” Harry explained. “It sounds bad, but I think I should start from the beginning.”

“Only if you feel comfortable telling us,” Zayn told him.

“I do,” Harry cleared his throat.

He began to tell them the entire story from his feelings on their arranged marriage in the beginning, how those feelings changed, his acceptance to the art program, leaving Louis the day of their wedding, and realizing how wrong he’d been to do that. While they knew about his time in Paris, he told them the bad parts of it this time — about the nights he spent crying in his room because he longed to be back in London with Louis, the days he walked aimlessly on the streets, wishing time would move faster so he could leave and plucking up the courage to do so when the time came. When he began telling them about the events after he got back, he expected them to get a bit angry with him because of how manipulative he’d been, but none of them passed any sort of judgment. They listened patiently until he told them what happened the night before. Once he was done, they all sat there quietly and Harry wiped at his cheeks once more because he began tearing up while explaining to them.

“I’m not proud of what I did,” he said. “I just thought that if I courted Louis the same way he courted me, then maybe I could change his mind. Last night, an ugly side of me came out. My omega couldn’t handle it.”

“I think it makes sense,” Niall said. “Our inner alphas and omegas have a way of claiming the ones we love and we’re almost incapable of doing anything to control it sometimes.”

“What are you planning to do now?” Liam asked. “Has Louis reached out?”

Harry shook his head. “I haven’t heard from him. I don’t know if he will. I think I’ve proper mucked it up.”

“I think you just need to give him time like he asked,” Zayn told him, reaching over to pat Harry’s shoulder. “Let him think it over and decide. But Harry, don’t put pressure on yourself. If Louis is meant to be yours, he will be.”

It was easier said than done. Especially when Louis was so close and Harry was stupid enough to let him go.

⚭

“Oh, Harry, please don’t pout,” Anne tutted. “It’s unbecoming and our hosts will find it rude.”

“I’m not pouting, Mum,” Harry grumbled, when he was in fact, pouting. He turned away from her and looked at all the guests socializing in front of him. They looked to be in such merry moods and Harry was sulking in the corner. He didn’t want to come to this ball, but his mum had insisted since it was being hosted by some of Gemma’s in-laws. As they were technically family, she thought it’d be impolite if Gemma’s one and only brother wasn’t present.

It sucked because Gemma wasn’t even there. Harry had written a letter to her a couple of days ago, filling her in on everything going on here, including the Louis situation. He wished for her advice and wished she was here tonight as well. Most of the ton was invited and this was starting to look like it would be one of their biggest balls of the season. The venue was massive with tall, ivory pillars, large chandeliers, and glass walls covered in vines of wisteria. Even Harry could appreciate how magnificent everything looked.

He thought about finding his friends and maybe spending some time with them, but they were all with their respective partners and he didn’t want to dampen anyone’s moods. At least Louis wasn’t here. He was the one Harry was most dreading to see since he hadn’t heard from the alpha after their conversation at the opera. Harry knew this only meant rejection, so he was trying his best to get through this, but being at a ball wasn’t doing him any favors. He’d much rather be holed up in his bedroom or his art room, feeling sorry for himself.

Just this morning, Harry decided he was going back to Paris. Now that he’d come back and he knew how Louis felt, there was nothing here for him anymore. He could continue the art program and become a famous painter like he’d always wanted to be. Sure he wouldn’t have the love of his life with him, but most painters were sad individuals anyway. Harry would fit right in. He didn’t see a reason to stay and torture himself. He could get away instead of watching Louis from afar with another omega. At least then, he wouldn’t know and he could live in ignorance.

“I’m sorry that I brought you out,” his mum said, speaking to him softly as she straightened out his collar.

He was wearing all black this evening to reflect his dark mood. His trousers were high-waisted and his top was completely sheer with lace trimmings around the chest and ruffles around his collar. It was one of his edgier outfits and he’d been saving it for a special occasion as he’d gotten it from Paris, but he figured since this might be one of the last events he attended this season, he might as well.

“It’s fine,” Harry replied, allowing her to fuss with him. “I’d like to leave early, though, if that’s okay with you?”

“That’s fine, love,” she smiled at him. “I’m going to go and greet a few people with your father. Are you going to be okay here or do you want to come with us?”

“I don’t need you to babysit me, Mum. Just go and do what you have to.” He attempted to give her a reassuring smile and her expression softened even more. Patting his cheek once, she walked with his dad, and Harry stood there alone, watching the guests mingle.

Another guest Harry wasn’t looking forward to seeing was Xander. They hadn’t spoken since the incident at the opera and Harry was hoping that Xander would take the hint and just move on. He wasn’t sure what he could say to the alpha in explanation for his rude behavior, so he hoped they wouldn’t have to talk at all.

To pass time, Harry perused the different tables with hors d'oeuvres and drinks but didn’t pick anything up. He wasn’t hungry and he didn’t want to drink tonight. He felt so dull and lifeless, his mind several miles away from where he was and everything going on around him. He almost felt like he was mourning a relationship, even though it had been over for over two years. And then he felt guilty for mourning it when he was the reason it ended.

Something about it just felt so unfair. Humans were designed to make mistakes. Why couldn’t they change their mind? Why couldn’t they learn from the choices they made and still find happiness? Were they not worthy of it anymore? He’d never claimed to be perfect and he’d never claimed to be the smartest person in a room. But he did try his best.

Making his way back to his corner, Harry leaned back against the wall and stared out at the crowd once more, willing time to move faster. He saw a group of people entering through the giant archway of the front hall, capturing his attention. His eyes followed as Charlotte, Felicity, and Mrs. Tomlinson made their way inside, smiling and greeting members of the ton. Harry blew out a shaky breath and looked down at his black, polished shoes, counted to three, and then slowly looked up again.

Louis walked in, looking every bit as handsome as Harry knew him to be. His black velvet coat and white shirt and cravat contrasted mesmerizingly against his golden, tanned skin. He held his head up high, always the picture of calm, composed, and confidence, as he made his way inside with his family.

God, Harry just wanted to march over there and make a mess of him. It was so bloody unfair that Louis got to walk around, attend balls, and do whatever it was that he wanted and not be affected by any of this. Meanwhile, Harry felt like his heart was being ripped from the inside out and he couldn’t hide any of his emotions. Harry didn’t want to be here anymore. He’d had enough of this place and all the fake people here. He was done doing a half-good job at pretending like he was okay.

Marching past the guests, Harry made a bee-line for the first exit he could find, which just so happened to be the garden. The second he felt the night air’s breeze against his face, he let out a sharp exhale of breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. Turning to look at the party behind him, Harry found a small part of him, the one that was burrowed deep inside, hoping that Louis would come looking for him. He wasn’t sure if the alpha even noticed him leaving, but he still couldn’t help but wish he did. He was so pathetic, he thought to himself, shaking his head and turning away.

He needed to let this go. He needed to keep moving.

Looking ahead, Harry marveled at the large garden. There were marble, white stairs that led to a gravel pathway. On one side, there was a patio with chairs and tables, perfect for teatime in the summer. Further down the path, there was a massive, sprawling maze, lined with tall, well-manicured hedges. Harry walked toward it, hoping to get lost so that by the time he made it out, the ball would be over and he wouldn’t have to face Louis anymore.

He took slow steps into the entrance of the maze, taking note of the stone benches tucked into different corners. He even spotted several archways, turning into different parts of the maze. He really could get lost in here if he wanted to especially since he couldn’t see or hear any other people around. As he continued walking, he got the urge to turn and look back once more to see if Louis had followed him here. It couldn’t hurt just to check, so he gave in and looked back.

At first, he thought he was imagining it. The person jogging to catch up with him from the steps of the garden. But then as he turned around fully to see, he realized it wasn’t his imagination at all. It really was Louis.

Harry felt an instant relief flood through his body, but as the alpha approached him, running a hand through his brown hair, he began to fear what this conversation would turn into. Maybe Louis was coming here to tell him he was done, once and for all. Harry wasn’t sure he could bear that. Before he could think, the omega turned around and began walking away from Louis.

“Harry,” Louis called him, following him deeper into the maze. “Where are you going?”

“Is there something you wanted?” Harry asked, not slowing his steps. He couldn’t bear it. He couldn’t hear Louis reject him.

“I wanted to speak with you,” the alpha sounded exasperated. “Can you stop for a moment?”

“Aren’t you here with your fiancé?” Harry asked, turning to look at him once before continuing forward. He had no idea where he was going and the more he walked, the quieter it got. “She’s probably waiting for you.”

“Jane isn’t here,” Louis told him.

“Where is she?”

“Harry, I broke it off.”

Finally, Harry stopped. He froze, his eyes wide and mouth open in shock, before he turned around to face the alpha. “You broke it off?”

“That’s what I was coming here to tell you,” Louis said.

“I wasn’t sure,” Harry replied, crossing his arms over his chest. “I got scared. I thought maybe you were coming here to reject me.”

“I can understand why you thought that. I haven’t been the most communicative, but I couldn’t just make a rash decision.”

“It’s not that hard,” Harry shrugged, pursing his lips as he haughtily replied. “You either love someone or you don’t.”

“It was never that simple,” Louis explained. “I wasn’t marrying Jane because I was in love with her, Harry. I was marrying her out of duty.”

“Because I left?”

“Yes,” Louis cried. “You left and I needed to move on. I told you that it wasn’t easy and I had made a promise to Jane. I didn’t want to hurt her.”

“What about me then?” Harry asked him. “I’m hurt, too, Louis.”

“I couldn’t trust you,” Louis admitted. “I was scared that if I jumped right back in with you that you might break my heart again.”

Harry shook his head, finding himself walking closer to the alpha. “I wouldn’t. I’m so sorry, Louis. Please believe me.”

Louis reached out for Harry’s hand, threading their fingers together. “I know. I forgive you. I really do. I just needed some time to think and once I got over the fear of you hurting me again, it all kind of started to fall into place for me. I’ve spent…so long, Harry, trying to move on from you. I kept pushing myself into thinking that the longer I spent apart from you, I would no longer be in love with you, but I realized that no amount of time, distance, distractions, duties…whatever it may be could make me not love you as much as I always have.”

“You still love me?” Harry asked, his eyes already watering as he took another step toward the alpha.

“I do,” Louis nodded, giving his hand a squeeze. “After all this time, I still love you so dearly, Harry. I have loved you from the moment I saw you, through the time I’ve gotten to know you, and even after you were gone. I realized this quite some time ago, actually. When I was writing my letter, to be precise. The minute I finished it, I knew that this love I had for you would burn constant and true. I knew that no matter who I married, I would carry this love for you no matter how far you were or how long had passed.”

Unable to hold back any longer, Harry pressed close and his lips crashed against Louis’ in a heated kiss. The alpha immediately let go of Harry’s hand and wrapped them around his waist instead while Harry held Louis’ face, cradling his jaw to slot their mouths together. His heart leaped in his chest and his stomach fluttered at finally being able to do this again. He’d craved Louis so badly and he felt so much love toward this alpha, he wanted nothing more than to show him how much he meant to him.

Louis moaned lowly against his mouth, his fingers squeezing Harry’s flesh. “So fucking beautiful,” he swore. His words sent a brush of fiery heat up Harry’s core and he moaned back, pressing himself closer. As his shirt was sheer, he could feel Louis’ large hands against his skin, and if they weren’t in public right now, Harry would be seconds away from having him rip it off.

“You taste so sweet, love,” Louis whispered to him, breaking their kiss as he pressed one against Harry’s jaw instead. “Sweet like honey. Missed your scent so much.”

“Missed you,” Harry whispered back, nosing along Louis’ neck.

“Have I told you how much I like your hair?” the alpha asked, his fingers tangling in the curls.

Harry giggled. “You have.”

“I’m telling you again. Such a perfect omega. All mine.”

“Completely yours forever,” Harry preened. “Until I can’t breathe anymore.”

Now that they both knew how the other felt, Harry didn’t want to let him go. He felt this sick satisfaction at knowing Louis came back to him and allowed Harry to touch him. He felt special and maybe that was his omega being petty, but Harry didn’t care. No other touch or lips could make him feel the way Louis did. He felt Louis’ tongue lap at his bond spot and he arched his back, mewling quietly at the sensation, and he knew that no one else could do it for Louis as Harry could.

They were meant to be together and no amount of time or space could change that, just like Louis said.

“Just promise me one thing, Harry,” Louis said, facing him again.

“Anything,” Harry said to him.

“Don’t break my heart again.”

“Never,” Harry shook his head, leaning forward to kiss his alpha once more.

⚭

If Harry thought the most difficult part about all of this would be to win Louis over again, he hadn’t thought far enough ahead to when they’d have to tell their families.

Last night, while they were still in the garden, Louis and Harry spoke for a long time about what this meant for them. Harry told him he wanted to marry him as soon as Louis was ready. Louis said he’d do it that night if he could, but they had to tell their families. It was a terrifying thought to gather everyone together in a room and face them after everything, but it needed to be done. They agreed to meet at the Tomlinson manor the next morning and do it before they lost any more time. And also because while they were embracing, Nicholas Grimshaw walked by with a suitor, spotting them. He’d given them a knowing grin and kept moving, but everyone knew he was all about gossip, so they needed to get ahead of that before the ton began talking about Harry and Louis’ scandalous romp in the garden.

Harry hadn’t slept a wink all night and got dressed the second he saw the sun coming up. He was so nervous and excited all at once. By the time his parents had come downstairs, he’d been ready to speak to them for almost two hours. “After breakfast, can we please go visit the Tomlinsons?” Harry asked, looking at them both over his cup of tea.

“The Tomlinsons?” Anne asked. “Are they doing anything?”

“No, it will just be us,” he responded.

“Why do you want to go there, son?” his father asked.

“I’ll explain everything once we’re there,” Harry promised. “Please.”

Both of his parents looked at one another and then turned to him, agreeing quietly, though, they looked pensive. Once they finished eating, Harry had the carriage drawn and the entire way, he felt like he was going to jump out of his skin. It could be the lack of sleep as well, but he just wanted everyone to be on board with this as much as he and Louis were. He wasn’t sure, though. While Harry’s parents have been on good terms with Mr. and Mrs. Tomlinson, he was sure there was still some level of awkwardness and distrust. What if they didn’t want to allow them to marry for fear of what the ton would think?

As they arrived, Harry felt faint, but powered through, smiling at Paul as he walked inside with his parents. Louis greeted them right away, smiling as he stood in the foyer. “Thank you so much for coming,” he said to Anne, kissing her hand before shaking Desmond’s.

“Of course, dear,” Anne replied. “How have you been?”

Louis smiled brightly. “Great, actually. My family is waiting for you both in the sitting room.”

He began leading both of them inside and Harry followed. He saw the alpha turn around once to look at him and give him a breathtaking smile. It was enough to calm Harry’s nerves. If Louis wasn’t nervous then Harry had nothing to worry about. He trusted him and knew that he’d take care of everything.

In the sitting room, Mr. and Mrs. Tomlinson were sitting down together while the girls were sprawled around. Phoebe and Daisy were sitting on the piano together, going over different sheet music, Felicity was sitting by the window with her book, and Charlotte was writing in a book beside her. They all stood up as soon as Harry and his parents entered, greeting them with hugs and smiles. By the time everyone was settled, Harry felt his heart start to race again.

Louis stood at the center of the room, smiling amiably as he looked at everyone before his eyes landed on Harry. “Would you like to join me as I share the news?” he asked.

The omega nodded, standing up and taking his place beside Louis. Looking at everyone staring back at them was nerve-racking, enough to have Harry inch a little closer to the alpha.

“Harry and I are once more betrothed,” Louis announced.

The silence in the room was deafening, but everyone’s expressions were more or less not what Harry expected. No one looked the least bit surprised.

“We’ve been talking since he got back from Paris and we realized we are very much in love with each other,” Louis explained. “Last night when we met at the ball, we decided we wanted to get married.”

Still, no one batted an eye, and Harry just couldn’t take it anymore.

“What do you all think?” he asked, his words rushed. “Do we have your approval?”

Mrs. Tomlinson clicked her tongue. “I don’t think our approval would matter much,” she said. “It’s very evident that you two have made up your minds about this. You’re not seeking our approval, are you?”

It was then that Harry realized they weren’t because even if they denied their union, Harry would find some way to be with Louis. He wasn’t going to let anyone stop them. He just wanted them to approve because he wanted them all to support them.

Harry shook his head. “No, I don’t think so,” he concluded. “I’d like to apologize to you all. I know what I did hurt not just Louis, but all of you as well. That was never my intention. I hope you all can understand. I promise I will try and make it up to you as much as I can.”

Mrs. Tomlinson smiled then, standing up from her seat, and approaching Harry. “Consider it forgotten. I’m an omega as well and I know how hard it can be for us. What you did, in a way, was brave. Choosing to follow your dreams instead of what everyone expects of you takes courage. But is this what you want, Harry?”

“Yes,” Harry replied right away. “I love Louis. I will always love him and I can’t think of anyone better for me than him.”

She smiled tearfully at him and pulled him into a hug. That seemed to spur everyone else on. Anne got up from her seat as well to hug Louis while Mr. Tomlinson and Desmond shook hands. Phoebe and Daisy were jumping up and down in excitement, but Harry saw Charlotte and Felicity approach him with matching, narrowed eyes. When Mrs. Tomlinson let him go to join Anne and Louis in their embrace, Harry walked up to the girls.

“You have one chance,” Charlotte informed him. “Don’t let us down.”

“I won’t,” Harry shook his hand.

Felicity and Charlotte looked at one another before smiling warmly at him. “Welcome to the family,” Felicity said, hugging Harry.

⚭

Harry never thought he could love Louis more than he already did, but that was before he’d seen the look on Louis’ face when Harry walked down the aisle toward him. His bright smile completely lit up from the inside and his eyes were glistening with tears by the time he reached him.

Their wedding day was nothing short of magical. It was held just at the beginning of August and only those closest and dearest were invited to the church ceremony. The couple didn’t want to wait too long to finally be united, so they did their best with the short amount of time they had. There was some concern over what the ton would say about Louis marrying his ex-fiancé after just breaking it off with Jane, but they realized they didn’t care and wanted to move forward with their lives.

Harry, naturally, was very emotional during the whole ceremony, if only because he was so happy that he finally got to do it right and seal his union with Louis. A content feeling settled into his chest as he rested his head over Louis’ shoulder during their first dance as a couple. Louis’ strong hands wrapped around his waist while they both swayed to the romantic music.

“You’re quiet,” Louis murmured into Harry’s ear.

Harry hummed. “Just thinking.”

“Thinking about what?” Louis chuckled.

There were a number of things running through the omega’s mind. He was thinking about the long hours Louis and he spent talking the night before about what they meant to each other and what they wanted in the future. Things that they probably should have talked about a long time ago had Harry taken his head out of his arse. He thought about Louis’ vows to him — promises of loving Harry with every single beat of his heart, supporting Harry through all of his dreams, respecting him as an equal, and making sure he was always happy.

For Harry, his biggest dilemma with getting married in the beginning was that he felt like no one would really be able to understand him. He wasn’t a docile omega who sat and stood at the snap of his alpha’s fingers. Harry was headstrong and quite stubborn when he wanted to be, but Louis loved him despite that. He told him he loved him because of that. He felt so lucky that in the end, he managed to find his happy ending and his master plan actually worked.

A smile adorned his face, smug and mischievous. “I’m thinking about this summer,” he confessed.

“This summer?” Louis frowned even as his lips formed a smile.

“Who would have thought my little master plan would work and I’d convince you to be with me again?”

“Ah,” Louis nodded. “You are quite the mastermind.”

“Thank you,” Harry preened. “Kind of messy at times, but I did my best.”

“So it was all planned?”

“Since that day I read your letter.”

Louis smirked. “I had a feeling, you know?”

At this, Harry straightened up, gazing into Louis’ eyes. The smirk on the alpha’s face grew wider. “You knew?”

“Not completely,” he admitted. “But I knew you were up to something, especially that first ball when you shared all of those dances with those alphas. I thought I was going crazy at first, but you wouldn’t stop looking over at me no matter who your partner was.”

“Were you jealous?” Harry asked, leaning close to inhale Louis’ heady scent, his nose dragging across his cheek.

“What do you think?” Louis cocked his head to the side. “I wanted to rip every single one of those alphas off you.”

Harry giggled. “I would have probably let you. But you knew I wasn’t interested in any of them since I kept staring at you, apparently.”

“You have no room to talk,” Louis shook his head. “Need I remind you of the night at the opera?”

“I stand by that,” Harry responded primly, his fingers tightening where they were clasped behind Louis’ neck. “No one gets to kiss you but me.”

As if to emphasize his point, the omega pressed his lips against Louis’ jaw, the exact same spot where Jane kissed him, and trailed it down to his neck. He should probably keep it tame since all of their friends and family were there, but he also didn’t care who saw how far gone he was for his alpha. He figured Louis enjoyed the public displays of affection as he lifted one of his hands up to Harry’s jaw and dragged his mouth into a kiss.

“I love you,” Harry whispered to him, not for the first time that day. “Thank you for being so patient with me.”

“I love you, too. I’d wait another ten years for you if you’d ask,” Louis told him.

Harry leaned in to kiss him again, the cheers and claps around them drowning out as he lost himself in his alpha.

⚭

“Do you need any water?” Louis asked, crossing the room as he began pulling off his coat and draping it over the chair.

Harry shook his head in response, watching as the alpha began unbuttoning his cufflinks next. There was something mildly erotic about it and Harry wondered if this was just an added effect of it being their wedding night. Now that it was here, Harry felt an exciting energy simmering beneath his skin. He hadn’t been shy about his desire for Louis in the time they’d gotten back together, or even prior to that. He was the one who’d initiated their first kiss, after all! But this was different. He’d never had the opportunity to see this side of Louis. The one behind closed doors.

They were at a nearby inn. A wedding present from Niall, who told them to have a good time with a salacious grin on his face. The place was cozy. It was closer to the countryside and encased in the middle of a beautiful meadow. Harry was looking forward to exploring the next morning, but he was really looking forward to tonight as well.

The concept of sex wasn’t new to him. His mum had a chat with both him and Gemma when they were of age to explain to them how their bodies worked to produce babies. His chat came the night he began experiencing symptoms of his first heat. As Harry reached puberty and went through several heats alone, he found different ways he could pleasure himself and bring his body to climax. But this was would be his first time with an alpha and he’d heard it felt vastly different. Even better than touching yourself.

The mood was definitely set. Niall had booked them the couple’s suite complete with a fireplace, a shag rug, and rose petals on their bed. Harry had been sitting on one side of the bed, exhausted from the day’s activities, while Louis was slowly settling in. He was now wearing just his shirt, his cravat discarded on the dresser, and examining the fireplace.

“What are you looking at?” Harry asked, standing up and approaching the alpha.

“Just making sure it’s safe,” Louis said, turning to look at him. “Are you warm?”

“I’m fine,” Harry laughed as he placed a hand over Louis’ shoulder. “I’m ready to go to bed.”

“Tired?” Louis asked him.

Harry smiled at him with mirth in his eyes. “Not enough. Need you to tire me out a little bit more.”

Louis tutted, sounding scandalized. “Are you seducing me, Harry Styles?”

“That’s Harry Styles-Tomlinson to you,” Harry murmured before pulling Louis into a warm, slow drink of a kiss. He pressed his body close, wanting to eliminate any space between them, while Louis slowly walked them toward the bed, his grip on Harry steady and firm. Harry’s hands wrapped around Louis’ shoulders, pulling him down with him as he lay back on the mattress, allowing Louis to settle between his thighs.

The alpha broke the kiss, looking down at Harry’s face with hooded eyes. “Beautiful omega,” he whispered, one of his thumbs tracing Harry’s bottom lip. “Tell me what you want. I’ll give you anything. Everything.”

“Just want you,” Harry said. “Always just want you.”

Louis leaned down and nosed along Harry’s jaw, scenting him as his hand trailed down to softly grip the front of Harry’s throat to keep him still. When his mouth reached Harry’s bond spot, he began kissing and sucking on it, and Harry squirmed beneath him. He let out soft moans while rolling his hips upward and against Louis’. The second he felt Louis’ hard cock against his, he began leaking slick, staining his white trousers and the sheets below. The alpha stilled, sucking in a sharp breath as he slowly lifted his head.

“You smell incredible, baby,” he whispered, his lips once more covering Harry’s in a chaste kiss.

“Louis,” Harry moaned, eyes wide and frantic. He suddenly wanted the alpha to completely take him apart, his desire pulsing through his body in a way it never had before. His hole clenched as more slick escaped. “Please.”

“I’m going to take care of you,” Louis promised. “Let’s get you comfortable and out of these clothes, alright?”

Harry nodded as Louis leaned back and stood up, grabbing Harry around the waist and helping him up on the bed until he lay right in the center. He slowly unbuttoned Harry’s lace-trimmed, white blouse and helped him take it off. The omega felt his nipples pucker even though the room was warm. As Louis began to unbutton his pants next, he ducked his head down and wrapped his lips around one of Harry’s nipples.

“Louis,” Harry cried out, his hands sinking into the alpha’s hair and gripping it. Louis only circled his tongue in response, running it across his chest to the other nipple. They felt sensitive and the buds hardened further under Louis’ ministrations. Harry was practically panting, his slick now running down his arse and to his thighs, while Louis dragged his pants off in one go. He was left in nothing but his underclothing, which Louis quickly discarded, leaving him bare.

Once satisfied, the alpha lifted his head, and Harry watched him with flushed cheeks. Louis’ hair was messy from how much he was pulling on it, but he looked so good. Harry wanted to mess him up even more. He didn’t feel shy underneath Louis’ dark eyes, which were memorizing every inch of Harry’s body. He thought he would, but he felt comfortable with the alpha. This felt right and good.

“It’s your turn,” Harry said. “I want to see you.”

Louis’ hands ran up Harry’s ankle to his knee, his fingers squeezing the flesh of his inner thighs. “Not yet,” he said. “I haven’t got my fill yet.”

He kissed the inside of Harry’s knee, running his tongue up his thigh, and Harry groaned in approval. Louis’ mouth was so close to where Harry desperately needed him most and the anticipation was killing him. But then he felt Louis’ long, thick fingers teasing his wet entrance and Harry let out a moan that echoed around the room. He was completely dripping and the slick, wet sound as Louis slipped two fingers in was absolutely obscene.

“Fuck,” the alpha swore, his eyes darkening even more. He began stretching Harry slowly, sliding another finger inside, and Harry sank his nails onto Louis’ shoulder, his stomach flexing before he felt himself let go. Come spurted out of his neglected cock and onto his chest as he let out a loud, desperate moan.

The omega felt like he was floating as he slowly came to after his orgasm. He felt wrecked already and Louis hadn’t even knotted him yet. He seemed content to just sit there, teasing Harry, and looking so debauched and filthy. “Need you, Alpha,” Harry whimpered, one of his hand’s coming up to grip his long curls in frustration. “Need your knot.”

“I’m going to give it to you,” Louis promised, his voice low as he added another finger inside Harry. “Can’t wait to be inside of you. Such a perfect hole, and it’s all mine.”

Harry mewled in response, his hole clenching around Louis’ fingers. It seemed to do the trick as Louis slipped them out and began to quickly take the rest of his clothes off. Harry lay back, watching shamelessly as Louis stood in nothing but his underclothing. The omega spread his legs wide, one hand resting beneath his head, while the other curled around his already stiffening cock. He pumped it once, twice, and thrice before trailing his fingers down to his soaking wet hole.

Louis froze, his lips parted, as Harry plunged two of his own fingers inside, thrusting them in and out. “I want you so bad,” Harry moaned, throwing his head back and fluttering his eyes close. “Please, Louis. Give me your knot, alpha.”

The rush of Louis watching him as he touched himself had Harry’s back arching. His eyes rolled back as he nearly lifted his hips up off the bed. Louis scrambled back on the bed, completely naked with his cock red and painfully hard between his legs. Harry licked his lips as he studied it for the first time and he let out a tortured whimper when he thought about it stretching him inside.

“So impatient, aren’t you?” Louis teased as he gripped the back of Harry’s thighs and pushed his stomach onto his, leaning down to kiss Harry’s lips. Harry writhed below him, wrapping his legs around Louis’ waist.

“I’m not above begging,” the omega said.

“You won’t need to beg anymore,” Louis promised as he sat back on his knees. He pressed one palm down on Harry’s pillow beside his head while gripping his cock with the other. His cock was beginning to swell at the base and he lined it up against Harry’s hole. “Do you trust me?”

Harry nodded, his heart hammering in his chest, and Louis smiled as he slowly pushed in, allowing Harry’s body to take him in inch by inch. The omega squeezed his eyes shut, gripping Louis’ biceps, fingers digging into his skin as his whole body quivered beneath him. It was a strange sensation and he felt so full, but in a way that was almost pleasant. He liked that his body was connecting him to Louis, not just physically, but emotionally as well. He heard the alpha mumbling incoherently with his eyes squeezed shut as he finally, completely filled Harry, bottoming out.

“Are you alright, baby?” Louis asked, his mouth nibbling against the skin of Harry’s neck, sharp teeth biting and licking.

“Yes,” Harry whispered. “Need you to move.”

The alpha’s hands sank into the flesh of Harry’s bum to hold on to him and he began thrusting in and out, the sound of slapping skin echoing in the room. Louis’ hot lips peppered kisses over Harry’s bond spot while he swirled his hips and ground down. Harry moaned, feeling feral with how much he wanted to come undone again, and he tilted his head to the side to allow Louis more access. He wanted to be filled and he wanted to be mated by his alpha. Louis continued to rock his hips against Harry’s and Harry lifted his hips to meet his thrusts, tightening his legs around the alpha’s waist to keep him there.

“I’ve wanted you like this for so long,” Louis confessed.

Harry’s breath stuttered and his mouth stretched into a grin. “Me too. I’ve thought about you so many times when I’ve touched myself.”

“You have?” Louis asked, his gaze soft and fond.

“Yes, Lou. Make me yours now,” Harry begged between moans. “Mark me.”

“Right now?” Louis asked, looking at him with wild eyes.

“Yes, please,” Harry panted as he tightened his hole around Louis’ swelling cock. His knot was getting more and more engorged the tighter Harry clenched and Louis’s mouth crushed against Harry’s in a messy, biting kiss.

“I love you,” he rasped.

“Love you,” Harry managed to whisper back as pleasure pooled in his core, ready to explode.

Louis upped the speed of his thrusts while running his tongue along Harry’s jaw to his neck where his bond spot was. He mouthed over it, scenting Harry, and with one sharp thrust, he locked his knot in place and began emptying himself inside of Harry. He felt Louis’ sharp teeth scrape his bonding spot and sink in, and it was enough to have him coming apart for the second time that night. Pain mixed with pure pleasure and Harry felt more connected to Louis than ever before.

He was shaking as his cock spurted come while also feeling the warmth of Louis’ seed spreading inside of him. His body went completely slack and he sighed, relieved and content. Louis continued to lick at Harry’s bondmark, soothing it with his tongue and lapping up the blood. There was a sheen of sweat covering the two of them and the air smelled like their scents mixed together, sweet and sour.

“How do you feel?” Louis asked, lifting his head up, smiling at his omega serenely. He pressed his lips against Harry’s jaw and kissed the corner of his mouth as they breathed each other in.

“I feel like I’m yours,” Harry said, his voice a throaty whisper.

Louis grinned, kissing him once more. “And I’m yours.”

⚭

Paris, November 1815

It was a bizarrely warm day for November, but Harry wasn’t complaining. A warm, sunny day meant that he and Louis could leave their little Parisien flat and go on an adventure to explore this city that had become their new home. Today, they had walked to a park they’d never visited before after having breakfast at a nearby cafe. They shared croissants and other pastries while sipping their tea and chatting about whatever their hearts desired, with no rush to get anywhere since they had the whole day to themselves. Harry didn’t have class and Louis didn’t have any matters to take care of regarding their family’s estate, which he’d been working on with his fathers through letters.

Harry had his arm wound around Louis’ and his head resting over his alpha’s shoulder as they walked, admiring the pretty, blue sky and the crisp leaves on the ground, varying different shades of yellow, green, and red.

“I think I might like to paint this scene, right here,” Harry told him, smiling as he admired their surroundings.

“For your next project?” Louis asked.

“Maybe…or the current one. I don’t know if I’m liking what I’ve been working on.”

“Sure, if that’s what you’d like to do,” Louis pondered. “But if it’s any consolation, I think you captured the beach wonderfully in your current piece.”

“Yes, but you like everything I paint,” Harry told him. “You’re biased. Unbelievably so.”

“I’m just your biggest fan, baby,” Louis hummed, turning his head to place a kiss on top of Harry’s head.

Harry squeezed his arm, shifting closer, even though there was barely any space between them. He felt the alpha chuckle and glanced up. “What are you laughing about, you numpty?” Harry asked, teasingly.

Louis grinned, his eyes looking straight ahead while Harry continued to observe his husband’s adorable, curved nose and chiseled jaw. “Just thinking about how many promenades we did in the park when I was courting you. Back then, you didn’t even want to stand within ten feet of me and now you look at you.”

“Oh, hush,” Harry grumbled, turning to face forward again. “I was still getting to know you. I didn’t know you that well.”

“You hated me,” Louis refuted.

Harry stopped walking, pulling Louis’ arm to still him as well until they were facing each other. “I did not hate you. I never hated you,” he said, wrapping his arms around Louis’ shoulders. His eyes drifted to Louis’ bond mark, the one he’d permanently left not even a month into their marriage because he was eager to claim Louis just as Louis claimed him. “We’ve been over this.”

“We have,” Louis nodded, his firm hands placed over Harry’s waist. He pressed a kiss on Harry’s forehead affectionately. “I believe you.”

“You should because now I love you so much.”

“I love you so much too, baby.”

“I think I may love you too much,” Harry said, leaning forward to brush their lips together. “I should slow down. Spread it out even as we’ve got forever to go.”

“No such thing,” Louis murmured before slotting their lips together in a heady kiss. Harry moaned softly against him. This was one of the benefits of living in a city where the entire town didn’t know who you were. Back home, they’d be chastised for such public acts, but here, no one cared.

Harry was overjoyed when Louis proposed they move to Paris together so that Harry could finish his art program and continue to work on his craft. Initially, the omega declined, saying he couldn’t ask Louis to move with him considering his father’s condition and all the responsibilities Louis had, but the alpha had actually spoken to his family about it. They agreed to allow him two years away with Harry. It was enough time for Harry to complete another two years in the art program and it also gave them some special time just for themselves.

“Take me home,” Harry whispered to Louis.

The alpha smiled against Harry’s lips before taking his hands and threading their fingers together, leading the way back to their flat.