Chapter 1
**Title: After the Flash Marriage, Commander Hooked Up [ABO]** **Author: Lu Hua Zhi [Completed]** **Synopsis:** (Strong couple, mutual love, childbirth, extreme tension) Alden Rivers is an S-class omega—stunning in appearance and unbeatable in combat—known as the "white moonlight" of the Federation. But he is ordered to marry the notoriously crippled son of the Federation, Tristan Winter. The high society of the House believes this is a loveless transaction, destined to leave the beautiful flower a victim of greed. The wealthiest man in the Federation: "Be my lover, and you'll be richer than a nation." Alden Rivers: "Thanks, but I'd rather take a discount on rent." A presidential candidate, President Albus: "Divorce him and marry me; you'll reign over everyone." Alden Rivers: "No need; I am already His Empress." Close friends warn him: "He just wants the truth; he doesn’t love you." Alden Rivers replies confidently: "No worries, I’ll turn this impulse into genuine love—he will have no choice but to love me." While others see Tristan Winter as an inferior alpha, Alden knows he is the one-of-a-kind Demoness Selene. After years of careful planning, he finally brings Tristan back to the House. Tristan Winter thinks of Alden Rivers as a companion during his sensitive period. Despite several tests, Alden never provides a clear answer. Just as Tristan is about to force Alden back to the Imperial Palace, an unplanned encounter reveals the cold beauty's other side. During the banquet, the poised Alden turns pale and sweaty at Tristan’s presence, appearing as if the alphas around him might unleash his pheromones. In the training facility, as Alden faces ten opponents, Tristan watches in frustration and pity as his true strength remains hidden from him. Tristan Winter: "You might not believe me, but I think the cold beauty is playing hard to get." **Tags:** Sweet, HE, Future --- **Chapter 1: The Runaway Groom** Castle Knibb buzzed with guests, servers weaving through the grand banquet hall, offering champagne and red wine. A red carpet rolled from the castle's sprawling lawns to the center of the hall, dividing the room into two distinct sections. On the left, the upper-class nobles from the Kamira star system mingled, laughter and clinking glasses creating an atmosphere of merriment. On the right, military personnel gathered, the solemnity of their demeanor casting a stark contrast to the festivities across the hall. Both groups, although sharply divided, maintained an odd sense of harmony as they repeatedly cast glances toward the entrance, as if awaiting someone's arrival. "It's an hour past the scheduled wedding time," a middle-aged man commented to his companion. "The journey from Hodges Star is quite long; I hope nothing has happened to the wedding party." "With the Third Fleet escorting them, what could possibly go wrong?" the young alpha beside him replied, swirling the wine in his glass with arrogance. "I wouldn’t be surprised if that crippled son of the His family did a last-minute runner." The middle-aged man chuckled softly and responded, "Alden Rivers is just riding the coattails of his father’s military achievements. He’s repeatedly rejected many fine alphas from the Federation. Now, allying with such a low-tier alpha seems fitting for his status…" The young man raised a hand to interrupt, "Major Alden Rivers is the First Commander of the Third Fleet, a beloved shield of the Federation. Calling him out like that might be going too far." As the banter continued, curiosity hung in the air, anticipating what was bound to unfold—and whether the groom would indeed make an appearance.
Chapter 2
As the vintage chandelier cast a warm glow over the elegantly decorated banquet hall, Alden Rivers stepped onto the stage, commanding attention with every stride. The whispers in the room faded as all eyes turned to him. He had always been a figure of magnetic allure, but today, he wore a crisp white military dress uniform that accentuated his tall, lean frame, hair swept back in a neat bun that emphasized his sharp features. "Thank you all for attending my wedding," he said, his voice steady, carrying an authoritative yet cordial tone. "Due to time constraints, we will have the ceremony officiated by my mechanical assistant instead of Prince Edmund." A stunned silence blanketed the guests momentarily before chatter erupted like a burst balloon. Alden, unfazed, simply turned to his side, signaling for Father Benedict to commence. At that moment, the grand doors swung open with a loud thud. Lieutenant Brin rushed in, his expression grave as he approached Alden swiftly, voice low and urgent. The room collectively held its breath, curiosity hanging thick in the air. Alden listened intently, his expression unchanging, then turned back to the assembly, slipping a wedding ring onto the mechanical assistant's finger, a mechanical marvel replacing the absent bride. He raised his voice slightly to ensure he was heard over the escalating buzz in the hall. "Understood," he replied coolly after absorbing the lieutenant’s news. He slid another ring onto his finger, his dark, piercing eyes scanning the room, revealing a flicker of something sharper than mere determination. "This concludes the ceremony. I appreciate your attendance, but duty calls. Feel free to enjoy the evening." With those succinct words, Alden accepted the military cap being offered by General Alaric, turning on his heel without further ado. What was supposed to be a grand spectacle had crumbled into a captivating display of confusion — one half of the couple already absent, while the other wasted no time excusing himself. "Now that's a wedding to remember," someone muttered, drink in hand, their tone dripping with sarcastic amusement. "Major The House may be down on numbers, but it's still one of the oldest families around. You think the late General Major would approve of this hasty union?" echoed another voice, reflecting on the historical weight behind the event. Shaking their head, a guest remarked wistfully, "What a shame. Truly a missed opportunity." Alden Rivers had once been the 'golden boy' of The Federation, the unattainable dream for many eligible young men. They admired him not just for his striking looks but for his impressive accomplishments, often overshadowed by no one. His impressive records in Mecha combat proved irresistible yet intimidating, rendering him somewhat of an unattainable star. As the guests continued their fervent discussions, the absence of a ceremony’s warmth was palpable. The evening carried on with a curious blend of intrigue and disappointment. The event had deviated far from its intended purpose, leaving lingering questions in the air, hinting at a story still unfolding.
Chapter 3
Alden Rivers, the unreachable omega, had recently been designated by President Albus to marry Prince Edmund Tristan Winter of the Hoadgson Empire—a match that sent shockwaves through the realm. Those alphas who had once courted him sighed with a sense of schadenfreude. This was the inevitable consequence for an omega who refused to embrace his expected role. How could someone so proud ever settle for such a mediocre alpha? On the day the marriage news broke, the House of Hoadgson buzzed with anticipation, eagerly awaiting Alden’s response. Would he invoke his father’s legacy to resist? Perhaps he would storm the presidential palace in a mecha suit, challenging the decision outright. But to everyone’s surprise, Alden accepted the arrangement with an unsettling calmness. Prince Edmund, a D-category alpha, was far from impressive, yet Alden, an S-category omega, seemed resigned to being marked by this man. Once revered, Alden had now become the subject of ridicule; everyone speculated about what fate awaited him. This political union garnered attention from the start, and as Prince Edmund delayed his arrival, whispers of discontent toward Alden reached a fever pitch. Yet, as the storm of public outrage swirled, Alden simply boarded a small Starship, his lieutenant, Brin, racing beside him to deliver urgent updates. “Ten minutes ago, we received a distress signal from the Minister, presumed to be from the Third Fleet, located near the 17th Asteroid,” Brin reported breathlessly. “What’s the Minister’s strength?” Alden inquired, his focus sharp. “Level III,” Brin replied, his expression tense. Alden gestured for the pilot to take a seat and settled into the cockpit, carefully unveiling the small black box next to the control stick. At this, Brin and the pilot exchanged nervous glances and quickly strapped themselves in. With a serene yet determined motion, Alden pressed the red button. The small Starship vibrated violently, and then the engine roared to life, its sound akin to that of a medium Starship, propelling them from the docking bay. The 17th Asteroid was located 167 light-years from Naka Isle, right at the edge of the Prince’s fortress's patrol zone. Clearly, the Third Fleet had been ambushed by the infamous Star Raiders, who had long been active around Naka, fully aware of the defenses in place. Alden felt a heaviness in his heart, hoping Prince Edmund possessed better luck than to fall into the grasp of the sadistic Star Raiders. His trusted aide, Hugh Hardy, stepped forward, offering Alden his regular uniform. “Should I have you change out of your military attire?” “No need,” Alden replied. “Have we confirmed the situation?” General Percival arrived, promptly reporting, “We have confirmed the Third Fleet is indeed near the 17th Asteroid, and we’ve sent a reconnaissance team ahead.” “Have they located Prince Edmund yet?” Alden asked, a sense of urgency creeping into his voice. Percival’s face grew tense, hesitating momentarily as if weighing his next words. “What is it?” Alden pressed. “It’s about Prince Edmund…” Percival sighed softly. “Perhaps you should see for yourself.” With that, he transmitted the footage the reconnaissance team had sent back to Alden. On the screen, beneath the deep red sky of the 17th Asteroid, the stark gray soil stretched ominously toward the horizon. The atmosphere appeared dry enough to catch fire. In a hollowed-out depression, several Starships formed a protective ring against the fierce winds. A group of towering men sat on the ground, using glinting silver knives to slice meat from an unknown creature, skewering the strips on iron sticks. Clad in garments adorned with a motif of roses entwined around deer horns, these individuals clearly identified themselves with the Wild Rose, the strongest band of Star Raiders in the galaxy.
Chapter 4
The campfire before them crackled as a circle of skewered meat sizzled on the grill. One of the Star Raiders leaned over and grabbed a skewer, turning to hand it to the person behind him. Lying behind him was a young man with raven-black hair and striking red lips, his pale skin almost glowed in the firelight. His dark eyes were reminiscent of a deep, endless night sea. Surrounded by the ruthless Star Raiders, he showed no fear, draped in a small blanket. He was giving orders to the two much larger Star Raiders, directing them to place the grilled meat onto an exquisite white porcelain plate. At this sight, Hugh Hardy began to understand why Percival Grey had been hesitant to speak. “Prince Edmund and the Wild Rose Raiders are in cahoots,” Hugh blurted out, only to receive a fierce glare from Percival Grey, who quickly silenced him. Suddenly self-conscious, Hugh lowered his head. Alden Rivers observed the scene of comfort and leisure without revealing any emotion. Moments later, he switched off his holographic display and turned to Hugh. “Maintain the starship's speed,” he commanded. Hugh hurried to keep pace. “Where are you going, Major General Aiken?” “I’ll pilot the Mecha ahead,” Alden replied, and in the blink of an eye, he was gone, leaving Hugh bewildered on the ground. “He’s furious. He’s going after them himself,” Percival Grey remarked calmly as he deleted the image of Prince Edmund grilling with the Star Raiders. “Do you really think Major General Aiken looks angry?” Hugh thought about it for a moment. No, that didn't seem right. When Major General Aiken was angry, his lips would tighten, but just now they seemed lifted in what might be a smile. As the starship traveled through the vastness of space, a sleek, black Mecha detached from it and sped toward the 17th asteroid. On the asteroid, Tristan Winter lounged back on a chair, chewing on grilled meat while wondering how long it would take The Federation and their House to find him here. Just then, one of the Star Raiders jumped up with a startled yell, racing toward the starship. Suddenly, he was engulfed in a massive shadow as a sleek black Mecha landed smoothly right in front of him. The cockpit of the Mecha slid open, and Alden Rivers emerged, standing atop the Mecha’s raised arm, his striking, cold eyes glowing against the backlight like the frozen depths of an Arctic sea. Ahowling wind rustled his white ceremonial attire and tousled his long black hair in a wild dance. “Wow…” one of the Star Raiders exclaimed, taken aback. He was stunning. But his gaze was as cold as ice, particularly with a quantum gun aimed directly at them. Just then, the gun’s muzzle began to glow ominously, snapping the Star Raider out of his momentary awe. He recalled that the figure in front of him was the dreaded Grim Reaper of The Federation. “Prince Edmund, you’d better take care of yourself,” the Star Raider shouted, hurling Tristan Winter aside before sprinting away. “Wait, don’t—” Tristan began, his warning too late as he tumbled forward, landing face-first onto the ground.
Chapter 5
Tristan Winter wiped the dust off his clothes and squinted towards the Mecha. Just a glance gave his hazy memory of the Prince's silhouette from years ago a startling clarity. It felt ridiculous to him; the Federation's most celebrated omega couldn’t possibly be that person he had seen back on planet L-427. Yet, the moment he laid eyes on Alden Rivers, a voice deep within him shouted in frantic recognition: it’s him. Tristan Winter forced himself to quell the rapid beating of his heart and waved to the figure standing on the Mecha, “Hey, love.” --- The air crackled with unspoken sentiments as Alden Rivers surveyed the scattered items surrounding Tristan Winter. A makeshift lounge chair woven from wisteria branches, an ethereal rug crafted from sheer fabric, amethyst goblets, and the incense reserved for the House of Hoadgson graced the area. Alden couldn’t help but smile softly. This man hadn’t changed a bit; despite having nothing, he still conjured up conditions to ensure he never suffered. The roar of the Starship interrupted Alden's thoughts as the Wild Rose, the Star Raider, hovered overhead before spiraling away into the distance. “Major General Aiken, should we pursue?” his subordinate's voice crackled through the headset. “No need, focus on searching for the Third Fleet.” There was an unspoken agreement between the Wild Rose and the Lyra; under normal circumstances, confrontation wouldn’t occur in the Naka Galaxy. The ambush on the Third Fleet? Just another whim from the commander of the Wild Rose. Without hesitation, Alden leaped down from the Mecha, landing nimbly and taking in Tristan Winter's appearance. Tall and striking, he exuded a refined air, dressed impeccably in tailored garments that radiated an aura of wealth, very much befitting his "useless rich kid" reputation. Alden diverted his gaze, giving Tristan a slight nod, “Prince Edmund.” Tristan brushed dust from the tip of his nose, “Come on, given our relationship, just call me by my name.” Alden’s eyes drifted down to the wedding band on his right hand as he replied in a calm tone, “Prince Edmund didn’t attend the ceremony.” His voice dropped lower than usual, a fleeting glimmer of disappointment flashing in his eyes, as he discreetly tucked the wedding ring behind him, clumsily hiding the emotions that almost slipped through. As if inadvertently revealing his true feelings, he hastily covered up in a fluster. Tristan bent down, plucking a tree branch from the makeshift lounge, bending it into a ring. “It’s my bad. Let’s just compromise for now, and I’ll make it up to you later.” Wisteria branches often accompany Valentine’s Day bouquets, which hints at a romance. Alden watched quietly as the small ring of branches rested in Tristan’s palm, his lips curling slightly. He glanced back up at Tristan, the glint of mischief gone, stepping back with a cool detachment, “A magnetic storm is coming; we need to head back to the Starship now.” The tiny ring made of wisteria slipped from his fingers, swept away by the gust from asteroid 17. Tristan didn’t look down, but instead, pulled his hand back, smiling at Alden's profile, “Alright, let’s heed Alyria’s advice.” Alden paused briefly at the mention of that name before proceeding, pretending not to hear, maintaining a steady pace so Prince Edmund could keep up. He could sense Tristan observing him, perhaps wondering if his military getup stirred any guilt within him. After a short while, Tristan caught up to him. “I thought you would be furious.” Alden Rivers feigned ignorance to the amusement in Tristan's demeanor, nodding sincerely, “You left me to handle the wedding alone.” The wind tangled his long hair, one tendril brushing against Tristan's arm. Alden glanced back at it and then raised his gaze to meet Tristan’s, his eyes innocent and clear. Tristan twirled that dark strand of hair around his finger, grinning openly, “I merely intended to teach the haughty Federation government a lesson. Sorry for bringing you along.” Alden felt satisfied by Tristan’s honesty and nodded again, dropping the interrogation. After planning for so long, he thought it wouldn’t be too much to ask for a little concern for the fact that he got left at the altar. --- The wind tugged at the hem of Alden Rivers’s coat as he felt the chill hit him. The next moment, he was wearing an outer layer, the warmth of the fabric enveloping him. Tristan Winter draped his coat over Alden and wrapped himself in the blanket he had laid on the ground, eyeing the Mecha from a distance. “So cool! I’m on too low of a level to ever own my Mecha." Alden Rivers clutched the sleeve with chilled fingers, catching the faint, familiar scent wafting from the coat he hadn't encountered in ages—a scent that stirred an unsettling calm within him. “Want to give it a try?” he asked. “Try what?” “The Mecha,” Alden replied. He tried returning the coat, but Tristan gently refused, buttons up, and instead, tidied Alden’s collar. Tristan's relaxed gaze seemed to sparkle, “If the Mecha bonds with me and tosses me off, will you help me teach it a lesson?” In such close proximity, Alden could feel the vibrations of Tristan's voice resonating through his chest, and the faint, sweet aroma enveloping him like a warm hug. Unlike Pheromones, this scent held no aggressive undertones—only warmth, a gentle warmth carrying a hint of flame. Alden’s calm spirit began to unravel as he lowered his gaze, praying Tristan wouldn’t catch the blush creeping up his cheeks, the dark lashes occasionally fluttering in agitation. Tristan regarded Major General Aiken, finding unexpected interest in this renowned warrior who was said to be unbeatable. In private, it seemed he was remarkably down-to-earth. The way he bowed his head in concentration made him appear so innocent it tugged at Tristan's heartstrings. Once finished with his attire, he stepped aside graciously, “Thanks for the invite, Alyria. But the Mecha is too tall; I might need a ladder.” “There’s no need,” Alden replied, his fingers slipping back into his sleeve, feeling the residual warmth from the fabric. With a flicker of thought, the Mecha knelt before them, offering its hand as if inviting them both for a ride.
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