Chapter Text
When his firstborn, Zuko, manifested as an omega, Ozai was so frustrated and ashamed that he decided to teach the boy a lesson. At the time, it seemed a logical solution: if he made Zuko undesirable to another alpha's eyes, it would be less likely that he would fall in love and open his legs to the first good-looking peasant that crossed his way. This would prevent him from dragging -even more- the Fire Nation's honor in the mud. If he was lucky, Zuko could even turn up a useful device for his war, despite his lower status. Maybe he could marry him off to one of his better generals and strengthen alliances. However, for now, he had more urgent concerns: after another assassination attempt, from inside the palace, the Firelord realized his legacy may not be as secure as he previously thought.
The prior Firelord? Murdered. His wife? Banished (both correlatedly by his order, but that's not the point here). His brother? A disgrace AND a threat. His youngest, Azula, a proud and powerful alpha, as she should be. But she was not of age to take a mate and guarantee him heirs.
An idea was born in the back of his mind. Spirits! Maybe Zuko wasn't a failure and a waste of his time after all. He could keep the boy in the palace, pumped with as many pups as he could. Even better, he would be hidden from view, out of his way and the family's heritage would be secure. Agni, the little bitch would even be grateful for his mercifulness.
But then the smile left his face when he remembered one fundamental thing and, for the other, it was too late when he finally acknowledged it. First, he had banished Zuko. He was out there on a futile mission with his useless brother, Iroh, who certainly was teaching even more useless (and probably improper for an omega) things. He would, without a doubt, flee after taking notice of his new orders. He cursed himself again for letting Iroh take the boy under his wing because otherwise, Zuko might have crawled back gratefully.
So, to avoid new worries, and certain that, this way, the whole process would be faster and flawless, he proposed a dispute. His son had come of age and all the most skilled warriors had the permission to prove themselves worthy of becoming his mate, by capturing the prince and bringing him back to the Fire Nation. It was an unmissable opportunity to join the Royal family and guarantee power under the new ruling of the world once they won the war. And of course, as being an omega was enough of a shame, Zuko was a perfect trained swordsman and firebender. So, it would take a great amount of skill to take him and Iroh down, consequently, excluding low-rank soldiers, gold diggers, social climbers and any weak blood from the contest. How ironic, the hunter becomes the prey. He was betting on Zhao.
It was too late when he noticed the flaw in his declaration. It was obvious that the order would be directed to Fire Nation soldiers. He was the Firelord, not the Earth King or some Water Tribe Chief. But of course, he had forgotten it was always possible someone too dumb, or too smart, could misinterpret self-explained orders.
He was not expecting a small, barely old enough to mate, Watertribe savage to win his dispute. He wasn't expecting the Watertribe savage to have the nerve to bring an ALREADY MARKED (again, against his direct orders. The audacity!) Zuko by his waist. And most important, he was not expecting the Watertribe savage to refuse to give him back!