The Alpha King's Broken Omega

CHAPTER FOUR : A PLACE CALLED HOME

CHAPTER FOUR : A Place Called Home

Lila

The first rays of morning sunlight slipped through the curtains, warming my face.

For a few peaceful moments, I lay still, listening.

No angry voices.

No doors slamming.

No orders being shouted at me.

Only the gentle chirping of birds outside my window.

Slowly, I opened my eyes.

The soft mattress beneath me made me sink comfortably into the blankets.

It still felt unreal.

Was I truly here?

Or was this another beautiful dream that would disappear the moment I woke completely?

I reached out and touched the silky sheets.

They were real.

Everything was real.

A soft knock interrupted my thoughts.

I immediately sat upright.

"Come in," I called timidly.

The door opened, and Martha stepped inside with two young maids following behind her. One carried a silver tray filled with breakfast, while the other held several neatly folded dresses.

Martha smiled warmly.

"Good morning, Lady Lila."

I lowered my head.

"Good morning."

She noticed my hesitation and chuckled.

"You still aren't used to being called 'Lady,' are you?"

My cheeks warmed.

"I don't think I ever will."

She placed the breakfast tray on the small table near the window.

"Perhaps. But everyone in this palace will treat you with the respect you deserve."

Respect.

The word felt strange.

Respect was something other people received.

Not someone like me.

One of the maids unfolded a beautiful pale-blue dress embroidered with delicate silver flowers.

"I... I can't wear that," I whispered.

The maid looked confused.

"Why not?"

"It's too beautiful."

Martha's gentle expression softened.

"My dear, this is one of the simplest dresses in the royal wardrobe."

I stared at her.

Simple?

Back in Black Moon Pack, even the Alpha's daughter had never worn anything this elegant.

Martha picked up the dress and placed it carefully into my hands.

"Our King asked us to prepare everything you'll need."

I looked down at the fabric.

"He... remembered?"

"His Majesty remembers everything."

Something fluttered inside my chest.

Why?

Why was he being so kind to me?

After changing, Martha carefully brushed my long dark hair until it fell in soft waves down my back.

She stepped away with a satisfied smile.

"There."

I looked into the large mirror standing beside the wardrobe.

The young woman staring back at me looked unfamiliar.

The bruises hadn't disappeared, but without the dirt and tangled hair, I almost looked...

Beautiful.

The thought frightened me.

I quickly looked away.

"Ready?" Martha asked.

I nodded.

"As ready as I'll ever be."

She smiled and led me into the hallway.

The palace was even more breathtaking during the day.

Sunlight poured through enormous stained-glass windows, painting colorful patterns across polished marble floors.

Servants greeted us with warm smiles.

Guards bowed respectfully.

Each greeting made me glance over my shoulder.

Surely they were speaking to someone behind me.

Not me.

Martha noticed.

"You don't have to keep checking."

"I..."

"They're greeting you."

I looked down.

"I don't know how to respond."

"Just smile."

"I've forgotten how."

Martha's eyes filled with sadness.

"No one should ever forget how to smile."

The dining hall doors opened.

My breath caught.

The room was magnificent.

A long oak table stretched across the center of the hall, covered with more food than I had ever seen in my life.

Fresh fruit.

Warm bread.

Eggs.

Cheese.

Honey.

Tea.

At the far end sat Alcaide.

He looked up as I entered.

For just a second...

The cold expression he wore disappeared.

"Good morning, Lila."

His voice was calm.

Gentle.

"Good morning... Your Majesty."

He sighed dramatically.

"We're going to have to work on that."

I blinked.

"Work on what?"

"Calling me 'Your Majesty.'"

Heat rushed to my cheeks.

"I'm sorry."

"There it is again."

I looked at him in confusion.

"What?"

"Another apology."

Embarrassment flooded through me.

"I didn't even realize..."

"I know."

His expression softened.

"You've spent so long apologizing that it's become natural."

I couldn't deny it.

Apologizing had kept me alive.

If I apologized quickly enough...

Sometimes the punishment wasn't as severe.

Alcaide stood and walked toward me.

Instead of sitting at the head of the table again, he pulled out the chair beside him.

"Sit here."

My eyes widened.

"Beside you?"

"Yes."

"I should sit farther away."

"Why?"

"I'm only—"

His expression hardened.

"If you say 'just an omega,' I'll be disappointed."

I froze.

How had he known exactly what I was about to say?

He smiled faintly.

"I don't care what rank you were born with."

His blue eyes met mine.

"I care about who you are."

Those words stole every thought from my mind.

Who...

I was?

No one had ever cared about that before.

Slowly, I sat beside him.

The servants immediately began serving breakfast.

I hesitated before reaching for a piece of bread.

Alcaide noticed.

"You don't have to ask permission."

I looked down.

"I'm not used to eating before everyone else."

"In this palace," he said quietly, "no one will make you wait until the leftovers."

My fingers tightened around the bread.

He noticed everything.

Every small habit.

Every frightened glance.

Every hesitation.

How?

Before I could ask, cheerful footsteps echoed through the hall.

"Alpha!"

A young woman rushed inside, her golden-blonde hair bouncing behind her.

She stopped abruptly when she saw me.

"Oh!"

Her bright green eyes sparkled with excitement.

"So you're Lila!"

I stared at her nervously.

She crossed the room with an infectious smile.

"I'm Serafina."

She extended her hand without hesitation.

"I've been hoping I'd meet you."

I looked at her offered hand.

No one had ever introduced themselves to me like this.

Slowly, I placed my hand in hers.

"I'm... Lila."

"I know!"

She laughed brightly.

"The whole palace has been talking about the mysterious girl our Alpha King rescued."

My face turned crimson.

"They have?"

"Of course."

Alcaide rubbed his forehead.

"Serafina."

"What?"

"You're overwhelming her."

Serafina immediately looked apologetic.

"Oh no... I'm sorry."

To my own surprise...

I laughed.

It was quiet.

Almost shy.

But it was real.

Serafina grinned.

"There it is!"

I blinked.

"What?"

"Your smile."

She pointed at me dramatically.

"You should do that more often."

Even Alcaide smiled.

For the first time in many years...

Lila didn't feel like an outsider.

She felt...

Welcome.

Neither of them noticed the young palace maid quietly standing outside the dining hall.

Hidden behind the partially opened door, she watched every smile... every laugh... every glance exchanged between the Alpha King and the mysterious omega.

A cold smile spread across her lips.

She slipped silently down the corridor until she reached an abandoned storage room.

After making sure no one had followed her, she reached into her sleeve and pulled out a small black crystal.

Dark energy swirled within it.

The crystal glowed.

A deep, chilling voice echoed from within.

"Report."

The maid bowed her head.

"The girl is settling in faster than expected."

"And the Alpha King?"

She smiled.

"He already watches her as though she belongs to him."

A low chuckle came from the crystal.

"Excellent."

"Continue watching."

"Do not interfere."

"Not yet."

The crystal's glow faded.

The maid tucked it back into her sleeve.

As she stepped out of the storage room, her smile widened.

"They have no idea..."

"The game has only just begun."

------

The smile on my lips faded as quickly as it had appeared.

I wasn't used to laughing.

It felt... strange.

As if happiness belonged to someone else and had accidentally found its way to me.

Serafina, however, seemed delighted.

"There!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "See? You look much prettier when you smile."

Heat rushed to my cheeks.

"I don't smile very often."

"I noticed," she replied, pulling out the chair across from me before sitting down without waiting for permission. "Well, that changes today."

I blinked.

"Today?"

She nodded enthusiastically.

"From now on, you're my friend."

My heart skipped.

Friend.

The word echoed in my mind.

No one had ever called me that before.

I looked at her uncertainly.

"You... don't even know me."

"I know enough."

She leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand.

"You looked terrified when you arrived."

Her smile softened.

"And anyone who comes here carrying that much sadness deserves someone on their side."

My throat tightened.

I didn't know what to say.

Alcaide watched us quietly from beside me.

There was something comforting about the silence he carried.

He never forced conversations.

Never demanded answers.

He simply... waited.

It made me feel safe.

A servant stepped forward and refilled my cup with warm tea.

I instinctively reached for the teapot.

"I can do it."

The servant blinked in surprise.

"My lady?"

"I don't want to trouble you."

The servant looked toward Alcaide, uncertain.

Before anyone could speak, Alcaide gently placed his hand over mine.

The unexpected warmth made me freeze.

"You are not troubling anyone."

His voice was calm.

"This is their duty."

I slowly withdrew my hand.

"I'm sorry."

He sighed softly.

"We're going to spend a long time helping you break that habit."

A small laugh escaped Serafina.

"I think we'll need months."

Alcaide looked at me.

"I have time."

Those three words made my heart flutter in a way I didn't understand.

He had time.

For me.

I quickly lowered my gaze to hide the emotions filling my eyes.

---

Breakfast ended not long afterward.

As the servants cleared the table, Serafina stood and clapped excitedly.

"I have an idea!"

Alcaide raised an eyebrow.

"Should I be worried?"

She grinned.

"Probably."

He sighed dramatically.

"I was afraid you'd say that."

She ignored him and turned to me.

"Come with me."

"Where?"

"The gardens!"

I hesitated.

"I don't know if I should..."

"You should," Alcaide answered before Serafina could.

"You've spent enough time indoors."

His blue eyes met mine.

"The gardens are one of the safest places in the palace."

I nodded slowly.

"All right."

Serafina linked her arm through mine before I could change my mind.

"You're going to love them."

As we walked through the palace corridors, I couldn't stop looking around.

Paintings covered the walls.

Beautiful suits of armor stood on display.

Large windows overlooked the kingdom below.

Everything felt so...

Alive.

Servants greeted us with warm smiles.

None of them looked at me with disgust.

None of them whispered cruel words.

I still wasn't used to it.

Serafina seemed to notice my nervousness.

"Relax."

"I'm trying."

"No one here is going to hurt you."

I looked at her.

"How can you be so sure?"

She smiled gently.

"Because our King wouldn't allow it."

Her answer came so naturally.

As though there had never been any doubt.

For some reason...

I believed her.

Moments later, enormous glass doors opened before us.

A cool breeze brushed against my face.

My breath caught.

The royal gardens stretched farther than I could see.

Colorful flowers bloomed in every direction.

Crystal fountains sparkled beneath the morning sun.

Butterflies drifted lazily between rows of roses.

The air smelled of fresh grass and jasmine.

"It's beautiful," I whispered.

Serafina smiled proudly.

"I knew you'd like it."

I slowly stepped onto the stone pathway.

For the first time in years...

The weight on my chest felt a little lighter.

I didn't notice the figure standing silently beneath the shade of a distant oak tree.

Watching.

Waiting.

Golden eyes followed my every movement.

Hidden behind the leaves, the stranger smiled.

"So..."

The voice was barely more than a whisper.

"The lost omega has finally found a home."

The smile slowly faded.

"But homes can be destroyed."

The garden was more beautiful than I could have imagined.

Every path was lined with blooming flowers, their sweet fragrance carried gently by the morning breeze. White marble benches sat beneath towering willow trees, while colourful butterflies danced lazily between rows of roses.

For a long moment, I simply stood there.

I had never seen anything so peaceful.

"It doesn't even feel real," I whispered.

Serafina smiled.

"I thought you'd say that."

She walked beside me, occasionally stopping to point out different flowers.

"Those are moon lilies. They only bloom in the Northern Kingdom."

"They're beautiful."

"They're also the Alpha King's favourite."

I looked at the delicate silver-white petals.

"They suit him."

Serafina raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

I immediately regretted speaking.

"I only meant..."

"They're calm," I finished awkwardly.

"They look strong, but they're gentle."

Serafina's smile widened knowingly.

"I think that's a very accurate description of him."

I lowered my gaze.

"I don't know him well enough to say."

"You'll get to."

Before I could answer, soft laughter echoed from another path.

Several noblewomen were walking through the gardens, accompanied by their attendants.

The moment they noticed us, their conversation stopped.

Their eyes settled on me.

One of them frowned.

"So..."

She looked me up and down without trying to hide her judgment.

"This is the omega everyone is talking about."

I instinctively stepped back.

Serafina immediately moved in front of me.

"Lady Evelyn."

Her cheerful tone disappeared.

"What brings you here?"

The woman smiled politely, but her eyes remained cold.

"I simply wanted to meet the girl who has captured our King's attention."

"I haven't captured anyone's attention," I said quietly.

Lady Evelyn laughed.

"Humble too."

Another noblewoman folded her fan.

"I heard His Majesty gave you the room beside his own."

Heat flooded my cheeks.

"I... I didn't ask for it."

"No," Lady Evelyn replied smoothly.

"But he gave it to you anyway."

The women exchanged meaningful glances.

Serafina crossed her arms.

"If you're finished, Lady Lila and I are taking a walk."

Lady Evelyn's smile never reached her eyes.

"Of course."

She dipped into a graceful courtesy before turning away.

As they disappeared down another path, I finally released the breath I had been holding.

"They don't like me."

Serafina sighed.

"They don't know you."

"They looked at me as if I didn't belong."

She stopped walking and turned to face me.

"Lila."

"You don't need everyone's approval."

"You only need to remember why you're here."

I frowned.

"I don't even know why I'm here."

Serafina's expression softened.

"Neither does anyone else."

"But I know one thing."

"What?"

"Our Alpha never makes careless decisions."

"If he brought you here..."

She smiled warmly.

"Then there's a reason."

Before Lila could reply, hurried footsteps interrupted the peaceful morning.

A young warrior ran toward them.

He stopped several feet away and bowed respectfully.

"Lady Serafina."

"What is it?"

"The Alpha King requests Lady Lila's presence."

My heart skipped.

"Me?"

The warrior nodded.

"The royal council has requested to meet you."

Every trace of colour drained from my face.

"The council?"

Images from Black Moon Pack flooded my mind.

Meetings.

Punishments.

Judgment.

Fear wrapped around my chest.

"I..."

"I don't think I should go."

Serafina gently squeezed my hand.

"You'll be fine."

"What if they hate me?"

She smiled reassuringly.

"Then they'll have to argue with the Alpha King first."

The warrior smiled slightly.

"Our King is already waiting."

Far away...

From the highest tower overlooking the gardens...

A shadow watched Lila leave.

The figure stood perfectly still behind the stone pillars.

Only one pair of golden eyes could be seen.

Watching.

Calculating.

Waiting.

A faint smile curved across hidden lips.

"So..."

"The council begins."

"But before long..."

"The kingdom will learn exactly why Black Moon Pack is willing to start a war over one frightened omega."