The Alpha King's Broken Omega

CHAPTER SIX: BEHIND THE PALACE WALLS

CHAPTER SIX: BEHIND THE PALACE WALLS

Lila

The sound of steel clashing against steel woke me before the sun had fully risen.

My eyes fluttered open as another loud clang echoed through the palace.

For a moment, I didn't know where I was.

The soft mattress beneath me, the embroidered curtains dancing in the morning breeze, and the scent of fresh lavender lingering in the room all felt unfamiliar.

Then I remembered.

The Northern Kingdom.

The palace.

Alcaide.

A small smile tugged at my lips before it disappeared just as quickly.

The sound of swords striking each other continued outside.

Curiosity pulled me from the bed.

Barefoot, I crossed the room and gently pushed open the tall glass doors leading to the balcony.

A cool breeze greeted me, carrying with it the scent of dew-covered grass.

The courtyard below was already alive.

Dozens of warriors filled the training grounds.

Some practiced with swords while others fired arrows at wooden targets. Commanders barked orders as shields crashed together in disciplined rhythm.

The entire palace had changed overnight.

Yesterday, it was peaceful.

Today...

It was preparing for war.

A heavy weight settled inside my chest.

They were doing this because of me.

I gripped the balcony railing until my knuckles turned white.

"If I hadn't come here..."

The words barely escaped my lips.

"None of this would be happening."

A tear slipped down my cheek.

I quickly brushed it away.

I had promised myself I wouldn't cry anymore.

Yet somehow...

The tears always found me.

A gentle knock interrupted my thoughts.

"Lady Lila?"

Martha's familiar voice came from the doorway.

I quickly wiped my face before turning around.

"You may come in."

She entered carrying a breakfast tray, but the warm smile she usually wore faded the moment she saw me.

"You've been crying."

I looked away.

"I'm fine."

She sighed softly.

"No, child."

She set the tray down before walking toward me.

"You've learned to say those words so often that you've started believing them."

I remained silent.

She stood beside me on the balcony, looking down at the busy courtyard.

"They started training before sunrise," she said quietly.

"Our warriors know what may be coming."

"I'm sorry."

The apology slipped out before I could stop it.

Martha turned to me.

"For what?"

"For bringing danger here."

Her eyes softened with sadness.

"Lila."

She gently took my hands in hers.

"Do you know what I see when I look at you?"

I shook my head.

"A frightened young woman."

"A girl who has spent far too many years believing every bad thing in the world is somehow her fault."

Fresh tears threatened to fall again.

"But..."

She squeezed my hands.

"Tell me something."

"If someone broke into your home to steal from you..."

"Would you blame yourself?"

I frowned.

"No."

"If someone attacked an innocent child..."

"Would that child be responsible?"

"Of course not."

She smiled gently.

"Then why are you blaming yourself for the choices of cruel people?"

I opened my mouth.

No answer came.

Because deep inside...

I didn't know how not to blame myself.

That was how I had survived.

If something went wrong, I assumed it was my fault.

If someone was angry, I apologised.

If someone raised a hand...

I braced myself for the pain.

Martha lifted a strand of hair away from my face.

"Your past taught you to expect cruelty."

"But this palace will teach you something different."

I searched her eyes.

"And what is that?"

She smiled.

"That you deserve kindness."

The words settled deep inside my heart.

Deserve.

No one had ever used that word when speaking about me.

A sudden burst of laughter echoed from the hallway.

The bedroom door swung open without warning.

"Lila!"

Serafina practically bounced into the room, her bright blonde hair swaying behind her.

She stopped dramatically, placing both hands on her hips.

"I have been looking everywhere for you."

I couldn't help smiling.

"You've only just arrived."

"Exactly!"

She pointed toward the door.

"Which means I've been looking for at least five whole minutes."

Martha chuckled.

"I see your sense of drama hasn't improved."

"It has absolutely improved."

Serafina grinned before turning back to me.

"Come with me."

"Where?"

"I've decided that you've spent enough time hiding inside this room."

I hesitated.

"But..."

"No excuses."

She linked her arm through mine before I could protest.

"The gardens are beautiful this morning, and if we stay inside any longer, Martha is going to start treating us like fragile flowers."

"I heard that," Martha called after us with a laugh.

Serafina winked.

"That was the point."

For the first time since arriving at the palace...

Lila laughed without forcing it.

The sound echoed softly through the room.

Neither woman noticed the figure standing silently beyond the half-open bedroom door.

A palace maid.

Her expression remained blank as she watched Lila leave with Serafina.

Only after they disappeared down the corridor did she quietly slip away in the opposite direction.

Hidden beneath her sleeve...

A small black crystal began to glow.

Lila

The palace gardens were even more beautiful beneath the morning sun.

Every flower seemed to glow with life, their petals shimmering as tiny drops of dew reflected the golden light. A cool breeze carried the sweet scent of roses and jasmine through the air, making the entire garden feel like a peaceful dream.

For a little while...

I forgot about Black Moon Pack.

I forgot about war.

I forgot about fear.

Serafina walked beside me with her hands clasped behind her back.

"You know," she said with a grin, "you're smiling much more today."

I instinctively touched my lips.

"Am I?"

"You are."

She laughed.

"And it's about time."

I looked down shyly.

"I think... it's because everyone here has been kind to me."

Serafina stopped walking.

"Lila."

I looked at her.

"Kindness shouldn't surprise you."

Her smile became softer.

"It should be something you expect."

A lump formed in my throat.

"I don't know how."

She didn't answer immediately.

Instead, she gently slipped her hand into mine.

"Then we'll teach you."

The simple gesture warmed my heart.

For the first time in years...

I wasn't walking alone.

---

Far away, inside the King's study...

Alcaide

Xander quietly closed the door behind him.

The smile he usually carried was gone.

"Your Majesty."

I looked up from the reports scattered across my desk.

"You found something."

He nodded.

"Our scouts questioned the merchants travelling between the borders."

"And?"

"They all reported the same thing."

He unrolled a map across the desk.

"Black Moon Pack isn't searching blindly."

My eyes narrowed.

"What do you mean?"

"They know exactly where Lady Lila is."

Silence filled the room.

Slowly, I rose to my feet.

"That's impossible."

"It should be."

"But every movement we make..."

"They already know."

My wolf stirred uneasily.

Someone was feeding them information.

Someone inside my kingdom.

"Have the guards noticed anything unusual?"

Xander hesitated.

"Nothing obvious."

"Which makes this even more dangerous."

I stared at the map.

If there truly was a spy inside the palace...

Lila wasn't safe.

Not even here.

I met Xander's gaze.

"Tell no one."

"Not even the council."

He nodded.

"I'll investigate quietly."

"Good."

"No one is above suspicion."

---

Lila

Serafina led me toward another part of the palace.

Loud cheers echoed through the air.

"What is that?"

She smiled.

"The training grounds."

As we rounded the corner, my breath caught.

Hundreds of warriors filled the enormous arena.

Some practiced sword fighting.

Others sparred hand-to-hand.

The sound of clashing steel echoed across the courtyard.

I had never seen anything like it.

"They're amazing."

"They are."

Serafina smiled proudly.

"Our warriors are the strongest in the Northern Kingdom."

I watched in fascination as two warriors crossed swords.

Their movements were fast.

Precise.

Beautiful.

"I wish I were brave like them."

Before Serafina could answer, a voice interrupted us.

"You're the omega."

I turned.

Three young warriors stood a short distance away.

The tallest crossed his arms.

"So this is the girl everyone keeps talking about."

His eyes swept over me.

"I expected someone... stronger."

The others laughed quietly.

I lowered my gaze.

"I'm sorry."

"There she goes again."

He smirked.

"Apologising."

Another warrior shook his head.

"I still don't understand why our King risked a war..."

"...for an omega."

Each word felt like another stone pressing against my heart.

Maybe they were right.

Maybe—

A deep voice cut through the courtyard.

"Is there a problem?"

Every warrior immediately straightened.

The laughter vanished.

I slowly turned.

Alcaide.

He walked across the training grounds with calm, steady steps.

His expression was unreadable.

But the icy look in his blue eyes sent a chill through the entire courtyard.

The young warriors bowed instantly.

"Your Majesty."

Alcaide stopped beside me.

His gaze never left the warrior who had spoken.

"I asked a question."

The young man swallowed.

"There is no problem, Alpha."

"No?"

His voice remained calm.

"Then perhaps I imagined hearing one of my warriors insulting a guest under my protection."

Silence.

No one dared speak.

The young warrior lowered his head.

"I meant no disrespect."

"You achieved it anyway."

The Alpha King's words were sharp enough to cut steel.

He looked around at every warrior gathered there.

"Listen carefully."

His voice echoed across the arena.

"Lila is a guest of this kingdom."

"Anyone who disrespects her..."

"...disrespects me."

The courtyard became deathly silent.

"Is that understood?"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The reply thundered through the arena.

The young warrior stepped forward and bowed deeply.

"My lady..."

"I apologise."

I stared at him, speechless.

No one had ever apologised to me before.

Not sincerely.

Not because they believed they were wrong.

Alcaide looked at me.

"Would you like to accept his apology?"

I hesitated.

Then slowly nodded.

"Yes."

The warrior released a relieved breath.

"Thank you."

As the crowd dispersed, Alcaide turned toward me.

"Are you all right?"

I smiled faintly.

"I think..."

I looked around the courtyard.

"...I'm beginning to believe this place might truly become my home."

Something warm flickered in his eyes.

"So do I."

For a brief moment...

Neither of them noticed the palace maid watching from the roof above.

Hidden in the shadows, she quietly unfolded a small parchment.

She wrote only one sentence.

The Alpha never leaves her side anymore.

She rolled the message tightly and tied it to the leg of a black raven waiting on the rooftop.

The bird spread its wings.

With one powerful flap...

It disappeared into the sky.

The maid watched it fly toward the distant mountains.

Her lips curled into a smile.

"Run while you still can, little omega."

"Because soon..."

"You'll have nowhere left to hide."