The Alpha King's Broken Omega

CHAPTER THREE: MINE

CHAPTER THREE: Mine

Alcaide

Mine.

The word crashed through my mind like thunder.

My entire body froze.

For one terrifying moment, I couldn't breathe.

My wolf surged forward, clawing at the walls of my mind with a force I had never experienced before.

Mine.

The command came again, louder this time.

Stronger.

More possessive.

My fists clenched instinctively as I fought to regain control.

Impossible.

This couldn't be happening.

Not now.

Not like this.

Across the room, Xander frowned.

"Alpha?"

I didn't answer.

My eyes remained fixed on the closed bedroom door at the end of the corridor.

Behind that door...

Was the frightened omega I had rescued only hours ago.

The same omega my wolf had recognized without hesitation.

Mate.

"No," I muttered under my breath.

Xander's eyebrows knitted together.

"What do you mean, no?"

I slowly exhaled, forcing my wolf back.

"It doesn't make sense."

"What doesn't?"

I looked at him.

"My mate."

Silence filled the room.

Xander stared at me for several long seconds.

Then he laughed.

Not because he found it amusing.

Because he couldn't believe what he had heard.

"You're serious."

"I wish I wasn't."

His smile faded.

"The girl?"

I nodded once.

"The omega."

Xander ran a hand through his hair.

"Moon Goddess..."

For years, they had fought countless battles.

Conquered enemy territories.

Protected the kingdom.

Yet neither of them had expected fate to choose an abused omega as the future Luna of the Northern Kingdom.

"What are you going to do?" Xander finally asked.

I looked toward the bedroom door again.

Images of Lila flashed through my mind.

The bruises covering her skin.

The fear in her eyes.

The way she apologized for simply existing.

My wolf growled.

Protect her.

"I won't tell her."

Xander blinked.

"What?"

"Not yet."

"Why?"

"Because she's terrified."

I turned away from the door.

"If I tell her she's my mate now, she'll think I'm trying to trap her."

Xander slowly nodded.

He understood.

Lila had spent her entire life without freedom.

The last thing she needed was another bond she didn't understand.

"I'll give her time."

Time to heal.

Time to trust.

Time to choose me...

Instead of fearing me.

Just then, hurried footsteps echoed through the corridor.

A palace guard dropped to one knee.

"My King."

"What is it?"

"The royal physician has arrived to examine Lady Lila."

I nodded once.

"Good."

As the guard hurried away, my gaze drifted back to Lila's room.

A strange feeling settled deep inside my chest.

The Moon Goddess had given me a mate.

But why her?

Why had Black Moon Pack been willing to start a war over a frightened omega?

And why...

Did my instincts keep telling me that Lila was hiding a secret even she didn't know existed?

A few moments later, the royal physician stepped into the hallway carrying a leather satchel.

He was an elderly man with silver hair and kind eyes, but years of treating wounded warriors had etched deep lines across his face.

He bowed respectfully.

"Your Majesty."

Alcaide inclined his head.

"Thank you for coming so quickly, Doctor Edwin."

"It is my duty."

The physician glanced toward the closed bedroom door.

"I assume the young lady is inside?"

"Yes."

Alcaide's expression hardened.

"I want a full examination."

Doctor Edwin nodded.

"I understand."

"And..."

Alcaide paused.

"Be gentle."

The old physician smiled knowingly.

"I have heard she has been through much."

"More than anyone should."

Doctor Edwin's smile faded.

"I'll do everything I can."

Martha opened the bedroom door and stepped out.

"The young lady is awake."

"Good," Alcaide replied.

"Doctor Edwin will examine her."

Martha disappeared back inside before returning a moment later.

"She's nervous."

Alcaide wasn't surprised.

Lila looked frightened by almost everything.

Not because she was weak...

But because fear had become her way of surviving.

"I'll speak with her."

He walked toward the room.

The moment he entered, he found Lila standing beside the window.

Her hands were clasped tightly together.

The morning sunlight illuminated her face, revealing bruises that had been hidden beneath the darkness of the previous night.

His wolf growled.

The sight of those bruises filled him with a quiet rage.

She noticed him and immediately lowered her head.

"Your Majesty."

"You don't have to bow."

She froze.

"...I'm sorry."

There it was again.

Another apology.

For breathing.

For speaking.

For existing.

Alcaide walked closer until only a few steps separated them.

"You apologize too much."

She looked down at the floor.

"I've always been told I cause trouble."

His jaw tightened.

"Who told you that?"

She hesitated.

"My Alpha."

"And your family?"

A flicker of pain crossed her face.

"They agreed."

Silence settled between them.

Alcaide suddenly understood why her eyes always carried sadness.

No one had ever made her feel wanted.

No one had ever made her feel safe.

Until now.

He took a slow breath.

"The royal physician is here."

Her body immediately tensed.

"I don't need a doctor."

"You do."

"I'm fine."

"No."

His voice softened.

"You're injured."

She instinctively hid her bruised wrists behind her back.

"It's nothing."

His eyes followed the movement.

His wolf snarled.

Someone had put those bruises there.

Someone had looked at this gentle girl and chosen cruelty.

Alcaide silently vowed that if he ever found the person responsible...

They would answer to him.

"Lila."

She slowly met his eyes.

"No one is going to hurt you here."

Something in his voice made her believe him.

Just a little.

She nodded.

"Okay."

Doctor Edwin entered with a reassuring smile.

"Good morning."

Lila offered a timid smile in return.

"H-Hello."

"My name is Edwin."

He placed his satchel on a nearby table.

"I only wish to make sure you're healthy."

She glanced nervously at Alcaide.

He gave her a small nod.

"You can trust him."

After a long moment, she nodded.

"All right."

Doctor Edwin carefully examined the bruises on her arms and shoulders.

Each new injury he discovered caused his expression to darken.

He had treated warriors returning from battle.

He had seen torture.

But the marks covering this young woman...

They spoke of years of neglect.

Not one terrible day.

Years.

When he finished, he slowly turned toward Alcaide.

"My King..."

His voice was unusually grave.

"May we speak outside?"

Alcaide immediately understood.

Something was wrong.

He cast one last glance toward Lila before following the physician into the hallway.

The door closed quietly behind them.

Doctor Edwin released a heavy sigh.

"She is severely undernourished."

Alcaide's expression darkened.

"I suspected as much."

"There is more."

The physician lowered his voice.

"Many of her scars are old."

Alcaide clenched his fists.

"Very old."

"They didn't begin recently."

"No."

Doctor Edwin looked directly into his King's eyes.

"They began when she was a child."

For a moment...

Alcaide couldn't speak.

His wolf let out a low, furious growl.

A child.

Someone had done this to a child.

Inside the bedroom, unaware of the conversation taking place beyond the door, Lila stood quietly by the window.

She looked toward the distant mountains beyond the palace walls.

Somewhere beyond them...

Was Black Moon Pack.

A shiver ran through her body.

She didn't know why.

But for the first time in years...

She felt as though her past wasn't finished with her.

And somewhere, hidden in the shadows beyond the kingdom...

Someone was already planning to come for her.

Lila

The bedroom felt strangely quiet after Doctor Edwin and Alcaide stepped outside.

I released a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

The physician had been kind.

Gentle.

Every time he touched one of my bruises, he apologized first.

No one had ever apologized to me for causing pain.

Not once.

I looked down at my arms.

The faded scars looked even clearer in the morning light.

Some were so old that I couldn't remember how I got them.

Others...

I remembered all too well.

A whip.

A hot iron.

Being pushed down the packhouse stairs because I had accidentally broken a plate.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

"No..."

I whispered.

"I'm not there anymore."

A soft knock pulled me back to reality.

The door opened slowly.

Martha entered carrying a neatly folded dress.

It was pale blue, embroidered with delicate silver flowers along the sleeves.

"I thought you might like to change into something more comfortable."

My eyes widened.

"For... me?"

She smiled.

"Of course."

I stared at the dress in disbelief.

Back at Black Moon Pack, I owned only two dresses.

Both were patched so many times they barely held together.

This dress looked too beautiful to touch.

"I can't accept this."

Martha tilted her head.

"Why not?"

"It must have cost a lot."

She laughed softly.

"Our King told us to prepare everything you might need."

My chest tightened.

"He... did?"

She nodded.

"He doesn't like seeing people suffer."

I lowered my eyes.

No.

That wasn't true.

He didn't like seeing me suffer.

Why?

He barely knew me.

Martha gently placed the dress in my hands.

"Go on."

"I'll help you with your hair afterward."

My fingers trembled as I held the soft fabric.

No one had ever bought me anything before.

Not because they wanted to.

Not because they cared.

A strange warmth settled in my chest.

It felt unfamiliar.

Almost frightening.

Was this...

What kindness felt like?

---

Outside the room...

Alcaide

Doctor Edwin closed his satchel before looking at me.

"There is one thing I don't understand."

I folded my arms.

"What is it?"

"The scars."

"What about them?"

"They don't match."

My eyebrows drew together.

"Explain."

He looked back toward the bedroom door.

"Some are from punishment."

I nodded.

"I expected that."

"But others..."

He hesitated.

"They look as though someone was trying to restrain her."

My wolf immediately became alert.

"Restrain?"

"Yes."

He lowered his voice.

"I have seen similar marks on warriors who had to be chained during dangerous transformations."

A cold feeling settled in my stomach.

"Lila is an omega."

"I know."

"Then why would anyone chain her?"

Doctor Edwin slowly shook his head.

"I don't know."

Silence stretched between us.

The questions only continued to grow.

Black Moon Pack had hidden her.

They had abused her.

Now they wanted her back badly enough to threaten war.

None of it added up.

Xander approached from the end of the corridor.

"Alpha."

"What is it?"

"We questioned the scouts."

"And?"

"They confirmed something unusual."

My gaze sharpened.

"Speak."

"The Black Moon warriors searched the forest after we left."

I frowned.

"That isn't unusual."

"No."

Xander's expression darkened.

"But they weren't searching for tracks."

"They were searching for something..."

He paused.

"Or someone."

A heavy silence fell.

"They never asked whether Lila escaped."

"They only kept saying..."

Xander looked directly at me.

"'Find her before it's too late.'"

My wolf growled.

Too late for what?

Who exactly was Lila?

And why did it feel as though everyone knew the answer...

Except her?

---

The bedroom door opened.

Lila stepped into the hallway wearing the pale blue dress Martha had given her.

Her dark hair fell in loose waves over her shoulders.

For a heartbeat...

The entire corridor fell silent.

Several servants stopped walking.

Even the palace guards looked up.

Not because she was dressed like a noblewoman.

But because, beneath the bruises and sadness...

She was breathtaking.

Lila immediately noticed everyone looking.

She lowered her head, shrinking into herself.

"I'm sorry..."

The words escaped automatically.

Alcaide crossed the corridor before she could retreat.

He stopped in front of her.

"Why are you apologizing?"

"I..."

She looked around nervously.

"They're staring."

"They're admiring you."

Her eyes widened.

"No..."

"Yes."

His voice was calm and certain.

"They're wondering how someone could survive everything you've endured and still have such kindness in her eyes."

Lila stared at him, unable to speak.

No one...

No one had ever described her that way.

For years, all she had heard was:

Worthless.

Broken.

Useless.

Yet this Alpha King...

Looked at her as though she was someone worth protecting.

Someone worth seeing.

Her eyes filled with tears again.

She quickly turned away so he wouldn't notice.

But Alcaide had already seen them.

His wolf whispered quietly.

Mine.

This time...

He didn't argue with it.

I quickly lowered my head, hoping to hide the tears threatening to spill.

Why did he keep saying things that made my heart ache?

No one had ever looked at me the way Alpha King Alcaide did.

No one had ever spoken to me as though I mattered.

I wasn't used to it.

I didn't know how to respond.

"I..." My voice trembled. "Thank you."

A faint smile touched his lips.

"You don't have to thank me."

"But—"

"Lila."

He waited until I looked at him again.

"I only spoke the truth."

Heat spread across my cheeks.

I had never been complimented before.

Not once.

Back at Black Moon Pack, people only noticed me when I made mistakes.

Here...

The King noticed me simply because I existed.

It was terrifying.

And comforting.

At the same time.

"Your Majesty."

Xander approached, carrying several scrolls beneath one arm.

He stopped when he saw me.

A respectful nod followed.

"Lady Lila."

I smiled shyly.

"Good morning."

"I hope you rested well."

"I did."

His serious expression softened slightly.

"I'm glad."

Alcaide looked between us.

"Has everything been prepared?"

"Yes, Alpha."

"The council is waiting."

I frowned.

"The council?"

Alcaide nodded.

"The elders wish to discuss last night's events."

Immediately, guilt washed over me.

"They're angry because of me."

"No."

He answered so quickly that it startled me.

"They're concerned about the kingdom."

"But if I hadn't come here..."

"They would still be my responsibility."

His voice remained calm.

"I am their King."

"You are not responsible for the decisions of those who hunt you."

His words settled deep inside me.

I wanted to believe them.

I truly did.

But years of blame were difficult to forget.

Alcaide noticed the conflict in my eyes.

He stepped closer.

"So I'm giving you your first royal order."

I blinked.

"A royal... order?"

A playful smile appeared on his face.

"Yes."

I stared at him, completely confused.

"What is it?"

"You will stop blaming yourself for everything."

For a second...

I forgot how to breathe.

Xander coughed lightly, clearly hiding a smile.

"I don't think that's an order anyone can obey in one day, Alpha."

Alcaide chuckled.

"Then she'll have to practice."

Without meaning to...

I laughed.

It escaped before I could stop it.

The sound echoed softly through the corridor.

Everyone became quiet.

Alcaide simply watched me.

His expression unreadable.

"What?" I asked nervously.

"Nothing."

"You keep looking at me."

"I was listening."

"To what?"

"Your laugh."

My cheeks burned.

"I like it."

No one had ever said that before.

No one had ever cared whether I laughed.

Or smiled.

Or cried.

My heart beat faster.

I quickly looked away.

"I should..."

I pointed toward the gardens through the nearby window.

"...go somewhere."

Alcaide understood immediately.

"You need air."

I nodded.

He looked at Martha.

"Show Lady Lila the royal gardens."

"Of course, Your Majesty."

As Martha gently led me away, I couldn't stop wondering about him.

How could someone so powerful...

Be so gentle?

---

Alcaide

I watched until Lila disappeared around the corner.

Only then did I allow the smile to leave my face.

Xander folded his arms.

"You already care about her."

"I barely know her."

"You don't have to know your mate to protect her."

My wolf stirred at the word.

Mate.

I still hadn't accepted it completely.

But denying it was becoming harder with every passing moment.

Xander became serious again.

"The council won't be pleased."

"I know."

"They'll question why you brought an unknown omega into the palace."

"They can question whatever they like."

"And if they demand you send her away?"

My expression turned cold.

"They can demand."

"But they won't decide."

A slow smile spread across Xander's face.

"I thought you'd say that."

Just then, a young warrior rushed down the corridor.

He stopped before us and dropped to one knee.

"My King!"

"What is it?"

"The council has assembled."

Alcaide nodded.

"I'm coming."

The warrior hesitated.

"There is... one more thing."

Alcaide's eyes narrowed.

"Speak."

"Our scouts found fresh tracks."

"What kind of tracks?"

"They belong to Black Moon Pack."

Silence.

"They weren't heading away from the kingdom..."

The young warrior swallowed hard.

"They were coming toward it."

Alcaide's wolf growled.

"They've found us."

And somewhere beyond the palace walls...

Hidden among the trees...

A pair of golden eyes watched the kingdom.

Watching.

Waiting.

Smiling.

"They won't keep her for long."