The Alpha King’s Last Regret

15

Pearl Gem

“We will be able to offer that amount, Omega, but it will take seven days of process. If that’s acceptable to you, then we have a deal.”

I heard Mr. Landmark say the words, and I shook my head slowly, barely believing my ears.

“You mean… you will give me the loan?”

“In exchange for you working tirelessly every single day,” He replied. “Of course. You will begin the double shift tomorrow, right?”

“Right!”

“Then it’s settled.”

My heart swelled with relief. It was almost unbelievable that the Landmarks, whom I have worked for many years even before the tragedy were actually willing to spare me fifteen thousand Golden Moon Coins. It felt too good to be true, but I let my heart rest, at least for now.

I left the Landmars Home that early evening with light in my steps and a tune on my lips. I had already been to the public hospital earlier after receiving news from Doctor Sarou. Royce had wanted to offer help, but I refused. I wouldn’t burden the Yallas more than I already had. They fed me for months until I managed to find my feet again after everything fell apart.

I decided to walk instead of taking the bus. I’d have to be careful with the few coins I had left if I wanted them to last.

Down the lonely alley, just as I was about to step onto the path that led to the Omega Fortress, I spotted a stray cat crouched against a lamppost. At once, a sad smile touched my lips.

Without thinking, I walked toward it, cooing softly.

“You must be thirsty, aren’t you?” I whispered, reaching into my bag to pull out a water bottle. I unscrewed the cap, ready to help it drink, but the cat suddenly let out a sharp meow and bolted into the bushes, as though frightened by something.

I frowned, confused until I saw it.

The looming, magnificent shadow beside me.

A cold shiver ran down my spine as the familiar scent of him swept through the air.

Slowly, I turned around and there he was.

Kade King Majesty. For the second time that day.

Something that shouldn’t be. Something that felt like a sin in itself.

He stood just a few steps away, silent, those golden eyes fixed on me. His presence stirred something inside me. Something forbidden. His stance, commanding and unreadable, pulled at the strings of my heart.

I let my eyes drift to the sleek black car behind him. Only one. One man with him. It told me everything. I knew he had snuck out. Alone. But why? To see me?

“Your Majesty,” I said softly, bowing my head. He gave no reply. Just silence. His eyes, his presence still on me. Until at last, he took a single step forward and murmured beneath his breath.

“I’m sorry.”

The world stood still.

My heart clenched as if gripped by talons. The wind slapped across my cheeks, and yet I knew I’d heard right.

The Alpha King. The peak. The sky. The lifeline of the masses… had just apologized to me.

A Valley. An Omega.

I didn’t plan to cry, but the tears burned anyway.

After five years. After the devastation. After the ruins he left behind. After a life was taken and so many were broken he came to apologize.

“Why?” I asked, my voice barely audible through my tears. “Why are you sorry?”

He stepped closer, eyes tender in a way that broke me all over again.

“For allowing you to suffer alone,” He said. “I apologize.”

I looked into his eyes, even as mine blurred with tears.

“Then why are we still here?” I whispered. “Why are we still here, Your Majesty?”

He swallowed hard. He knew what I meant.

“Why are we not back on that night when it all happened? When it all began? Your sorry… it was supposed to undo the pain, the grief. But… why are we still here? With everything still broken?”

“Hey…”

“That night…” My voice trembled. “Do you even know what I lost?” I choked on the bile rising in my throat. “Everything, Your Majesty. Everything.”

I sniffled, letting it all out.

“If only you had just used me and ended it there… but no. My parents… they never wanted anything from this Wolf Empire but peace. My little brother, he never even wanted to be part of it. I was the greedy one. The one who dared to love someone so far above her station. I should have been the one to die. To be in a coma. To disappear. But no. Others paid the price for my mistake, and now I suffer because that’s what I deserve.”

“That’s not what you deserve,” He said gently. “None of this is. I know my words won’t fix what’s broken… but let me help. Please. For your father, your brother… for you. However I can… fnancially, emotionally, anything.”

“Why?” I asked him, broken. “So you can feel better? Because I look like a charity case? So Her Grace can find the last remaining pieces of me and destroy them while you stand by again?”

He said nothing. Only watched me cry. Only listened.

“Stay away from me, Your Majesty,” I said at last. “If you truly want to help… then let me grieve in peace. Let me carry the pain alone. That’s the price I pay… for loving you.”