The Alpha King’s Last Regret

18

Kade King

The heart was never meant to choose the forbidden. And yet, mine does. Emotions growing where they shouldn’t. It wasn’t supposed to be her. It wasn’t supposed to be an Omega. It’s all wrong. All of it is forbidden. Sinful.

Still, despite everything I stand for, everything I have built, my name, my crown, I made the journey anyway. I want to see her. I want to touch her. I want to own her in a way no one else ever has or ever will. I can't just get her out of my damn mind.

She’s beautiful. Strong. Intelligent. Different. The fact that she held herself together for five years without shattering makes her all the more captivating. She possesses every trait worthy of a Luna, but it would be unthinkable, unheard of, for an Omega to sit on the throne as Queen.

The last Alpha King who dared such a thing lost more than his crown. He lost his life. And all his descendants were denied their right to the throne. The House of Lords.

Under the crescent moon, I walk alone toward the Royal Castle while the convoy follows silently behind. I need this time to myself, to breathe, to prepare for what this visit will bring. Making her my secretary will shake the entire Empire. It will enrage my mother to her core. But that’s the point. That’s the revenge I have planned. If she thinks she will control every corner of my life, she’s mistaken.

The other Royal Lineages will be delighted, of course. In the Royal Family, there are four great bloodlines. Vargas, ThornCrest, Lords, and Majesty. The first Alpha King was blessed with quadruplets. But when they came of age, the brothers turned enemies. The battle for the throne was bloody, ruthless. Eventually, the House of Lords was crowned, but he fell for an Omega.

A stain to the name Royalty. An insult to the Crown.

His enemies found their excuse. He was killed mercilessly and his omega buried alive. The House of Lords was cursed into extinction. When succession is discussed, their name is never mentioned.

After his fall, the remaining houses competed again. In the end, Majesty, my bloodline, was crowned. Fitting, as the name suggests. And ever since, we have followed every law to the letter. Until now.

And here I am… somehow, someway, beginning to walk the same path of the once fallen Alpha King.

The sound of screeching tires breaks my thoughts. We have arrived. I pause at the gates, staring at the Castle I’m supposed to call home. But all I can think about is how I felt more at peace in the Omega Fortress than I ever do here.

My eyes drift to the tower on the greenest path within the Castle. That tower is reserved for the Alpha King and his Luna. But I have no Luna. So, I have no place there. Not yet.

For now, I will return to my chambers in the House of Majesty.

I stride into the Castle, ignoring greetings and bows, heading straight for my room only to find my mother waiting as always. When is she ever not?

“Your Majesty,” She greets, a smile curving her lips. “Welcome home.”

After what happened last week, I have spoken little and kept out of sight. Now she greets me with a smile instead of a scolding? That alone makes me suspicious.

I say nothing and continue forward, but her voice follows me.

“I heard you are overwhelmed at work. That you need a secretary.”

Of course. Marce can’t keep his mouth shut.

“Yes. What about it?” I ask flatly, glancing at her over my shoulder.

She chuckles softly.

“I will find someone suitable.”

I stop. Turn. My eyes land on hers briefly, my voice cold and final.

“I have already offered the position. I’m waiting on a response. Don’t bother, Mother.”

Without another word, I enter my chamber. The maids open the door, and I head toward my bedroom though I already know sleep will not come easily.

Inside, I pause. Someone’s waiting.

Drizzel.

She’s under the fur quilt, bare shoulders peeking out. Naked beneath, no doubt. I walk toward the closet hall where my eunuch removes my coat and unbuttons my shirt. Once he’s done, I return to the room, lowering myself onto the edge of the bed, burying my face in my palms.

Moments later, I hear the door close. My eunuch had left.

“Kade…” Drizzel’s soft voice carries over as her warm palm lands gently on my bare back. She slips behind me, her body pressing close, her soft breasts on my back. “Kade?”

I lift my face from my hands, staring into nothing as she kisses my shoulder.

“You reek of Omega,” She whispers, her tone clipped with jealousy. I slowly turn my head to look at her.

“I went to the Omega Fortress.”

Her eyes widen.

“The Ghetto?”

“You heard me. The Fortress.”

She swallows, knowing better than to question the fire in my eyes.

“You… you kissed her?” She asks carefully, watching me.

I don’t respond immediately. Then I nod.

“Yeah.”

I won’t lie to her. I have no reason to do so. I have made love outside our relationship couples of times and she knew about it. At time she is present.

Her face tightens, but she leans in and kisses me, slow and firm, full of possessiveness.

“It’s obsession,” She breathes as she pulls back. “It’s guilt. And soon, it will fade. Okay?”

I swallow and nod again. She’s right, isn’t she?

There’s no way I could feel anything real for an Omega.

Drizzel is the one I love.

She always has been.

I lean in and claim her lips, letting her pull me under the quilt, where I lose myself in her warmth, just like I always do or maybe… just like I used to as we made love.