The Alpha King’s Last Regret

25

Pearl Gem

Heaven on earth. Warmth over cold. Bliss over pain. Peace over turmoil.

It felt like time itself had slowed, like years were being added back to my countdown. I melted into his arms within seconds, eyes closed, letting him take my lips and claim them as his for the second time in this lifetime.

He pulled me closer, so close, I had to brace my palm against the firmness of his chest. His hand rested at my waist, tender yet assertive. Everything about this moment felt surreal. It was the kind of moment I wanted to stretch into forever. But I couldn’t. Not when jealousy still coiled in my chest. Not when possessiveness, something I didn’t even know I was capable of began to stir like a sleeping beast.

One minute, I was soft, pliant in his arms. The next, I was pulling away, breath catching as memories I didn’t want resurfaced. His hands on Drizzel. His lips on hers. The way he probably held her, just like this. Kissed her, just like now. Then on bed.

I steadied my breath and looked up at him. Confusion creased his brows. He didn’t understand why I pulled away. He stood there, watching me in silence that seemed to last forever.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, taking a step forward.

I stepped back, fast. If he touched me again, I knew I wouldn’t be strong enough to pull away. But that only seemed to fuel something darker in him.

He stood completely still, swallowing hard, trying to rein in his reaction.

“What’s wrong?” He repeated, voice lower this time.

I wanted to tell him. I wanted to scream that I felt like nothing more than a replacement. That I wasn’t sure I could ever be enough. But I didn’t. I couldn’t. I was just an omega, after all. I had no right to ask for answers from a King. No right to demand his loyalty. He owe me nothing.

“It’s nothing,” I finally said, even though it shattered something inside me.

He didn’t move at first. When he did, it wasn’t to leave, it was to reclaim. He closed the distance between us, took me in his arms again, and kissed me like he was trying to erase every doubt from my mind. It was rougher, more possessive, as if trying to speak without words. As if to say 'You are mine'.

When he pulled back, I was breathless. His golden eyes locked onto mine.

“I have something to show you,” He whispered.

Before I could respond, he took my wrist and guided me toward a doorway down the hall. His fingers were gentle, his grip warm. Yet something else caught my eye as we moved, something strange. His shadow on the wall. It didn’t move in sync with him. It lagged behind, twisted slightly… almost like it was alive.

But I said nothing. He was the Alpha King, after all. A man like him would surely carry traits no ordinary being could possess.

Finally, he opened a door to a large, quiet room and let go of my wrist. I paused at the threshold, unable to move. My heart beat unevenly in my chest.

Slowly, I stepped inside. My breath caught the moment my eyes landed on the large canvas at the center of the room.

It was… me.

A painting. Larger than life. Rendered in exquisite detail. Every strand of hair, every emotion etched into my face. It wasn’t just a portrait, it was a moment. And I knew exactly which one.

“This is from memory,” He said behind me, his voice soft. “From earlier today. The moment you stepped into the dining hall and looked at me. I wanted to tell you how beautiful you looked. The image wouldn’t leave my mind… so I brought it to life.”

Emotion swirled inside me, twisting my gut. Why? Why would a king remember a moment like that? Why would he set aside his royal duties… just to draw me?

An omega?

I turned to him, speechless. Awed. And confused. Pleased.

“The Moon Goddess must have taken her time with you,” I whispered. “You are sinfully handsome, powerful… graceful. And now this? You can draw too?”

He didn’t answer immediately. He looked down, exhaling quietly.

“Why do you look sad?” He asked. “I thought this would make you happy.”

I bit my lip and nodded, even as tears burned the back of my eyes.

“I don’t deserve to be happy, Your Majesty. I lost that right a long time ago.”

He lowered his gaze, sighing again. Then he stepped closer.

“What can I do to make you happy?” He asked, gently.

I looked up at him, tears blurring my vision. I hesitated a bit but then I couldn't for far too long. I can't help it.

“Kiss me,” I whispered.

He obeyed.

He claimed my lips like a promise, soft at first, then deeper. Hungrier. Before I could catch my breath, he swept me into his arms and sat me down on the art desk tucked in the corner of the room. My thighs parted, his body slotting between them as we melted into each other’s touch. The heat was electric. My body reacted instinctively, my chest rising sharply, my n*****s tightening through the fabric even though he hadn’t touched me there. My core throbbed, warmth flooding down between my legs.

I was lost, completely, until a knock at the door shattered the moment.

“Your Majesty?” Riven’s voice came from beyond the room, calm and steady. "I have an update.”

Just like that, the spell broke.

Duty had come calling.

And somehow, I knew… this fragile, beautiful moment between us was already slipping away.