The Alpha King's Last Regret

on the veranda. Each hour stretched longer than the last. What I thought was a miracle, his proposal, his affection, twisted itself into something colder. Harsher. A cruel game I ne

was my only crime. As I neared the Omega ghetto, a convoy of castle guards passed me. Odd. I thought inwardly. They never came to our parts. What had brought them here? The answer came too soon when I saw a crowd stood before my father's house. Why? Panic took over as I forced myself forward. My heart galloping. Every breath a prayer. I stepped into the living room, and the air vanished from my lungs. There she was. My mother. Broken. Battered. Covered in her own blood. Gasping for breath. Why? What happened? I dropped beside her, my hands trembling, scalding tears burning behind my eyes. Bright sat beside her, clutching her right hand like it could keep her alive. My father sat on the floor, completely helpless. "What happened? Why is she... why is she like this?" No one answered. My mother turned her face to me, smiled faintly through the pain, and took my hand. Her blood smeared across my skin. She turned to Bright next, giving him the same smile. Then... she went still. Limp. Gone. "Mom?" I called out, voice a whisper. "Mother?" I looked to Bright, panicking. "We should call the doctor... now." "Yes!" He sprang up, dazed, panicked, and ran out. But then we heard it. Noise outside. My father who had fallen quiet beside my mother rose and stepped out. Another noise followed, louder this time, and then Royce burst through the door. "Pearl!" He gasped, urgency in his voice. "Come outside. It's Bright." "Bright? My brother?" I rushed out, my heart still raw, only to see them. The Royal castle guards. They had Bright by the arm like a criminal. Like a traitor. Like a murderer. He was neither. "In the name of His Majesty," A guard read aloud the royal decree in his clutch, "this young Omega is fo