Jiggs' POV
BOOM!
A massive tremor shook the facility above us—so loud, it felt like the entire world was cracking apart.
"OH, FOR THE LOVE OF—TAKE ME HOME! I DON'T WANT TO DIE LIKE THIS!" I wailed, flopping onto the cold floor and clutching Silver's knee like my life depended on it. (It did.)
"Get off me!" Silver hissed, and kicked me—hard. Like, really hard. Rude!
"You're a terrible person!" I cried, glaring up at him with all the hurt of a betrayed puppy. Then I turned to the ever-serene Mr. Voder and pouted. I wanted to grab his knee too, but he was too elegant. Too... nice. But also kinda scary. And kind of a legend.
"Come here," Voder chuckled, his eyes twinkling with nostalgia. "Grab my knee. Don't you remember? When you and Champ were kids, both of you would cling to me like little monkeys. I could barely walk with you two attached to my legs."
"Hehe!" I giggled like a child reunited with their emotional support blanket. The shaking stopped. Maybe the world wasn't ending after all.
Even when the skies fell, Mr. Voder always had a way of making it feel like everything was going to be okay.
Silver crossed his arms. His voice was calm, but sharp. "What are you doing here in Verilios, Voder? Everyone thought you were dead."
Voder sighed, scratching the back of his head with a sheepish grin. "Yeah, I may have faked my death... but only to protect Champ and Alaric. I had to make sure they were safe—not just in Aurivelle, but from whatever Verilios was planning."
"You knew about this place all along?" Silver pressed.
"Yup. Ever since I marked Alaric," Voder said, casually. "His memories became partially accessible to me. I learned about this hidden kingdom. And his mission. Why he came to Aurivelle in the first place."
I gasped. "Silver and I saw a poster! Alaric's a wanted man here. That means he's originally from this place?"
"That's right," Voder nodded solemnly. "Alaric was sent to Aurivelle as a spy by the Omega King, Nihilex. His goal? Monitor Aurivelle from the inside. He never told anyone—not even his best friend, Kali."
"So he's evil?! Is he the enemy?! Is he gonna kill everyone?" I flailed like a ragdoll having a breakdown, glancing at Silver for backup, but Silver just stared at Voder, deep in thought.
"At first, yes. Alaric was the enemy," Voder said. "But over time, living among us changed him. He fell in love with the life in Aurivelle. With someone. He chose to stay, built a family with me, and turned his back on the mission. That's why Verilios now sees him as a traitor."
Whew. That made me feel better. "Okay, good. Because if Alaric was against us, we'd be doomed. Even the Alpha King Theron couldn't beat him." I paused. "Wait. So when King Theron announced you were dead, you actually came here?"
"Yes, Jiggs. I infiltrated Verilios to learn how they live, what drives them, and why they were spying on us," Voder explained.
"But how did you even get in?" I asked, eyes wide. "We only found this place because Silver managed to break a part of the wall using a military tank."
"There's a hidden passage," Voder replied. "Ancient. Secret. Built by the first Omega architects. It's locked using biometric and genetic codes—only Omega-born males could open it."
I blinked. "So you're saying there's a backdoor. But... how'd you get through?"
Voder grinned. "It was left open. Alaric didn't seal it when he fled."
I gasped dramatically. "Wait! That means... Champ could get in too! He's an Omega male, right? And no one here knows him! He could sneak in undetected! WE GOTTA SEND CHAMP HERE! Wait—does Champ even know you're alive?"
Voder chuckled warmly. "If he's with Alaric, then yes. He knows. Our bond still connects us. Alaric feels what I feel."
"But... you're not going back to him?" I asked, eyes wide with hope.
"I can't. Not yet. I need to uncover more of Nihilex's plans. If I go back now, we'll lose our only advantage."
My face fell. "I thought this was gonna be a heartwarming reunion."
Silver spoke suddenly, his voice colder than ice. "This kingdom... it's been hidden for ages, hasn't it? But that's dangerous. If no one in Aurivelle knows about Verilios, they'll be completely unprepared. They'll think Omega males are extinct—then boom! Surprise invasion."
"I understand," Voder nodded. "Back then, the Alpha Kings wanted to erase the Omegas from history. They banished every Omega male locked them away here behind that massive wall. But now that you're here, the truth can't be buried anymore."
I looked at him, confused. "But why is the hierarchy flipped? Why are Alpha males the lowest here, while Omegas are like royalty?"
Voder's expression turned grim. "Once, Omega males were the top. Gentle, nurturing, wise. But when Alpha males tried to wipe them out to seize control, the surviving Omegas started from scratch here. Some loyal Alphas joined them. Together, they built a new civilization."
"And now... they've turned evil!" I shouted.
"They want revenge," Voder said. "Centuries of pain warped them. Now they dominate the Alphas here. Alphas are treated like animals—humiliated, enslaved. Their bodies modified. Their manhood... reduced."
I shrieked. "Wait wait wait! The chastity cages! They lock up the Alpha guys' junk so they can't... you know! How do they even reproduce? And they have a metal cover in their mouths to prevent from marking an Omega!"
"That's the darkest part," Voder said. "You will think how these Omegas are reproducing?"
I froze. "Wait... wait... you're saying—"
"There's a facility. An Alpha Breeding Facility," Voder revealed. "Only select Alpha males are allowed to remain fertile—used solely to sire more Omegas. The rest? They're publicly shamed. Stripped of status. Reduced to... nothing."
"OH. MY. GOD. THIS IS A NIGHTMARE." I shrieked. "It's like a dystopian reverse harem with extra trauma!"
Silver clenched his fists. "And the Omega King? What's his endgame?"
Voder looked us both dead in the eye. "To reverse everything. Across the world. He wants Alpha males to go into heat. To bear children. To be marked instead of the Omegas. He's developing something—technology or biotech—to make them the new carriers. Meanwhile, the Omegas become dominant, physically and socially."
My jaw hit the floor. "YOU MEAN... PREGNANT. ALPHA. MALES?!"
"Yes, Jiggs. And not just that. He wants to re-engineer them. Make Alphas weak. Delicate. Dependent. No muscles, no power. A complete biological inversion of roles."
Silence.
Complete, stunned, what-the-actual-heck silence.
Even I couldn't come up with a joke after that.
But I knew one thing for sure:
We were in deep, deep trouble.
I gulped. Hard. Like I just swallowed a live frog. Or a painful truth.
Wait... nope—it was the truth that I just swallowed. Mr. Voder's truth.
"You're saying... Verilios is so advanced in science and tech, they might actually succeed in changing the biology of Alpha males?" I asked, trying not to hyperventilate.
"Yes," Mr. Voder said gravely. "And they're already in the final stages. They've been experimenting on captured Alphas. Trying to force them to conceive. My latest intel says they haven't succeeded yet—but they're close. And once they do... it's over. That's why we must act now."
"But wait," I blinked. "If even you can't get near Nihilex because he can control Alpha males like you... then who do we send?"
Voder's face turned serious. "There may be only one who can face him... Alaric, his brother."
"YES! I KNEW IT! It's always 'they're brothers!' And they hate each other! Classic dramatic plot twist!" I slapped Silver on the shoulder with pure excitement. "It's a good thing you and Champ are finally getting alo—"
Oops.
OH.
NO.
I slapped both hands over my mouth too late—Silver's death glare turned me into stone. His hand flew up like lightning and smothered my mouth with it.
"Mffhhhmmmmm!!!" I squealed. But the damage was done.
Mr. Voder squinted at us. "What did you say, Jiggs?"
Oh boy.
He looked between me and Silver, and I could feel the exact moment Silver considered punting me into the next dimension. I braced for it.
Silver frowned, tense, unsure. Then Voder said it...
"Did I hear that right? Silver is... Champ's brother? My son?"
I, of course, panicked and bit Silver's hand. He yanked it away with a growl.
"I'm sorry! My mouth runs faster than my brain!" I dropped to my knees dramatically. "Silver, just tell him! It's time!"
"You started this," he muttered through gritted teeth.
Silver closed his eyes and took a deep breath—like he was trying not to explode. "Yes... I am Champ's brother. But we have different Alpha fathers. I wish you had been my father too, Voder. But... my real father is Crest."
The room went quiet. And not the comfy kind of quiet. No, this was the kind of silence that made my soul shiver.
Mr. Voder's face darkened. A cold fury simmered in his eyes.
"Don't tell me... Crest violated Alaric?" he asked, voice low, sharp, dangerous.
Silver lowered his head.
It was the first time I'd seen him look... small.
"I'm sorry," Silver said quietly. "I don't want to be like him. The moment I learned what he did to Alaric—my mother—I helped him escape. It was the only thing I could do to make up for it."
Voder's expression softened a little.
"Does Alaric know?" he asked.
Silver shook his head, still not meeting his gaze. "No. I don't deserve to be called his son. I can't tell him."
Voder stepped forward and placed both hands on Silver's shoulders. "You should tell him. Alaric would not hate you, Silver. He would see you—not as Crest's son, but as his child. I know him. Trust me."
Silver hesitated. "What about you? Don't you hate me?"
Voder gave a tired, warm smile. "I was shocked, yes. Angry, yes. But not at you. You saved him. That means more than blood. However, if I see even a shadow of your father, forgive me, but I will kill him right away." Then, with the air of a proud father, he ruffled Silver's hair.
Silver groaned. "Tch. Don't do that."
I couldn't stop smiling. I hugged myself in joy.
"You're smiling like a fool," Silver snapped at me, narrowing his eyes.
"What? I'm just appreciating the moment!" I beamed. "Even if you're not his blood, he treats you like you're one of us."
"Exactly," Mr. Voder nodded. "Champ, Jiggs, and even you, Silver. You're all like my sons."
My lip wobbled. "Can I have a hug now, Mr. Voder?"
"You're unbelievable," Silver muttered.
Before we knew it, Voder yanked us both into a massive dad-bear-hug.
"Too tight—!" Silver grunted but didn't pull away.
I, however, latched on like a koala. I wasn't letting go.
"From this moment forward," Voder said, stepping back, "you two are officially part of my clan. We'll fight together."
Silver sighed. "I'm not used to working in teams... but if it's with you, Voder, then I'm in."
"WHOA! Silver, was that actual emotion?!" I gasped.
"Are you mocking me?!" he growled, grabbing me by the collar.
"This life is gonna be chaotic and noisy," Voder said under his breath, "but at least I won't go deaf from the silence anymore."
Silver, you emotional menace!
"What's the plan, Voder?" Silver asked.
"We'll help you however we can!" I added, saluting badly.
Voder's eyes narrowed. His tone shifted.
"The Omega King, Nihilex, is attempting to rewrite nature," he began. "Using genetic engineering, they plan to make Alpha males capable of pregnancy. This means not only turning them into submissive carriers, but also eliminating the Omega's traditional reproductive role—effectively rewriting the hierarchy so Omegas rule completely. Alphas would become nothing more than breeders. Controlled. Shackled. Reprogrammed."
I gagged. "That's horrifying! A total violation of freedom, biology, and every sci-fi law I know!"
"That's why I'm planning to infiltrate the genetic lab," Voder said, "but I'll need your help. It's a delicate mission. We must be cautious."
My eyes widened. "Wait—what do we do?"
"You, Jiggs," Voder said, giving me a devilish look, "will disguise yourself as a Verilios soldier. Specifically, a Breeder Soldier. You'll be wearing their uniform—blue armor."
"Blue?" Silver raised an eyebrow.
"Each faction is color-coded," Voder explained. "The soldiers you saw earlier in red were Executioners. The Omega male in the crimson robe was their commander—his name is Hart. But the Breeder Unit wears blue."
"Wait wait wait—Breeder uniform?!" I yelped. "That means I'll have to interact with that sharp-faced Omega female with the terrifying glare!"
"Correct," Voder nodded solemnly. "Her name is Elexa. She leads the Breeder Team. Strict. Unforgiving. She carries a whip. And she uses it."
"WHY HER?!" I wailed. "IS THERE NOBODY ELSE?!"
Silver smirked. "Enjoy your new boss."
And that's when I realized, this wasn't going to be just a mission.
It was going to be hell.
"Apologies in advance, Jiggs," Mr. Voder said, clapping a firm hand on my shoulder. "But you're going to have to tough this one out."
I gulped. That didn't sound promising. Not at all.
"And you, Silver," he added, "you'll pose as a captured Alpha male. Jiggs will bring you into the facility under the disguise of a Breeder Soldier."
"Huh? Wait, what? WHAT?!" I squawked. "And what if we never make it out of there?!"
"We will," Silver replied with a devilish smirk. "Because I'm going to blow that whole genetic lab to hell."
Mr. Voder chuckled. "I like the enthusiasm."
Meanwhile, I was quietly shaking like a maraca at a salsa concert.
Voder's tone shifted, serious again. "We need to obtain—or steal—the experimental data detailing the gene-altering blueprints. That's the key to understanding their plan." He sighed. "Problem is, I'm not exactly... adept with modern tech. I can infiltrate, fight, and protect. But hacking their systems? That's not my strong suit."
Ahem! I straightened up and struck a pose.
"Cue: Jiggs the Great!" I declared proudly. "That's my specialty, Mr. Voder. You can count on me. And while I'm in there, I'll download everything about Verilios. But I'll need a distraction—someone to keep the guards off me while I'm digging through their files."
"You'll have it," Voder said. "Silver and I will handle that part. All you have to do is hack and extract. This mission should delay their gene modification timeline long enough to buy us precious time. Once it's done, we regroup and move on to phase two."
He paused, and his expression turned solemn. "But before anything, I need to teach you both about how the Verilios government and lifestyle works."
"Once we pull this off, they won't be able to launch an attack on our kingdom, right?" I asked, hopeful.
"Not necessarily," Voder replied. "There's no guarantee they won't have backup plans. But so long as Theron is in charge of Aurivelle, our borders should hold."
And there it was.
The moment I knew I had to drop a truth bomb.
"About that, Mr. Voder..." I started hesitantly. "King Theron... isn't exactly in fighting form right now."
Voder raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
I took a deep breath. "He was poisoned. By Crest. As revenge. And then... Crest kidnapped Doctor Henry to force him to cure Theron."
Mr. Voder facepalmed so hard I could feel the impact echo in my soul.
"Of all times... it had to be now? When Verilios is on the verge of an invasion?" he groaned. "I was counting on Theron to defend Aurivelle. This changes everything. And if that Crest tries to hurt my little brother, even a slight wound, I won't forgive him!"
"And if you're not there, Mr. Voder," Silver added grimly, "then the council will probably name my father as the next Alpha King."
"Crest?" Voder spat the name like venom. "With his diluted genes, he doesn't stand a chance against Verilios. He'll sell out the kingdom. Aurivelle will fall."
"Please don't scare us like that!" I whined, my heart pounding. "What do we do?"
"Our only hope now lies with Champ and Alaric," said Mr. Voder, steadying himself. "If they can change how the people see the world—if Champ can reclaim the throne—I'll finally have peace of mind."
I nodded eagerly. "I know they'll do it, Mr. Voder! We just have to believe in Champ. And with Deux by his side, they're unstoppable!"
"Deux?" Voder asked, raising a perfectly judgmental eyebrow.
I froze.
Oh no.
There goes my mouth again for the second time!
I smacked my lips with both hands. "Why am I like this?" I whispered, then muttered, "He's... um... the Alpha boyfriend of Champ. Also... Theron's son."
I winced and waited for the explosion.
"A boyfriend?! My Champ has a boyfriend?! And it's Theron's son?" Voder roared, his voice bouncing off the stone walls. "No son of mine will have a boyfriend right this instant! It has to go through me first! No royalty privileges! Every Alpha will need to fight me before they can claim my Champ!"
"About that as well..." I shrieked while my voice is thinning out, "Your Champ is already marked and claimed by Deux!" I added and hid behind Silver's body.
"What!"
Welp. I'm a dead man.
This is it. This is how I die. Not from enemy swords. Not from exploding labs. But from gossiping about Champ's love life to his dad.
If he knew that I told his dad...
I am doomed.
...
...
...
Champ's POV
"We're here," Deux said quietly as he parked the car in a secluded area just behind the Alpha King's estate.
I sniffled.
Achoo!
Ugh. Someone's definitely talking about me. Again. That's the third time I've sneezed in five minutes. Must be bad luck brewing—or worse, Deux's wild fantasies spiraling out of control.
"Are you alright, my love?" Deux asked in that soft, serious voice of his, the kind that always sounded calm... even when he was saying something completely deranged.
"I'm gonna punch you," I snapped. "There you go again with that 'my love' crap. Are you ever gonna stop calling me that?"
"No," he replied with a grin, reaching out his hand toward me.
I stared at it, suspicious. "What's that for?"
"Use it to wipe your nose, of course."
I blinked. Then laughed. "You're insane."
"Insanely in love with you, my love." he said smoothly.
I groaned. "Let's just get moving before something happens to Uncle Henry."
I went to undo my seatbelt, but Deux grabbed my wrist and stopped me.
"Deux," I said flatly. "Seriously?"
He just smiled, gentle and unreadable, and reached over to unbuckle my seatbelt himself.
Then, with absolutely no warning—he kissed me.
Right on the lips.
My brain short-circuited. "Deux!"
"I propose we save Doctor Henry later," he whispered, his voice dangerously close to my ear. "Right now, no one's around. No one's watching. No one's here to interrupt us... so may I make a baby with you?"
WHAT?!
He caressed my stomach like he was already mentally painting a baby room and picking wallpaper.
I slapped his hand and glared at him. "Your brain is just one big furnace of hormones! What is wrong with you?!"
"Shall we go then? To make a baby?" he said with the most innocent smile I've ever seen on someone that unholy.
I sighed, looked up at the sky, and pleaded with the gods for patience.
"I don't want to talk to you anymore. You make me question my sanity."
I jumped out of the car, hoping distance would clear my head—but nope. Deux followed. Obviously.
He came right up behind me, and then—he pressed his whole body against mine.
"Deux! Seriously?! Are you in mating season or something? Why are you this clingy all of a sudden?!"
"Because there's no one here," he whispered. "You always push me away when people are around. You don't want them teasing you. But when it's just us... this is my only chance."
He wrapped his arms around me, and I could feel the heat of his body on my back. It was stupidly comforting. So I smiled. Just a little.
Until—
Twitch.
I stiffened. "Deux. Why is that thing awake again?!"
"It senses we're alone," he said calmly. "But I'll hold back... until we save your uncle."
"Good!" I said. "And if we succeed, then maybe—maybe—I'll entertain your nonsense."
"Champ," he said, his smile devilish, "you do realize our minds are linked? I can literally feel you lying."
"Ugh! Fine! Yes! I'll let you have your moment—but only after the mission! No takebacks!"
He let go of me like a kid being promised a trip to the candy store.
I sighed again and rubbed my temples. He's going to kill me one day. Of this, I'm certain.
That man's body runs on stealth, stamina, and unholy desire. You never know when he's going to go from battlefield tactician to bedroom maniac in 0.2 seconds.
"Said it yourself," Deux said, voice dropping low and serious again. "And I'll hold you to it. When this mission ends... say goodbye to the world."
I blinked. "Excuse me?"
"I'm going to hide you away. Love you endlessly. Give you everything. Every second. Every part of me. I won't stop until I've shown you everything I want to do to you. No one will be able to stop me."
I froze.
That look in his eyes?
He wasn't joking.
And right then, in the middle of prepping to rescue a kidnapped scientist from an enemy regime, I realized something...
If we survive this mission... I may never walk again because of what Deux wants to do with my body!
He's going to be extremely wild for sure! Will my body be ready for it?
...
...
...
Deux led me through a quiet, shadowed passage—one I never even knew existed. Probably because it shouldn't exist in the Alpha King's estate.
It was clever though. Since Deux was wanted in his own home like some sort of sexy fugitive, we had no choice but to sneak in undetected. One wrong step, and the guards would be on us faster than Deux's hormones after five minutes of silence.
Our plan was simple: infiltrate the estate and find Uncle Henry. We'd start with the most dangerous place imaginable—the Alpha King's bedroom. Risky, stupid, very us.
Currently, we were crouched behind a massive marble pillar in the hallway leading to the King's quarters, sniffing the air like two overgrown bloodhounds.
"I don't smell any Alpha presence nearby," I whispered, kneeling on one knee.
Deux, ever the stealthy warrior, stood above me—slightly bent, nose twitching.
"I only smell you, Champ," he murmured, lowering his face near mine... then casually sniffed my hair.
"Deux!" I hissed, pulling away. "Can you be serious for once?!"
"Sorry," he said, not sorry at all. "You just smell really good."
I glared. "Can you smell your father?"
"Nope," he said, too relaxed. "Just you. Filling the entire hallway like a lavender scented candle of desire."
"Enough!" I growled, pushing him gently down the corridor. "Focus!"
Somehow, miraculously, we reached the Alpha King's chamber without being spotted. No scent of King Theron. No presence detected. Either he wasn't here... or he'd cloaked himself well. Still, we couldn't detect Uncle Henry either. As a Beta, he didn't give off a scent. He could be inside—gagged, bound, silenced.
Deux slowly pushed the door open, and we slipped inside like shadows.
The room was empty. Not a trace of Uncle Henry or the Alpha King.
"Looks like he's not here," Deux murmured, scanning every corner. "If your uncle's being held, it must be somewhere else. We'll have to search the entire estate."
"Where? Do you guys have a dungeon or something? A secret torture chamber for rebels?" I asked.
Deux raised a brow. "This isn't a medieval castle, Champ."
"Then how are we supposed to find him? If only Jiggs was here, he can help us with his gadgets." I grumbled, pacing. "If I were Jiggs, how would I find someone in a place like this?"
Deux straightened up. "You'd throw a tantrum. Flail dramatically. Roll across the floor. And in your moment of over-exaggerated sorrow, you'd look up and accidentally find the answer. That's exactly how that insect thinks."
I burst out laughing. "You're not wrong. His nonsense has saved us more times than I'd like to admit."
"So... should we try it?" Deux asked seriously.
"Oh, absolutely." I smirked. "But you're doing it."
He blinked. "Me?"
"Yep. Problem?"
Deux sighed, exasperated, and glared at me like he was contemplating betrayal. "You're lucky I love you."
"I know. Now go on, become the chaos you want to see in the world."
He inhaled, muttered something under his breath, then dropped into full Jiggs Mode.
"WHERE IS DOCTOR HENRY?!" he howled dramatically, his voice echoing off the marble. "WHAT IF THE ALPHA KING ATE HIM?! WHAT IF HE'S BEEN VIOLATED! IMPREGNATED!"
I bit my knuckle to keep from laughing. He was committed. Flawless. A terrifyingly accurate Jiggs impersonation.
Then, like a madman, he flung himself to the ground and started rolling—yes, rolling across the floor like a salted slug.
By the time he rolled halfway out the door, he stopped abruptly and stared at the ceiling.
"...I see it," he said, suddenly serious.
"What?"
Deux-mode fully restored. "The answer. I saw it."
I blinked. "Wait—it worked?! I was only teasing you!"
Still lying on the ground like some heroic fallen soldier of love, he pointed upward.
I followed his gaze and gasped. "The CCTV! The ceiling cam—of course! We can check the footage and see where they took Uncle Henry!"
I rushed over and helped him up, still laughing.
Deux grumbled. "You enjoyed that, didn't you?"
"Immensely," I said. "You really rolled like your life depended on it."
"I'll roll again. Into your heart. Forever."
"You're such a weirdo."
"And you love me for it."
Ugh. I do. Curse him.
He looked me straight in the eyes and said with deadly seriousness, "I would act like a total idiot in front of the entire world if it meant helping you. Even if I look like a fool—if it makes you smile, I'll do it again."
My cheeks burned. I looked away. "Don't read my emotions like that."
"You're practically screaming them inside your mind, Champ."
"Shut up. Let's just find the security room. And no more weird moves and sweet words, okay?"
"Okay," he said, smiling softly as he followed me. But I could tell...
He was absolutely planning something.
And I hated that I was already looking forward to it.
...
...
...
Our first stop was the grand library of the Alpha King estate.
And when I say grand, I mean ridiculously massive. Not one, not two, but five floors of towering shelves, each lined with more books than I could read in five lifetimes.
I stared upward, dizzy from the sheer height of the ceiling, the spines of old tomes stretching up into eternity. "Did you ever come here before, Deux? Or are you one of those Alphas who never touched a book in their life?"
He walked ahead of me, calm and focused. "No. I never really came here. But my father—he loved reading. Mostly law and political theory. Boring stuff. And the books here aren't just his. This estate belonged to many Alpha Kings before him. These shelves carry generations of obsession with power, policy, and pride."
"Hmph," I muttered, still looking around. "Smells dusty. Smells like secrets."
And then—
Something brushed against my hand.
Soft. Light. Almost accidental.
I ignored it at first... until it lingered.
I looked down and realized—Deux had taken my hand.
My brain stuttered.
I was about to pull away, maybe give him a light smack and an earful, but then I looked up at him.
His expression was calm, unreadable. He was staring straight ahead like nothing had happened—just casually strolling through a library while holding my hand like it was the most natural thing in the world.
I blinked.
And then...
I smiled.
I didn't say anything. I let him keep holding it.
We walked together like that, our footsteps echoing softly against the marbled floors, hand-in-hand between endless rows of bookshelves. It didn't even feel like we were sneaking through enemy territory. It felt like a lazy date in the park—except instead of flowers and trees, we were surrounded by ancient tomes and the smell of old parchment.
I hated how good it felt.
And loved it even more.
"This is okay, right?" Deux asked suddenly, his voice a low whisper that reached me clearer than any shout. He turned to me, and for a moment, I was caught off guard.
His eyes were soft, warm—melting, even. A look that said everything he felt without needing any fancy words.
I looked away too fast. "Do whatever you want. I don't even care."
What I meant was...
Yes. I love this. I want this. I'm just too shy to say it out loud because I'm a disaster.
It was dumb, really. After everything we'd been through—everything we'd done—there were still moments where I got flustered. Especially when he caught me off-guard like that. When he snuck in a small move—something so gentle, so thoughtful—it made my walls crumble without warning.
And now here we were, two fugitives wandering through a royal estate like we were just going for a stroll before brunch. Honestly, it was hard to feel like we were "in danger" in a place that smelled like old paper and self-importance.
I chuckled under my breath. "You know, this library's so big, I doubt anyone could find us even if they tried."
"Exactly," Deux said with a hint of smugness.
"Wait... is this the path to the security room?" I asked, suddenly suspicious.
He paused. "No."
I stopped walking. "Then where are we going?"
He turned slightly, eyes still calm. "I just wanted to take you on a walk."
"Deux!" I snapped. "This isn't a field trip!"
"You were stressed," he said smoothly. "I thought this would help."
"Ugh, you're the worst," I groaned. "Come on, take me to the actual security room this time."
He nodded, his face returning to its usual composed expression. "Alright. As you wish."
"It better be. Or next time, I'm dragging you through the hallways by the ear."
He smiled faintly, and I immediately knew—
He was planning something again.
And whatever it was, he was definitely not telling me yet.
I narrowed my eyes. "I can feel you scheming, you know."
"And I can feel your hand still holding mine," he said calmly.
I yanked it back.
He chuckled under his breath.
I sighed and walked ahead, pretending I wasn't red in the face.
This man was going to be the death of me. And honestly?
I was already halfway there.
...
...
...
We stepped into a grand room filled with rows upon rows of royal garments—elegant gowns for noblewomen and majestic attire fit for kings and princes. It was like walking into a boutique for deities. Gowns shimmered on golden racks, coats lined with fur and embroidery glowed beneath crystal chandeliers. If you didn't know better, you'd think we were at some high-end fashion mall instead of sneaking through an estate where Deux was literally a wanted man.
"Where the hell are we now?" I asked, eyeing a row of bedazzled cloaks.
"A wardrobe chamber," Deux answered coolly.
I blinked. "This entire room? A wardrobe?!"
"There's a celebration chamber next door. These clothes are used for formal events and official dinners."
Of course this is a royal palace! Because why not have a closet the size of a cathedral?
We continued walking, our footsteps muffled by the plush carpet, until Deux stopped abruptly in front of a rack full of gowns—women's gowns.
He pulled one out. A shimmering sapphire piece with silver accents, delicate embroidery, and layers of flowing fabric that screamed goddess of the moonlight ballet.
My eyes narrowed. "What is that for?"
Without a word, he held it up in front of me.
I froze. "Don't you even dare—"
"I think it would look beautiful on you," he said, eyes scanning me thoughtfully, lips quirking up. "Truly. It suits your aura."
"Are you out of your mind?! That's a woman's gown! And we don't have time to be playing dress-up!"
"I just want to see you in it," he said softly. "Just this once. Then I promise—I'll take you straight to the security room. No detours. No games."
I groaned, grabbing the gown from his hands. "Fine. But only because you're being so damn persistent! Where's the fitting room?"
He smirked. "Just change right in front of me."
"Deux!"
"Kidding," he chuckled. "To your left. There's a room you can use."
I stomped into the fitting room and stared at the dress like it was about to explode.
"I can't believe I'm doing this," I muttered. "I swear, if anyone else sees me like this, I'm jumping out the window."
But it was already happening.
I stepped into the gown.
...
A few minutes later, I stood in front of a full-length mirror.
"This is insane," I said aloud.
The gown clung to my form like it was made for me—layers of sheer silver drifted at my sides, the back dipped low, and the embroidery sparkled like stardust. The sleeves floated delicately at my wrists. I looked like... like the romantic subplot in an overly emotional royal drama.
"Why does this fit me too well?" I muttered. "And why do I look like the forbidden consort of a cursed king?!"
I sighed dramatically and peeked out of the fitting room, only my head showing. I couldn't believe I was about to do this.
"Deux? I'm done. Where are you?!"
"I'm coming," he called.
And when he walked in—
Oh. My. God.
Deux wasn't just dressed—he was transformed.
He wore a dark velvet ensemble that looked like it had been crafted by gods who specialized in seduction. Gold embroidery lined the sleeves and collar of his royal coat, which fit his frame perfectly. A deep crimson sash crossed his chest like fire wrapped in silk. The small, tilted crown on his head shouldn't have worked—but on him?
He looked like a king who had conquered empires with just a smirk.
I gawked. "This is sabotage," I muttered under my breath. "Fashion-based emotional sabotage."
"What do you think, Champ?" he asked, walking closer.
"You look ridiculous," I said, which was code for 'you look dangerously perfect and I hate how much I love it.'
"Why are you hiding?" he asked, tilting his head. "I want to see you. All of you."
I groaned and slowly stepped out of the fitting room, eyes lowered, heat rising in my cheeks.
I couldn't look at him. Not yet.
He approached me, silent and warm, and gently lifted my chin with two fingers.
Our eyes met. His were filled with awe, a quiet joy I'd never seen so raw before.
"You're beautiful," he whispered.
I wanted to yell at him. I wanted to run.
But I couldn't. Not when he looked at me like I was the only thing in the world that mattered.
And then, with grace like he was inviting me to a royal ball, he offered his hand.
"May I have this dance, my queen?"
I didn't answer.
I just let him take my hand.
He raised my right hand to shoulder height, and guided my left hand to his shoulder, and slid his left hand to my waist.
He was taller. Broader. Warmer.
His touch made my skin burn, and yet I couldn't pull away.
"You're my queen," he whispered. "Just for me."
And we began to move.
There was no music. No orchestra. No sound but the soft rustling of silk and velvet.
But somehow, in that room full of silence and gold-threaded gowns, I heard music—soft, gentle, like a lullaby sung by the stars.
He spun me gently, and the gown flared like moonlight caught in motion. I followed his lead, my body moving as if I'd been born to fit into this strange fairytale.
I didn't feel like a man in a dress.
I didn't feel ridiculous.
I felt... like someone cherished.
And Deux—he was so careful, so delicate, as if I were something sacred. Even in all his wild ideas, he never once treated me like a joke. Even in this ridiculous gown, he made me feel like I mattered more than anything.
That's the danger of Deux. It's not the way he smiles. It's not the crazy ideas or the seductive one-liners.
It's that he means them.
It's that he looks at me like I'm his world.
And in moments like this...
I think I'm falling harder than I ever meant to.
Our dance ended not with music, but with silence—soft, still, and full of warmth. Now, we simply stood there, arms wrapped around one another, unmoving in the quiet embrace.
"At last," Deux whispered, his voice tender, "I finally got the chance to dance with my one and only queen."
I didn't reply. I didn't need to. He could feel my happiness in the way I held onto him tighter.
"I can't wait for the day," he continued, "when it's not just the two of us... but also our children."
"Children?" I asked, lifting a brow. "How many are we talking about here?"
"Ten," he said smoothly.
I smacked his shoulder. "You're insane."
He chuckled and tightened the hug. "Even one would be enough. I want to raise them with you, Champ. Together. Love them together. Protect them together. Build a world for them that's happy and safe."
I smiled, resting my head against him. "I want that too, Deux."
Just as I was starting to melt again...
Sniff!
"Deux," I whispered, instantly alert. "There's an Alpha approaching."
He didn't hesitate. "Let's go. I've had my moment. That was more than enough for me."
He grabbed my hand and started pulling me along—but I dug my heels in.
"Wait! We're not changing back into our clothes?"
"No time," he said with a sly smile. "Besides, I want to see you in that dress a little longer."
"Deux!"
Too late.
He dragged me out of the room—me, in a flowing silver gown, and him, looking like a crown prince in a war drama. We looked like royal runaways staging a romantic coup.
It was impossible to run in a gown. Every step was a chaotic flutter of fabric. Meanwhile, Deux moved effortlessly in his regal attire like he was born for this nonsense.
...
...
...
When we finally reached the door to the security room, I was panting—not from exhaustion, but from sheer frustration.
"Deux," I hissed. "You owe me new legs after this. It's hard to run with these heels!"
He didn't even blink. "Champ. I can smell four Alpha males inside. They know we're here."
"Then what are we waiting for?"
We nodded at each other.
And then—
WHAM.
The doors burst open.
Four Alpha males immediately turned toward us. Two charged at Deux, the other two at me.
"What are you doing in the security room?" one of them barked.
Deux stepped forward calmly. "I need to see some of the footage."
"Apologies, Master Deux, but only the Alpha King can grant that access," another said.
"Then don't make me fight you," Deux replied, cold and serious.
"We don't want to hurt you," one Alpha said, his voice pleading. "Please. Just leave peacefully."
"If you refuse to leave, we'll be forced to attack," another warned.
"And as you're no longer part of King Theron's authority, we are under no obligation to obey you," the last added.
Deux glanced at me.
I nodded.
A moment later—
Smack!
Smash!
Snap!
It was chaos.
Deux punched with the elegance of a royal assassin. One Alpha went down with a thud, the other launched into a shelf.
Me? I went full Omega fury with full on gown and heels—ducking low and sweeping one's legs before kicking the other in the chest with all my strength. They were strong—but we were stronger.
Just because I'm an Omega doesn't mean Deux gets to do all the work. We protect each other.
"That was impressive, my queen," Deux said, brushing imaginary dust off his coat.
"I'm not letting you hog the spotlight," I said, brushing my hair back proudly.
Inside the security room, Deux quickly began scanning through the surveillance system. The screens flickered, searching footage after footage—until we found it.
"There," I said, pointing. "That's Uncle Henry!"
We watched as the footage played. Doctor Henry was ambushed and taken...
"What the—Crest?" I asked, shocked.
Deux's eyes narrowed. "What is he planning? Why him? What's the motive?"
"I don't know," I muttered, heart pounding. "But we'll have to track him to find out where he's hiding Uncle Henry."
Then something else caught my attention.
"Deux," I whispered, pointing again. "Your father. Look."
On screen, Alpha King Theron had just entered the hallway. He was walking slowly—too slowly. His expression was tight, his breathing shallow. He barked a few orders at the guards around him... and then—
He collapsed.
"Damn it," I muttered. "He's not doing well."
The guards rushed to catch him, lifting him gently and calling for aid. There was no sound on the footage, but we didn't need it.
I turned to Deux—and found him frozen.
He stared at the monitor, unblinking, his face carved in silent worry.
Even now... even after everything... he still cared.
"We need to find uncle Henry as soon as possible to find a cure for your father." I calmly said.
He may hate what King Theron did, but he still loved him. Deep down, that love hadn't died.
I reached for his hand.
He looked at me, startled. I smiled, soft and honest.
"You want to see him," I said gently. "You're worried about him."
He tried to shake his head. "Champ, I..."
"I'm not going to stop you," I whispered. "I'm not the kind of person who keeps someone from their father. Even if he made mistakes. Even if he's not perfect. Go to him."
He stared at me for a long second.
Then... he smiled. Not his flirty, dangerous smile. But something real. Something grateful.
"Come with me," he said softly.
I nodded.
"Let's go see your father, Deux."
And together, hand-in-hand—king and queen in disguise—we walked to the next part of our mission.
...
...
...
We stood silently inside the Alpha King's chamber.
King Theron lay unconscious on the grand bed, his once-mighty presence reduced to stillness. His chest rose and fell in strained, uneven breaths. The regal warmth that once emanated from this room had dimmed—replaced now by the heavy presence of dread.
"Deux," I whispered, "your father's breathing isn't right. It's... labored."
Deux said nothing for a moment. Then, slowly, he stepped forward and rested his hand on his father's forehead. His brows furrowed. He looked down at the man who had raised him, fought him, and scarred him.
"He may have done terrible things," Deux said softly, "to me... to you... to your family... but still, Champ... you won't let him die."
"That's because I wasn't raised to kill," I replied, voice low but steady. "My father, Voder, and my uncle Henry—they taught me to protect, not destroy. Even if King Theron never saw me as an equal, even if he never cared for me... I won't return hate with hate."
I placed a hand on Deux's shoulder. "We'll find Uncle Henry. We'll save him. He'll make the antidote. And your father... he'll recover."
Deux closed his eyes, and when he opened them, I saw something deeper behind them. Grief. Hope. And gratitude.
"Thank you, Champ."
"He's still your father, Deux. And no matter how fractured your relationship may be, I know you care. I can feel it. You always have."
For a moment, we said nothing—watching the rise and fall of a father's chest, two sons standing at the edge of a broken legacy.
"I promise you," I said, my voice firmer now, "when your father is healed, and if he still wants the throne... I'll face him. Fairly. No politics. No blood. Just honor. Just like you've always fought—with fairness."
Deux looked at me, stunned. Then, slowly, he nodded.
But then—
Footsteps.
We moved instantly, slipping behind the tapestry-draped walls as the scent of an Alpha approached. Thick. Bitter. Familiar.
Crest.
He entered the room with a slow, deliberate gait, his smile sharp and twisted as he approached the unconscious King.
He didn't look mournful.
He looked satisfied.
"What a beautiful sight," he said, voice like oil. "You lying there, helpless, vulnerable. Finally... silent."
He chuckled darkly.
"I could've ended your life in one clean move, like I did to our father. But no—I wanted this to be slow. Agonizing. I wanted you to feel the poison eating you alive. Every second... every breath... you'll remember that I did this. That I was the one you never saw coming."
Rage flared in Deux's eyes beside me. I saw his fists shake, knuckles white with fury.
"And now that I took Henry—your only hope—I know you won't survive much longer. So if you can hear me, dear brother... rot in the dirt, like our father whom I killed."
Crest's voice was soft. But it was laced with venom. He was speaking to a dying man like it was a personal love letter to vengeance.
"And when you're gone," Crest continued, his grin widening, "the throne will finally be mine. The same throne you stole from Voder. The same throne I was denied all my life. After everything—after being looked down on by you and Father—I'll be the one who wins."
I bit my lip, trembling with the urge to strike.
But I couldn't—not yet. Not now. Crest held the key. He knew where Uncle Henry was. If we attacked now, we'd lose our only lead.
Another presence entered the room.
Councilor Jude.
He rushed in with urgency, kneeling briefly at the King's side.
"How is the King?" he asked, breathless. "We tried to look for Henry, but he is not here in the estate. We need him to find a cure for Theron."
Crest immediately shifted into a pitiful act, placing a hand over his chest.
"I... I can hardly bear to see my brother suffer like this," he said, dramatically lowering his gaze. "It breaks my heart."
Deux trembled beside me. I squeezed his hand, warning him to stay calm. We needed control—just for a little longer.
"What happens to Aurivelle if he doesn't recover?" I asked. "Who takes the throne in the meantime? Is it Silver?
"Silver has been tagged as one of the criminals now by the government for freeing Alaric. Therefore, he is not a candidate anymore." Jude replied.
"I don't know about that," Crest said smoothly. "He hasn't returned. Hasn't spoken to me in a long time. Oh no, my son! What has he done?"
Jude sighed, visibly frustrated. "Then what about Prince Deux? If he were here, even with the bad things going around him, I'd have nominated him as acting ruler."
"No!" Crest barked, startling Jude.
Then he caught himself, cleared his throat, and softened his tone. "Apologies. That was... emotion. But Deux? He's a traitor. He joined Champ. And now? They leave the King to suffer. They might even be plotting his death. We have to stop them—before it's too late."
Liar.
I clenched my fists behind the wall. Liar.
"I also heard...," Jude said slowly, "that Champ is Voder's true son."
"Yes," Crest hissed, "another traitor. The child of Voder."
"But if that's true," Jude said, "he would be the rightful heir. The next in line for the throne."
"He can't be King!" Crest shouted. "He's an Omega!"
Jude blinked. "An Omega... like Alaric?"
"Yes! Exactly! How could an Omega sit on the throne of Alpha blood? You know the rules. Only Alphas have the strength to rule!"
"I... don't know what to believe anymore," Jude admitted, his voice cracking. "Things are changing. I don't know who's right anymore."
"Then let me make it simple for you," Crest said coldly. "There's no one else. I'm the last Alpha with same lineage of Theron's blood. That makes me the rightful ruler."
"But your blood..." Jude murmured, "is not as pure. Not like Theron's. Not like Deux's. Not Silver. Not even like Champ's. You may share Theron's blood, but you don't share his legacy."
Crest's smile vanished.
"I am not weak," he growled. "And I will take that throne."
Jude said nothing.
And in the silence that followed, I realized—
We were running out of time.
"If that's the case," Councilor Jude said slowly, his voice weighed down with uncertainty, "then until the King recovers... there may be no other option."
His gaze dropped to the floor, almost in defeat.
"With Deux considered a traitor, Silver as well, and Champ... an Omega," he said the word gently, but it still stung, "there's no one left the people will accept. You, Crest... may be our only viable choice to take the throne—for now."
I saw the smirk crawl across Crest's face like a serpent awakening from sleep.
Jude continued, his tone reluctant. "We may need to conduct a formal ceremony to inform the people of this decision."
"I want it arranged immediately," Crest said with quiet satisfaction. "No delays."
And with that, the two left the room, their footsteps echoing through the hollow halls like a funeral march.
Once the corridor fell silent, Deux and I finally stepped out of our hiding place, the air thick with tension and restrained fury.
"Come," Deux said through gritted teeth, gripping my hand tightly. "We need to follow that traitorous bastard. We can't let him take another step toward the throne."
His hand was cold. Not from fear—but from the kind of fury that sits just beneath the skin, waiting to ignite. I could feel the storm in him.
And yet... beneath the storm was something else.
Worry.
Pain.
Grief.
"I promise you," I said quietly, "he won't succeed."
We both looked at King Theron, lying unconscious—unaware of the treachery unfolding just beyond his door.
I stepped closer, placing my hand gently over his. His fingers were limp and cool, like a man already halfway between this world and the afterlife.
"I'm not angry with your father, Deux," I said softly. "Right now... I just feel pity."
Deux didn't speak.
"There's so much pain between our families," I whispered. "So much blood. So much history. But I don't want this story to end with more hate. I want to believe it can end with understanding. And it will end through us, Deux. We have to stop this."
I brushed my thumb along the back of the King's hand.
"I hope... he can feel that."
Deux looked at me, eyes unreadable.
"I don't want him to die either," he said at last. "But I won't let someone like Crest take everything from him. From us."
I nodded, stepping away from the bed. "We stop him. Before it's too late."
And with one last look at the sleeping King, we turned our backs to the chamber of broken legacies and slipped into the shadows once again—
—to chase down the man who had poisoned the crown.
...
...
...
Theron's POV
My eyes opened slowly, weighed down by exhaustion and sickness.
The world above me—the ornate ceiling of my bedchamber—blurred, then came into focus.
And I heard.
I heard everything.
Every word.
Every voice.
Every truth I should've known, but was too blind to see.
From the gentle concern of my son, Deux... to the quiet compassion of Champ...
To the venomous betrayal of my own brother—Crest, that filthy, smiling traitor.
I stared at the ceiling, unmoving. The silence around me was deafening, but inside me, a storm raged.
All I ever wanted was power. To rise. To rule. To become the kind of King that history would never forget.
And yet... the brother I once helped—raised, even—now sought to take everything from me.
He wanted me dead.
He poisoned me.
And the ones fighting to save me?
Were the two people I had hurt the most.
My own son—whom I once raised in fear, in violence—and the son of the man I had stolen everything from.
Champ. The boy I persecuted. The Omega I dismissed. The name I spat like venom.
And still... he held my hand.
I looked down at it.
Where he had touched me.
The warmth of his palm still lingered. But it was more than warmth. It was... peace.
There was something in that touch—something gentle, something pure—that had pushed through the poison coursing in my veins and reached something deeper.
It calmed the fire in my chest. It quieted the chaos in my heart.
It was a gift.
An Omega's gift.
Omega's Tranquility.
A rare ability... one I had only read about in old, forbidden scrolls. The power to soothe the rage of an Alpha's heart. To cleanse hatred... even if just for a moment.
And through that moment... I saw everything clearly.
How could I not have seen it before?
The strength of Omega males like Champ... like Alaric... wasn't in dominance. It wasn't in violence.
It was in the way they could heal what others sought to destroy.
What chance did men like me stand against that kind of power?
I closed my eyes and smiled faintly.
If I were to die today... I could rest knowing Aurivelle would be in good hands.
Deux...
Champ...
Either of them would do better than I ever did.
But if I lived—if somehow they managed to save me...
Then I swear... I will kill Crest with my own two hands. I will drag him to the grave for what he has done. For betraying me. For killing our father. For plotting to destroy everything I tried to build.
And if they do save me... if I live to breathe another day...
I'll look them in the eye.
I'll bow my pride.
And I'll say the words I never once imagined myself speaking:
Thank you.
I'm sorry.
I never thought the last people left standing at my side before I die would be the child of my enemy... and the son I cast away.
I raised Deux like a weapon. A monster. I thought I was forging a King.
But instead... he became something better.
He became human.
And somehow, against all odds... his heart led him to Champ. Of all people.
Of all people in this world, it was Champ.
The son of Voder. The boy I thought I had broken.
How ironic.
How beautifully... painfully ironic.
It feels like the universe has decided to correct the imbalance I caused. Like all the power I stole is slowly being reclaimed by those who deserve it.
Maybe this is karma. And maybe Deux... is the price I had to pay to make things right again.
I smiled, a quiet, almost broken thing.
I can't stop the consequences of my sins. I can't undo the things I've done. But I can still... choose what I do next.
My lips parted, dry and trembling.
"Deux... Champ..." I whispered, voice hoarse. "Thank you... and forgive me... for everything."
Because if I survive this—
I swear, I will make it right.
No matter what it takes.
...
...
...
End of Chapter 41