I AM, AND WILL FOREVER BE, YOUR QUEEN.

CLEO

A sudden yank on my hair jolted me awake. I was dragged by my hair and thrown off the bed. My body hit the carpeted floor, but it didn’t cushion the fall at all. I hissed in pain as I landed on my shoulder. My mind was still foggy from sleep, but the pain quickly pulled me into reality.

“Who the heck are you, and what is an omega doing in my bed?!”

The furious voice above me rang in my ears. I lifted my gaze at the woman who suddenly dragged me awake. She was beautiful and regal in every sense, wearing elegant clothing that embraced her curves.

Her eyes, full of anger, were enough for me to know that I was in danger. I tried running away, but my heat kept my body weak.

She grabbed me by my wrist and forced me to stand. Her eyes showed realization in an instant, and her mind was probably piecing two and two together.

“You slut. How dare you seduce the king?!”

“I-I don’t...” I tried to reason out, but didn’t really know what to say. I don’t even know why-

My own thoughts were pushed by a huge realization. His actions yesterday finally clicked.

Of course, the Alpha King already had a queen by his side.. I was a fool to think the warmth and safety I felt in his arms were genuine. It was just brought by the bond, and even if it was real, he wasn’t mine to hold.

He could never be mine because he already belongs to someone else... and he was definitely better off without me.

The shame hit me in waves. This woman must be his wife. His Luna. She wouldn’t be this angry if she weren’t, and she had every right to be.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.” I tried explaining, but I couldn’t find the right words. I’d feel the same if I were in her situation.

Alpha Solan shouldn’t have helped me in the first place...

She was about to yell at me again when the door opened, revealing the man who was the reason behind the argument. Her hold on me loosened, and before I knew it, I was pulled away from her. This time, I landed in his arms.

Solan.

His scent immediately enveloped me, making me realize I had landed against his bare chest. My best guess was that he had just shifted back because he sensed his wife’s arrival.

“What do you think you’re doing, Vera?” he warned, obviously furious but trying to restrain himself. Now that I have a clear mind, I can feel his emotions through our bond. It was almost overwhelming, yet it didn’t feel bad.

The woman he called Vera looked at him in pure disbelief. “What am I doing?” she repeated his question, her voice shaking in anger, “That woman is in our bed. I was just gone for a few days, and you’re already bringing another woman here? You even brought her to our room. Have you had no respect for me at all?”

Solan’s arms tightened around me. “She’s not just some woman, Vera. Watch your mouth.”

Vera looked at him with pure betrayal in her eyes, “I’m your mate, Alpha. How can you say that?”

“No, Vera,” Solan said coldly. “You were chosen to be my Luna. That does not make you my mate. You never were and you’ll never be.”

My heart sank as I heard his cold remark, guilt already eating me alive. She hurt me, but her reaction was only appropriate to the situation.

Vera’s face twisted in anger. Her eyes filled with tears, but she gracefully swallowed her vulnerability. “So you found a plaything while I was away and decided she would be your current obsession. Above everything, it’s a filthy omega who probably slept with more men than she could count with her tiny brain-”

Solan’s snarl cut her off. It sent a shiver down my spine. I never expected this to happen, nor did I want to ruin anyone’s relationship.

“You will watch your tongue,” Solan growled at her, using his authoritative voice.

Vera couldn’t take it anymore. Tears dropped on her cheeks as she looked at him with pain in her eyes.

“Is this because I cannot give you a child? I’ve been by your side for three whole years. I’m trying my best...” she trailed off, losing confidence, but her expression darkened again when her gaze darted at me.

She wiped her tears and quickly composed herself. “I can’t accept this.”

I wanted to bury myself in some hole and disappear forever from shame, but Solan’s hold on me didn’t waver.

“Cleo is my fated mate,” he revealed ever so casually, surprising Vera and me equally.

I wasn’t expecting him to tell the truth. He could have told her exactly what she thought of me, a random omega he had taken a liking to and spent a night with, and he could go about his day.

Why did he tell the truth?!

Vera let out a bitter laugh. “So that’s it? You’re going to throw everything for that woman? No one would accept an omega for a queen.”

I bit my lip. It shouldn’t hurt me as much. She was right. Even if Alpha Solan accepted me, no one else would. They’ll never see, let alone respect, someone like me as their Luna. But it still hurt being slapped with the truth. I’ve never hated being an omega as much as now.

I glanced at Solan when he couldn’t answer. Obviously, he knew that Vera was correct about her remark.

“You were never meant to be by my side,” he spat after a moment, still glaring at Vera, “You knew that from the beginning.”

I see pain in her eyes, but she didn’t back down. “But I am, so deal with it. I won’t accept this. Not now, not ever. No omega will replace me. I am, and will forever be, your queen.”