Chapter 40: I Am The Alpha Of The Child Eiravelle Was Carrying

Night had fallen over Solkanaia like a heavy shroud, casting the city in darkness broken only by the flickering light of torches and lanterns. The streets that had been bustling with activity during the day were now quiet, the citizens having retreated to their homes, unaware of the drama unfolding in their midst.

But the silence was deceptive, for the dark elite soldiers of the Sovereign were scattered across the entire kingdom, their black armor blended with the shadows as they moved with purpose and precision.

Liv led the soldiers through the winding streets of the capital, her eyes are scanning every alleyway, every hidden corner, and every potential hiding spot. She had been searching for hours, had combed through the markets and the residential districts, and had questioned citizens and searched abandoned buildings. But there was still no sign of Eiravelle, no trace of the omega who had disappeared into the night.

The soldiers moved in formation behind her, their footsteps were synchronized, their expressions were hidden behind their helmets. They were the best of the best, the elite warriors who had been trained since childhood to serve the Sovereign. They had been dispatched with a single command: find Eiravelle, and bring her back safely. Failure was not an option.

As Liv led her squad through a narrow street, her attention was drawn to one particular soldier who stood out from the rest. The soldier was smaller than the others, their frame was more delicate, their movements were less practiced. Liv’s eyes narrowed with suspicion, and she called out to the figure.

"Hey, you," she said, approaching the soldier with purposeful strides.

The soldier froze, their body tensed up visibly. Liv reached out and lifted the ventail of the helmet, her breath was catching in her throat as she saw who was beneath it.

Princess Dawn.

"Your High—" Liv started, but before she could finish, Dawn’s hand shot out and covered her mouth.

"Shhh!" Dawn gestured frantically, her eyes wide with urgency.

Liv gently took Dawn’s hand away, her expression was a mixture of shock and exasperation. "What are you doing?!" She whispered, keeping her voice low so that only the two of them could hear.

She pulled Dawn into a nearby corner, away from the prying eyes of the other soldiers. The alley was dark, the walls were pressing in on either side, but it offered them a moment of privacy.

"What has gotten into you?!" Liv demanded, her voice was a mixture of concern and frustration.

Dawn met her gaze, her expression was determined. "I heard what happened," she said quietly. "And I want to help."

Liv stared at her, unable to believe what she was hearing. The princess of the Ashrein Kingdom, the woman who was meant to be the future Phoenix Consort Empress, was standing before her dressed as a common soldier, insisting on joining a search party in the middle of the night.

"Your Highness, if the sovereign finds out—" Liv started.

"No, she won’t," Dawn interrupted, her voice was firm. "I promise."

She paused, her expression was softening as she continued. "I heard that this Eiravelle was missing, and I am worried she will get scared from the alpha soldiers. She is pregnant, General. She needs her fellow omega to tell her it will be okay."

"Where did you found out she was pregnant?" Liv,

"Reports... Of course I’ll read the context first." Dawn replied,

Liv considered the princess’s words, her mind was racing. Dawn was right. Eiravelle was an omega, alone and pregnant, cast out from her home and hunted by the darkness.

The alpha soldiers, despite their training and their discipline, could be intimidating, could frighten someone who was already terrified. An omega’s presence, a gentle voice, could make all the difference.

But the risk was immense. If something happened to Dawn, if she was harmed while under Liv’s protection, the consequences would be catastrophic. The Sovereign would be furious, the political implications would be staggering, and Liv would bear the weight of that failure for the rest of her life.

"Your Highness, this is dangerous," Liv said, her voice was heavy with concern. "You do not understand what we might find out there. Eiravelle is alone, scared, and possibly injured. If we encounter anyone who means her harm—"

"I understand the risks," Dawn interrupted, her voice was steady. "But I cannot stand by and do nothing while she is out there, alone and frightened. Please, General. Let me help."

Liv studied the princess’s face, saw the determination in her eyes, the genuine concern that softened her features. She thought of Qazaethel, of the anguish in her Sovereign’s eyes when she had realized that Eiravelle was missing. She thought of the child growing inside the omega, the child that was Qazaethel’s, the child that could potentially become the heir to the throne if it survived.

"Fine," Liv said finally, her voice was heavy with resignation. "But you stick with me. You are not allowed to go anywhere. Do you understand?"

Dawn nodded, relief flooded her features. "I understand."

She put down the ventail of the armet helmet, concealing her face once more. Liv watched her for a moment, then turned and led the way back to the main street.

They continued their search, the soldiers are fanning out through the streets, their footsteps were echoing in the silence. The people of Solkanaia, those who were still awake, continued to murmur and whisper, their voices were carrying through the night air. The news of the missing omega had spread quickly, had become the topic of conversation in every household, every tavern, every corner of the city.

Some spoke with sympathy, their hearts are going out to the pregnant omega who had been cast out by her family. Others spoke with derision, their words were dripping with judgment and contempt.

But no matter what they said, they all knew that something significant was happening, that the Sovereign herself had ordered the search, that the missing omega was more important than anyone had realized.

***

Qazaethel returned to the Arthion manor with Zane and Arthion walked behind her, Arthion was pale and clearly petrified, his hands are trembling at his sides and his eyes were fixed on the ground.

He had made a terrible mistake, had acted out of anger and pride, and now he would pay the price. The Sovereign was furious and everyone was aware that she is capable of destroying everything he had built, everything he had worked for. And there was nothing he could do to stop her.

Elaria, Arisia, and Ariphale were in the living room when Qazaethel entered, their faces had shifted from surprise to shock as they saw the sovereign. They offered bows and greetings, their voices were trembling with fear, but Qazaethel did not care. She had no time for pleasantries, no patience for the games of court.

"Summon Arielle this instant!" Qazaethel commanded, her voice was firm and full of authority.

The words echoed through the manor, reverberating off the walls, demanding obedience. Even Zane, who had served the Sovereign for decades, had no power to stop her, and had no words to calm her fury.

Gertrude, who had been standing near the doorway, nodded and rushed to Arielle’s wing, her footsteps are echoing through the corridors. She had been the one to witness Arthion’s treatment of Eiravelle, had been the one to follow him inside the manor when he had cast his daughter out.

She had seen the pain in Eiravelle’s eyes and had felt the weight of her own helplessness. And now, she would do whatever she could to help.

She reached Arielle’s bedchamber, her hand was hesitating on the door handle. She knew that Arthion had locked her inside, had confined her as punishment for her defiance. She could only imagine what Arielle had endured, the pain and the fear that the young Prime Minister must be feeling.

Gertrude pushed open the door and stepped inside. The room was dark, lit only by a single candle that flickered on the bedside table. Arielle was sitting on the edge of her bed, her face was pale, and her eyes were red from crying. She looked up when Gertrude entered, her expression shifted from despair to confusion.

"Gertrude?" Arielle said, her voice was hoarse. "What are you doing here?"

Gertrude crossed the room, her expression was gentle but urgent. "Your presence is required, Lordess Arielle. The Sovereign is here, and she demands to see you."

Arielle’s eyes widened, and she struggled to stand, her body was protesting with every movement. The impact of the way she had been thrown and held by her father’s powers had been immense, had left her limping, bruised and aching.

But she could not refuse the Sovereign. She had to go, no matter how much pain she was in.

"Help me," Arielle said, her voice was strained.

Gertrude nodded and moved to support her, wrapping an arm around Arielle’s waist and taking some of her weight. Together, they made their way through the corridors, each step was slow and painful. Arielle’s face was pale, her breathing was labored, but she did not stop and did not complain. She had faced worse and had endured more.

They reached the living room, and all eyes turned to them. Qazaethel’s expression shifted when she saw Arielle, her eyes softened with concern. The young Prime Minister looked terrible, her face was drawn with pain, and her body was clearly weak and trembling.

"Arielle, are you alright?" Qazaethel asked, her voice was quieter now, the fury was momentarily replaced by worry.

Arielle shook her head, trying to stand up straight. "I’m fine, Your Majesty. Don’t mind me."

But Gertrude had to support her weight, had to keep her upright when her legs threatened to give way. The sight of the proud Prime Minister reduced to this state made something twist in Qazaethel’s chest, something that felt like guilt.

"Where is my sister?" Arielle asked, her voice was filled with desperation. "What’s going on? Why are you here?"

The questions tumbled out of her, each one was heavier than the last. She had been locked in her room for hours, had been left alone with her thoughts, with her fears. She did not know what had happened after she had been bound to the pillar, did not know where Eiravelle had gone, did not know if her sister was safe.

"We’re looking for her, Lordess Arielle," Zane answered, his voice was gentle. "But the sovereign has something to tell you."

Arielle’s eyes darted to Qazaethel, her expression was filled with genuine confusion. She had expected many things, but she had not expected this. Why would the Sovereign be here, in her home, at this hour? What could she possibly have to say?

"What is it, Your Majesty?" Arielle asked.

Qazaethel took a deep breath, her eyes were fixed on Arielle. She had made a decision, had chosen to reveal the truth that she had kept hidden for so long. She knew that it would change everything, that it would have consequences that she could not yet foresee. But she also knew that it was necessary, that Arielle deserved to know the truth.

"I am here to tell all of you..." Qazaethel began, her voice was steady despite the turmoil in her heart. "I am the alpha of the child Eiravelle was carrying."

The words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Arielle’s eyes widened, her breath was catching in her throat and the room seemed to freeze, the very air grew still.

"What?!"

The single word echoed through the living room, bouncing off the walls, filling every corner. The weight of the revelation pressed down on everyone present, the implications of Qazaethel’s words sinking in slowly.