The Beta’s Regret

(Eden's Pov) It took a long tforto process all that my mother and Lord Shevek just said.

It was hard to believe, but I knew that it was true. It was no surprise tothat Zion was special, but I didn't expect him to show his uniqueness so soon.

I looked around as I suddenly becmore aware of my surroundings. We were in a tent, but not the one that was set up forin camp.

This one was smaller, and worn out. One side of the tent was slightly bent and looked like it would topple at the slightest tug.

I frowned.

Where exactly was I? I looked back at my mother. "We are not in camp." I said quickly.

My mother nodded. "Yes. Shevek and I assumed you would need to rest before we continued on our journey. Eros had begun to wake but he could not walk properly, you both needed rest." "This is just a temporary hideout. It will keep us safe while you both get the rest you need." I nodded, even though I was not too keen with the idea that my parents let us rest somewhere else instead of heading back to the camp.

I had a duty to fulfill there. The people recognizedas their queen. It was bad enough that I left without informing anyone. Staying out would definitely make them becanxious.

Eros drew closer, and ran a thumb over Eros's face. The baby giggled and stretched out its little fingers.

I pressed him closer to myself as I took in his scent. My mind flashed back to when I gave birth to him, and I smiled.

I felt my chest swell with pride. This beautiful child was mine.

As if Zion read my mind, he released a toothless smile, the skin on his cheeks deeming slightly from a dimple. I felt a flutter in my chest.

"He is beautiful." I heard Eros say softly, equally captivated by our son.

Eros looked back at my mother and Lord Shevek. He stretched out his hand, requesting for Lily. They handed the sleeping child over to him, and Eros sighed.

"She is equally gorgeous." He said.

I agreed. Lily was growing beautifully and I couldn't wait to see what a precious young woman she would become.

Eros bent, his lips slightly touching the baby's forehead.

"I promise to be a good father to her, I will protect her, both of them." He said his voice was raw with emotions. I could see the determination in his eyes, and I knew without a doubt in my heart the Eros would do everything he had promised. He would fight for us if he had to. I felt relief knowing that I won't be doing this alone. I was glad. And as much as I loved how the people regardedas their queen, I didn't want to be just a queen without her king.

And now, it was tto go home.

Eros and I have been through the worst in the past few days, and it was tto finally find a way to defeat Pison. Eros lookedin the eyes as if he heard my thoughts. He nodded and looked back at Shevek.

"I think we need to go home. Eden and I have rested enough." He said.

My father nodded in understanding.

"I will give you stfor both of you to get dressed then we will be on our way." Lord Shevek said.

Eros and I shook our heads in agreement as my mother and Lord Shevek stepped out, taking the babies along with them.

Our family bond has grown closer than before. My mother and Lord Shevek were rarely out of each other's sight after the incident, and Lord Shevek made sure I was safe at all times.

Eros and I got dressed in our old clothes and stepped out to my father and mother waiting for us.

1.n As we made our way through the forest, the air around us grew thick with a feeling of unease. The forest was quiet, way too quiet to be normal No bird sound or rodents rusting through the forest floor, nothing..

I swallowed. I didn't like it s won A feeling of dread settled inand it was so strong I couldn't easily ignore it.

"Do you feel it?" I said out loud.

Everyone turned to me, brows raised in question.

"Feel what?" Eros asked.

"I can't exactly explain what it is, but something doesn't feel right." I frowned.

"It's anxiety. Just relax and don't think about what you will do by the twe get to the camp." Lord Shevek said.

I shook my head. "It's more than that."m Eros held my hand in his and squeezed tightly. "I am always here for you. Don't be scared." I smiled softly, and allowed Eros's warmth to seep through my skin as I forced myself to relax.

We pressed on, a movement through the forest ground quickly. Finally, the hideout cinto view, and what we saw before us, was the last thing we expected.

We walked to a stop and looked on in shock.

The clearing was a mess. It was an utter destruction.

Tents were torn into shreds, belongings were scattered all overet the clearing, smoke rose into the air from the places where the tents had been burnt to the ground.

A heavy stench of blood rent the air, and I could see dark patches of blood on the ground but there were no bodies. Not even a single one.

My heart sank into my stomach "Where is everyone?" I whispered. Beauty, Adonis, Others. Where were they? "I don't know." Lord Shevek answered.

I walked deeper into the clearing, still trying to make sense of everything. Suddenly, my eyes caught sight of a be piece of paper pinned to a tree by an arrow. With a frown, I walked closer and pulled away the arrow then took the paper. An unfamiliar handwriting greetedwith bone chilling words.

"If you truly care about these people, then cto the palace with my daughter and becmy queen.

King Pison." I gasped.

"What is that?" Eros asked and took the paper from my hand. He read it, and his fist tightened in anger. "That traitor." Eros snarled. "Did you know Pison was Lily's father?"

I slowly nodded. "I suspected it when late Lyra and I had a confrontation. She mentioned ruling alongside Pison and having a child runaround the kingdom..." "What?" Eros gasped.

"We have a lot to talk about, Eros. A lot happened before and after your demise..." I said slowly.