The Beta’s Regret

Chapter 223

(Eden’s Pov)

As soon as Eros stormed out of the dining room, I stood up and followed after him.

We left a heavy silence behind us.

Eros was fast. One minute he was right in front of me, and the next he wasn’t.

“Eros!” I called after him, but I got no response. I followed the hallway until I got to the front door and pushed it open.

The moon shone high in the sky, but Eros was nowhere to be found. I walked around, hoping to see him.

And I finally did.

I stopped moving for a moment and slowed my breath. The evening air calmly washed over me. I smelled the scent of flowers that lingered in the air, and I immediately assumed a garden must be around somewhere

But none of this could take away the grief that hung in the air.

I looked at Eros. He was seated on a bench beneath a large tree, staring into space. His posture was stiff, almost unmoving.

I could easily mistake him for a statue 1

if I didn’t know better.

As if he sensed me, Eros looked my way then looked away again.

In that moment, something struck me.

A

The air around me suddenly felt familiar. It was like I had seen this place before.

The second realm.

I looked around, and everything began to fall into place.

How did I not notice this in the first place?

This palace was just like the mansion in the second realm, the hybrid kingdom that Eros ruled over. The only major difference was the water fountain in the middle of the compound and a few other things.

My heart skipped.

How was this possible?

“Do you think Eros will turn out to be like the one in the second realm?” I heard Tiara ask.

I shook my head and ignored her voice. That wasn’t a question I had an answer to.

My throat felt patched, and I swallowed saliva to soothe it. I suddenly felt worried.

Down to the rooms, everything looked familiar. I must have been too distracted by Eros’s anger, my dream, and even Cheryl to have noticed at first, but now, I see it all.

Could this mean something more lay ahead?

I had to stop my thoughts from going too far. I don’t have the time to dwell on it.

Eros needed me.

1/3

With a deep breath, I moved forward and got closer to him. When I reached him, 1 paused for a bit, unsure about what to do or how to approach him. He looked vulnerable and lost, and I felt my stomach twist.

He was hurt. I could tell.

And I understood. Eros never had a healthy relationship with his father. It was more devastating to find out years later that

you

had a brother all along who wants to take what you’ve worked hard to earn.

“Eros,” I said softly.

He turned to me again, and my heart fluttered.

His beautiful eyes looked haunted. I saw anger and pain written in it, and a helplessness I wasn’t sure I could fix.

1 sat beside him and took his hand in mine, “You don’t have to go through it alone.”

He sighed and squeezed my hand in his.

For a moment, he stared down at where our hands were interlinked before he replied, “I don’t know what else to do, Eden.” His voice broke.

He chuckled. “At first, I didn’t want to be king because I thought I might do a bad job at it, but now… I want it. That’s why I’ve been trying hard to make sure I prove to myself that this is something I can handle.” He said.

“You can do it.” I smiled.

“I want to be a good king. I want to build a legacy that will last for years to come.” He said more passionately. “I wanted to do right by the people.”

I was taken aback for a moment; I didn’t know Eros had grown much more passionate about the kingship. I knew he wanted to be king, but I had no idea how desperately he wanted it.

I leaned in and allowed Eros to rest his head on my

shoulders.

“Nothing seems to be going the way I imagined.” Eros continued, “And there is Ryker.” He went quiet.

I turned my head sideways. “What about Ryker?”

Eros shrugged. “Maybe he’s right. I know he hasn’t said it yet, but maybe he would be a better king than I could ever be. Maybe I can’t do this.”

My heart shredded at his words. I ached and felt the great urge to take his pain away. I wish I could hold him and tell him everything will be okay, but nothing was that simple.

However, I wasn’t going to let him give up.

“You deserve to be king.” I said softly. “I’ve seen the love you have for those around you; it makes you a great leader.”

“That’s not enough. What if Ryker-”

“No!” I cut him short. “Don’t try to compare yourself to him. We will get through this together.” I said.

I chuckled, “You even left me for a 30–days ritual so you could be better for the people. You are the best king–to–be.” Eros laughed softly. He placed a hand on my stomach, and I smiled too.

“You are two months gone.” Eros lifted his head in awe. “In the fifth month, you’ll put to bed.” he said, and I parted my lips

“I thought it was going to be 6 months. Alpha pups grow rapidly and they are birthed at the 6th month. So why is our child

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coming out at 3 months”

Eros chuckled “That’s because, our baby is a full bloodied hybrid alpha wolf. So, we will meet him earlier, and from next month, you will start to show. Things may get rough.” Eros said.

“Everything will be fine.” I said.

Eros nodded, and pulled me into a tight hug. I leaned in.

For a moment, I was content. But then fear began to creep in… As much as I comforted Eros in staying and fighting for the crown. I was also scared.

What if things go wrong, and I fail the tests? How do I become Queen, and rule beside Eros?