CHAPTER 19: RUINS

"Let’s go for a walk."

Emira kept her head lowered and silently nodded as Prince Zen turned around without another word and began walking away. She didn’t question the command, didn’t pause to ask where or why-they both knew there was no need for that. And of course, she already understood why the prince had come to her. It wasn’t out of care. It definitely wasn’t concern. He wasn’t here because he thought she was in pain or needed comfort.

No, it was never that simple. After all, Omegas like her didn’t matter enough for someone like him to worry about. Their feelings, their well-being, their suffering-they were things to be ignored or used, nothing more. But Emira didn’t let any of that show on her face.

She didn’t raise her eyes or let her expression betray her. She simply followed him, her eyes lowered, and her features arranged in a mask of quiet submission, as if she genuinely trusted him, as if she was grateful that he had taken the time to come see her.

But beneath the surface, her thoughts were moving quickly. She knew this wasn’t about her. It was about the Ruins.

She had heard enough in passing to put the pieces together-or at least to understand the parts that mattered. There were whispers, fragments of conversation, vague hints. About the recent increase in Omegas disappearing in other Packs.

It had never been a big deal. After all, who would spare the time for an Omega? She was always either sold for the Pack’s benefit or used and left to die. But, for some time now, the Omegas were disappearing at an alarming rate, never to return.

And now, she’d heard that the princes were investigating the matter. Which meant they were aware. They knew something was wrong, even if they didn’t yet know what.

Omegas were the only ones who could be bred and used by the rogues. Not all rogues, but a specific type. The ones who were unwell in the head, whose minds had twisted into something broken. These were the ones that had been trying to create an army to stand against the Stormhold Royal Household. To form a controlling Army. So, these rogues were using Omegas as experiments in whatever madness had taken over them.

Whether the ruins were truly the place where the missing Omegas were being kept, or just another cover story to hide something else entirely, Emira didn’t know. But she did know that for years, the ruins had served a very deliberate purpose. The story surrounding them had been carefully shaped to scare off anyone who might venture too close-especially the Omegas. And according to her mother, that story had started spreading not long after Alpha Soier had taken over leadership of the Moonville Pack.

A pack which had ben dying had suddenly seemed to revive and thrive... Which couldn’t be a coincidence.

Whether the ruins were directly connected to the investigation or not, there was something going on there- something that wasn’t supposed to be found. Something that was being protected. And if it were exposed, if the truth ever came out, it would bring shame and ruin upon the Alpha who had kept it hidden.

That much, she was certain of. And because of the mystery, Prince Zen would definitely investigate.

Emira was so lost in the thoughts circling inside her head. that she didn’t notice that Prince Zen had come to a halt ahead of her and so before she could react, she walked directly into his back.

The impact wasn’t hard, but it jarred her enough to make her gasp softly, instinctively pulling back in surprise. Her eyes widened for just a second, but she quickly dropped her gaze again as the prince slowly turned to glance over his shoulder. She hadn’t meant to draw his attention. And now she had.

"Little fire... Do you know where we are going?"

Emira shook her head.

"And aren’t you curious?"

She shook her head again which caused the Prince to walk towards her. She kept her eyes lowered and he came to her, she felt his hands coming towards her, and she stepped back hurriedly.

"I thought that you would blame me for your current state. After all, you got slapped because of me..."

Emira’s head snapped up, her eyes widening as she stared at him, shocked by the sudden admission. She hadn’t expected him to bring that up, least of all like this, so casually, almost as if it were a passing remark. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

Why was he saying this now? And what exactly did he mean by it?

Did he understand what had happened that day? That he had placed her right in the path of cruelty-deliberately or not-and stood by while she took the brunt of someone else’s wrath? Was he trying to acknowledge it? Was this some twisted version of an apology? Or was he simply mocking her again?

Her mind reeled, unsure of how to respond. But before she could make sense of her own reaction, a wave of anger surged up inside her. Of course he would mock her. After all, he had watched her being slapped without intervening.

She clenched her hands into fists at her sides, forcing herself to remain still, to keep her breathing even, to not let it show. Unknowingly, her scent had changed-just slightly, just enough. And Prince Zen noticed it instantly. His smile deepened.

And then, without hesitation, he stepped closer to her. Just a few steps. But it was enough to make her pulse quicken and she looked up into his grey eyes for a moment, forgetting herself. It was only as he leaned in and said in a soft voice, that she jolted from his breath on her face.

"Take me to the river, Little Fire," he said, the name rolling off his tongue like something private. Of course he would call her Little fire. He had not even bothered to ask her name. "I want to see the place where you thought you could find redemption."

She looked away from his mesmerizing eyes and took a deep breath, nodding her head slowly. "I’ll take you there."