CHAPTER 232: NOT AN OMEGA

"I won’t let anything happen to either of them," Zilia said firmly, standing before the Queen with unwavering resolve.

"You shouldn’t," Queen Mabel replied coldly. "That’s the least you can do to redeem yourself, for what you’ve done to this family."

A few steps away, Amelie and Karmen had just arrived. They stopped at a distance, observing the tense exchange.

"Do you think she would truly abandon her son," Amelie whispered, "if he chose to protect Zilia and Idris too?"

Karmen’s gaze remained on the Queen. "Who knows. She turned her back on Gabriel after that old prophecy, without a second thought. If Prince Casaio stands in her way, she’ll cast him aside just as easily. That’s how she operates."

Amelie glanced at him and squinted her eyes. The words that Gabriel told her before made her realize that she might’ve made a mistake in judging the Queen.

"Amelie, don’t be fooled by Her Majesty," Karmen said quietly, his voice firm. "I’ve seen how she treated Gabriel how she’s kept him at a distance since we were children. We’ve been friends for a long time. The Queen... she controls everything, and everyone, in her own way."

Amelie lowered her gaze, Karmen’s words echoing in her mind. ’I trusted the Queen with so many things,’ she thought, feeling uneasy suddenly.

Just then, Casaio stepped forward, placing himself between Zilia and the Queen.

"Mom," he said, "you’re not the one to decide matters that involve battle. I respect your authority here in the palace, and I always will, but this isn’t your place."

His eyes flicked briefly toward Idris, who stood quietly behind Zilia.

"There’s a child involved," he continued. "So please... don’t be harsh. Go back inside. I know what I have to do. This has been my fight from the beginning."

Then, turning to his father, Casaio added with conviction, "Dad, I won’t disappoint you. I know exactly what I’m doing."

Just then, Dominick and Gabriel approached, walking over to stand beside their elder brother.

Dominick glanced at Gabriel, concern flickering across his face. "Gabriel, why are you—"

"I’m going," Gabriel cut in calmly. "The healers said I’m fine. The rest of their recommendations were just precautions because I fainted."

He paused, his gaze hardening with a smirk playing on his lips. "I’ve been searching for Luke for a long time. It’s time to face him."

"Shall we leave then?" Dominick asked, looking between his brothers.

"Yes," Casaio replied with a nod. He turned toward the line of warriors assembled before them, his voice firm and commanding.

"We’ll land near the border by jet. It will take us about an hour. Until I give the signal, no one moves. Understood?"

The warriors responded with a synchronized nod. With the instructions given, Casaio motioned for them to head toward the waiting vehicles.

He made his way to the lead car and had just settled inside when someone came rushing up.

"Brother Casaio!" Katelyn called out, slightly breathless. "I want to come too. I—I can fight. You know I can."

But Casaio shook his head. "No. You need to stay at the palace. If anything goes wrong, we need someone strong holding things together here. That person is you."

Katelyn didn’t argue with her elder brother. She glanced at Dominick and Gabriel, who are at the backseats before taking a step back.

"Please return safely," Katelyn said.

"We will," Casaio replied.

The driver drove the car, and one after the others, the vehicles moved out of the palace grounds.

~~~

Riley finished wiping down the kitchen counter. With a quick glance over her shoulder to ensure no one was watching, she slipped out and made her way toward the isolated wing of the palace, the one rarely visited during working hours.

She pulled out her phone and dialed quickly.

"They’re coming," she whispered once the call connected. "With Zilia and Idris. But... all three brothers are together."

"What are you doing here?"

A voice cut through the silence.

Riley froze. She immediately ended the call and turned, her eyes widening in shock. Standing just a few steps away were Amelie and Karmen.

"I had an important call with my brother, Your Highness," Riley said quickly, bowing her head.

"But personal calls during work hours are strictly forbidden," Amelie replied, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.

Earlier, when the princes departed in their vehicles, Amelie and Karmen had headed to the kitchen. Amelie needed another jar of water, she’d left the previous one in the private room where she had followed the Queen.

But as they approached, Amelie noticed something odd: the kitchen servant heading toward a restricted area without permission. Not only that she had a phone with her. Amelie had learned the palace protocals after spending almost a week here. No servant was allowed to use phones or even carry them while on work.

"You’re not an omega," Karmen said as he stepped forward, realizing all the palace servants were omegas. "I can’t sense a wolf in you at all."

His eyes narrowed as he recalled what Gabriel mentioned about the attack. It was a woman, but with no wolf, but incredible strength.

Riley’s gaze shifted in a calculating move. She knew the truth about her would be revealed anytime. So, there was no point hiding anymore. The only option left now was to escape.

Without warning, she lunged, but not at Amelie.

Karmen reacted instantly, stepping in front of Amelie to shield her just as Riley aimed a vicious kick at him.

He dodged with his quick reflexes. As he steadied himself, he watched Riley take a defensive stance, ready to fight.

"Karmen, I’ll call for help," Amelie said.

"No. Stay behind me," Karmen told her, his nails elongating while his eyes shifting into a golden hue.

Amelie’s heart began to thunder against her chest.

"You think you can defeat me!?" Riley chuckled. "I’ll kill her," she said, glancing at Amelie and disappeared swiftly from before Karmen.

Amelie quickly stepped back in fear, her hands moving to her bump. But as Riley reached out her hand to her neck, she was thrown away in the air and crashed right into the wall behind her.