The Beta’s Regret

Chapter 164

“Eros is now king...” they said,/makingchuckle bitterly as | stood on my feet. It felt irreal, Ree stwisend

joke

First, | find out my friend, Nova, is dead. Murdered. And now I'm supposed to be queen? It was too morts.

Wasn't Eros’ cousin the king anymore? What happened? Why did Eros take back the crow?

Didn't he just want to have a simple life with his future mate- which turned out to be me?

| wanted to scream my lungs out, but couldn't. | was weak from so much crying

“So, letget this straight. Nova’s gone and you're now king. I'm supposed to step up and be queel wat kon

togang to keep my voice steady.

His eyes softened, but | could see a hint of worry in them. “I know it’s a lot, Eden Il didn’t want to tell you

everything all ar once. | wanted you to rest and adjust...” He reached out and gently took my hand in his. “But

fatags moved quickly The kingdom needs peace, and the council... they're waiting for us.”

Arthur, Adonis, and Beauty- stood nearby, silently watching usArthur had a look on his face | couldn't quite read

Juver moments before, he was smiling but now, I'd caught a glimpse of something dark, a bitterness he quickly

market. It remindedof his betrayal in the other realm. How he was Eros beta and sold the kingdom to five

esteties

Emotions clogged at my throat, and | looked away, shaking my head. | could be overthinking

“Why, though? King Pison has been on the throne all this time. What changed?” | asked.

Eros sighed as he ruffled his hair, trying to explain “The kingmakers council. They discovered sonte fangs out

son. In turned out that my cousin was stealing funds meant for the kingdom-for packs and covers, and wing

them for timet Se was also showing favoritism, and turning his back on those who needed him most

Arthur shifted uncomfortably.

“So... they just decided to replace him?” my voice cout croaky.

“They didn’t have a choice,” He answered, his voice low. They're of the opinion that my father did vel as fte hot

ng and that | would also do well. In their words, they need the legitimate heir back on the throne..

1 glanced over at Adonis and Beauty, who were watching us with quiet concern. Beauty gavea soul and ai

encouragingto speak.

“Eros, | don’t know how I feel right now. My friend is gone, and this new responsibility; It's all just to mich wnicz

cracked, and | swallowed hard.

“I need tto process everything.”

He took a deep breath, his shoulders sagging slightly. “I understand. I'll give you all the tyou need

After a moment, | whispered, “Can you taketo my family? | just.. | need to see my moen und Clea

He nodded as hurt flashed across his eyes “sure.”

The drive was quiet, and | couldn't shake the unsettling feeling in the air. As we passed through the pack uns. |

that the streets were empty, the usual laughter and energy gone

“Why is everything so.... quiet?” | asked, glancing over at Eros

1/3

09:41 Mon, Nov 11

Chapter 164

79%0

FD

He didn’t look at me, his voice heavy. “Things changed, Eden. After the shift in leadership, Luna Lyra also running

away and Theo is mentally unstable- there's been tension. People are uncertain, even afraid.”

| swallowed, and folded my shaky hands. When Eros turned the engine off, | pushed the door open- not waiting

for him to helpout. | just wanted to bask in the warmth of my old bed and cry myself to sleep.

| hadn't expected any of this. I'd thought returning back would be better. It wasn't.

We started walking towards the door and that was when the door burst open, with my mom crying after two

people.

It was Olivia and Alpha Griffin with sluggage.

| felt my hybrid calive, and | sped to where they were in full speed. Eros was soon standing beside me.

“Olivia?” | called, my voice trembling.

She looked over her shoulder, but instead of a warm, familiar smile, she scoffed “Oops! You're back after all,”

My lips parted open in shock. | was back after all, and that’s that? Where's the warm hug and kiss?

| just stared as she kept chewing sgum loudly and twirling her hair. She had dyed it from blonde to black.

Her flashy, tight yellow blouse over a red skimpy skirt and block heels were screaming ‘attention’.

She looked more like a stranger than my sister, And then, to my horror, she looked pastand winked at Eros,

blowing him a kiss.

froze, disbelief washing over me. “Olivia, what are you doing?”

She ignored me, turning her attention back to Alpha Griffin “Let's go, Dad.”

Who told her? How did she find out?

I'd found out that Alpha Griffin was my mom’s mate at Lyra’s wedding, and I'd happened to eavesdrop at Lyra’s

mom and Mr Redwood, Theo's father’s conversation.

Alpha Griffin merely looked away, checking the tof his wristwatch. Then he would stare at the red car parked

sdistance from Eros’ car. | was invisible to him.

“Olivia, please!!” my mother cried as her hand reached for Olivia's arm to stop her. “Don’t do this. Don’t leave us

like this. See, your sister just got back. Please!”

But Olivia rolled her eyes, and shrugged her coldly. “Oh please! Mom, I'm tired of being stuck here, with all of

you judging me. | want a new life. I'm done with this place.”

Her words hitlike a punch to the gut. “Olivia, what are you talking about? Why are you doing this? Where are

you going?”

She barely glanced at me, a sneer on her lips. “Maybe it’s t| started thinking about myself for once.”

With that, she turned and walked away, and Alpha Griffin followed behind her. They entered the car and drove

off. | was shocked, and my mom started wailing as she sat helplessly on the floor.

Eros and | scurried to help her, but she wouldn't be pacified. “He has taken her away from me..” she cried,

slapping her thighs in agony as she looked at me. “Eden, she’s not the sanymore. Olivia has changed...”