Unbeknownst to them, the twins’ Royal Guards had overheard the exchange and imdiately reprimanded them through the mindlink. Gossiping so carelessly right outside the Princess’ Palace was reckless—did they want to broadcast to the entire world that the princess had already returned? If soone with ill intentions caught wind of it, the consequences could be disastrous.
Their presence in the palace was supposed to be a closely guarded secret. Such loose tongues could undo everything they had worked to protect. The two palace guards were nearly brought to tears by the fierce ntal scolding and were promptly reassigned to a different post. After all, guards who couldn’t keep their mouths shut had no place guarding the Princess’ Palace.
Now, Addison knew that Zion had co to the palace. And to think he’d even brought Claire with him.
She let out a bitter snort as she turned and kept walking. She had always known that eventually, she would see Zion again. Running from him forever wasn’t realistic. But why should she? This was her family’s domain. She belonged here. Who had ever heard of a ruler running from her ex?
No, she wouldn’t cower. She would simply ensure that their worlds stayed separate. He wouldn’t have the chance to hurt her anymore. Steeling herself with that thought, Addison gave a small, firm nod.
But now that she knew he was in the capital—and likely attending her father’s upcoming banquet—she needed to prepare.
Then a chilling thought hit her.
’The twins.’
If it were just her, she could manage. She could endure. But Zion was their biological father. If he saw them—if he caught even a glimpse—he’d know. That undeniable bond between a father and his pups... he’d feel it instantly. What then?
Addison’s heart nearly stopped.
She hadn’t felt this terrified even when she’d nearly died in Zion’s territory. What she felt back then had been heartbreak, pure, consuming pain. She had sacrificed everything for that pack.
For him.
He wasn’t even her fated mate, yet she had chosen him, stood beside him, held up his warriors, his people, for three long years. She had carried the burden of the pack on her back while he went to war, so he could fight without worry.
And what had she gotten in return?
Betrayal. Rejection. Scorn.
All for a woman he had just t on the battlefield for what, weeks?
Her hands clenched at her sides. Levi had seen everything. He knew the truth of what she endured.
And yet... what had it all ant, in the end?
Thinking about it all, Addison felt bitterness rising like bile. It was a hard pill to swallow, knowing she’d have to face Zion again. Her chest felt tight, and her stomach churned. And the worst part was, she didn’t even know what to do about the twins.
"Mommy, are you ochay?" Kyle asked, his tiny hand gently pressing against her cheek.
Aiden sat in Addison’s arms beside him, his wide eyes filled with concern. He reached up to smooth out the frown creasing her brow. They didn’t know what was happening, but they could feel her unease—her worry, her fear. After all, they were her children. Even if they hadn’t awakened their wolves yet, their bond with Addison was deep and instinctive.
They were tethered to her in a way that allowed them to sense the shifts in her emotions. And being as bright and emotionally intuitive as they were, the twins could already distinguish basic feelings like anger, sadness, and happiness. So when Addison’s mood wavered—torn between sorrow and frustration—the boys felt it imdiately.
And they responded in the only way they knew how: with love.
"Um... Mommy is fine. Let’s go et Grandpa!" Addison said with a smile, trying to mask the storm inside her.
She readjusted her thoughts. Zion was already within the Palace grounds—there was no more hiding. Sooner or later, she’d have to tell her parents what had truly happened. The weight of that truth pressed down on her, but what unsettled her more was not knowing how to begin. Her nerves twisted in her stomach like butterflies caught in a storm, leaving her restless.
She quickened her pace.
When Addison and the twins arrived at the dining hall, the guards quietly fell back, granting the royal family so privacy. As the grand doors opened, Addison was greeted by the familiar sight of her parents at the long dining table.
The Alpha King, her father, was already seated at the head of the table, exuding a quiet, intimidating aura. The Queen sat to his right, poised and elegant. On the left side, one seat beside the Alpha King is vacant, then the next seat, sat Mila. The seat directly beside the Queen had been reserved for Addison and the twins.
Though the Queen and Alpha King had embraced Mila warmly and treated her as one of their own, they were careful not to blur the lines. Royal decorum still stood firm. Not out of coldness, but out of respect for their daughter. As much as they cared for Mila, they never wanted Addison to feel displaced or overshadowed in her own ho.
After all, if the Queen or Alpha King allowed Mila to sit beside the Queen, it would send the wrong ssage—one that implied their official support for her. That seat was traditionally reserved for the heir apparent, the royal princess. If Mila sat there even once and the palace staff witnessed it, rumors would inevitably spread that Mila was being favored as the next heir to the throne.
Even though the servants assigned to the royal family were handpicked for their loyalty and discretion, such an impression would be difficult to erase once planted. To avoid any misinterpretation, the King and Queen were careful to uphold palace protocol.
Similarly, the seat to the left of the Alpha King was reserved for his second-in-command—the Royal Beta. Even if the Beta didn’t always dine with them, the seat remained unoccupied out of respect for his position. As a result, Mila could only sit in the next available seat, just behind that space, close, but clearly outside the line of succession.
This also made it clear that the Alpha King and Queen had been supporting Addison all along. Though she had faced the rumors on her own, their actions showed that they stood firmly behind her decisions. That silent, unwavering support comforted her—it made her feel that nothing was truly wrong.
Mila, too, simply smiled sweetly at her and said nothing as she waited for the al to begin. Just as Addison and the twins sat down on their seats, carts of food were wheeled into the dining hall. Dishes were arranged neatly around the table, and servers moved with practiced grace as they ladled soup into each bowl. Once the soup was served, the staff stepped back to allow the royal family their space.
As everyone began eating, the Alpha King glanced up and smiled playfully at Addison. "Sweetheart, my birthday celebration is tomorrow. Are you nervous?" he asked with a teasing glint in his eye.
Though it sounded lighthearted, Addison knew there was more behind the question. Her father likely already knew, through the palace grapevine, that Zion had arrived. This was his subtle way of trying to gauge her feelings and perhaps prepare for what might unfold tomorrow.
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