Arien returned to his chamber. He could not sleep for the rest of the night, though toward morning he finally dozed off. He woke with terrible nausea and realized he could barely get up. Aidan arrived earlier than usual and helped the omega at least sit up.

“My lord, I think…”

“Oh, don’t start. Just help me get dressed.”

As soon as he pulled on the trousers he had arrived in, Arien realized he could not tie them. He had fled the south without proper clothes and now wore whatever Milosh had given him. There had been no time to order anything new. Cold sweat broke over him, and dread settled in his chest. Arien walked to the mirror and turned sideways.

His belly had grown — and clearly not because he had eaten too much.

When he remembered how much time had passed and the strange taste of the herbal infusion, everything made sense. The servants or apothecaries had made a mistake. Arien shook his head — Ives might not be young anymore, but he never missed. The moment Arien lowered his guard, another Boriel heir had begun growing inside him. He might have noticed sooner, but he had been too busy with other matters.

“My lord…” Aidan said anxiously — Arien had forgotten the alpha was still there. He flinched and turned. Concern showed on his friend’s face. “Shall I find a physician to prepare—?”

“No!” the omega cried. When he had carried Alian and another child from Ives before, he had wanted to get rid of them before they were born. But now… Arien realized he did not want to kill this child. He did not love it like Carlisle, nor wait for it like the child from Arman. But he did not want to kill it either. Perhaps this child could help him fulfill an old wish…

“But if Zelan finds out…”

“What does he care about my belly?”

Aidan was about to say more, but the door suddenly burst open. One of Zelan’s followers rushed inside in panic — the same man who had been assigned to watch the children, though he usually spent his time drunk in a friend’s room.

“The children are dead!”

“Get out!” Arien snapped, as if he had not even heard the words.

Aidan hurried to close the door while the man kept nervously muttering. Arien quickly dressed in the few clothes that still fit him. But when he stepped into the corridor, the man was already gone — he had run to Zelan.

A strange tension filled the castle. Even the rebel leader looked uneasy. When he said the children were dead, he looked as if Arien were somehow to blame.

“What’s the problem? You were told the children were sick. You ignored it and didn’t send a healer. So they died.”

“I thought… since your son was there…”

“So what if he was my son?” Arien scoffed. “Zelan, I was forced into marriage. My beloved child was killed. I was forced to give birth to this one — and you think I’ll love him? I won’t. Just because he came from me doesn’t mean I’ll feel eternal love.”

“But he died.”

“So what?” the omega repeated coldly, completely disarming Zelan.

“You’re cruel.”

He waved his hand, but in a sudden fit of paranoia decided to check on the children anyway. Arien stayed calm — the leader wouldn’t understand anything.

And he really didn’t. After scratching his head, Zelan suggested burying them in the courtyard, but Arien shook his head.

“And where exactly? Under the fence like dogs? And I’m the cruel one? There’s no place for that in the courtyard.”

“Then where?”

“Outside the castle. Maybe even outside the capital. Decide yourself.”

Zelan ordered the bodies taken away and buried beyond the capital. Casually, Arien suggested sending the sick twins away as well.

“We could give them to some family. They won’t live long anyway. And they’re omegas.”

The leader agreed. Inside, Arien felt relieved. Aidan replaced the man who had been ordered to take the children away. Arien trusted the alpha and was sure he would carry them farther and pass them to the right people. When Aidan returned and gave him a small nod, Arien finally relaxed. The children were safe.

For a long time after that, only one thought filled Arien’s mind: What should I do?

The situation kept getting worse. Zelan no longer listened to him and did whatever he wanted. He had long forgotten Orsin and his plans. Now he imagined himself king and demanded foreign envoys.

Arien could do nothing.

He couldn’t even get out of bed.

The nausea was worse than ever. The first time it happened, he grabbed a servant and forced him to say Arien was just ill. After that, Aidan covered for him, telling everyone Arien simply refused to see visitors.

Zelan didn’t care.

The only comfort Arien had were secret letters from old friends. The children had arrived safely. They were alive and protected.

When Arien finally felt a little better, he had to start wearing Milosh's clothes. His belly was growing quickly — much faster than before. Even though he barely ate, he was visibly fuller.

While dressing, Arien could hardly stand for long. The growing belly strained his back and legs. Still, he returned to the kingdom’s affairs, hoping he might push forward his brother’s plans. But when he heard what Zelan had been doing, he almost fainted.

Rebellions were rising across the kingdom, supported by parts of the army. The rebels tried to suppress them, but it was useless. Zelan had killed envoys and started a war with two neighboring kingdoms.

“They refused to recognize me as king! I won’t tolerate that.”

“Do we even have the strength for war? Corilan is falling apart and you declare war? What are you doing?!”

His stomach hurt from anger and shouting, but Arien kept standing there, yelling at Zelan.

“I am the king!”

“You are nothing!”

The alpha suddenly fell silent. Veins swelled at his temples. For a moment it seemed he would strike him. But then his lips slowly spread into a smile.

He stepped closer to Arien.

“Yes, I’m nothing. I have no connection to the royal dynasty. But if I take you as my husband, I’ll become a rightful ruler.”

Looking into Zelan’s mad eyes, he realized the man wasn’t joking. He would simply take him by force. A plan quickly formed in Arien’s mind.

He raised his palm.

“Fine. I’ll become your husband. But on one condition — only if you take me during my heat.”

“What’s the trick?”

“There is none. You take me during my heat — and right after that I become your husband and give you the power tied to my family name. But until then, don’t come near me. Deal?”

Zelan stared at him for a long time. Arien’s stomach hurt even more.

If he realizes… if he sees…

But the alpha finally nodded and gestured for him to leave.

Once outside the rebel leader’s chamber, Arien returned to his room on shaking legs.

He couldn’t believe what he had just said. But there was no other way. Tears burned in his eyes. Corilan was dying, and he had helped lead it there. He had only wanted what was best. He loved his kingdom. That was why he supported his brother — because he believed he wanted the same. But now…

Something had to be done. And Arien had no idea what. Suddenly, he felt movement in his belly. Arien looked down and touched the spot where a tiny foot had kicked him. Then he remembered Ives. For a long time, the omega thought about what to do. Only letters from the south and quiet walks calmed him. During one of those walks, he came across preparations for an execution.

And he saw the lord. It suddenly became hard to stand. Arien grabbed a column. At that moment, Ives turned toward him, and their eyes met. Fear pierced the omega.

All this time, Zelan hadn’t known what to do with the prisoners. Enjoying himself, he had simply kept the lord and the kings locked away.

No. Arien would not allow the lord to be executed.

Ives did not deserve that.

Despite the pain in his belly, Arien ran to the rebel leader’s chamber. He burst inside and, barely breathing, said:

“Stop the execution. Right now!”

“I won’t. They’re enemies. They’re dangerous,” Zelan said calmly.

A cup was in his hand again, though he no longer looked pleased.

“Stop it,” Arien insisted.

“No.”

“Stop it! If you don’t, I’ll tell everyone where the treasury really ended up.”

Zelan looked at him in a way that made everything inside Arien tighten. But Arien kept his face cold, though he was terrified. When Zelan opened his mouth, Arien braced himself, trying to think of another threat. Instead, he exhaled in relief. The alpha ordered his men to cancel the execution. Arien silently prayed no one had done anything yet. He was about to leave when Zelan suddenly stepped close.

“Step back! We had a deal!”

“Where is your heat?” Zelan asked. His eyes were red, and he smelled of something stronger than wine.

“My cycle is unstable. Sorry. I’ve been nervous lately because of certain people’s actions. Step back, or I’ll consider our deal broken.”

“Or maybe you’re just pregnant and trying to fool me?”

Everything inside Arien turned cold.

But he held his ground and only snorted in contempt.

“Pregnant by whom, may I ask?”

Before Zelan could answer, he continued:

“Now step back. Or our deal is over. And without me, you’ll never get the power you want.”

Zelan stepped back. When Arien returned to his chamber, he sank into a chair and finally breathed out. Fear still held him. He sent Aidan to find out what had happened. Only after hearing the lord and the kings were safe did he calm down a little. It was very hard for Arien to make his decision. Sometimes the thought appeared in his mind, but he pushed it away, holding onto a small hope. Now there was no hope left. Arien loved his brother. And his brother loved his country.

But if Arien did nothing, Corilan — the beloved Corilan of his brother — would die.

“Aidan…”

“Is this what I think it is, my lord?” the alpha stepped closer and leaned toward him.

Fortunately, his friend thought the same way. The kingdom was more important.

“Yes. Somehow remove the guards near the secret passage. And the guards along the way to it. I’ll try to do everything quickly.”

Aidan nodded and left to carry out the order. Arien prepared for the meeting. His friend made things easier — he brought the key and somehow led the guards away from the prison. Meeting Ives was difficult. It felt strange to see him like that — weak, dirty, exhausted. But Arien felt no disgust. After prison and Arien’s betrayal, the lord was still the same. He was still protecting him. Watching Ives shield him from Thibault, Arien nearly burst into tears, but quickly pulled himself together.

There was no time.

At last everything was done. Even Ives hurried to leave.

But suddenly Arien wanted to give him the strongest reason to return Thibault to the throne.

The lord looked delighted, almost like a child. It seemed he might cry. His hands were still warm, and that warmth chased away Arien’s fear.

And when he kissed him…

Arien had never kissed Ives before.

At least not while fully conscious. He wanted to push him away, but the lips were soft and warm, calming — just like the lord was. Nothing could last forever. Arien pulled away and told him to go. There was more determination in the alpha’s eyes now… and sadness.

But he left.

Soon after, Aidan reported that they had escaped.

“I’m afraid Zelan will realize you were behind this,” he said, helping Arien sit down.

“That’s fine. He won’t harm me. I’m his only chance to gain power, and he won’t risk losing it. Let him rage and scream — I don’t care.”

The omega looked out the window.

“I just hope they come back quickly.”

Once again, the whistle of arrows, the smell of blood, and the screams. Ives drove his sword into a rebel’s stomach, and the man collapsed. But this time the castle was much easier to take — there were almost no defenders left.

Or maybe the alpha was simply rushing like a madman, thinking of something else entirely?..

Once, faith in the true king had brought him here. Now something else pushed him toward the castle. Ives struck down another enemy and broke inside. Somehow he knew where Arien was. The alpha forgot about Thibault, forgot about the army behind them. Thibault hurried to reclaim the throne, and Ives hurried to the castle.

There had not been a single day when he had not thought about him.

At last the long-awaited door appeared. Without hesitation, he pushed it open.

Sometimes he had nightmares in which he opened the door and found no one. The alpha feared that terribly, but now a sigh of relief escaped his chest. Narrowed dark eyes, an annoyed look… and a tired, cold voice.

“I asked you to be faster. Do you not understand what faster means?”

Ives smiled and, throwing his sword aside, ran to the chair where Arien sat and fell to his knees. His spouse’s belly was already big — huge — and the alpha gently held it and pressed his face against it.

“I’m sorry, I tried. I really tried. I missed you so much. Are you alright?”

The lord seemed to lose touch with the world — he heard only Arien’s breathing. For the first time in a long while he felt peace. He wanted to stay like this forever — listening to his spouse, stroking his belly.

Ives didn’t even notice when several soldiers appeared at the door and called him — Thibault wanted him. The alpha reluctantly began to rise, but suddenly Arien grabbed his hand and whispered with despair:

“Don’t go. Please don’t.”

“Arman, don’t go… please.”

Arien clung to his husband, tears streaming down his face. The enemies had almost broken into the castle already, and  brother was calling Armand — to defend the throne. But the omega’s heart was breaking; it felt as if something was terribly wrong.

Armand kissed him and gently wiped away his tears.

“Don’t cry, my dear. I’ll come back soon.”

“Please, stay!”

“I need to protect your brother. Our king. Arien, my love…”

“Let’s run away! Please!” the omega cried. He took his husband’s hand and pressed it to his round belly. “Take my brother, and we’ll run away together — you, me, Orsin, and Carlisle. We’ll hide somewhere and live peacefully. Please, Armand!”

But his husband only shook his head and gently pulled away.

“I have to go. I’ll be back soon, my dear.”

He didn’t listen to the omega’s crying anymore and left. Watching his back, the young man felt such grief that he almost ran after him, but Carlisle grabbed his leg. The boy looked up with wide eyes and reached for him.

“Papa… don’t cry.”

Arien hugged his son and kissed him. The boy hugged him back and tried to comfort him, even wiping away his tears. The omega took his son’s hand and kissed every finger, unable to let the child go.

“My sunshine, everything will be alright. Hug Papa tight and everything will be alright. Father and uncle will come back soon, we’ll go somewhere together and rest. Yes, Carlisle?”

“Yes, Papa.”

“He’ll come back soon… Armand will come back soon.”

Ives held the trembling hand, gently stroking it. He looked at the pale face, knowing his husband was lost in memories. The alpha touched his cheek and softly caressed it.

“I’m here. Everything is alright, Arien. I will never leave you again.”