Treein

Kestrel was a beta, and an aggressive one that most folks didn't like much. The Empire had picked a future husband for her. This guy was pretty much perfect: born into a high-class family, good-looking, rich, nice, and the envy of everyone around.
People were quick to start whispering.
"Why did such a great guy end up with her? She can't even make tea right and she barely passed her cooking class."
"He won't be able to put up with her for long."
"Right, their love story is a train wreck waiting to happen."
Hearing this stuff over and over, Kestrel started to think that she and her guy, Tarian, were doomed from the start. So, when Tarian showed up with a sweet and pretty girl, Kestrel pulled off her engagement ring and tossed it into the gutter.
From that moment, Kestrel lived free and happy, like a bird soaring in the sky, a fish swimming in the wide ocean.
But a few years into her easy-going life, at a royal shindig, Tarian cornered her. His eyes were all red, and he confessed that he was sorry for everything and that he couldn't stop thinking about her. But Kestrel, wild as ever, wasn't interested in going back to her old life.
Tarian turned white, gritted his teeth and said, "I don't care what you're like, and I can handle your shortcomings. You won't find a more understanding alpha than me."
"Well, I already have a new alpha." To totally shake him off, Kestrel made up a name on the spot. She quickly thought of all the alphas she'd met on the battlefield over the years, and chose the name of a buddy she was tight with, guessing he wouldn't mind.
"He's a good listener, and we're a perfect fit. Plus, he really likes me and doesn't care about my mistakes."
Right after a bummed-out Tarian took off, Kestrel turned around and smacked right into the guy she'd just made up. This guy, a real war hero who'd taken down tons of enemies, turned a bit pink, looked away, and muttered, "You... when did you figure out that I have a crush on you?"

The Beta Dominates Alphas

"Do you know my mom?" Kestrel asked.

"Didn't anyone ever tell you? Your mom has ties to the royal family because of her blood." The queen responded, a small smile on her face, "I've met her on several occasions. Lainey, your mom, was both pretty and strong. I really liked her."

Kestrel was kind of shocked. Growing up, not many talked about her mom and dad. And now, she was finding out that she was related to the royal family.

Actually, the fact that her family had a big house near the Tower hinted that they were super rich or from noble families. They must've been famous back in the day. But for some unknown reason, Kestrel had never met any of her family from her mom or dad's side. It felt like everyone related to her just... vanished, leaving her by herself.

The place she grew up in, the Tower, was pretty quiet. The only visitor she remembered was Roy, who used to work with her mom. Almost no one spoke to Kestrel about her parents.

Kestrel's Mother