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

He was probably the only person in this world who truly recognized the Verity Vault for what it was. Whether on golden sands or within the Eyehole's murals, he had seen this seemingly ordinary box before.

Furthermore, he was aware that this very box was now under Kestrel's guardianship.

Towards the end of her notes, Lainey's handwriting began to look more hurried and less organized.

On the concluding page, she had jotted down:

"I have an unsettling feeling. I think we're being watched."

"I'm drawn to the beginning, to explore the depths of Polluted Zone Five."

"Must locate the submerged ship named Mary."

"If my suspicions are right, I need to secure the Verity Vault."

"But where can I hide it where it'll be truly safe..."

What followed these words was a mess. It seemed as if a young kid had taken a crayon and scribbled all over, obscuring Lainey's final thoughts.

[Bonus chapter] Meeting Her Majesty Again (2)