Everything will be okay

Soren

The kingdom of Arvelon was located in the south and was the most remote area of the Thyndara continent. It was smaller and often distrusted by others, seen as an enemy. While Solaris granted the royals of Elysara the power to summon magical weapons, the Lunaris Goddess bestowed the rulers of Arvelon the power to transform into creatures of the night—fearsome shapeshifters capable of taking terrifying forms and abilities.

This connection to the Lunaris Goddess and the transformation abilities had been sources of fear since the Darkrift War. Back then, the monsters that emerged from the deepest corners of the earth were wrongly linked to the Lunaris Goddess. Many saw Arvelon's rulers as cursed.

Just like me.

The thought of Lyra being tied to such a place worried me. She was wild and free-spirited, and I feared how she would adapt to a kingdom that we saw with suspicion. But it was also necessary for the valuable Starlithium, a rare metal believed to be the remnants of fallen stars drawn to land by the Lunaris Goddess during the Darkrift War.

Its growing scarcity required a more secure method of collection and distribution. Elysara, positioned at the heart of Thyndara, would play a critical role in this distribution network, creating safer trade routes that benefited not just Arvelon but all involved.

"It's so great the four of us are back together again," I squealed, feeling warmth and nostalgia in my chest.

"I was in total need of a girl date. I'm tired of keeping up with the family business," Brioni said, lifting her cup to her plump lips and taking a sip.

"Well then, you need a man, Brioni, and an alpha at that, I'm telling you," Lyra teased, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"I don't need my pussy being ravaged by something that is not even made for me."

"You are so cute playing it safe. Why do I feel you're not being real for once? Or did you forget the guy who whisked you away at the debutante of House Varyn? What's his name? Ah, Lord Galen," Rialla snorted, raising an eyebrow.

Brioni rolled her eyes. "Safe? Honey, I'm anything but. I have standards."

Brioni and Rialla both lived in their respective states, far from the palace. Brioni came from the Duchy of Southridge, the house of Thorne. Her family was composed of proud betas who had risen through honorable service within the kingdom. Now, Brioni, being the lady of the house, had taken over the reins as her parents were already retired. She continued to administer all the businesses within their land, making her one of the most successful businesswomen of our time and age.

Rialla, on the other hand, came from the Duchy of Westmar and the noble family House of Dum. She was the youngest of her siblings and, like me, an omega. She was already married. She was lucky when her parents accepted her marrying an alpha commoner, bringing him into the family and House of Dum.

Brioni and I met when we were just three and started our classes with Lady Eleonora here at the palace. My father did not want me to be an only child, and he wanted to bring some normalcy into my life, even knowing that I would never be normal in the eyes of others. So, he invited the most trusted families of the kingdom and their children, who were just my age, to study together. Lyra eventually grew up joining us, and since then, we have become inseparable.

By the time I was sixteen, we attended Rialla's debutante. She was just a shy omega like me, and with my stubbornness, I asked my father if she could join us in our classes at the palace. So, we became a group of four, but Rialla eventually came out of her shell and was not that shy at all when she decided to marry the commoner alpha. I think of all of us. She was the most aware of everything.

"Girls, please, I'm nervous, but that is an understatement. It's not every day you get engaged to your childhood best friend who happens to be the most formidable knight in the kingdom." I looked around at the faces of those who knew me best.

"And the sexiest alpha," Rialla added with a wink.

"That too," I admitted, smiling despite myself. "But don't you think it's too much? All the kingdoms' representatives are coming, and it's not even the wedding."

Lyra sighed and motioned to a servant for more wine. "I still can't believe you're going through with this. But if anyone can handle a circus like that, it's Tarian."

I glanced around and noticed Rialla and Brioni with frowns on their faces. Did they notice her tone, too? Trying to dissipate the tension, I decided to change the subject.

"So, Lyra, how's the preparation for your engagement going?" I asked, trying to force a cheerful tone.

Lyra's expression hardened as she leaned back in her chair. "It's going… Father and Mother are making sure everything is perfect, of course. But I still have my reservations about Arvelon."

Brioni nodded sympathetically. "It must be hard, especially with all the stories we've heard."

"No, most of what we heard is true, and that guy," Lyra cleared her throat, "I mean, the prince of Arvelon is a monster. And Soren here is complaining about his overboard engagement."

Everyone fell into an uncomfortable silence. Even the servants around us stopped in their tracks. It was strange to hear Lyra speak that way.

"Well, at least everyone knows he is an alpha, a royal one, so we can say he has a big schlong," Brioni said, trying to lighten the mood.

"See, I told you, you're an alpha dick lover," Rialla teased.

"Hey, ladies of noble houses, let's have at least a bit of decorum," I interjected, but everyone laughed. The mood began to lift, and the laughter and light-hearted teasing resumed.

I watched Lyra, my heart aching for her. She tried to smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. I squeezed her hand, wishing I could do more. "Hey, everything will be okay."

Lyra sighed and looked at me with a sad smile. "I hope so, Soren. I really do."

"Thank you all for being here," I said, exchanging hugs with my friends. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'll be fine, Soren," Rialla assured me. "You're stronger than you think."