Chapter 20: Leave my son

"You planned an entire wedding behind our back while you are already engaged to another woman. How dare you, Andrew? I refuse to recognize this marriage. I have already consulted the royal legal council. You will sign the annulment papers," Seraphina declared, seated imperiously at the center of the couch.

"I was never engaged to anyone," Andrew replied. "Did I ever attend that official ceremony you arranged? No. You staged it entirely on your own. Do not meddle in my life, Your Majesty. Simply continue to pretend I do not exist. You have always excelled at that."

"You married an Omega," Davian finally interjected. "How could you bring such a disgrace to this lineage? Our bloodline has maintained pure Alpha lineage for generations."

"If the Alpha King operates with such narrow prejudice, this kingdom has no future," Andrew countered, stepping forward. "You should have executed Nina for what she inflicted upon Caroline. Instead, you shielded her. You backed a atrocity, Father. That is not how a true ruler governs."

"Do not question the Alpha King’s decree!" Seraphina snapped, rising slightly from her seat. "We will not accept an Omega, a woman who carried another man’s pup, lost it in disgrace, and then opportunistically latched onto you. Do not think your title makes you immune to punishment, Andrew. Do not test the authority we command and put the blame on your sister."

Andrew chuckled. "How can you even attempt to justify what was done to her?" His jaw tightened, muscles flexing with suppressed fury. "Your Majesty is a woman herself, yet you lack even a shred of empathy for another woman who endured relentless torture. Grandmother was entirely correct about you. You were never fit to rule this kingdom alongside Father."

"Andrew!" Davian roared. "We have tolerated your insolence only because you are our son. I am stripping you of your title and your right to govern this land!"

Andrew merely smiled at the threat, completely unbothered. "You forget, Father. Grandmother made sure the land transfer documents were outside your interference. Not even the Alpha King has the authority to remove me from the territory she entrusted to my rule. Of course, I am answerable to you, but I remain entirely independent to govern as I see fit within these borders."

Silence fell over both of his parents.

"Since we have concluded our business, please leave," Andrew said, offering a rigid bow, lacking the respect. "Forgive me for not escorting you to the gates, but I need to return to my wife."

"We may be unable to strip your land, but that Omega has no such protection," Seraphina said, rising to her feet. She turned her cold gaze toward Miller. "Bring her down. I intend to see this woman myself."

"She is not coming downstairs. You are wasting your time, and mine, Your Majesty," Andrew said, his eyes darkening with immediate threat.

"Then I shall inspect her myself." Seraphina turned toward the grand staircase, but before she could take a single step, Andrew shifted with blinding speed, cutting off her path to stand directly in front of her.

"Don’t," Andrew said, his burgundy eyes shifting to a deep, dangerous pink.

"Andrew, you will not project your authority beyond these borders. I am issuing a royal decree restricting your power strictly to the lands you currently govern," Davian stated, using his command to curb his son’s political reach outside the territory.

Before the tension could escalate further, the distinct, quiet aura of an Omega washed over the foyer. Everyone snapped their heads upward toward the top of the grand staircase, where Caroline stood gripping the banister.

In a blur of speed, Andrew reappeared right beside her, his hand lightly resting at her waist. "Why are you out of bed?" he demanded softly.

"To seek blessings from your parents," she replied, keeping her voice steady despite the weight of their hostile stares.

"They aren’t here to bless us," Andrew whispered against her ear, his frame shifting to shield her.

"Let her come downstairs," Seraphina interrupted again.

"I’m fine. I shall answer them," Caroline told Andrew, asking for his trust.

Defeated, Andrew brought her downstairs while holding her hand.

Caroline respectfully bowed to both the King and the Queen.

"We don’t need your greetings," Seraphina said. "Leave my son before it’s too late for you."

"Prince Andrew is my fated mate, Your Majesty," Caroline replied, standing her ground.

"Tell that lie to someone else," Seraphina spat, her brow furrowing in irritation. "For an Omega, you carry a sharp tongue."

"Forgive me if I sounded offensive, Your Majesty," Caroline said, lowering her gaze slightly. "But I am not lying. He is truly my fated mate, and I will not leave his side. When I was bleeding to death at the border, calling out for help, Andrew saved my life. After waking up, I promised myself to devote the rest of my days to him."

Standing behind the Alpha King, the three royal princes exchanged amused, skeptical glances.

’She is certainly not the timid Omega they claimed,’ she was, Alarick mind-linked his brothers, a subtle smirk playing on his lips.

"I knew Omegas were rarely respected among wolves," Caroline continued, her voice gaining strength as she raised her eyes to meet the Queen’s cold glare. "But I never expected the Alpha King and Luna Queen to share such prejudice. What did my parents do to deserve death? I wasn’t even able to perform their final rites before their bodies were burned. If I am granted justice for their murder, I will do whatever Your Majesty demands of me."

Andrew’s brow furrowed, his head snapping toward her in sharp concern.

"What kind of justice do you expect?" Davian interjected, stepping up beside his wife. "Nina has no reason to lie to me. She stated clearly that you were pursuing her mate and that you fabricated this entire ordeal to manipulate our son. Bring us proof that you speak the truth. Words hold no weight before the High Council."

Caroline furrowed her brows together. "My only proof is Victor, Your Majesty. And he’s lying to everyone and to your daughter too."