The Beta’s Regret

The palace had a joyous mood about it.

The palace environs were packed with supernatural, both werewolf, and vampires all celebrating Zion and Lily's 16th birthday.

Maids scurried around trying to make sure everyone was well catered to.

The sun seemed to be in agreement with the mood, as the clear skies reflected the heart of the people. King Eros and Queen Eden stood at the center of it all, watching the scene before them. Children ran around, trying to outsmart their parents while the grownups tried to engage in conversations with each other.

The children were greatly loved by the subjects.

Zion turned out to be a complete replica of his father, his looks were more defined and attractive than that of King Eros which often made Eden unsettled.

Ever since Zion grew out of his baby face, it has been hard to keep young girls away. It would be a feat she might not be able to handle. Zion had his father's blue eyes, something he also shared with Zelda, Eden's third child.

Zion was a charmer.

King Eros and Queen Eden watched the people with smiles on their faces. They kept their gaze on Zion, Lily and Zelda dancing together.

At a sensitive age of 13, Zelda, their last daughter was beautiful with a soft nature that contrasted greatly with Zion's blunt nature.

Queen Eden looked away from the children and spotted Adonis and Beauty, with Celeste, their 14 year old daughter who was also a beautiful child.

Queen Eden smiled. She found it amazing seeing her friends and everyone else happy, even though deep down, she feared of the darkness hidden in the shadows.

However Queen Eden refused to allow that fear overshadow the joy in her heart.

Queen Eden suddenly felt King Eros touch at her side and she smiled softly. He looked at her with a tenderness she could never get used to.

"Let's dance," he said.

King Eros wrapped her in his arms as they both enjoyed the feel of the moment.

For a moment, Queen Eden recalled Rhyker, King Eros's brother.

After the final battle with Pison, Rhyker finally found his mate.

Crystal.

The lady with her at the harrem. It seemed so surreal, and it was obvious that Rhyker was overjoyed, seeing as he already gave up on finding one.

The connection was passionate, and he used every opportunity to make Crystal feel the love he had for her.

Queen Eden smiled. She found similarities between King Eros and Rhyker that were too hard to ignore. The result of Rhyker's passion was a son, and as soon as Crystal gave birth he decided to move his family to the human world.

Rhyker was scared to lose his family. He wanted to raise his son in a world free from the fear of the unknown.

Queen Eden sighed.

She silently wondered what the future held for the children. They all were of the same age bracket, the future of the kingdom.

She hoped it would be better.

As the celebration continued and the Queen danced in the King's arms, a loud shout cut the joyous mood and commotion grew from the crowd.

King Eros pulled away from Queen Eden and grabbed her by the hand as he pulled her along to the

center.

Queen Eden gasped at what she saw.

Lily.

She was writhing on the floor, the dress she wore took grass stains along with them. It was almost as if she was trying to tear her skin away from her body, her eyes turning a different color.

"She's shifting." the Queen said softly.

King Eros nodded and allowed the Queen to move closer.

The people watched in excitement, knowing exactly what was happening.

Zion had gone through this, and though it wasn't in a crowd like this, the news of Zion's unique wolf had traveled far and wide.

Everyone anticipated Lily to be the same.

But what emerges is unnatural, a being neither fully wolf nor fully demon, something that should not exist. Gasps and screams ripple through the crowd as fear grips the gathering. Everyone began to flee, except her parents and the elders' council.

When Lily shifted back, naked,

Queen Eden went to cover her. But

the elders who seemed to have hated Lily all these years for what Pison Lily's birth father did to them, would not ignore the appearance of an horrendous beast.

They came forward, all 9 of them.

"This... thing is evil. She is a threat to the Kingdom." The leader declared. King Eros stepped out in front of Lily, and shielded her from their view. "She is my daughter, "King Eros roared. "Don't you dare speak to her like that."

The elders bowed slightly in respect but refused to be silent.

"We must send her away, far away from the kingdom where she won't be a threat to us. I know you feel emotional about her, but we cannot ignore the fact that she has Pison's blood in her veins. That man was nothing short of a demon." He looked at Lily. "Just like her. Please do the right thing and send her away before she kills us all."

Queen Eden was devastated, and held onto Lily protectively, but she couldn't stop what was coming. Suddenly, a strong wind blew. A woman clad in white, Lamia- now grown into a woman, appeared from the wind just as the skies began to darken.

She came to a stop before the Elders.

"Let me take her along with me." she said.

The Elders immediately shook their heads in approval. They knew Lady Lamia resided in a place far beyond the kingdom.

Lamia looked at King Eros for approval.

He sighed, and after a few seconds he shook his head. The last thing he wanted was for Lily to grow up surrounded by hate.

If Lamia was a better solution then he would accept. However, Eden wasn't sure this was the best decision.

Thunder rumbled in the sky and lightning struck just as the rain began to fall.

Forced to make a decision for both of them, Lady Lamia pulled Lily from Queen Eden's hold.

Lily cried out reaching out for Queen Eden.

The Queen had a great desire to hold onto Lily but she stopped herself had she had to make a decision, not as a mother, but as a queen.

A Queen who valued the interest of the people above hers.

She cried out in pain, hitting her chest severally. Zelda held onto her mother equally, shedding tears.

Unable to bear the sight of his family in pain, King Eros took his Queen and Zelda in his arms on each side of his shoulder.

He turned to Zion who looked like he was trying hard to hold his tears.

"Let's go." King Eros said to him.

The skies opened and rain began to fall heavily, mirroring the sorrow Queen Eden and her family felt. The Elders turned on Lady Lamia and Lily and ordered the warriors to lead the pair out of the gate.

As King Eros took Queen Eden away, she watched Lamia and Lily be escorted. At one point, Zion fell to his knees and held his face in his hands, his shoulders raking as he wept. noveldrama

Everything had changed.

***

Watch out for 'Mated to the Hybrid Prince'. The love story of Lily and Zion... Anticipate!