The Alpha's Regret: Return Of The Betrayed Luna-Chapter 498 The Children

With his support, their confidence in facing their enemies grew. After all, the Mage Tower had always opposed dark forces that disrupted the natural balance of the world, a principle aligned with their own cause. It was only natural for Archmage Elric to side with the Alpha King and Addison in confronting threats like the Dark Witches.

And now, with demons entering the picture as well, it was clear just how dire and chaotic the situation had become. Yet knowing they were not alone in this fight offered a glimmer of hope amidst the mounting danger.

"I truly appreciate your loyalty, Elric," the Alpha King said, bowing his head slightly in respect toward the old archmage.

They had formed their alliance over a decade ago, and since then, Elric had erected a powerful barrier around the Royal Palace. That barrier had done more than simply protect the royal grounds; it had silently safeguarded the royal family for years.

Without it, the spies now lurking within the palace might not have needed to scheme or bribe their way through. The enemy could have simply sent assassins to end the Alpha King’s life, especially during the three years Addison was missing, when the kingdom was at its most vulnerable.

The barrier had prevented any unauthorized entry, forcing their enemies to rely on infiltration instead.

And because of that... they had come to realize that the real threat was not outside the palace walls, but hidden among the people closest to them.

"Your Majesty, there’s no need for such formality," Archmage Elric replied humbly. "We’ve worked side by side for over a decade. This is simply what I should do."

His modesty only deepened the Alpha King’s respect for him.

Watching the two men continue exchanging gratitude, Addison realized they might go on like this for a while if she didn’t step in. So she asked the question that had been weighing on her heart for a very long.

"Father... Mother... how are my little ones?" She didn’t even notice that her voice trembled at the end, nor that the corners of her eyes had begun to redden.

The shift in her tone immediately stopped both men.

The Alpha King looked toward her, but beneath the table, the Queen had already pinched his thigh sharply, silently reminding him to answer carefully.

"Sweetheart, your children are doing well. Actually..." the Alpha King began, then paused, clearly struggling to find the right words.

Seeing his hesitation only made Addison more anxious.

"What is it, Father?" she asked, her voice rising slightly.

"Don’t worry, Addie. The children are fine," the Queen gently cut in, giving her mate another discreet pinch beneath the table before he could say anything unnecessary.

She knew how easily he might blurt out something that would only burden their daughter further. Addison already had far too much on her shoulders. What he had almost revealed wasn’t directly about the children, but it was something that, if mishandled, could potentially affect them. The Queen believed it was better to deal with it quietly on their end and let Addison see things for herself when she returned, rather than distract her now.

"After you left, the children ran a fever for two days," the Queen continued calmly. "That’s why your father became a little tense when you asked about them."

Hearing this, a faint buzzing filled Addison’s head. She knew her children were under Silas’ blessing as a Saintess; no ordinary illness should have been able to touch them. Yet her mother had just said the fever lingered for two days after she left.

That could only mean something wasn’t right.

But when she looked at her parents, they didn’t appear nearly as alarmed as she felt. They were calm, far too calm for grandparents who adored their grandchildren so fiercely. If the children had truly been in danger, they would have shown it. Their composure reassured her, and the tight knot in her chest loosened slightly.

"Did the doctors and healers find out what caused the fever?" Addison asked, her voice steadier now.

The Queen shook her head, a trace of disappointment in her expression.

"No. The doctors said the children are perfectly fine," she replied gently. "They explained that the fever seemed more like the body going into a defensive state, as if it were rejecting something. Like how the immune system reacts when a virus enters the body. The rise in temperature was their body’s natural response."

She paused before continuing.

"So, just as you were told before, they concluded it was likely an ordinary cold. Even the healers found nothing wrong. Aside from the fever and a slight loss of appetite, the children were well. We asked your personal servant to stay with them and kept them under close observation."

A faint smile appeared on her lips.

"After three nights, the fever vanished as if nothing had happened. Now they’re happily playing by the lake, with the servant watching over them. They’ve also kept up with their training and studies."

She added, "As for the possibility of awakening, we haven’t noticed any changes. The children said they haven’t heard any inner voice yet, so we don’t believe their wolves have awakened."

As the Queen spoke, she watched Addison closely. The tension in her daughter’s face gradually eased, and the redness at the corners of her eyes faded. It was clear Addison was finally beginning to feel relieved, reassured that her children were not in danger, for now.

"I’m glad to hear that, Mother..." Addison’s voice caught slightly as she rubbed her fingers together, trying to steady her nerves. "But now that we know enemies are circling us like vultures, I’m worried my children might be caught in the danger. Please... protect them well until I return home."

She lifted her gaze to her parents, a quiet plea shining in her eyes.

"Sweetheart, you don’t need to ask us," the Alpha King said gently. "They are our grandchildren, and the future of this kingdom. Protecting them is only natural for us as your parents."

He offered her a reassuring smile. "So ease your mind and stop overthinking. When you come home, spend a few days simply playing with your children and leave the rest to me. After all, if I let you carry every worry and every burden, wouldn’t that be a disgrace to me as the Alpha King? People might think I do nothing but sit around while my daughter does all the work."

He kept his gaze warm and steady on her, fully aware of how much she was carrying. Keeping the children’s existence from Zion, facing the growing dangers as a single mother, none of it was easy. It was no wonder Addison was so troubled.

Addison said nothing and simply nodded, her throat tightening as if an invisible hand were squeezing it while she struggled to hold her emotions in.

Perhaps it was because she worried too much. Not being able to see her children safe with her own eyes gnawed at her heart, and it was only natural for a mother to feel this way. She forced herself to push the anxiety down and refocus. She had to stay strong, not just for herself, but for her babies.

Drawing a quiet breath, she steered the conversation back on track.

"Father... how is the children’s training?" she asked.