Champ's POV

  "Shh! Keep it down! Champ's moving! He's waking up!"

  "You're the loud one here, Jiggs!"

  "Shut up, or Master Champ might get annoyed!"

  "Worse, he might wake up groggy and turn us all into his punching bags."

  "I just miss Master Champ's patting on my head..."

  Voices. Familiar, chaotic, and way too loud for my currently pounding head. My eyes fluttered open, and my consciousness sluggishly caught up with reality.

  What happened? Did I bck out after the competition?

  How long have I been unconscious?

  Where even am I?

  So many questions swirled in my mind, but the important thing was—we were all safe.

  I groaned as I tried to sit up. Immediately, a flurry of gasps and excited shouts erupted from the figures hovering around me.

  "All of you are equally loud," I muttered, still feeling weak.

  "MASTER CHAMP!"

  Four Beta males practically tackled each other in their excitement.

  "Champ! Finally! I thought you were just gonna sleep forever and leave us behind!" Jiggs whined dramatically.

  "Idiot," I muttered, rubbing my forehead. I forced myself upright and looked around. "Where am I?"

  The pce looked... familiar.

  "Congratutions, Champ."

  I turned to see Uncle Henry walking in, holding a tray with a steaming bowl of soup.

  "Uncle!" My voice cracked with relief, but before I could embarrass myself further, Uncle Henry held up a hand.

  "Oh, no tears, Champ! We're celebrating, not filming a soap opera."

  "I—I wasn't gonna cry!" I huffed, sniffing indignantly. "I just—something got in my eye."

  "Sure, sure." He chuckled as he set the tray in front of me.

  "Master Champ, we'll feed you!" Marsh eagerly volunteered.

  "No, I will!" Gem cut in.

  "I call next!" Martin announced.

  "Can I go twice?" Daryl asked hopefully.

  I groaned. "Stop it! I'm not disabled!"

  Jiggs and Uncle Henry burst into ughter as the four Betas pouted but relented. I shook my head, massaging my temples. These idiots were going to give me a headache.

  Still, I smiled.

  I looked at them, one by one—each face filled with relief, exhaustion, and undeniable loyalty.

  "Thank you," I said sincerely. "I know this wasn't easy for any of you, but you all gave it your best. We made it through together."

  The four Betas looked like they were about to cry but valiantly held it in.

  And then there was Jiggs.

  I barely got his name out before he completely lost it.

  "Jiggs! I haven't even said anything to you yet! Stop crying already!"

  "I—I CAN'T HELP IT!" he wailed between hiccups.

  I sighed, but I was grinning. "Thank you, Jiggs. If it weren't for you and everything you did, we wouldn't have made it. Can you believe it? There were only six of us, but we won!"

  Jiggs wiped his nose on his sleeve and sniffled dramatically. "Next time, I'll do even better! I'll improve! And I'll bring even more food and drinks!"

  I chuckled. "You're something else." Then I turned to Uncle Henry. "How long was I out?"

  He hummed, leaning back. "About two days."

  "That long?"

  "But don't worry," he continued. "I checked your vitals, blood pressure—everything. You're fine. No sting damage."

  I let out a relieved breath. "And how did I even get here? I remember hearing my name announced as the winner, and then... nothing."

  Uncle Henry's face changed. He walked over to the window, gazing outside as if weighing his words.

  "Jiggs, boys, can you give us a moment?" he finally said.

  Jiggs snapped into a salute. "Yes, sir! Rest up, Champ! We'll be back tomorrow!"

  The Betas scrambled out, leaving me alone with Uncle Henry.

  The room felt heavier now.

  Uncle turned back, his expression serious. "Deux brought you here."

  My breath caught.

  "He carried you all the way—barely standing himself," Uncle Henry said. "He refused to stop, refused to rest. Even when his strength gave out, he wouldn't let you fall."

  I stared, stunned.

  "Where is he now?" I finally asked.

  "Most likely at home," Uncle Henry said. "Alphas like him, with strong bloodlines, heal fast. He's probably already back to his usual self."

  Relief flooded me. "Good."

  But Uncle hesitated.

  I frowned. "Uncle...? What is it?"

  He swallowed hard, gripping my hands. His palms were cold and slightly damp. He was nervous.

  "Uncle, just say it," I urged.

  He took a deep breath. "Champ... there's something you need to know."

  "Uncle?"

  "Champ, I'm worried about you." Uncle Henry's voice was steady, his eyes locked onto mine with a weight that sent a shiver down my spine. "Now that Deux knows the truth about you, we can't predict what will happen next."

  I met his gaze with unwavering confidence, fshing him a reassuring smile.

  "Don't be afraid, Uncle. Don't worry," I said firmly. "I trust Deux. I believe in him. He won't betray me."

  Uncle Henry inhaled deeply, nodding as if clinging to my words like a lifeline.

  "I may not know exactly what happened during the competition, but I do know this—your world is no longer the safe, ordinary one you once knew. It's more dangerous now, and you need to be ready."

  "I know, Uncle," I said. "But I'm not scared. I have you. I have the Champ Cn. And I have Deux. I'm not alone."

  For the first time, I saw a small, relieved smile tug at Uncle Henry's lips.

  "Yes," he said. "You are not alone. You will never be alone."

  Then, suddenly, a memory surfaced in my mind like a sharp gust of wind.

  "Uncle, there's something I need to ask you," I said, my tone serious.

  "What is it?" he asked, intrigued.

  "Something happened during the competition—something I can't expin," I confessed. "It was... strange. Intense. I only realized it now."

  His brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

  "I don't know how or why, but I felt this overwhelming surge of emotion during the match. And then... everyone around me—Alpha, Beta... even Deux and his cousin, Silver—they all dropped to their knees as if I had commanded them. But I swear, Uncle, I didn't do anything."

  Uncle Henry froze. His expression hardened as he fell deep into thought, rubbing his chin absentmindedly. Then, without a word, he spun on his heel, strode to his desk, and flipped open his ptop, his fingers flying over the keyboard.

  I barely had time to process his reaction before he found what he was looking for.

  "The Omega's Blessing..." he murmured, eyes glued to the screen.

  That caught my attention.

  "A rare gift, only granted to the most powerful Omega males with an exceptional quality of genes," he read aloud. "It compels others to feel immense love, admiration, and an unshakable urge to serve them. According to this, you must have awakened it unconsciously in the heat of emotion."

  A chill ran down my spine.

  "Silver mentioned something... He said now he understands why the Alpha Kings order the execution of Omega males. Is this the reason?"

  Uncle Henry exhaled deeply, his nod slow and heavy.

  "History—well, the history that was erased—says that the first rulers of this world were Omega males," he revealed.

  I blinked. "Wait. What?"

  "It's a forgotten myth, one I was lucky enough to read before it was buried," he continued. "Omegas once governed this world, adored and revered for their nurturing and peaceful nature. They ruled not with force, but with wisdom and compassion. And yet... it didn't st."

  "What happened?"

  "Alphas," Uncle Henry spat the word like it was poison. "Alphas, being naturally dominant, resented bowing to Omegas. They refused to be ruled by those they deemed weaker. So they rose in rebellion. The first Omega King was murdered."

  My breath hitched.

  "And after that, they sughtered every Omega male in existence to ensure they would never be controlled again."

  The weight of his words settled on me like a lead bnket. It felt like listening to a crime documentary—except this was my lineage. My fate.

  "As time passed, due to evolution and the constant culling of Omega males, their numbers dwindled. Eventually, Omega females stopped giving birth to them altogether. They became nothing more than a forgotten myth," Uncle Henry expined.

  "But... I exist. So what am I? A glitch in the system?" I scoffed, trying to mask my unease with humor.

  Uncle Henry sighed, leaning back in his chair, cracking his neck before looking up at the ceiling.

  "In truth, Champ... you are not the only living Omega male in the world."

  I shot up straight. "What? There's another one?! Who? Do I know him?"

  Uncle Henry met my eyes, his stare unreadable. Then, he spoke.

  "The other living Omega male in this world... is your Omega mother."

  The room fell into silence.

  I felt like I'd been doused with ice-cold water.

  "My Omega mother—the one I thought was a woman—is a man?" My voice came out in a whisper.

  Uncle Henry nodded. "Yes, Champ. I'm sorry for keeping it from you. I had to. I feared that if you learned the truth too soon—especially after expecting to become an Alpha—your mind wouldn't be able to handle the shock. I had to prepare you first."

  I inhaled sharply, my expression hardening.

  "Champ? Are you angry?" Uncle Henry's voice was cautious. "Your Alpha father also wanted to keep this from you. But I think... it's time."

  I shook my head. "No, Uncle. I understand. And honestly... I'm happy. I'm happy I'm not alone. That there's someone out there who truly understands what it means to be an Omega male. And that person... is my mother."

  Uncle Henry's tension eased. But then, his expression turned grim once more.

  "But, Champ... I don't know where he is. I have no idea where to find him."

  I clenched my fists.

  "Thank you for telling me, Uncle," I said. "But from this point on, I'll be the one to find him. I'll be the one to save him. I promised my father... and I promise you now, and myself—I will do it."

  Uncle Henry sighed. "Be careful, Champ. I know Deux will stand by your side, but you must tread carefully... especially under the eyes of the Alpha King. Now that you've won this competition, your name will spread. He will hear of you."

  "Let him!" I smirked. "I'll make him kneel before me!"

  Uncle Henry gave me a deadpan look. "That's assuming you can actually control this power. Otherwise, he'll have you killed before you even try."

  I hesitated. "Okay, fair point. But how do I—? You know—make the Alpha males, especially Deux, do whatever I want? Hehe."

  "Champ," Uncle Henry's voice darkened. "The Omega's Blessing is not a toy. It's not meant for selfish desires or childish pranks."

  I shrank under his gaze. "I was just kidding, Uncle!"

  "Master it. Use it wisely. And never for violence," he warned. "You are not an Alpha, Champ. You are an Omega. Own it. I know you're reckless and mischievous—"

  I groaned and buried my face in a pillow. "Uncle! Stop making me feel guilty!"

  "Just promise me," he insisted.

  I peeked out. "Fine! I promise! I'll be the best and nicest Omega ever!"

  Uncle Henry eyed me suspiciously.

  "Champ..."

  "Okay, okay! I really promise!"

  ...

  ...

  ...

  Deux's POV

  (Ssh!)

  A brutal strike tore across my back, the force of it searing through my bare skin like fire. My hands and feet were bound, leaving me helpless as the whip cracked against me again. The pain was unbearable, sharp and relentless, but I refused to scream.

  Screaming would only prove my weakness. And weakness was unacceptable in front of my father.

  This punishment was for my failure—my disgrace in the Alpha Territory Treasure Hunt Competition.

  But I did not regret losing.

  In fact, I was relieved that Champ had won. That he had cimed victory.

  "You humiliated me, Deux! You brought shame upon our family!" My father's furious roar filled the room, punctuated by two more shes, each strike cutting deeper, sending a fresh wave of agony coursing through my body.

  I could feel the warm trickle of blood pooling beneath me, staining the stone floor, but I did not care.

  Pain was nothing. Pain was temporary.

  "What kind of pathetic excuse for an heir allows himself to be bested by a nobody? A pathetic, weak Alpha! You were unprepared, undisciplined! You let yourself be distracted by your indulgences—whoring around with lowly Omegas instead of focusing on your duty!"

  He was seething, pacing in front of me like a beast ready to rip me apart. I lifted my head slightly, meeting his gre with silent defiance.

  (Ssh!)

  The whip shed across my chest this time, tearing into already raw skin. My body tensed, but I swallowed the pain, forcing my breathing to remain steady.

  A deep breath. A slow exhale.

  My father exhaled sharply, shaking his head.

  "Your incompetence cost us everything," he snarled. "Do you even comprehend what you've done? The Veydith, the power, the treasure, the legacy—gone, because of your failure!"

  Then he stilled. His cold, calcuting gaze locked onto mine, his lips curling into something unreadable.

  "And for that, should I kill you now?"

  A sharp, sudden fear knotted in my stomach. Not for myself—but for Champ.

  If I died, who would protect him?

  Especially when my father discovered the truth. That Champ was not just an Omega.

  But an Omega Male.

  A rare, coveted rarity in our world. A secret that, if exposed, would paint a target on his back far worse than anything I had suffered tonight.

  But my father exhaled again, his nostrils fring. "Tch. No. Not yet." He waved his hand dismissively. "You're lucky I don't have the time to deal with you properly. Killing you would be a waste. It would take too long to create a new heir to repce you."

  My hands curled into fists, nails biting into my palms as he continued, his voice sharp and cutting.

  "In a few years, a new Alpha King will be chosen. Do you honestly believe the Council will favor you now?" He scoffed. "You, who were defeated so easily? A disgrace like you?!"

  I remained silent.

  "They'll turn their backs on you. And when that happens, my brother's family will seize the throne—everything I've built, everything that should be ours, will be stolen by them!"

  His eyes darkened, voice dropping into a snarl. "Silver will take the crown."

  A cold realization slithered down my spine.

  If Silver became Alpha King, Champ would be in even greater danger.

  No.

  I would not allow that to happen.

  "Father..." My voice came out hoarse, rough from the strain of holding back my pain.

  His gaze snapped to mine, his teeth clenched. "What?"

  "Give me another chance," I said, my voice steady, my resolve unshaken. "I will fix this. I will win. I will become the Alpha King."

  A slow, humorless chuckle escaped him. He shook his head, staring at me like I was a fool.

  "And how, exactly, do you intend to do that?" His smirk was cruel. "Would you be willing to kill the Alpha who defeated you?"

  I took a slow breath, closing my eyes.

  When I opened them, I whispered, "Yes."

  "If that is what it takes."

  His smirk widened, pleased. "Good. Then do not fail me again, Deux. Recim what is ours."

  With that, he turned and left.

  A moment ter, Beta females entered the chamber, silently unlocking the chains that bound my wrists and ankles. As soon as the restraints were gone, my body colpsed forward, my muscles too weak to hold me up.

  I stayed there, breathless and unmoving, until I heard the soft click of the door shutting behind them.

  Then, in the empty silence, I inhaled deeply.

  "Forgive me, Father," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the dull throb of pain.

  I had lied.

  I would not kill the Alpha my father despised.

  Because my duty was not to him.

  It was to Champ.

  To protect him. To shield him from the horrors that lurked in the shadows of our world.

  And if anyone—anyone—dared to stand in our way...

  I would not hesitate to destroy them.

  ...

  ...

  ...

  Champ's POV

  The open field stretched before us, a vast expanse under the bright sun. I stood there with Jiggs and the four beta males—Marsh, Daryl, Gem, and Martin. The competition was over, but that didn't mean training was.

  "No stopping! One hundred more push-ups! You better handle it!" I barked as I pumped out push-ups alongside the others.

  Jiggs, bless his weak little heart, attempted to join in. Attempted.

  He barely managed one push-up before colpsing onto the ground like a dying fish. "I—I'll leave this to you guys... I just... can't..." he wheezed, sprawled out like he'd just run a marathon.

  I rolled my eyes and kept going.

  Then, Jiggs, in between gasps for air, dropped a bomb on me. "Champ, do you know when you're getting your title for Veydith? You know, the territory you won?"

  I paused mid-push-up and turned to him. "Huh? Title? I need one? I thought it was mine automatically?"

  Jiggs cackled. "Oh, Champ, you really have no idea how this works, do you?" He wiped sweat from his brow and grinned. "When you win a territory, you have to go through a legal process. You have to register your name as the owner."

  I blinked. "Where do I even do that?! No one told me that! All they said was 'fight and win,' and I did that! What's with all this paperwork?!"

  Jiggs shook his head like a disappointed teacher dealing with a clueless student. "You should ask Deux for help. He owns, what, ninety-eight territories? You? This is your first."

  I scoffed. "First? This one territory is worth a hundred! I'm already above Deux!"

  "Sure, sure," Jiggs said, smirking. "But legalities exist. And to make sure all Alphas are aware that it's your territory, you have to do something special."

  I narrowed my eyes. "What do you mean 'special'? How exactly do they recognize it as mine?"

  Jiggs wiggled his eyebrows. "Are you ready to know, Champ? Hehehe."

  "Just tell me! Stop dragging it out!" I snapped.

  Jiggs took a deep breath, fighting a grin. "Well, it's simple, really... You just have to pee on the nd. Mark your scent. That's how Alphas cim their territory."

  Silence.

  I stared. Jiggs smirked. The beta males looked anywhere but at us.

  "Are. You. KIDDING ME?!" I lunged at him, aiming a solid flick to his forehead.

  Jiggs ducked, ughing. "It's true! Ask Deux! All Alphas do it!"

  I scoffed, but then—I hesitated. Because I wasn't actually an Alpha.

  Did Jiggs overhear something during the competition when he was unconscious?

  Jiggs, completely unaware of my internal panic, threw an arm over my shoulder. "Trust me, just pee a hundred times, and the Alphas will know Veydith belongs to you."

  I groaned. "One hundred times? Do you know how BIG Veydith is? That means I'll have to be there every day, peeing on different spots like some kind of overworked fire hydrant!"

  "Better get drinking," Jiggs teased.

  I shot a gre at the beta males. "And who told you guys to stop? Keep going!"

  They scrambled back into push-ups.

  "Oh, and Champ," Jiggs continued, "you're gonna be on TV. They're doing an interview about the competition. You're about to be famous."

  I froze. "WHAT INTERVIEW?! Why am I only hearing about this now?!"

  "Well, you were unconscious for two days. As your secretary and right-hand man, I made the decision for you. Hehehe." Jiggs stuck his tongue out.

  "You WHAT?! JIGGS, YOU—"

  Jiggs bolted, knowing full well my fist was already aiming for his face.

  "GET BACK HERE! TRAINING ISN'T OVER! I'LL MAKE YOU MY PUNCHING BAG! AND KICKING PAD TOO!"

  I turned back to the beta males. They were watching me. Again.

  I didn't even need to speak. They got the message and instantly started doing push-ups at double speed.