Chapter 431

The omegas must have worked through the night to prepare all this food, making sure everyone had proper meals to take on the road. This way, the group wouldn’t need to stop and cook during their journey; they’d only need brief breaks to let the horses and donkeys rest, and during that time, they could eat without losing precious time.

It made sense, too. Eating cooked meals would ensure everyone. especially the warriors. had enough energy to stay alert and ready to fight at any moment. If they relied only on dry rations like jerky and bread, it wouldn’t be nearly enough for carnivores like werewolves. A balanced, hearty meal like this was far better to keep their strength up.

More than that, even before leaving, they had still thought of her as their princess. They couldn’t just let her eat hard travel rations like stale bread, and that simple consideration warmed her heart.

After taking all of it in, she gently pulled Levi to sit with her, then began serving food onto his plate. Seeing the lingering unease on his face, she pressed her lips together before making a decision.

“Levi, let’s finish this mission together, okay? Once we reach the Royal Palace, I Addison paused, hesitating. But she knew she couldn’t keep avoiding it. So she drew a deep breath and continued, “I have something I need to tell everyone. And when you hear what I have to say, I’ll let you decide again, whether you still want to go through with the rejection or not p>

Addison didn’t let herself think about her father’s warning regarding the Moon Goddess’s curse for rejecting a fated mate. She respected Levi’s wishes; he probably didn’t know about the curse, and telling him now might look like she was trying to sway him.

But at the same time… wasn’t he doing all of this to protect her?

If they really rejected each other, and he found out afterward that it had angered the Moon Goddess and brought a curse down on her, wouldn’t that hurt him even more?

Addison pushed the thoughts away, dwelling on them now would only shake her focus and affect how she carried herself during the mission. But once everything here was settled and they returned to the Royal Capital, she had already decided: she would tell them about the children as well.

They were Zion’s children, after all. And with the tension already growing between her and her mates, letting them discover the truth from someone else would only make things worse. They deserved to hear it from her directly. It was their right to know.

Now that she had made her decision, Addison felt her heart ease a little. Perhaps it was because she no longer needed to keep hiding or overthink everything.

And when Levi heard her words, he was briefly stunned. He thought he had concealed his turmoil well, but it seemed Addison understood him too deeply. She saw his hesitation, his struggle to accept everything, and instead of pressuring him, she stepped back and gave him space to decide for himself.

By doing so, she showed him that she respected his choice, whatever it may be.

But as for what she planned to say once they returned to the Capital… Levi had no idea. An uneasy churn twisted in his stomach, one he couldn’t quite explain. Was it about her feelings for him? Her safety? Some hidden truth he’d never known? He didn’t know, but the uncertainty made him restless, like he’d been thrown into boiling water.

He wanted to know now, desperately, but whatever it was seemed important enough that she refused to speak of it here. So despite the anxiety gnawing at him, he would have to wait until they reached the Palace.

“A-Alright Levi murmured as he accepted the food Addison placed on his plate. But seeing the calm resolve in her eyes, he slowly let out a breath and forced himself to relax. Maybe he really was being too rigid, locking himself into one outcome, fixating on rejection and all the consequences it might bring if he didn’t do it.

He’d been so consumed by fear of the future that he’d forgotten to look at what he had now.

And besides… didn’t Addison say she had another role in mind for him? Something different from being her protector like the other two?

That thought alone was enough to stop his mind from spiraling any further.

“Damn, boy! Will you relax for a second?” Levi’s wolf snarled, its voice echoing in his mind as claws scraped against the walls of his consciousness. “Did that bastard Greg scare you so badly that you can’t forget one defeat? Seriously? You’re getting on my nerves p>

“Easy for you to say,” Levi shot back, jaw tight. “Do you not worry at all about being seen as weak by our mate p>

“I do worry!” his wolf snapped back without mercy. “But that’s exactly why we have to work harder. The Moon Goddess gave her to us for a reason. That alone proves we’re not as useless as you keep telling yourself. Maybe you just need to change that messed-up perspective of yours p>

Its voice rumbled with irritation, claws scraping harder inside Levi’s mind.

“If you keep spiraling like this, you’ll only make our mate worry, and that’ll mess with her focus. Don’t you think it’s time you man up a little p>

The wolf didn’t soften its tone at all; it didn’t care about Levi’s fragile feelings. It was too fed up to hold back anymore.

“Sigh… alright, you have a point,” Levi finally admitted. He risked a small glance at Addison before bowing his head to focus on his meal. Still, he made sure to serve her food as well, quietly hoping it would lift her spirits. He knew his pessimism earlier might have dragged her mood down, and this was the only way he knew to make up for it, by tending to her in small, steady ways.

Seeing his efforts, Addison’s heart softened, and the heavy atmosphere around them slowly eased. They continued eating in comfortable silence until both of them were full.

Just as they were about to leave the dining hall, a group of warriors returned from their border patrol shift. The moment they saw Addison, they all paused to greet her properly, bowing with warm smiles. Only after she acknowledged them and gently dismissed them did they move past her and head toward the food.

But Addison suddenly remembered something and glanced back at the warrior at the rear of the group, the one closest to her. “What about the mages and the guards stationed with them? Have they eaten? Should we send food over p>

The warrior halted and shook his head respectfully. “Princess, there’s no need to worry. Before the others departed, the omegas delivered both breakfast and lunch to everyone positioned around the barrier p>

“They should be having their meal by now. As for dinner, we plan to hunt game in the forest and send some over later. The guards will roast it for themselves and the mages while they hold their positions, at least until we’re ready to retreat and begin the operation p>