Snow fell hard that night—thick flakes, quick to melt on the skin but cold enough to make the bones ache. Yunseo sat near the small fire, rubbing his hands together. He had been feeling dizzy since morning, his stomach tight and strange, but he said nothing. Daehun, his alpha husband, was already restless enough.

The door slid open. Daehun stumbled in, face pale.

“Yunseo,” he whispered, visibly on edge. “The king’s men are in the village.”

Yunseo stiffened. “They found us?”

Daehun didn’t answer right away. His breathing was shallow, panicked. “We crossed into King Haejin’s territory without permission. They say it’s a crime.”

A crime.

Yunseo’s fingers curled in his lap. They had run away from their hometown so they could marry—because no one there would allow an alpha to wed an omega without the clan’s approval. They had simply wanted peace.

“How much is the tribute?” Yunseo asked softly.

Daehun’s voice broke. “Ten years’ worth.”

Yunseo felt fear sink into his stomach. They didn’t even have enough rice to last two weeks.

Before he could speak, a loud, forceful knock shook the house.

Boom.

Boom.

“Open the door!”

Yunseo flinched. Daehun froze, trembling.

The door slid open on its own as soldiers pushed inside, armor clinking. The man in front scanned the room once, his eyes cold.

“By order of His Majesty, King Haejin,” he said, “settlers who cross into his land must pay tribute. If you cannot pay… consequences will be taken in place of the debt.”

Yunseo felt his heartbeat drop.

Daehun whispered, “Wait—please—just listen—”

“There is nothing to discuss,” the soldier said.

A long silence filled the room.

Yunseo reached for Daehun’s sleeve. “Daehun, it’s all right. We’ll find a way—”

But Daehun stepped away from him.

“I can’t go to prison. I can’t die for this. Take him. Just… let me go.”

The words struck harder than any blow. Yunseo opened his mouth, but no sound came out. The soldiers grabbed his arms, pulling him toward the door.

“Daehun!” Yunseo’s voice finally ripped free. “You’re abandoning me?”

Daehun squeezed his eyes shut—but didn’t move.

A sharp pain twisted deep in Yunseo’s lower belly. He swallowed a cry. Not now. Not here. The soldiers dragged him into the snow, toward the distant palace where the ruthless king lived.

And inside Yunseo’s body, a tiny new heartbeat trembled—one no one knew about.