Page 25 of Fated to the Wolf Prince

EIGHTEEN

Kane

Reed was waiting outside my office after I tucked Brielle into her bed, pacing a pattern in the rug. He didn’t look up until I was a few feet away, clearly lost in thought. He froze and drew himself up to his full height as soon as he realized I was there, putting on his usual business mask.

We’d known each other since childhood, though, so I knew something was bothering him, and I had an inkling of what, though I’d let him bring it up. Half of being a good Alpha was learning whennotto steer, to let people make their own decisions. Reed and Gael were my most trusted; I rarely steered them at all, unless it was for the good of the pack.

Or my mate.

As the personification of all my wolf’s desires, wrapped up in one soft, beautiful, perfect package, she brought everything into sharp focus. She was my world, and I would do anything for her, even if it meant putting my most trusted into place, as I had earlier with Gael.

“Come in,” I said as I entered the code on the keypad and pushed open the door. It was a formality for him to wait. He had the access codes.

Whatever he wanted to talk about, it was important.

I strode behind the desk and sank into my chair, steepling my fingers as I watched my lifelong friend perch on the edge of one of the wide, comfortable chairs across from my desk. He ran his hand through usually perfectly gelled hair, knocking a hank askew as he met my eyes.

“She might be able to save Dirge,” Reed said. Real hope tinged his voice for the first time in years, and I struggled not to react so he could say what he needed to without my influence.

Dirge was his twin. He’d gone feral three years ago, and despite Reed’s endless efforts that first year to bring him back to the pack, he’d strayed farther and farther afield, and had not responded to any of Reed’s attempts to communicate, whether in human or wolf form. I leaned forward heavily on my elbows, listening. I didn’t know much about omegas, but if Reed thought an omega could pull a feral alpha back from the void, a lot more about his unexpected knowledge from earlier made sense.

“It’s a long shot. I mean, it’s speculation. I know I’m the one who said it was likely, but how could she slip through the cracks? The more time goes by, the more I question—”

“I don’t.”

He froze, eyes lighting with fervor.

“I think you’re right. After having some time to think about it, my wolf agrees. He’s wanted her from the beginning, and it never made sense before—”

He cut me off in his excitement, a rare slip from my ever-poised third. “I agree. A psi is a poor match for an alpha, but an omega… They’re special.”

“Brielleis special. Did you see how she was with Gracelyn earlier? She’s a wolf the females can rally behind, even if she’s not the conventional alpha female. She has that something about her, a healer’s touch.”

“Healers have always been respected in packs, Alpha,” Reed agreed, though his mind wasn’t on Brielle. Not that I could blame him. His brother had been spotted only once in eighteen months, fur shaggy and eyes unrecognizable, hard, red pits.

It wasn’t known how long a wolf could stay feral and still come back, but somewhere deep down, I knew Reed feared he was precariously close to being lost to us forever.

“How is an omega supposed to bring him back?” I asked, cutting to the point. If she could do something the rest of us had never managed, it would be another tick mark in the box of proof for her omega status.

I wasn’t about to call the Defense League and ask them to test her, so we’d have to figure it out on our own.

Along with why they couldn’t sense her, how it was possible, and… My fists tightened in fear and anger as I thought of her gut-wrenching pain. To find my mate and then lose her? No. I wouldn’t let it happen. I didn’t care what it took, I would figure out the problem, and fix it.

“—it’s just a theory, but not much is known about omegas anymore. I think if we get the two of them in the same room, instinct should kick in. I hope.”

I hummed noncommittally. I wasn’t signing up to put Brielle in the path of a feral alpha until we had a lot more than a theory. But knowing what little I did of her so far, I had no doubt she’d jump into the fray if she thought there was any chance she could help. Keeping her safe at my side was going to be a lifelong challenge, and frankly, I couldn’t wait.

“We can arrange a search party, try to find Dirge as soon as this gathering ends. But we’ve got some issues to deal with first.” I dropped my fists to the table, leaning back against my office chair.

“Anything, Alpha. What can I do?” Reed’s enthusiasm was interrupted by a double rap at the door, Gael’s signature.

“Enter,” I ordered, and he slipped inside, locking the door behind him. I watched closely as he crossed to the chair next to Reed, checking his posture for any signs of defiance or unease, but found none as he dropped easily into it, lounging back and sprawling to cover the entire surface. He was my second, and I’d expected him to accept the correction, but I didn’t want any anger left to fester and corrupt our relationship.

His easy stance told me everything I needed to know. This was one of the few places he relaxed, as he was always on guard when he was on duty. We were good.

“What’re we talking about?”

“Kane was about to tell us,” Reed said, glossing over his hopes about his brother.

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