Page 18 of Redeeming His Omega Mate

“I don’t think staying in Stonehart for three weeks is a good idea,” I said quietly.

Kael raised a brow. “Are you questioning my decision, Tala?”

“No, I’m—”

“A lot of people would kill for the position I just gave you. I expect a little more gratitude.” His tone was calm, but there was an edge to it.

“And I am grateful, Alpha Kael, but…what if I’m needed in Silver Fang? There’s work to be done, and I can’t afford to be away for that long.”

He studied me for a moment before saying, “Are you worried that I left you in charge?”

“No, but—”

Kael’s hand brushed my arm as he stepped closer, effectively cutting me off. The scent of wood and the faint tang of wine clung to him from the celebration. Before I could react, his fingers tilted my chin up, drawing my gaze to his.

“I trust you, Tala. And my trust is all that matters,” he said, his thumb brushing a stray lock of hair from my face.

My first instinct was to pull back and put some distance betweenus, but I hesitated. Kael had always been respectful, but I’d made a point of keeping a wall between us.

For a moment, he didn’t say anything. Then, his voice dropped, softer now, carrying a weight that made me uneasy. “Tala, there’s something I need to talk to you about. But now isn’t the time or place. When I come back in two weeks, we’ll have that conversation. For now…goodbye, and good luck.”

He held my gaze a moment longer, and I wasn’t sure what he was about to do. But then he smiled and stepped back. Without another word, he turned and climbed into the car.

Just before Beta Charles got into the car, he paused in front of me, his voice barely above a whisper. “The Alpha is clearly smitten with you, Tala.” There was no disdain in his tone, but it wasn’t exactly warm either. “Let’s just hope he made the right decision by leaving you in charge.”

With that, he climbed into the car. I stood there, watching as the convoy sped away, leaving nothing but a heavy, unsettling silence in its wake.

I exhaled a long breath. This was going to be the longest three weeks of my life.

As I turned around, I caught Damian standing by the gates, his eyes fixed intently on me. His face was etched with a deep frown, and his hands were clasped behind his back. He held my gaze for a brief moment before spinning around and disappearing into the house.

I waited a while before heading inside. The last thing I wanted was to bump into Damian. A servant was waiting for me near the entrance. “I hope you enjoyed dinner, Ms. Tala?” she asked politely.

I forced a weak smile, my eyes scanning the hall. Aria was nowhere in sight. “Where’s my daughter?” I asked, my voice tense.

“She’s upstairs in the room the Alpha asked us to prepare for you.”

Turning to the servant, I asked her to lead the way.

As we climbed three flights of stairs, she spoke casually. “The Alpha insisted on giving you the finest welcome. He mentioned you’re allergic to nuts and warned us not to serve them.”

I blinked in surprise. Damian remembered that?

I shook my head, trying to push him from my thoughts. Stayinghere didn’t mean I had to talk to him. Any conversation we had would be strictly about the alliance and nothing more, nothing less.

“And,” she continued, “he personally requested that your room be on the executive floor.”

“The executive floor?” I repeated, frowning. “Isn’t that where the Alpha stays?”

“Yes,” she confirmed with a smile as we reached a set of towering double doors. She opened them, revealing a lavish room adorned with polished wood furniture, thick velvet drapes, and a king-sized bed. Gold-accented sconces cast a warm glow across the room, and the scent of fresh linen hung in the air. It was grand and luxurious, but my thoughts were elsewhere.

Across the room, another set of double doors caught my attention. On the wall above the door, there was an Alpha’s head hilt. I didn’t need anyone to tell me whose room that was.

The servant began explaining the room’s amenities, but I cut her off. “No.”

She blinked, confused. “No? You don’t know how to use the water pitcher—?”

“No, I don’t want to stay here. I’m not staying in this room.”

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