Page 53 of Redeeming His Omega Mate

“Mummy! Uncle Kael has arrived!”

A rapid knock followed. Aria’s excitement was barely contained as the nanny gently reminded her to knock softly. She had been staying in the nanny’s room most nights since Tala often worked late.

I sat up, blinking away sleep.

And just like that, reality came crashing back in.

Chapter 21

Tala

Kael’s arrival caught me off guard, mostly because I was still in bed with the man his sister was supposed to marry in just a few hours. My body still ached from the night before, my skin tingling with the memory of every kiss and every touch. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake the feeling of the way he consumed me. Everything about last night lingered in my mind, refusing to let go.

I’d been on edge the entire day, and I knew spending most of it with Kael wasn’t the best idea. But Serena was too caught up in last-minute wedding preparations to notice, and Kael had asked for a full report on everything that had happened over the past two weeks. We moved through the crowded streets of the town square, and I was doing a terrible job as a tour guide. Kael wanted to see Stonehart, and he’d asked me to show him around while I filled him in on everything.

Since Damian’s new laws took effect, more Omegas had started appearing in the town square. The integration was slow, but it was happening. I’d already heard about two fights between Betas and Omegas. Apparently tensions were still high. Many Betas resented Damian’s decision, but some were starting to accept it. Not many, but a few.

As we walked across the markets of the streets, stares and glances followed me. I was used to them by now, but Kael clearly wasn’t.

“Looks like you’ve gotten popular around here real fast,” he said, breaking the silence as he took in the way people watched me.

I let out a nervous chuckle. “Looks like it.”

Kael wouldn’t be here for long, just a few days, maybe three, and then he’d be gone. I just had to hope that in that time, no one would slip up and reveal the truth about my past. Seven years of lies could come crashing down in an instant. I’d never been more grateful for Serena’s self-absorption. She only cared about herself, which meant she wasn’t the type to go digging where she shouldn’t. And since she hadn’t confronted me about anything in the past two weeks, it was safe to assume she didn’t know.

Which was perfect.

Now, I just had to keep it that way for one more week until I left Stonehart for good.

“So, how are things back at Silver Fang?” I asked, steering the conversation away from the fact that I was apparently popular and not for the right reasons.

Kael’s expression darkened instantly. He had that stormy look he got when he was angry, the kind that made it seem like he could tear through anything in his way. “A group of thieves got caught trying to steal pack supplies.”

My eyes widened slightly. “How did that happen?”

“I don’t know, and I don’t care,” he said flatly. “But after the way I handled it, I doubt anyone will be stupid enough to try it again.”

“What did you do to them?” I wasn’t sure I wanted to know, but curiosity got the better of me.

Kael turned to me with a smile, slow, sharp, and purely sinister, like he was savoring the memory—like it thrilled him.

“Let’s just say I skewered them,” he said smoothly. “Details aren’t necessary.”

Skewered. That sounded brutal.

I forced a smile in his direction but didn’t press for more details as we continued toward the Crystal Spring, a quieter path, away from theprying eyes of the pack. Hardly anyone was around, which was exactly what I wanted.

Kael and I walked in silence until he suddenly stopped.

I took a few more steps before realizing he was no longer beside me.

Turning back, I found him standing still, watching me.

“Is everything okay?” I asked, retracing my steps to where he stood.

“Yes, everything is fine,” he nodded. “I want to talk to you about something, and now that we have the luxury of quiet…” he gestured to our empty surroundings. “There’s no better time.”

“Okay…” I said slowly and uncertainly. “What is it?”

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