Page 59 of Redeeming His Omega Mate

The truth hung between us, clear as day. He knew.

Chapter 23

Damian

I’d always had the unshakable suspicion that Aria was my daughter, but now, hearing it from Serena and seeing how Tala’s face turned pale, guilt written all over it as if the truth had finally backed her into a corner, my suspicions were confirmed.

A mix of emotions slammed into me. Relief that I’d been right all along. Joy, because I had a daughter, a beautiful, caring girl who had unknowingly stolen my heart. And then there was the rage, white-hot and searing, burning through me like wildfire. Seven years. For seven long years, I’d had a daughter, and Tala had kept her from me. She had buried the truth, letting me believe I had no claim to Aria. No right to hold her. No right to protect her.

My pulse roared in my ears, drowning out the stillness of the garden. Tala stood before me, rigid but defiant, her chin lifted as if daring me to lash out.

“I just want to know one thing, Tala.” My voice came out rough, strained, and barely recognizable. “Were you really going to leave next week without telling me Aria was mine? Were you going to let your daughter—no, our daughter—grow up for the rest of her life without a father?”

She flinched just slightly, her expression darkening with something that looked like regret.

“Is this your way of exacting revenge on me?” My voice cracked.

“Wh–what? No, Damian.” She shook her head vehemently. “I promise you I didn’t—”

Before she could finish, a distant scream tore through the night, sharp and chilling. A second later, a thunderous explosion rocked the earth beneath our feet. The ground trembled violently. The stones of the fountain shook, and before I could fully register what was happening, a massive chunk of stone came crashing down toward Tala.

With instinctive speed, I grabbed her arm and yanked her away just as the heavy debris crashed down, shattering into jagged pieces. Dust and rubble clouded the air.

“Are you okay?” I asked, my eyes sweeping over her, searching for even the smallest scratch.

Tala stared at the rubble, her chest heaving, her lips parted in shock. Her hands clutched her stomach like she was struggling to breathe. “What was that, Damian?” she whispered.

Another boom echoed in the distance, followed by a rising sound of screams, growls, and panicked voices. The sharp stench of smoke filled the air, thick and suffocating.

As if on cue, Grayson burst into the garden. His clothes were torn, blood streaked down his arm, and his face was dark with urgency.

“Rogues!” he shouted. “They breached the west gate. It’s bad!”

Tala let out a strangled gasp, pure terror flashing across her face. And without a word, she turned on her heel, bolting for the entrance.

“Tala!” I grabbed her wrist before she could take another step.

“Let me go, Damian!” Her voice cracked with fear as she struggled against my grip. “A–Aria…my daughter is out there.”

“Our daughter,” I corrected, my voice low and firm. The screams and sounds of chaos hammered against my skull. My wolf was clawing to break free, desperate to find and protect her.

“I’ll find her,” I said, my voice hard. “I’ll protect her. I promise.”

“Then, I’m coming with you.” Tala’s voice shook, but there was no hesitation. Her eyes were wild and frantic. “There’s no way I’m staying here while my daughter is out there.”

“Tala, please.” I cupped her face, forcing her to look at me. “I cannot be out there worrying about you, Aria, and the rest of the pack. Please, stay in the quarters, lock yourself in your room, and do not come out until this is over.”

She started shaking her head before I even finished speaking. “No, Damian. I won’t. Please do not ask me to—”

“Tala.” I softened my voice, trying to ease her panic. “Look at me.”

She stilled, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Tears brimmed her eyes. “I can’t lose her,” she choked out. “I can’t—”

“You won’t.” I pressed my forehead to hers. “I swear to you. I’ll bring her back.”

Tala’s body trembled against mine. “Please, Damian,” she whispered. “Don’t let anything happen to her.”

“I won’t,” I vowed. “Now, go.”

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