Page 66 of Redeeming His Omega Mate

“Do you, Tala?” he cut in, his scoff cold and sharp. “Because from where I’m standing, you’ve become one of them.”

His gaze flicked to Damian again, and I instinctively glanced over my shoulder. Damian stood by the door, silent and watchful. He hadn’t said a word through our exchange, letting us process everything that was happening.

“Ryker, I am not your enemy.” I stepped toward him, happy that he didn’t back away. “But in your bid for revenge, you’re killing innocent people.”

“Betas,” he corrected, his tone firm. “I would never go after the Omegas.”

“But there were Omegas at the celebration yesterday,” I pressed. “And you attacked everyone.”

Ryker’s eyes narrowed. A flicker of doubt crossed his face, but he masked it just as quickly. “That’s not possible. They are never invited into Beta territory.”

“That’s what I’m trying to tell you,” I said, holding his gaze. “Things have changed. Damian is nothing like his father. He’s trying to fix what was broken and undo the damage.”

He didn’t look convinced. He studied me carefully, suspicion carved into every line of his face, his body tense and rigid. I could see the war raging inside him, the part of him that wanted to believe me, and the part that had spent years drowning in bitterness and rage.

“Why are you defending him, Tala?” Ryker’s voice was quieter now. “His father killed our parents.”

I let out a small smile. “Because he’s the father of my child.”

Ryker’s eyes widened, shock rippling across his face. I could see the moment the words sank in, the weight of them settling into his bones. And for the first time since I walked into this room, Damian spoke.

He stepped forward, stopping just beside me. “I meant what I said before,” he said solemnly. “I want peace. You’re not a prisoner here, Ryker. Like me, you’re a leader. You’d do anything to protect your people, and I respect that. But war doesn’t protect them. It only destroys us all.”

Ryker’s gaze flickered with uncertainty, his features still hardened by years of hatred and distrust.

After a long pause, he exhaled and said, “I can’t make that decision without speaking to my people.”

“I understand,” Damian said, his voice steady. “You’re welcome to stay the night. Tomorrow, you can return to them. I’ll have the servants prepare a room for you.”

Ryker’s expression didn’t shift. “And my people? The ones you locked in your cells?”

Damian hesitated briefly before nodding. “I’ll have them released immediately.”

Ryker barely nodded, the tension in his shoulders still heavy. Hewasn’t ready to trust. Not yet. One conversation, one night, none of it could fix a wound that had festered for decades. He wouldn’t decide today. I knew that much.

But for the first time in years, I had my brother back. And I wasn’t going to lose him again—not to war.

Chapter 26

Tala

Damian left us in his chambers to catch up while he went to oversee the rogues’ release and make sure everything was set up properly. As soon as the door closed behind him, I hugged Ryker again. Despite the years that had hardened him into the man he was now, being with him still felt the same as it did when we were younger: safe and familiar, like coming home.

He was still trying to wrap his head around it all. How I, an Omega whose parents were murdered by the Alpha, had ended up having a daughter with the Alpha’s son. There was a lot to catch up on. There were twenty-five years of lost conversation between us, but I was more than happy to tell him about all of it.

The awkwardness faded, replaced by something warmer, something that felt like family. When a servant arrived to show Ryker to his room, I walked with him, helping him settle in. I assured him that he could trust Damian’s word, that he was safe here, and that his people would be cared for until he decided his next move.

Life had changed us both. We had fought our own battles and endured our own pain. But in that moment, I felt like I was talking to my big brother again.

After leaving Ryker’s room, I went to find Damian. I found him on the terrace, the same one where we had kissed, watching the garden as the moths darted between the flowers.

“Ryker is settled into a room,” I said, announcing my presence as I stepped onto the terrace.

Damian glanced over his shoulder, acknowledging me with a brief look before turning back to the garden.

“Do you think he’ll accept the peace deal?” he asked, his voice calm but distant.

“He will,” I said without hesitation. “He has a reason to now.”

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