Page 70 of Redeeming His Omega Mate

His mouth opened, but no words came. He held my gaze, his jawtight. When he finally spoke, his voice was quieter and calmer but not softer.

“I would never have let you come back here,” he said, his eyes burning into mine. “I would never have let you return to a man you once loved. Because I never want to compete for you, Tala.”

I let out a shaky breath. “Kael, please—”

“I’m willing to forget everything, Tala,” he cut in sharply, his voice rough and edged with desperation. “Every lie and every betrayal. I’ll let it all go if you come back with me to Silver Fang. Be my Luna. Let me be Aria’s father like I always have.”

“But she has a father, Kael,” I said quietly.

His eyes darkened. “And who was there when she took her first steps? Who was there when you gave birth to her? Me.” His voice hardened. “Your life is in Silver Fang. Her life is in Silver Fang. You’re chasing something that doesn’t exist, thinking you can build a future here in a place that once threw you away.” He took a step closer, his voice lowering. “I’ll allow it. This moment of temporal insanity. But I’m leaving tomorrow, and I want you to come with me.”

It wasn’t a request. It was a command.

I should have wanted to go. Silver Fang was safe and familiar. I had built a peaceful life there with Aria. But I couldn’t leave. Not when I had finally stopped running from my past. Not when I had finally found my happiness.

With Damian.

Kael’s jaw tensed, his teeth grinding together as he read my hesitation. And then, his voice dropped even lower, almost coaxing. “Forget Damian. Forget this pack. Come with me, and I’ll give you everything. You’ll be Luna, Tala, the most powerful woman in Silver Fang.”

No matter what he said, I knew what my answer would be. But the pain in his eyes made it so much harder to say the words.

I took a deep breath. “Kael…I can’t.”

His body went rigid, his fists clenching at his side. “Why?”

“Because Damian is my mate. And even if I wished things were different, which I don’t, I could never love anyone else the way I love him.”

Kael flinched as if I had struck him.

I continued. “You deserve someone who will love you the way you love them. Someone who won’t hesitate. Someone who won’t still be looking at their past when they’re with you.” I breathed. “And that’s not me.”

His breathing grew heavier.

“You chose him,” he muttered, voice dangerously low. “Even after I offered you the world, Tala.”

I said nothing.

Kael took a step back, his expression twisting into something bitter and unreadable. “You’ll regret this, Tala.”

A chill ran down my spine.

“Kael—”

He turned on his heel, his movement sharp with anger. “You think he’s your fate? Fine. But mark my words, you’ll regret this.”

And then he was gone.

I let out a shaky breath, trying to push down the fear riding inside of me. Kael was hurt and betrayed, but I had never seen him like that before. The look in his eyes had been more than just heartbreak.

It had been the promise of something far worse.

Chapter 28

Damian

I had been in my chambers with Grayson, going over the plans to rebuild the ruined pack headquarters, when Tala burst through the doors, her eyes wide and frantic and her breathing rapid and uneven.

Fear was palpable on her features as she spoke. “Aria is gone.”

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