Page 12 of Redeeming His Omega Mate

As I walked through the town square on my way home, I stopped at the stall selling caramel-dipped apples, Aria’s favorite. It had become a tradition ever since I learned how much she loved them. Every time I visited the square, I made sure to grab one for her.

Thinking of Aria, a smile spread across my face. She was growing into such a confident and beautiful girl, thriving in an environment where she could truly be herself. It was all I’d ever wanted for her, and watching her blossom made me proud every day.

She was the reason I’d visited the outskirts in the first place. Protecting her has become my top priority. Silver Fang Pack had been our home for seven years, and now it was at risk of rogue invasion. I was grateful to be in a position to help and glad that Kael had resonated with my ideas.

Still, sometimes, my mind drifted back to him. Even after seven years, I could still picture Damian as clear as day. I wondered if he even thought about me or if he ever regretted how he’d treated me. I tried to keep my mind off such thoughts. I had more important things to worry about, like serving on the council and being a mother.

Leaving Stonehart had been necessary, though painful. I hadn’t even told Gina because I knew she would have tried to stop me. I couldn’t risk that.

When I first arrived in the pack and took a job at the school as a mediator for Omegas, Kael had always said I had a natural gift for diplomacy. I didn’t doubt it. I’d dealt with enough conflicts as an Omega in Stonehart to understand the delicate balance between power and peace. One night, Kael came to me with a crucial matter that had been keeping him up at night. It threatened to disrupt the pack’s peace. I gave him my perspective, drawing from the countless situations I’d faced and resolved myself. A few days later, the conflict subsided. Whether my advice made the difference or not, I didn’t know. But since then, Kael began seeking me out for delicate matters. Less than a year ago, he invited me to sit on the council, and I’d been a member ever since.

Life in Silver Fang was peaceful and simple, and I loved it. Every morning, I dropped Aria off at the pack school and spent the rest of the day carrying out the duties Kael assigned to me. I didn’t alwayshave the luxury of picking her up, so Maeve, my closest friend and neighbor, would help with that.

When I heard the distant chatter of kids, I knew they were on their way back. Aria and Maeve’s son, Tobias, were always the loudest, and they never failed to argue about the silliest things. I once overheard them having a heated debate over whose shadow was faster.

A smile touched my lips as I turned off the stove and walked to the front door to greet them. The moment Aria saw me, she ran toward me, and I crouched to catch her as she jumped into my arms. I smoothed her wavy brown hair, inhaling her warm, sweet scent of honey and wildflowers. She had gotten most of her features from me: her hair, the small, straight shape of her nose, the crescent-shaped birthmark just below her waist, and her warm olive skin. But her eyes, that was all Damian. Kissing her head, I pulled back to look into her large, dark brown eyes, already shining with excitement to tell me about her day—and the latest argument she’d had with Tobias. But before she could speak, I raised a hand.

“No, uh, young lady,” I said, a playful tone in my voice. “First, go freshen up. We’ll talk over dinner. Now, say your goodbyes to Aunt Maeve and Tobias.”

She pouted. “I’m not talking to Tobias. He says I cheated at hide and seek.”

“Yes, you did! How else could you find me in under twenty seconds?”

“I told you. I followed your scent!”

“Lies!”

Maeve chuckled, squeezing Tobias lightly on the shoulder. “Okay, buddy. That’s enough.”

Maeve was around my age, maybe a little older. With her pale skin and pixie cut, she always had this effortless charm about her. She was a single mom, just like me, and we had bonded easily when I was house hunting. The wind caught her hair as she looked up at me and smiled, muttering, “Kids, right?” She had a way of making even the most chaotic moments feel lighter.

I laughed. “Thank you for getting Aria, Maeve.”

She shrugged. “My pleasure. I quite enjoy listening to them bicker. It’s fast becoming the highlight of my day.”

I laughed again, giving Maeve a quick hug. I nudged Aria to do the same to Tobias, and after a moment of hesitation, she muttered a quick goodbye, which Tobias returned just as hesitantly.

With that, we headed back into the house.

While Aria showered, I set the table for dinner and waited for her to come down. When she finally did, she practically bounced into her seat, already eager to tell me everything that had happened at school.

“Mummy,” she called in her soft, little voice, and I looked up with a smile, prepared for another of her enthusiastic recounts.

“The Alpha Educator announced at the closing assembly that there will be a father-daughter dance at the end of the term.”

The moment she said it, my heart sank.

A father-daughter dance. The words echoed in my mind, each time stirring a fresh pang of guilt. The thought of Aria standing alone while every other girl had their fathers beside them, or worse, not being able to attend at all because her father wasn’t in the picture, made my chest tighten. I’d always given Aria vague answers when she asked about him, telling her he couldn’t be here. But she was getting older and more curious. Soon, my excuses wouldn’t be enough. She would want real answers, and I didn’t know how to tell her the truth about what had happened.

Before I could respond to Aria, there was a knock on the door. I raised an eyebrow. I wasn’t expecting anyone at this hour. I looked at Aria, and she shrugged. “Maybe it’s Tobias, ready to apologize.”

I laughed and shook my head before walking to the door. To my surprise, Kael was standing on the other side.

“Kael,” I said, trying to hide the surprise in my voice. “Did I forget to—” I stopped myself. I didn’t think I’d missed anything.

As if reading my mind, he cut me off. “You didn’t forget anything, Tala.”

“Is that Alpha Kael?” I heard Aria’s voice as she sprinted toward the door. I stepped aside, letting her see Kael. He immediately picked her up, lifting her off the ground.

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