Page 16 of Redeeming His Omega Mate

But fate be damned. I wouldn’t let this return to Stonehart derail the life I’d built for Aria and me. This was just a brief visit, a day or two at most until the alliance negotiations were finalized. Then, I’d return to the life I’d fought to reclaim, far from the shadows of the past.

As we neared Stonehart, the familiar scent hit me like a punch to the gut: a heavy blend of pine, damp earth, and the musky undertone of wolves. It felt like the land itself was greeting me with all its past memories. I tore my gaze away from the winding roads and looked at Aria, who was bubbling with excitement, her bright eyes taking in every sight along the way.

My eyes flicked over to Kael, only to find his gaze already on me. His eyes were lowered. Suspicion, perhaps? Had I been too obvious? I quickly averted my eyes to stare out the front window, watching as the driver steered the car toward the town square. A short time later, we pulled into the pack quarters.

I drew in a shaky breath as the guards approached to open the doors. The familiar heaviness of the place weighed on me, but I was determined not to let it show. Aria, as if sensing my nervousness, reached over and squeezed my hand with her tiny fingers, offering comfort without even knowing it. I chuckled softly. If only she knew…

Once we were out of the car and away from the curious gaze of Kael, I crouched in front of Aria.

“Listen to me, Aria,” I smoothed the crease on the tunic of her natural-colored dress, adjusting the fabric to ensure it sat comfortably against her small frame. “I want you to stay close to me at all times. Don’t let your curiosity wander. This is unfamiliar territory, and I’d hate it if something happened to you.”

She looked up at me with a confused expression, her wide eyes searching mine as if trying to make sense of my tone. But I wasn’t done yet.

“Also, do not speak to anybody except me,” I added, my voice soft but firm.

She nodded slowly, still unsure but sensing the seriousness in my words. I gave her a reassuring smile, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear before standing up.

Aria was taken by the servants to the quarters, where she’d be safe and comfortable, while Kael and the rest of the council members proceeded inside. The discussions ahead would focus on politics, packs, and alliances, topics that Kael felt were best kept away from a child. He suggested she remain with the servants, ensuring she was well taken care of while the adults dealt with matters that required their full attention.

I followed the guards that led us into the pack quarters.

“Kael of Silver Fang pack, it’s a pleasure to have you in my pack. Welcome to Stonehart.” I heard his voice before I saw his face. That calm, soothing cadence was unmistakable. But now, it had deepened, taking on a richer, more authoritative timbre.

“It’s a pleasure to be here, Alpha Damian. Thank you for your invite. If I may introduce my envoy here with me,” Kael’s gaze shifted toward us, his tone shifting to a more formal register. “This is Beta Charles…”

One by one, he introduced his envoy, each one stepping forward to pay their respects to Damian. I stood quietly, waiting for my turn.

When it finally came, I stepped forward, my steps measured and deliberate, knowing the eyes of both Alphas were on me. The air was thick with tension, but I kept my composure as best I could. I tried to take comfort in the fact that no one recognized me except Damian. Sure, they must have heard about the Omega he rejected all those years ago, but Omegas were rarely important enough for anyone to bother putting a face to the name. At least my secret was safe. If Damian doesn’t say anything, that is.

My heart stopped for a brief moment when Damian’s eyes locked onto mine. Oxygen seemed to flee my lungs as I took him in. He was seven years older now, and every inch of him showed the passage of time. His jaw was more pronounced, and the skin under his eyes was slightly darker. I couldn’t tell if he had put on more muscle or if I had simply forgotten how imposing he was. His hair, dark as ever, was now slicked back, a stark contrast to the waves I used to run my fingersthrough. And then, his scent hit me, earthy and warm. Except now, there was something else woven into it, something richer and sharper. Something undeniably him. It wrapped around me, pulling at something deep inside me I had spent years trying to bury.

But despite all the changes, despite the man before me now, I still saw the one who had brutally rejected me. Anger surged within me, raw and unrestrained, but I was careful to mask it.

Yet, my wolf whimpered. It was a low, quiet sound that shook me to the core. Separate from the protectiveness coursing through me, separate from the adrenaline that flooded my veins, she saw something else entirely. Not the man who had broken us, not the one who had hurt me so deeply. No. She only saw one thing. Mate.

I noticed a shift in his expression, just a slight widening of his eyes that told me he recognized me. But it faded as quickly as it came, replaced by the stoic demeanor.

“And this is Tala, one of my finest diplomats,” Kael introduced me, offering a soft smile in my direction. I returned it, keeping things professional as I extended my arm.

Damian took it, and the moment his hand brushed against mine, a spark shot through me. It was hot and searing, igniting every nerve in my body. His familiar touch made my entire being feel alive. His grip was firm, and his fingers were calloused. His expression remained composed, but his eyes—those deep, stormy brown eyes—flickered with something raw, something unspoken.

I couldn’t help the hitch in my breath, and my wolf, unsettled and yearning, let out a low whine in my mind.

No, no, no. This wasn’t happening.

I clenched my jaw and quickly withdrew my hand from Damian’s, forcing myself to mask my turmoil with a polite smile. “Alpha Damian,” I said, my voice steady despite the chaos raging within me. “Thank you for welcoming us.”

His lips pressed into a thin line, and for a brief moment, I thought he might say something that would hint at recognizing me. But instead, he simply nodded and replied, “The pleasure is all mine.”

Damian led us toward the dining quarters, where we all sat to celebrate the new alliance. As we walked, I couldn’t help but reflect on theirony of it all. The last time I had been here, I had been the wolf in sheep’s clothing, desperately trying to fit into a world where I didn’t belong, only to be humiliated in the process. But now, I was seated at the same table, sharing a meal in the very quarters.

Kael’s hand brushed the small of my back, a quiet reminder of his presence, and I quickly refocused on the reason we were here. The past had to remain in the past. “Tala, sit by me,” he said.

I passed him a small smile and obliged. As I settled into my seat, I noticed Damian’s lingering gaze on us. Heat crawled up my skin, but I kept my focus on everything else—anything but him—willing myself not to meet his eyes.

Throughout the meal, I kept my attention on polite conversation with Damian’s new court, determined not to give Damian any more of my focus. Wine flowed freely, voices grew louder, and laughter filled the hall, but I remained guarded.

By the end of the night, Kael rose to his feet, commanding the attention of the room.

---