Page 23 of Omega and the Beast
If not for Father Conal, none of the others would have been trapped there, but it was not impossible that some would have come to work at the castle by their own choice. Even those who lived happily in their own villages would have come to the castle on festival days, and during times of poor harvest. He might not have the same close feeling for all of them that these cruel circumstances had forced upon them, but he would still have met them, and all their friends and neighbors. He would have met Callista long before now.
He tried not to think about the reality too much and just enjoy this moment for what it was: today, he was a normal Alpha, spending an afternoon with his Omega, surrounded by Betas who were laughing, flirting, talking… living, and living happily, regardless of the circumstances.
At last, sweaty but satisfied with a good day’s work, feeling better than he could ever remember, Adonis slung his arm around Callista’s shoulders as they made their way back into the castle. They would wash and come back to eat dinner… then the sun would fall, and the dream of an ordinary life would be over, but he was determined to pretend otherwise for as long as he could.
“So? What do you think?” he asked her as they walked inside side by side, just behind her father. It was no idle question. He awaited her answer eagerly, wanting to hear that she felt she could be happy here.
“It’s beautiful,” she answered immediately, assuaging some of his worries. “Everyone has been so welcoming, and it’s clear they’ve all worked together to turn this into a real community.”
Broderick fell back into step beside them once they were through the door, shooting his daughter a fond look, which only crimped a little at the sight of Adonis’ arm around her.
“Now that you’re here, I think I could be happy here,”Broderick said. He reached out to take her hand and give it a squeeze before dropping it again. Adonis couldn’t help wondering if the male would be even happier if Adonis wasn’t there, but he didn’t say anything. It was always going to be a difficult situation for Broderick because of Callista’s nature.
“I wish we could reunite the other families,” Callista murmured, softly enough that Adonis wasn’t sure she realized she’d spoken aloud the wish that was practically engraved on his heart. Though everyone made the best of the situation, they all had someone they missed.
“One day,” he promised her, as he had promised himself every day since the curse befell him, ignoring that leaden weight in his heart that reminded him he had no idea how to keep his word.
They set such matters aside as they joined the others inside the castle walls. He was sure everyone had such thoughts, but voicing them made it too easy to wallow in them. Instead, they went to clean up and returned to the great hall to eat with everyone else.
As much as Adonis wished the evening would never end, he could feel the sun sinking in the sky, and the urges he kept pushed down during the day beginning to rise. Clearing his throat, he got to his feet. Sympathy showed in every expression, but he didn’t get the chance to take his leave.
“Adonis! Alpha!” The doors to the great hall burst open, a young Beta guard named Lionel running through them, his face pale. “A large group is coming through the woods toward the palace! We can see the torches through the trees! We think Father Conal is leading them here!”
Father Conal?
Leading themhere?
Why would he…
As if everyone in the room had the same thought at once, they all turned to look at Callista.
“Me?” Her eyes widened with horror. “Why would he come here for me?” Even as she said the words, something flickered in her expression, as if a thought had just occurred to her.
Adonis didn’t have time to ask.
“I’m going to kill him,” he growled, turning to storm out the door. “I’m ending this once and for all.”
This was his chance. Father Conal had never come into the woods before. Adonis didn’t care how many Betas he’d gathered to bring with him, Adonis was going to take him down if it was the last thing he did.
“Adonis!” Callista rushed after him, her hand seizing his. “You can’t go out there. You’re going to change soon.”
“Which will make it easier to kill him.”
“Or to get killed!”
Coming to a halt, Adonis turned to face her. Behind her, everyone else was spilling out of the doors as well, their expressions hard.
“Why is he coming after you? Did he know you’re an Omega?”
“No. At least I don’t think so.” She took a deep breath. “He came to me before I left, saying he would take me as his mate if my father didn’t return, but —”
“I’mdefinitelykilling him.” Adonis didn’t wait for the rest of her sentence as white-hot rage consumed him, fueling the aggression of his rising Beast. Father Conal wanted his mate?
Adonis would die before he let that filth touch one hair on her head.
14
Callista
