Chapter 46

Luka’s POV

“Caleb, after seeing the management systems in place for the omegas. I was wondering if we could implement a vacation system,” I asked, sitting at my vanity getting ready for the day.

Caleb walked out of the bathroom, drying his hair, his gorgeous body gleaming with water droplets. I tingled all over, and I smiled.

He had been sleeping in my room lately, and I enjoyed it. We talked about the day and how things were going.

He sat on the edge of the bed and watching me braid my hair. His stare always felt like a caress against me skin and I sighed core heating.

“Why do you think the omegas need vacations?”

“Well, everyone gets worn out and needs a day off.” I didn’t normally speak about my treatment at Long Lake pack because it made Cabel noticeably irritable. However, I needed him to understand.

“When I worked at Long Lake Pack. I often worked from sunup to late into the night, never getting rest unless I was punished.” I peered out of the balcony. “There had been a time when I would do something to get punished so I would be put in the dungeons just to have a day off.”

He blinked at me. And then his hands fisted. He shot to his feet and went to the closet.

“I’m not trying to upset you.” I turned in my seat. “I’m sure similar things happen here.”

“I hope that is not a thing in my home. But yes, we can talk to the elders.”

The next day, I stood before the Elder Council and talked to them about my plan.

“Luka, you have to understand. This is the way things have been for hundreds of years. It is tradition,” the elder with the long face and crooked nose said.

I pressed my lips, not wanting to yell at him.

“I do understand your concerns. But if the Omegas had vacation time every year, it would give them a chance to make plans for themselves. Gives them something to look forward to when they are worn out. It will help motivate them.”

“You must broaden your mind and not only consider the bottom people of our system.”

I didn’t want to argue with them. I peered up at Cabel standing beside me.

“Luka, the system has been working well. I don’t think we should worry about it right now,” said Cabel, turning to leave.

Caleb was being an arrogant ruler. He had no idea what it meant to get worked to death. I wasn’t going to give up.

Over the next few days, I visited and talked with the Omegas in the mansion and won their support for a vacation system. Word was spreading from the mansion toward town. Many of the Omegas challenged the pack's way of thinking and caused difficulties with the operation.

Cabel’s POV

Later that week sitting in my study, I reflected on how a few disgruntled omages could turn things upside down. I hadn’t considered whether they were unhappy with the way things were. I never really talked to them. I was disappointed in myself as a King.

I appreciated Luka’s ability to come from a place of compassion and understanding. She never lived a life of privilege. I decided to accept Luka’s suggestion. Still, I had doubts about the implementation of the system and decided to try it for a while.

Getting ready to go speak to the chief house Omega about the system. Emma, Olivia’s sister, strolled into my study.

I stood. She looked exactly the same as she had when I was young and in love with her. Her long blonde hair reached her waist, with bright hazel eyes, and her slim body stretched tall and seductive. Luring young men to their demise.

I heard rumors that she would be returning as the elders' spokesperson. She helps them handle various processes and paperwork for the pack. She was widely recognized and considered more suitable to be a Luna.

But she wasn’t my mate, and I wasn’t hers. She had left me years ago for an alpha’s son whose scent sang to her body and soul. I hadn’t asked if she was still with him. I hadn’t cared. She made her choice.

“Caleb.” She gracefully came to me, placed a hand on my forearm, and leaned in to kiss my cheek. Her scent didn’t stir desire for me anymore. She was just another female.

As she kissed my cheek, I saw Luka in the hallway. Watching me. Eyes round with questions. Emma then wrapped her arms around my neck. I felt like I had been caught doing something wrong. I pushed her away, but it was too late.

Luka slowly backed up and then ran down the hall.

Luka’s POV

I roamed the servant wing of the mansion and found myself sitting in a maid's closet. My chest ached full of sorrow and confusion. What was Cabel doing with that woman? A tear fell, and I wiped it away angrily. I glanced around the small closet and pulled my knees to my chin and wrapped my arms around them.

It was sad that in a time of despair, this was where I went to find comfort. A blood maid’s closest. It was hard to accept that after all this time in Red Moon Pack I still didn’t feel at home here.

The door opened, and I didn’t move. I didn’t even look up. I didn’t care about anything right now. Not being a proper luna, not being an understanding mate. I was sad, and I wanted to be sad alone.

A little girl of the lower-level Omega sat beside me. She was small, maybe seven or eight years old, dirty, and tired.

“What are you doing in here, Ms.?”

I sniffled. “I’m sad and wanted to be alone,” I said.

Little hands brushed my hair from my face. Then she lifted my head from my knee. I blinked wet eyes at her. Her round little face lifted in a wonderful smile.

“I have the perfect thing.” She held up a fist of purple lavender to me.

“I wanted to thank you.”

“For what?” I asked, taking the flowers from her small hand.

“My grandma said you are the kindest lady ever. That because of you and the extra boxes of supplies we could trade for more food.”

I thought of the old woman at the warehouse. She had talked about a granddaughter working in the mansion. This must be her. I brought the flowers to my nose and pulled their scent deep inside me. “I am happy you could get more food. Thank you for the flower.”

She giggled and wiggled beside me.

“What is your name?” I asked, sitting crisscross.

“Sasha.”

“Why are you in here, Sasha?”

She beamed at me. “This is my special spot.” She whispered in my ear. “I hide in here, too.” She sat back down and then reached her little hands beneath a towel. She pulled out a piece of cookie, broke it in half, and handed it to me. She giggled again and wiggled.

I stared at the piece of cookie. She probably hid this for when she wasn’t given any food for the day, and I wanted to cry for her. Yet here she was sharing with me what little she had, happy to be doing it. I kissed her little hand and gave it back. “Thank you for sharing, but you eat it.”

Understanding washed my sadness away and replaced it with determination. No one should have to hide to escape their reality.