Chapter 58

Luka’s POV

Draven squeezed my hand. His brown eyes met mine. “It will be okay. We will do this together.”

I squeezed his hand back. “I know we will. I don’t know about seeing Caleb again.” I brushed the spot on my chest where his mark rested. I almost forgot what the mate bond felt like. I had been in Omegas for so long.

Draven and I ushered the horses into a walk.

“How do you think we should approach the topic of the omegas coming with us, the ones that want to, with your mate? Father and I have never come and openly spoken to the Alpha King about people leaving.”

I sighed. “Please don’t say it like that. There is a bond, but it isn’t like at home. It is not chosen. I don’t even know if he loves me. He marked me, but many males mark their mates out of possessiveness, not out of a feeling of love.”

Draven’s face went all ugly, and I laughed.

“How does Noah know about this, but not you?”

“I know about the bonding. I didn’t think it was a real thing.” Draven cast an air of a young man without fear. But just then, he looked torn.

“Is there anyone you wish to bond and marry?” I asked, not in a hurry to get to the Red Moon Mansion and speak with the elders and Caleb.

“No. I never have time.”

“That is man code for no one has interested you. If the right one comes along, I’m sure you would make time.”

“You are not wrong, sister. I have thought about what a bond would feel like.” He took me in. I felt his energy probing me.

“Just ask.”

He smiled, his boyish smile. “You are getting good at reading energy. What does the mate bond feel like? I am still unsure as to how two wolves from here locked onto your energy.” His brows furrowed. “I can only gather it is because you said you were malnourished and unwell, with your wolf dormant. No one from here has ever bonded with someone from Omegas. It isn’t until they come to our land that a bond can form.”

I thought about this for the rest of the ride. It made sense. If the bond was about linking energy in some cosmic way, mine was very weak and needed help. It is no surprise that my energy sought out two different alphas.

It made me wonder, with my wolf awake, my body healthy, and finding my true home, if the mate bond to Caleb would even be a thing if we were to have met today for the first time. Would we be fated mates? A peg of pain struck my chest.

No matter what, I was grateful for Caleb’s help to get me stronger physically and mentally. He had done all he could to see me become more than I had been when I first got here. That wouldn’t change regardless of a mate bond or not. He was a kind man and a fair King.

As we approached the mansion, I saw Mia on the front steps, wearing her battle armor. Her blue eyes peered at me. Her expression was hard until she realized it was me. She took off at a run, and I jumped from my gold mare. We collided, and she held me tight.

“I have missed you, you brat,” she pulled back and studied me. “You look different.” I saw curiosity in her expression. She took my hands. “We must go shopping.”

“That would be wonderful.” Draven slid off his horse, walking over to present himself to Mia. His light brown hair was shaggy and windblown. Giving a wild, mischievous look. I pointed to him and wrapped an arm around him. “This is my brother, Draven.”

Mia rounded her eyes impressed. She blasted him with a gorgeous smile. I could almost see the love arrow she shot at my brother. I chuckled. He bowed and kissed her hand. She fluttered her lashes at him.

Draven was in for it.

After Mia was done running a hand over my little brother’s muscular arm, I asked. “Is Caleb here? I need to speak to him about the omegas.”

No sooner did the words leave my mouth than Caleb marched down the steps. He looked thinner, his cheeks more hollow, and dark circles were around his eyes.

“Luka.” His voice was rough and hoarse. A wave of sorrow hit hard down the bond. I didn’t know what to make of it.

“Hello, Caleb. This is my brother, Draven.” Draven bowed, eyeing Caleb with distrust.

“We have come to speak with you on matters of business. As well as the elders.”

Caleb’s jaw hung and then snapped closed. “Of course you did, now that you are a Queen.” There was a sting to his words. I wasn’t shocked. I believed most Alphas would see this as a blow to their egos, especially being seen as an omega.

I didn’t let my hurt travel the mate bond, though there was a wave of pain that came from him; I didn’t understand.

“Come, let's go to the study.”

Draven and I followed Caleb. Mia hesitated for a moment, then followed. I messed with my riding pants and shirt. Then, I ran my fingers through my hair—Caleb always liked my hair down. When we entered the study, I glanced at the book that held his old love letters to and from Emma.

He offered us a seat. Following my gaze, he walked over to the book and pulled it from the shelf.

“I want you to have this.” He handed it to me. I didn’t open it. “I know you were fond of the stories it held. Even if they were fiction.”

What was he saying?

I placed the book in my lap. “We have come on behalf of the omegas. I want to offer those who are unhappy within the packs and wish to leave a place of refuge.”

Caleb sat, his mask of indifference firmly in place. This would have bothered me a few months ago, but Draven taught me to do the same. It worked best in negotiations.

“In the past, I have seen how the omegas are treated in two packs. I have no doubt these conditions are much the same throughout all the packs.”

“You have seen poor conditions in the Long Lake Pack, not here?” Mia coughed into her hand and shook her head.

I raised a brow challengingly. “Are you certain of this? That your omegas are so happy that none would leave with me today if they had safe passage to do so without consequences.”

Caleb drummed his fingers against the desk. “Do you think so poorly of me that I can’t care for my people?” he yelled at me.

“I saw and felt how you treated a mate. I saw what a King's anger could be, with his wolf taking hold, so I am not taking anything off the table.”

Caleb jumped to his feet and slammed his fists onto the desk. Draven stood in a protective stance in front of me, extending a hand toward Mia. My heart softened for my brother. He would protect me and Mia if he had to. I patted his arm.

“It is okay. I shouldn’t have goaded him. Sit back down.”

“I would prefer to stand.” He stood beside me.

Caleb stared at the desk. I could feel him working through his emotions. “If you think I can’t care for my omegas or any other Alpha for that matter, go speak with them, and we will see how many, if any, leave with you.”

“Thank you, Caleb.”

He glared at Mia. “It is a decree. The Omegas Queen will come to every pack and offer a new way of life for the omegas, and if any wish to leave with her, there will be no resistance, or there will be consequences.”

Mia bowed. “Yes, my King.” She walked out, and we followed, his book in my hand. I stood in the doorway watching him watching me. I opened it. The letters were gone. So much to say, neither one saying a word. I…I wanted to touch his face and to tell him it would be okay, like he had so many times for me.

I touched my mark gently. He fisted his hands again. This time it wasn’t out of anger or fear. It was out of self-control. I couldn’t tear my eyes from him or make my feet move.

Caleb did the unexpected. He touched the mark I had left on his shoulder. We were locked in this moment of knowing and not knowing. Tears pooled in my eyes and then I caught up with Draven and Mia.