Chapter 124: Silence
The courtyard was quiet as the two brothers watched Kael as he carefully lifted the Omega into his arms and carried her inside, moving as if he were holding something precious.
Zen closed his eyes and let out a slow breath before tucking his ’little self’ back into his jeans, adjusting them with a small, satisfied smile. Just watching her break apart like that was a treat in itself.
He turned to look at his brother, saw the stormy expression on Lance’s face who had been staring at the scene transfixed, and asked with a pointed smirk, "You like having blue balls? Or did you cum in your pants?"
Lance shot him a hard look that would have withered anyone else but on him, it was useless, so he only grinned and questioned, "So. What did you want to talk to me about?"
"You heard the council today, Zen," Lance said, his gaze still fixed on where Kael and Emira had been just now..."You know why I’m here."
Zen’s mouth tightened at his brother’s words. He wanted to forget but he was not being allowed to... "Then go ahead and fuck yourself," he said through gritted teeth. "I’m not giving in just because a bunch of old men told me to."
"The mating ritual is not up for discussion, Zen," Lance said immediately
"I didn’t say it was. I never disagreed, did I?," Zen replied, shrugging. "I’ll be back before the ceremony, like you’ve ordered."
Lance’s jaw tightened. "We also need to break the slave bond before that," he said, each word clear and heavy.
Zen’s smile returned, slow and knowing. "Ah," he said softly, "so this isn’t just about the ceremony, is it?"
Lance shot him a sharp look, but Zen held his gaze, and said in a low voice, "Did you see how beautiful she was just now? Tell me you didn’t want to claim her. The way she fits with us... the way she moves with us, the way she gives in at the smallest touch as if she belongs... I feel it, Lance. Every time I look at her, every time she responds to me, it pulls me closer, ties me to her in a way I won’t let go of. This was the kind of relationship I thought I would have with my mate. But that is not possible. However, she may not be our fated mate, but if the Moon goddess has chosen this destiny for us then so be it. I will never agree to break this bond."
"You think she gives you more comfort than your fated mate?" Lance shot back, disbelief written across his face. "Are you listening to yourself, Zen? This is exactly why this bond needs to be broken. It’s clouding your judgment! This is a space bokd and not a mate one. But look at yourself! You’re not even thinking of Ramona. At this time, you should be with her. Instead, you are-"
"With her?" Zen cut in sharply as he answered in a cold voice. "Should I be wary in my own home, Lance? Wary that my mate might drug me and force me to be close to her instead of trying to fix what’s broken between us?"
Lance froze as his expression shifted. "What are you talking about?" he asked slowly, his shock clear across his face. "What do you mean, Ramona drugged you?"
Zen scoffed, his voice dripping with derision. "Why don’t you go and check it out yourself? If she hasn’t washed the glasses yet, you might find traces of what she tried to give me."
Lance shook his head in disbelief. "Are you sure about this, Zen?"
"When have I ever said anything without being sure?" Zen snapped. "If I hadn’t seen her do it and taken an antidote I wouldn’t be standing here talking to you right now. I’d probably be balls-deep in that ass, Kael was just playing with and probably hurting the poor little fire."
Of course Zen didn’t mention that he had not really seen her do it but in fact had a flash of it. And as always, he had hoped that it would turn out to be false.
Lance’s face hardened, the mix of anger and worry clear in his eyes, but Zen only gave him a smirk and stepped back, his tone back to his usual nonchalant one . "I’ll go inside now. If you have anything else to say, talk to yourself for all I care."
Without waiting for a response, he then turned and walked toward the cabin.
He might have decided to set up that scene for Lance but the truth of it was, he did indeed intend to spend the night with her and say goodbye...
Inside the house, Zen paused at the doorway. The air inside was quiet, dimly lit by the glow of a single lamp on the bedside table. His gaze landed on the bed, and he almost laughed at what he saw.
Kael was pulling the blanket up, settling himself beside Emira. She was asleep, or rather unconscious from the Kael’s ministrations. He watched his brother move carefully, his usual stiffness gone, replaced by something else, but did not comment. There was no need to rush some things.
Instead, he raised an eyebrow, leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms. His lips curved as he spoke through their mental link, his tone dripping with amusement. "Are you really planning to break the no-night rule, brother?"
He watched as Kael froze for a second, then gave him a look that was half annoyance, half resignation as he answered back, "I didn’t want to leave her alone after what happened earlier. "The simulation takes a toll on her. You’ve seen it yourself."
Zen’s smile widened slightly and he didn’t bother to hide the teasing glint in his eyes as he stepped inside. He wanted to point out that since he was here, she was not alone anymore and Kael could leave as always but he kept his mouth shut.
Instead, he circled the bed and slipped onto the other side, and watched in amusement as she rolled over to his side, due to the sudden dip in the mattress...
Kael gave him a quick look of warning, but Zen ignored it. He adjusted the blanket, his gaze flicking between his brother and the sleeping Emira and he tucked her in wordlessly.
It was now upto Kael, whether he wanted to stay or not... Her scent lingered in the air- faint but intoxicating - and for a moment, Zen simply basked in it.
Then, he turned his head and asked his brother," Kael... do you think that a wolf can make a mistake when recognising their mate?"