Chapter Five: The Horse That Chose Me

Meeva's pov

He paused.

"Don't worry about careless spreading rumors. I am perfectly fine."

"Oh..." I didn't know how to respond after that. But maybe the rumors weren't true. Afterall, they had said the North was a horrid place but...

My eyes scanned the lush gardens we gazed at from afar. There was nothing horrid about this place.

At least not yet.

"You're......different," he randomly muttered. I was taken aback for a moment, unaware that it was his sharp resort to change the topic.

I blinked. “Different?”

Kael’s eyes didn’t leave the horizon. “From what I expected in a mate."

My chest tightened. “Because I’m omega?”

He turned to me then, gaze slowly and steady. “No, it's not that.”

He scratched his neck sheepishly, it intrigued me, how he could look so wicked and adorable at the same time. My eyes couldn't deter from the speckles of red in his.

"I've....been with a few women. And I assumed that they were my type. Gothic and thin stroked but looking at you, I am embarrassed that I ever thought that my type was that."

I didn't know what to respond with,

"Oh, okay....so like how many women?"

A grin stretched on his lips and I clasped my palm over my mouth. It wasn't in my place to ask,

"I'm sorry I just.... I didn't mean to, just forget I asked anything."

He simply nodded, still seemingly amused.

The rest of our walk was quiet, peaceful. He made a brief summary of how the dynamic in the Brawnstorm pack was and the time intervals at which some pack events would take place.

Sometimes I would get dizzy and slightly feverish, but he assured me that it was just the effects of the bond breaking off. My wolf stirred tiredly and I yawned feeling even more tired, after I had just woken up.

"Would you like to head back and rest?" He murmured handing me a water bottle, my palm had been in his and whenever he stroked my fingers with his thick long ones, my eyelids would close and relish in comfort.

"No, we can keep going. I really want to see the stables that you were talking about."

"You sound excited. Have you never seen one before?"

I nodded.

"Sometimes I can get very clumsy and Jared said our horses were imported and exotic so I shouldn't be found anywhere near them."

Kael's gaze dulled and his brows strung together tightly.

"Every Luna deserves to be given their own horse. You have strong omega genes meaning sometimes you'll experience emotional imbalance, having a pet or an emotional support animal helps."

I giggled.

"Stop making her feel hopeful, it's not like anyone would freely give me an exotic horse." I started working, this might have a new environment, but I knew where I stood. It wasn't heard anywhere that an omega had such a regal animal under their possession.

But apparently Kael didn't share that same traditional ideology.

Kael's steps slowed behind me,

"You will."

I turned to him. “I will what?”

He closed the space between us, and for a moment, I couldn’t tell if it was the new bond tugging or just him, just Kael.

“You will have a horse, Meeva. Not because you're my mate, not because you’re an omega. But because you want one. And here, that is enough.”

My lips parted. No words came. I didn’t know how to believe that. I had spent years tiptoeing, trying not to want much.

“I’m not.... used to being given things,” I admitted.

“Then get used to it,” he said gently, brushing a knuckle against my cheek. “Because I plan on giving you a lot.”

The heat that swelled in my chest was foreign, frightening even. I dropped my gaze and fidgeted with the edge of my sleeve.

We reached the stables minutes later. The scent of hay, and leather filled the space. Horses of all colors shifted in their pens, standing sleek and powerful. A few of them raised their heads as we stepped in, their ears twitching.

“They’re beautiful,” I murmured, in literal awe. I had never seen horses this pretty.

“They’re yours to learn,” Kael said. “Choose whichever one you feel drawn to.”

My heart stumbled. “Just like that?”

His eyes twinkled. “Just like that.”

I approached them slowly, letting instinct guide me. My wolf was a bit jealous, but nonetheless I felt it would choose too.

A pale mare with a silver mane nudged forward, her dark eyes were soft. I reached out, fingers trembling slightly as I touched her muzzle.

“She’s....”

“Valkyrie,” Kael said behind me. “She was found as a youngling in front of our borders. She is calm, sometimes naughty, and strong."

I nodded as the horse sniffed me, for a moment I thought that she would draw away or thump my head.

But instead, Valkyrie leaned into my touch.

Her warm breath puffed softly against my wrist, and I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding out of nervousness. She accepted me.

“She likes you,” Kael murmured, standing just behind me. “That’s wonderful. She doesn’t talk to strangers.”

“I’m not used to being liked by animals on first impression,” I whispered, still brushing her mane. “Most things back home is either bit or bolted.”

Kael chuckled slowly. “Then she must sense something good in you.”

“Or something wrong,” I muttered without thinking.

"I doubt it."

I turned, and we were too close.

Close enough that I felt the heat of his chest even through the thick layers between us.

Kael didn’t move away. His gaze was steady, searching, like he was trying to learn something from the lines on my face. His hand brushed a lock of hair away from my face.

“Kael....", I didn't know why I called his name.

“You keep looking at me like that, mate” he said, voice low, “and something sensual might happen in front of these stables. The horses might not mind watching," he teased.

I swallowed. “I'm not.... that easy to get."

I lied through my teeth, even the heavens knew that I could be incredibly naive.

Kael’s gaze dropped to my lips.

And then,

Thwack!

A sharp pain-filled grunt ripped from his throat.

I spun around just in time to see Valkyrie whip her tail and throw another threatening stomp in Kael’s direction.