Chapter Four: Snow, Silence, and Second Chances

Meeva's pov

The roads were smoother than I expected, and his people, even more welcoming. At first, I had assumed that being an omega would cause an immediate uproar. But it didn't.

I still felt prickles of doubt, even with the way my wolf felt super safe with him. But trust your instincts they said.

Goddess, I hope this wasn't another bad decision.

______

The carriage came to a stop hours later, greeted by snow-dusted pines and a towering gate carved from ancient darkwood, a rare unique tree. Etched into it was the Brawnstorm crest, a storm-wolf howling into the wind.

“This is it,” Kael said, climbing out before turning to offer his hand again. “Home.”

I hesitated.

The air was colder than I was used to, but the chill wasn’t what made me shiver, it was the quiet.

No scolding voices.

No sharp footsteps down polished halls.

No Jared.

Just wind and snow, and him.

I took his hand.

His people bowed their heads respectfully as we passed through the gates. None looked away in disgust, none wrinkled their noses at my scent.

The Alpha house we walked into was full of warmth. A hearth burned in nearly every room. The walls were lined with furs and woven tapestries. It didn't look as bad as the rumors of the North told.

Kael guided me to a wing on the top floor.

“You’ll stay here,” he said, pausing by a door. “It’s yours now. For as long as you want it.”

The words settled in my chest like a soft blanket. No commands like, 'you’re mine, not this is where you belong'. Just....if you want it.

Inside, the room was warm and cozy.

A fire already crackled in the stone hearth, and a tray of steaming broth and bread waited on the table.

“Your people...” I began, unsure of how to word it. “They’re not bothered by me being omega?”

Kael shrugged off his coat, hanging it by the door. “I am their Alpha. And now you are under my protection. That’s all that matters to them.”

“But I’m not.... strong,” I admitted. “Not the way a mate of your standing should be.”

He stepped close, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear.

“Strength isn’t always loud, Meeva.”

I swallowed. “And what if I’m wrong again? What if this.... you....is another mistake?”

Kael didn’t answer immediately. He stepped back, giving me space.

“Then whenever you feel that choosing me was a mistake, you can leave. I won’t hold you here.”

I blinked. His answer was gentle, honest, and hit harder than any promise ever could.

My wolf, quiet all this while, stirred beneath my skin.

He means it.

I nodded slowly, curling my hands into the sleeves of the cloak someone had left for me on the bed. “I’ll stay, for now.”

Kael smiled, the tension in his shoulders easing.

“Then rest. Eat. Heal. And tomorrow, I’ll show you the North as it truly is.”

_____

I didn't know when I had drifted off to sleep, but for the first time in a while, I hadn't cried myself to sleep. I yawned and turned, the room was dark and I felt alarmed when I realized that I wasn't alone.

I quickly rolled off the bed and grabbed the hairpin holding up my bun.

"Who is there?"

I heard a stammer, the hairpin shook in my hands.

And then a tall man sat up, he had a muscly build and a bald head with a ponytail in its middle.

"Do not be alarmed." He said.

My eyes drifted to the giant katana he held; the blade was sharp. In fact, one swing could....

I held my neck, instinctively screaming. Calling out for Kael. He busted through the doors,

"What is the matter?" He asked.

The bald man appeared surprised, he placed a hand on Kael's shoulder,

"I think I might've accidentally alarmed your mate."

Kael paused, taking in the scene and my expression.

"Oh, my apologies," he came towards me, placing a comforting kiss on my neck.

Let's just ignore the fact that the space between my legs pulsed. Now, back to the intruder in my space.

I stood there, frozen, the hairpin was still trembling between my fingers, staring at the stranger in my room. My instincts screamed danger, but Kael’s presence brought a wave of calm.

The man slowly got to his feet, “I did not mean to scare her,” he said again, his tone even, respectful. “She was murmuring in her sleep. Seemed unsettled. I only came to check if she was alright.”

Kael sighed. “Meeva, this is Onko. My uncle. He raised me. Like a father.”

My fingers loosened around the pin. “Oh.... I .... I didn’t know. I’m sorry, I thought-"

“You were right to protect yourself,” Onko said gently, inclining his head. “The North has its dangers. I am not one of them though.” A bell rang softly in the hallway then. Onko turned towards the sound. “That’s my cue. I’ll give you both some space.” With a nod at Kael, the big man slipped out.

Kael watched him go, then turned to me, a smirk tugging at his lips. “So....you thought a hairpin would save you from a katana?”

“I panicked,” I mumbled, cheeks burning. “It was either that or throw a pillow.”

“Do you have any combat training at all?”

“Some. Once or twice. But I’m not exactly.... deadly.”

“We’ll change that,” he said, eyes glinting with mischief. “Might even make a warrior out of you if you want.”

I rolled my eyes, but before I could respond, a sudden wave of heat rolled through me. My legs buckled, and I clutched the bedpost, dizzy. My skin burned, and I felt like I was boiling from the inside out.

Kael was at my side instantly. “It’s the bond,” he said, guiding me to sit. “What’s left of your tie to Jared....it’s breaking completely. You’ll feel this for a few days. Fever, disorientation. But whatever you need, I'll call the physicians and I'll be here to help.”

I nodded weakly, wiping sweat from my brow. “So, after this, I’ll really be free?”

“Yes,” he said softly. “Not even a single connection to him."

That was enough for me.

Later, when I felt steady enough, I asked Kael to show me the North, as he promised. He agreed without hesitation, offering his arm like a proper gentleman, which made me laugh a little.

We walked through the hallways, past stone-carved pillars and fur-draped corners. The Northern stronghold was not just warm, it was alive with history.

As we turned through a corridor, something made me pause in my tracks.

A painting.

The famed Wolf King.

He sat on a throne carved from mountain stone, surrounded by warriors. And his face, stern, proud, noble, was a face I had seen before.

Kael.

Someone that he shared a resemblance to in aura.

I turned to him,

“The rumors said that he was your father.”

Kael’s gaze flicked to the painting.

“People say a lot of things.”

“If the rumors are true,” I whispered, “that you're the Wolf King’s son.... then are the other rumors true too?”

His silence stretched for long. Too long in fact.

I looked back at the painting, recalling the rumors of possession, of a power not entirely his own.