Page 10 of Framed and Forgotten
“Anytime, Alpha,” he replied with a small smile, his expression warmer than before. “Now, you want to actually spar, or should we call it a day?”
I let out a small laugh, feeling lighter than I had in hours. “Let’s call it a day. I think I’ve had enough fighting for now.”
With that, we made our way toward the exit, and though the path ahead was still unclear, I felt like I had at least one thing figured out: I wasn’t alone in this.
7
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A V R I L
Tomorrow,Koen told meshortly after I entered our room. He had arranged with Nerine to visit Elias the next day.
I didn’t expect it to happen so soon. Then again, it made sense - there was no reason to delay this father-son reunion - but I wasn’t ready. I didn’t know what to expect, and I wasn’t one to walk into a sketchy situation unprepared.
Before panic could take over, I forced myself to take a deep breath. I recalled my recent conversation with my beta, reminding myself there was no reason to be nervous. Koen and I had been tested time and time again, and our love had always persevered. This was just another challenge we would face and conquer together.
As if sensing my wavering confidence, my mate wrapped me in his arms and pulled me into a resolute, grounding kiss. It was all the reassurance I needed, steadying my resolve and chasing away my fears. Then, he took my hand, leading me out of the alpha chambers with a quiet certainty, as if he’d been doing it all his life. As if he intended to keep doing it until the day he died.
And I convinced myself that this would never change.
The hours slipped through my fingers like water, impossible to grasp. Tomorrow loomed closer with every tick of the clock. Before I could wrap my mind around it, the sun had risen, and we were in the car, speeding toward Crystal Pond.
Koen sat beside me, his gaze focused on the road ahead, his jaw tight with a mix of anticipation and nerves. His hands gripped the steering wheel just a little too hard. I watched him out of the corner of my eye, searching for a sign of hesitation or doubt. But there was none.
I wished I could say the same about myself.
The closer we got to Nerine’s pack, the more restless I felt. Kea paced around inside my head, wary. A bad feeling nagged at me, quiet but persistent, like a distant echo I couldn’t quite place. My thoughts spiraled, questions popping up as I tried and failed to anticipate what would happen next. Maybe Koen was ready to meet the son he never knew he had, but was I?
As if worrying about how to behave around my mate’s pup wasn’t enough, I also hesitated at the thought of being around his ex-wife and her family. Would they resent my presence? Probably. Nerine might have tried to appear mature by inviting me to tag along, but I struggled to believe she’d done it purely out of kindness. Did she have an ulterior motive for wanting me there? Were she and her uncle planning to belittle me for being an omega? Even if that wasn’t the truth, it was what they thought.
Although lengthy, the ride wasn’t nearly long enough for me to prepare myself for this afternoon. Sooner than I would’ve liked, we crossed the borders of Crystal Pond, where we werestopped by a group of sentinels. Upon confirming our identities, two of them shifted into their animal form to guide us through their peaceful, picturesque lands.
Aside from Whispering Hills, I’d never visited another pack. My only glimpses of other territories came from picture books. I had little to compare it to, but Crystal Pond was undeniably beautiful. Hidden within a dense forest, the towering trees gave way to a picturesque village with stone-paved streets and cottages draped in climbing ivy, their windows adorned with flower boxes overflowing with vibrant blooms. At the heart of the territory lay a pond with crystalline waters – the pack’s namesake.
As soon as we parked in front of the packhouse, Alpha Hector stepped outside to greet us. Koen got out first, helping me from the car before approaching the leader. They shook hands and exchanged a few words while I lingered slightly behind, feeling like an outsider. The man’s gaze flicked to me briefly, his expression neutral at first. Then, he offered a kind smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Nerine and Elias are waiting for us in the dining hall,” Hector announced. “Please, follow me.”
The alpha led us through the first floor of the packhouse down to the room at the end of the hallway. Pushing the golden double doors open, he revealed a luxurious, spacious room with a long table, fancy chairs, and a crystal chandelier. But I could barely admire the venue before my gaze settled on the only two people standing inside.
Nerine stood by the table, her son clinging to her legs. The moment she spotted Koen, her face lit up with a warm smile. Her attention flickered to me for just an instant, soon returning to him. Elias peeked out from behind his mother, his wide, curious green eyes hauntingly familiar.
My heart tightened at the sight.
“Koen,” Nerine greeted softly. “It’s good to see you again.”
My mate exhibited no sympathy for her, despite clearly trying to maintain a political relationship with his pup’s mother. Instead of replying - likely because he didn’t reciprocate her feelings - he simply nodded, moving toward the two with his eyes locked on the little boy.
When he was close enough, he crouched right in front of the pup, the corner of his lips turning with uncertainty, but also immeasurable fondness. “Hey, Elias.”
“Daddy!” Elias chanted, and I felt through the mate bond how it spread warmth through Koen. “You came back.”
“Yeah.” My mate’s grin brightened. “It took me a while, but I’m here now,” he reassured the little boy.
Even as I watched the cute, heartwarming scene, trying to accept that all of this was actually true was like a bucket of cold water.
Leaving her son and Koen to have a moment, Nerine stepped closer to me. She stretched her hand to me, and I tried not to let my hesitation show as I took it. Exchanging faint smiles, we pulled away from each other again.
