Chapter 27 TWENTY SEVEN

Chapter 27 TWENTY SEVEN
ILYANA’S POV

“Kael, is that you?”

The alpha king halted for a minute before he turned back to me. I could not make his face out in the dimly lit hallway, but I knew it was him. He took five light steps, stopping in front of me with a forced, stretched smile.

“Did I disturb you? I had no idea you were sleeping.”

“No… no…” I quickly replied, stepping further from the door. “I was in the shower. I had to take one after…”

I let the rest of the words trail off, and he nodded, understanding. His gaze was hot and piercing on me, and I looked down instantly.

“Do you want to take a walk with me?” he asked, and my heart skipped a beat.

I looked up at him, only to quickly look away again. “O… of course…” I stuttered, and I was about to step out before remembering the towel I had wrapped around my hair.

“Let me quickly drop this.”

I removed it, dropping it on the table before stepping back outside. My heart was beating quickly—faster than it ever had—as I shut the door.

“Shall we?”

I nodded, and we walked side by side, a terrifying silence hanging between the two of us. I locked my fingers in front of me, playing and toying with them as different thoughts of what this could mean swirled in my head.

What does taking a walk mean? What would he say? Was it about the way he touched me before? Should I say something?

“Maybe ask about Lucienne’s wound,” Elara whispered.

I had just opened my mouth to ask when his voice cut in, hoarse and smooth,

“I’m sorry for what happened tonight.” he started, and something stilled inside of me.

We stepped outside the packhouse, the cool night air settling softly against my skin.

“It’s okay,” I said quietly. “It’s not your fault.”

“I know you didn’t do it.”

I glanced at him, a bit shocked by his response. I was glad he knew I did not do it, but how did he know? I could have done it and lied.

“How?” I asked, intrigued.

He glanced at me and our eyes met. “Because I know Lucienne. And I know you,” he replied.

I halted, a frown settling between my brows. He noticed I stopped and did the same, turning back to me.

“Ilyana, are you okay?”

My frown deepened as I let his words settle. Something about him saying I know you did not sit right with me. I bit my inner lip, daring and undaring myself to speak. Misha’s words rang in my head again.

What’s the worst he’ll do?

“Do you…” my voice came out tiny, barely audible in the cool night air, “Do you think you know me, Kael?”

He swallowed, the movement of his throat visible, and something shifted in his face. Guilt settled in—raw and heavy—and his voice was rough when he replied,

“I don’t.”

Hurt spread across my chest, and I gathered every ounce of courage to look at him—to let my gaze linger instead of just glancing. I did not expect him to say anything more, and I was surprised when he continued.

“But I want to know you,” he said. “I admit that at the beginning of bringing you to the pack, I did not care much about what you would do or how you would do it. I just wanted an heir from you. And that was wrong of me.”

“Because you’re my mate. And I cannot deny the mate bond.” He stopped, his eyes searching mine, but my entire body had frozen because of his words.

He cannot deny the mate bond.He feels something for me.

“I want to know you, Ilyana,” he said, taking a step toward me. “I want to know your favorite color, what you like to do, things you would like to try in the pack, and how I can make this better for you.”

I could not breathe. Could not think. This felt like something out of a book I once read in the pack, when the male character confesses his feelings to the female character. But this was different. Kael was not confessing love, but he was confessing something that made my entire body warm and sent blood rushing to my cheeks, staining them red.

A soft silence settled in the air as I blushed, fidgeting with my fingers. I did not know what to say or how to respond.

“We should head back. It’s getting late,” he said, and I quickly nodded as we turned back toward the packhouse.

His words continued to echo in my mind through the silence. I wanted to say something—anything—but my thoughts felt locked away.

“I also…” I started.

“Do you have any—”

We both spoke at the same time, our eyes briefly meeting as my cheeks reddened further in embarrassment. I gathered the rest of my courage to speak before he could.

“I also want to know you more, Kael,” I muttered shyly. My gaze flicked to his face, and I instantly froze.

He was blushing.

The alpha king—Kael—was blushing, grinning from ear to ear. My mind could not comprehend it as I stared at him. For the first time since arriving at the pack, there was something different beneath his usual cold mask.

A blush.

He turned toward me. “Is everything okay?”

“Y… yes,” I stuttered in response, hurrying to join him as we entered the packhouse.

“Do you have any hobbies?” he asked.

I shook my head. “Nope. I was an omega. Omegas are not allowed to have hobbies.”

“And who made that rule?”

I frowned. “The alphas of the pack. Omegas are not allowed anything other than their work. No time to play or wander around. That is how they do it. Only the alphas are allowed to have something they love.”

“Do you have something you love doing?” he asked as we entered the packhouse, and my heart skipped a beat.

“Yes.”

“Tell me.”

We were already in front of my room when he stopped, turning to face me fully, and my breath hitched. Every inch of his gaze was on my face—intense and focused. I swallowed nervously. My heart began to pound again, fast and unsteady, and I lowered my eyes to the floor as I spoke, my voice small.

“When I was young, I used to want to have my own garden. I love seeing flowers and tending to them. But I could not, because I was an omega. I could not even see flowers—the only time I could was during spring, when they bloomed. And most of the packs I lived in did not have gardens open to omegas.”

I looked up and met his eyes, only for my chest to tighten. He was looking at me with something different.

Pity. I should like it, enjoy it but it only made me feel awful, like I was something pitiable.

I forced out a small laugh, shame churning inside of me from the way he was staring. “It’s all gone now. I was stupid and eager and forgot my place. I don’t care about all of that now.” I rambled on, hoping it would stop and end everything. “One time I sneaked into the garden just to see a flower, and the lady saw me and I was punished. It’s not an omega place to want something. 

I had no idea what I was saying or if the words made sense, all I wanted was for this to end. My eyes were drifting anywhere besides his face, the shame piling more and more.

“Ilyana—”

“I mean, it’s fine. I don’t really think…” My heart was racing anxiously again.

His hand came up suddenly, firm on my chin and lifting my face before I could finish. Everything stopped, the words, my brain, everything shutting down as I stared into his deep eyes.

“You’re not stupid for wanting something. And I don’t care that you’re an omega. You’re my mate.”

Warmth spread through my chest, chasing all the shame and guilt I was feeling. He leaned closer, pressing his lips to my forehead before bringing it down to my lips,“Goodnight, Ilyana,” he whispered.