CHAPTER 32: THINK

"You are quite pleased with your gift, hmm?" Prince Zen spoke softly after the little Omega had darted out of the cabin as if the hounds from hell were chasing her, once his brother had commanded her to leave. His voice carried a teasing lilt, low enough that only his brother could hear.

Zen watched Kael, his head leaned back in his chair, a slow smile tugging at his lips. He looked down at his own bracelet as he allowed himself to feel the lingering warmth on his wrist where the thin thread still rested. He had not expected this.

That the little Omega would be brave enough—or foolish enough—to get so close, to kneel before him and Kael and tie something around their wrist with those trembling fingers. And yet she had.

More unexpectedly, he actually liked the gift.

When Kael gave no reply, only the faintest curve of his mouth in a knowing smirk, Zen could not resist teasing him further.

"You scare the poor little fire to death," Zen drawled, cracking one eye open to look at his brother, "when clearly you wanted her gift."

Kael finally turned his head, molten gold eyes meeting his younger brother’s, though he still said nothing. The smirk deepened only for a moment before fading, replaced by a thoughtful expression. Then his voice came, not aloud, but quietly into Zen’s mind.

"What do you think she is up to now?"

Zen straightened slightly, frowning at the tone.

"What do you mean?" he asked back, puzzled.

"You don’t think Emira is going to let go so easily, do you?" Kael’s voice carried a weight of certainty, as though he could already see the storm coming. "She turns eighteen the day after tomorrow. We leave tomorrow morning. That means the moment she comes of age, the protection ends. She will be free game. And that little Omega is no fool. She will find a way to escape before that happens."

Zen stilled, the teasing mood gone. He had deliberately pushed the thought to the back of his mind, had not wanted to consider what would happen after midnight tomorrow.

Because once her heat began, if her pack had any sense of honour, someone would have stepped forward to give her temporary protection—a claim to keep her safe until she either found her true mate or was bonded for life. That was the way it was supposed to be for the Omegas.

But Moonville Pack... Zen’s mouth tightened. He had already seen enough in the few days here to know better. None of the Omegas in this pack had true mates. Not one. As though the Alpha himself preferred it that way, as though denying bonds was some twisted game to keep everyone weak and divided.

A pack like this did not deserve loyalty. They were breaking their own bloodline without realizing it. A true Alpha-Omega bond created stronger wolves, stronger heirs, stronger generations. He had never seen a pack so intent on destroying its own future. But the reality was that most packs did this. Because of the old myth... The Omega’s curse.

Zen’s hand drifted back to the thread on his wrist, the tiny stone brushing against his skin. Coming back to his brother’s question, he felt the corner of his mouth lift slowly.

He thought he knew exactly what the little Omega might try. And if she did what he suspected... oh, then he would be very, very pleased.

But she would regret it later. He was sure of that.

"I wouldn’t like the little fire half as much if she simply accepted her ’fate,’" Zen said at last, his voice quiet but carrying amusement. "If she plans to defy it... then let her. I want to see what she does."

Kael’s gaze shifted to him sharply before he spoke again. "And how will you see what she does? We leave tomorrow. At any cost. Teacher Shim will not tolerate any delay. He is already furious. You know that."

Zen’s face tightened at the name. Teacher Shim had been furious enough already when he discovered the ’method’ they had used to scramble Alec Soier’s memories. The man had not held back. His words had been harsh one after another until there was nothing left to defend.

Not that Zen had intended to defend himself. Those days were long gone—the days when Teacher Shim could make them submit with nothing more than a command or a glare. Whatever hold the old man once had over them had broken years ago. The only reason they still let him hover around, offering his endless advice and criticism, was because of their oldest brother.

Lance.

Older by only a few minutes, yet he carried the title of Alpha of the Stormhold Pack and Crown Prince of the entire kingdom. And while Lance possessed every virtue the court liked to praise—strength, discipline, loyalty, even a sense of justice that made the councilors nod approvingly—there was one thing he had always lacked.

Patience.

Especially when it came to people who annoyed him.

If old Teacher Shim, with his talent for nagging and lecturing, had been left behind in the pack while they were away, Zen had no doubt what they would find upon their return. Their eldest brother would have buried the man six feet under out of sheer irritation. And knowing Lance, he might not even have waited for the old man to stop talking before doing it.

Probably alive.

A corner of Zen’s mouth lifted at the thought, but it faded as quickly as it came. Right now, he was tempted to ship the man back himself. Teacher Shim had crossed a line today. His eyes narrowed at the memory. The old man had actually taken out his temper on the little Omega and kick her.

His irritation soon reached Kael who was especially sensitive to feelings and emotions, and looked at him sharply," What is it? Why are you so angry?"

Zen’s mouth tightened and he sighed," Brother. Teacher Shim is going to suffer."