21. The Garden

Max

My wolf growleddeep in my chest, goading me to listen in on Demi and Calia's conversation, but I refused. It was beyond rude, even if it was killing me not to know what Demi was saying. So instead, I stared into the tree line, forcing all my energy into assessing nonexistent threats.

I had so many things to think about right now—Lady Morana's failing health, Calia's pregnancy, lots of visitors, and an impending funeral— but my mind kept pulling back to Demi.

I still didn't understand what I did wrong.

Unable to help myself, I glanced up at the gazebo and immediately locked eyes with my stunning omega. Demi's irises dilated as she stared back, and her nipples grew, pushing through the thin fabric of her pretty green dress. Her cheeks were blushed and her wet lips parted, with her golden braid falling down one shoulder.

Fuck, she was stunning.

"Max." Kade placed his heavy hand on my shoulder, my whole body jolted at being caught off guard. "Focusing that hard on the rose bushes?" he snorted, as embarrassment set in.

A good warrior is never caught unaware.

"What can I do for you, sir?" I asked, peeling my eyes off of Demi.

I expected to receive Kade's usual happy greeting, but the older alpha looked somber. Stressed. I knew what he was going to say before he even opened his mouth.

"The Pack Alpha's mother has passed away."

My muscles went tight as my wolf let out a traditional death howl within me. "I'll pray for Davon tonight." I bowed my head. "I'll ask the Moon to heal his heart quickly."

Kade's mouth pulled into a tight line, giving me a small nod. Davon wasn't very close to his mother, and hadn't been for years. But grief was a fickle beast, and you never knew how hard it would grip you until it was too late.

"I think the Pack Alpha is more worried about his mate right now." Kade turned his attention to the gazebo. Both omegas continued to chat, talking softly. "The Luna is further along than we initially thought."

"I noticed the curve in her belly."

Kade's dark eyes swept around the garden. "I'm sure a few of the staff have noticed. It's only a matter of time before that news travels beyond our borders."

"I've already reassigned Karis for added security." I hitched a thumb back at the packhouse. "She's finishing out her shift today, and starting tomorrow, she'll be helping me watch over Demi."

Kade drew his head back, scrunching his face up with confusion. "Demi?"

"Luna Calia," I said. "I meant the Luna, of course." Heat cut across my face, and my fists curled tight. What the fuck was wrong with me? It was a shameful slip-up.

"Maxwell," Kade's voice was deep, almost fatherly. "I understand you and Demi have, or had something going on, but you can't be distracted in this line of work. The Luna's life could depend on it."

"Yes, sir. My apologies." I stood a little taller, my head spinning. "I know what my job is here, sir. I am completely focused and committed to the Luna and her safety. Not her maiden."

Kade let out a sigh, then he leaned in. "I know it's none of my business, but it seems you two have cooled on one another?" His dark eyes drifted from me to the gazebo and back again. "I know Casin has a long history of not mating omegas in favor of alpha pairings, but Demi would be a good mate. You might want to reconsider."

"It's not me," I said with a heavy sigh. "I want Demi, but she doesn't want my mating bite." I didn't know why I was sharing something so personal, but I had to talk to someone about it. It was eating me up.

"She doesn't know what she wants." Kade snorted loudly. "Omegas rarely do."

"All due respect," I said, trying to quiet my wolf, "but Demi isn't a pup going through her transition for the first time. She's a grown woman who has lived as a beta for many years. She knows her own mind."

"She's a newly presented omega on the verge of her first heat," he said matter-of-factly. "And while I don't have a lot of experience with omegas, I'm confident she'll be begging for your bite soon enough."

I shook my head, not wanting her to accept me out of a biological need. I needed her to want me. To love me. "It"s not that simple."

Kade's dark eyes slipped over my face. He took in my tight posture and the dark circles under my eyes. "You two got into a fight. Didn't you?"

My brows shot up, a little surprised at his guess. "How did you know?"

"You forget that I was mated once." He gave me a pointed look, before glancing up at the gazebo. Demi was staring right at us, but the second our eyes met, she let out a squeak and looked the other way.

"I know the eyes of an angry woman when I see them." Kade chuckled deep in his chest. "Give her some time. She'll come around."

"She told me she didn't need an alpha to make her body function properly. That she didn't need me to mate her out of pity." I was sharing way too much, but I couldn't stop myself.

"Pity?" Kade's brows shot up, just as surprised as I was when she said it to me.

"I have no idea where she got that idea." I pinched the bridge of my nose. "One second we're talking about mating due to her advanced age, then the next thing I know she's kicking me out of her home."

"Advancedage?" Kade's mouth fell open, and I nodded. "You really said advancedage?" He repeated slower this time, as if trying to get me to see the stupidity of my own words, but he clearly wasn't seeing what I was trying to say.

"I didn't mean it like that." My agitation grew, frustrated with how poorly I was explaining myself. "I simply wanted to be practical. Demi's age and her late transition are both concerning. If she died because she went into her heat while unmated…" I let out a pained breath. "It would kill me."

"Max," Kade shook his head, clearly exasperated with me. "My friend." He placed his hand on my shoulder, squeezing. "You proposed a lifetime commitment to a frightened omega by telling her she's old and dying?"

Shit.

I went quiet, realizing how badly I fucked up.

"It didn't sound like that at that moment." All sensation drained from my face. I had to fix this.

"You're still young," Kade said in his most fatherly tone. "Saying silly things can be forgivable. But that omega," he pointed up at the gazebo, "is not going to forgive you without a fair bit of groveling."

Fear crept in, and I squeezed my hands together. "How do I do that?" I was desperate for his advice.

Kade patted my back. "I'd start with flowers and end on your knees."

I stared at the trimmed, green lawn, trying to sort through my next steps.

"Or maybe she'll kill you before you get the chance," Kade said, and I looked up.

Demi walked slowly toward us, her small feet sinking into the lush grass. "I'm so sorry to interrupt," she said with a quick bow to Kade, "but I was wondering if I could have a word in private with Alpha Max."

My wolf roared with excitement, but my priorities were simple while on duty. "I'm so sorry, Omega Demi," I tucked my hands behind my back to keep from grabbing her, "but I can't leave my station."

"Go on," Kade spoke up. "I'll sit with the Luna." Before I could protest, Kade winked at me, then strolled toward Calia, leaving me alone with Demi.