Chapter Eight
Joseph
I step out of the main building and into the crisp, open air of the estate grounds, my boots crunching softly against the gravel path. Ahead of me, I catch sight of Adriel and Danae disappearing into the gardens. Her red hair gleams under the sunlight, and she walks with a calmer air now, a marked difference from the anger that radiated off her after her talk with Silas.
At least someone is making her feel welcome . Adriel has that way about him, the uncanny ability to charm anyone, to make them feel like they’re the center of his world. It’s a sharp contrast to Silas’ cold, often cutting demeanor. It’s good that she’s seeing another side of the family.
I turn back toward the house, my thoughts lingering briefly on her. The way she carries herself. She’s tall, poised, commanding attention without even trying is something I hadn’t expected. And the way Silas had spoken to her earlier, well, it’s not my place to judge, but it wasn’t kind.
When I return to the office, Silas is at his desk, nursing a glass of whisky like it’s the only thing keeping him grounded. He doesn’t even look up when I enter.
“Adriel’s back,” I announce, stepping closer.
That gets his attention. He glances up. “Oh, he’s early. Where is he?”
“With Ms. Walker,” I reply. “He’s showing her around the estate.” I pause, letting the words sink in before adding, “Seems to have taken quite the interest in her. Kissed her hand when they met.”
For a brief moment, I catch something. A flicker, a hint of emotion, sharp and unguarded in Silas’ expression. Jealousy? Irritation? Whatever it is, it’s gone almost as quickly as it appeared, replaced by his usual mask of indifference.
He lets out a quiet sigh, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. “Adriel,” he mutters. “He still finds his amusement in the oddest of places.”
The comment makes me stiffen, but I hold my tongue. It’s no secret that Silas isn’t fond of Omegas, but this feels particularly harsh, even for him.
I nod curtly and step out of the office, biting back the urge to say something.
Outside, the sun hangs lower in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the estate. I see Adriel and Danae emerging from the gardens. Adriel strolls ahead, looking every bit the picture of charm and ease, while Danae walks beside him, her earlier anger seemingly forgotten.
Adriel reaches me first, clapping me on the shoulder with a grin. “She’s all yours now,” he says, his tone light and playful. “Don’t say I didn’t help turn that frown upside down.”
He saunters off without another word, leaving me with Danae.
She looks at me, her green eyes steady. “Thank you,” she says softly.
“For what?” I ask, falling into step beside her as I lead her toward the guest wing.
“For being different,” she says, a small smile tugging at her lips as she jokes, “Adriel is quite intense as well, but definitely you both are much nicer than Silas. Now, if only I was marrying one of you instead.”
“Silas will come around,” I tell her, though even I’m not sure if I believe it.
But imagine .
Her words settle in my chest, making my mind race with thoughts that I know I shouldn’t have but can’t help but lose myself to.
Ever since she stepped out of that aircraft, I haven’t stopped thinking about the way the light plays off her hair, the way her presence seems to fill the space around her. There’s an elegance to her, a strength that goes beyond her stature. It’s in everything about her. It’s in the way she spoke back at Silas, and it’s filling me with an urge to hold her, to bind her.
Focus.
I shove down the thoughts that threaten to surface. She has enough to deal with. Silas, Adriel, this entire situation. She doesn’t need me adding to it.
We reach her room, and I gesture to the door. “The maids will take care of anything you need,” I say, stepping back slightly.
She nods, her smile soft but genuine. “Thank you, Joseph.”
I watch her disappear into the room before turning on my heel and heading back to Silas’ office. The air inside feels heavier now, the mood even more serious than before.
Adriel is there when I enter, lounging casually on the couch with a drink in hand. Mr. and Mrs. Jorg are seated nearby, their expressions sharp and calculating as always. Silas sits at his desk, his face unreadable as he sips his whisky.
“Adriel,” Mrs. Jorg says. “I wasn’t expecting you so soon.”
Adriel grins, leaning back lazily. “I had to see it to believe it. How did you two manage to convince Silas to pick a mate?” He glances at Silas, his smirk widening. “An Omega, no less.”
Mr. Jorg lets out a sigh, his frustration clear. “Convince him? We didn’t convince him of anything. He chose her just to spite us.”
“That’s enough,” Silas says quietly, his voice cutting through the room like a blade.
But Mr. Jorg presses on. “We gave him a long list of excellent matches, and he picks a recessive Omega from halfway across the world. It’s absurd.”
“She’s not even from Howls Peak,” Mrs. Jorg adds, her voice laced with disdain, her words directed at Silas. “She’s unfamiliar with our ways. Are you sure she’ll even make it through the Union ceremony?”
Adriel chuckles, setting his glass down. “She may be recessive, but that doesn’t mean she’s physically weak. I’m sure she’ll do fine.”
Their parents exchange a look, their doubt palpable.
“She’s been around dainty women all her life,” their father says. “Omegas from her city are delicate. She’s nothing like the women here.”
“She’s adequate,” Silas says suddenly, his tone flat. He doesn’t look up from his drink, but there’s a steeliness in his voice. “She’s about as big as the Omegas here. She’ll be fine.”
Mrs. Jorg leans forward slightly, her eyes narrowing. “You’ll need to spend more time with her before the ceremony. Her family arrives in a week. If you spend time with her, you’ll see that you’re not compatible. There’s still time to choose someone more suitable.”
I see it then, clear as day, the anger in Silas’ eyes. It’s subtle, but I have seen that look countless times, simmering beneath the surface.
He sets his glass down with a sharp clink. “I see,” he says slowly, his voice dangerously calm. “You’re trying to push me toward one of your preferred matches despite telling me that I may have my pick as long as it was an Omega. Is that no longer enough for you?”
His parents frown, knowing he’s right, but they don’t give up.
Silas stands, his movements deliberate, and meets his mother’s gaze. “Fine. I’ll spend more time with her and prove that we’re very much compatible.”
The room falls silent, the weight of his words hanging in the air.
Adriel breaks the simmering atmosphere with a laugh, standing, and stretching. “Ah, family matters. Just as I remember them.” He waves a hand dismissively. “I’m going to take a nap. Wake me if something interesting happens.”
With that, he’s gone, leaving the rest of us behind.
Mr. and Mrs. Jorg exchange a few quiet words before leaving as well, their disapproval still evident on their faces as they walk out.
I’m left alone with Silas, the quiet hum of the whisky bottle the only sound in the room.
Now’s my chance to say something.
“You’re going to drag her into this just to spite them,” I say finally, my voice low.
Silas looks at me, his expression cold. “She’ll survive.”
“Does she deserve this?” I press. “It’s not fair to use her to get back at them and treat her unkindly.”
He smirks, leaning back in his chair. “If she needs someone to treat her kindly, that’s what you’re here for.”
I frown, but before I can respond, he adds, “And don’t act so high and mighty, Joseph. We both know you’re not exactly gentle with your lovers.”
This jab lands, and I feel a flicker of something dark stir inside me. He’s not wrong, but this is different.
“That is not the same thing,” I say firmly.
I know exactly what he means by that. I’m indeed not a gentle lover. I like to tie up my partners. I love the thrill that comes with dominating them. I get goosebumps all over at the sight of my lover bound, looking at me like helpless prey as I take them to the absolute edge of ecstasy.
Maybe it’s because of all that bullying from when I was little, and now I like to be the one in charge. Or maybe it has nothing to do with that. Whatever the case, that’s not what we’re talking about right now, and Silas knows it.
Silas raises an eyebrow, his smirk deepening as he sees his words have struck a bit of a nerve. He picks up his glass, swirling the whisky. “Adriel’s here too. He’ll treat her nice. You already know what I think about Omegas.”
I shake my head, knowing better than to push him further. Silas is nothing if not stubborn.
As I leave the office, my thoughts return to Danae. She doesn’t deserve this, any of it. I can only hope she’s strong enough to weather the storm that’s coming her way.