Kael carried her past the border and into the pack grounds, the guard following right behind them.
Morvienne was light in his arms, trembling every now and then, her head still resting weakly against his shoulder.
A few pack members turned to look but quickly lowered their eyes when they saw their Alpha.
As they walked deeper, Kael spoke, the kind that was meant to soothe.
"We are almost there," he said quietly. "I'll take you to the pack hospital, or if you prefer, the healer can look at you instead. We have both here. One uses herbs and the old way, while the other... more modern medicine. You can choose."
But before he could take another step, Morvienne stiffened in his arms, her breathing quickening as she started shaking. She shook her head violently, refusing. "No," she gasped, her voice breaking. "No. No, no, no. Please, not the doctors, not the healers. Please don't. I don't want anyone."
Immediately, Kael stopped walking and the guard behind them stopped as well, watching with concern.
"Hey," he said softly, almost like a whisper as he looked down at her, his brows pulling together. "It's okay. I won't. You're safe."
Even on hearing that, she still trembled and clutched weakly at his shirt like she didn't believe him.
"I said I won't," he told her, adjusting his hold. "Calm down. No one is going to touch you."
Morvienne's shaking slowed a little and Kael exhaled slowly as he turned and looked at the guard beside them.
"Go," he said. "Return to your post."
The guard hesitated, glancing at the frightened omega in Kael's arms, but one look from Kael sent him moving. "Yes, Alpha," he quickly bowed and walked off.
Looking back down at the girl in his arms, Kael let out a soft breath and started walking, slower this time and careful not to startle her again.
The mansion doors swung open before he even reached them, the two guards on either side, straightening immediately, although their composure faltered and their eyes widened slightly the moment they saw who he was carrying.
"Open the doors wider," Kael commanded lowly and shot them a look, bringing them back from wherever they had decided to dwell.
At once, the guards moved, pushing the doors wider as he stepped through.
The maids were still there, arranging and chatting quietly until they noticed him. The moment they turned, the silence that fell was almost awkward. One of the maids froze with a vase still in her hand, while another blinked rapidly, her eyes darting from Kael to the pale, blood-stained girl resting in his arms, but no one spoke. They all just stared.
Despite noticing their reaction, Kael's expression remained unchanged and he started up the staircase, his boots making soft sounds against the floor.
Only after he had disappeared up the stairs did the whispers begin.
"Oh my goddess," one of the maids hissed, finally setting the vase down carefully. "Did you all see that? The Alpha. He... He was carrying her!"
"I thought I was seeing things!" Another one said, nearly dropping her rag. "He really was. Since when does Alpha Kael touch anyone, let alone an omega?"
"I know, right? He doesn't even look at people or talk much with people, less off carrying one around like that!"
"I agree," a third maid leaned in, eyes wide. "Do you think she's... you know?"
"What? His mate?"
"Shhh!" The others gasped, glancing up the stairs as if Kael might just appear out of nowhere. "Don't say that! You want to get fired? If the Alpha hears us, then we are all done for."
"But still," one whispered, "it looked like it, didn't it? The way he held her sooo careful. It was so... ouuu."
"Careful?" Another rolled her eyes but smiled. "He could carry a log of wood like that if he wanted. Well, I don't know, I don't know. Let's not come to any conclusions...yet, or maybe she is just a lost omega he found."
"Then why bring her here instead of the healer's house? or the pack's hospital?"
That made them pause, then the first maid grinned knowingly. "Because she's special, obviously."
This made them all burst into muffled giggles, quickly pretending to go back to work when they heard footsteps echo somewhere above.
"Alright, alright. Enough gossip," one muttered, swatting the other with a rag. "Let's finish up before someone hears us."
"Yeah," another said, still smiling. "But if he brings her down for breakfast tomorrow. I swear I won't be able to close my mouth."
At that, they laughed quietly again and scattered around the hall, still sneaking glances upstairs where their Alpha had just disappeared and where, for the first time in years, he had taken someone in with him.
Meanwhile, Kael passed his room without stopping and kept going until he reached a guest room further down the hall, a deliberate choice.
The guest rooms were always kept spotless, not that he was expecting anyone, but just in case.
Still holding her, he pushed the door open and stepped inside, leaving it slightly ajar behind them. Then, he moved toward the bed and bent slightly, wanting to lower her onto the sheets.
But before he could, her fingers tightened against his shirt, gripping him with a strength that surprised him. "W-where are we?" Morvienne asked, her voice, shaky but alert.
"You are safe," he said quietly, glancing down at her face as he paused. "This is the guest room in my home. I just want to lay you down so you can rest."
"B-but I'm dirty," she muttered and shook her head weakly, her voice cracking. "I'll.... I'll stain the sheets."
"That doesn't matter," Kael said after he had exhaled through his nose. "After you are cleaned up and checked on, I'll have someone change the sheets, alright? You can get a proper rest then. You need one."
He started to lower her again, but still, she clung tighter, not wanting to let go.
Kael stilled, his eyes meeting hers and for a moment something unreadable flickered between them. Then, in a low, calm tone, he said, "Be good."
The words weren't harsh, but they carried a little authority, and somehow it worked. Her grip loosened and she blinked at him, dazed.
"Good," he muttered as he finally laid her down on the bed, careful not to jostle her too much.