Vel had changed clothes. The plain, thin gown Erianne had brought seemed far too big for her petite frame, but at least she was no longer naked.
Erianne gently tied the back of the gown, her movements careful and full of concern.
Meanwhile, Kael stood with his back to them. The crackling of the fireplace was the only sound breaking the silence, mingling with the faint rustle of fabric brushing against skin.
But the silence could not drown out the noise in Kael's mind. His thoughts spun endlessly.
That girl. Who was she really? Why was her body covered in scars, like someone who had been tortured for years in a dungeon? Who could have done something so vile to someone so fragile? Were there other victims?
But out of all those questions, the one that truly unsettled him was ... her scent.
That scent was far too strong. Even now, from a fair distance, it pierced through his defenses and triggered something deep within him.
His lunaris kept reacting to her unconsciously. And it wasn't just some biological urge. It felt like desire. A raw, uncontrollable pull.
It confused Kael.
Because his lunaris had never reacted like this before. Not to any Omega. Let alone this intensely.
He took a slow breath, trying to suppress it, but that only made the scent settle deeper into his lungs.
Kael closed his eyes. This couldn't go on.
"Erianne," he said, his voice heavy. "Leave us for a moment."
Erianne turned, her brow raised slightly. "Why—"
"I won't try anything," Kael cut in, firm. "I just ... need to talk."
Erianne looked hesitant but eventually nodded. She brushed Vel's arm gently, then stepped out. The door closed behind her, leaving the two of them alone in a silence that now felt heavier than before.
Kael slowly turned around, facing Vel, who now sat at the edge of the sofa, fingers clutching the folds of her gown. Her head was down, eyes avoiding his.
The scent was still there. Wrapping the room in a soft warmth that made Kael's blood race.
He spoke carefully. "You .… "
The girl looked up slowly, her gaze wide and innocent as it met his, curious.
Kael continued, "Can you … stop it?"
Vel frowned. "Stop what?"
"Your scent."
He said it without hesitation, though his tone sounded almost like a plea.
Vel looked confused. Her eyes narrowed. "Scent?"
Kael swallowed. "Your lunaris scent … It's making mine react. That can be dangerous—especially around an Alpha like me. I'm sure you don't want to be marked forcefully by a stranger, do you?"
Vel still looked at him, utterly puzzled, as if she truly didn't understand what he meant.
"I'm sorry ... I don't know," she said at last.
Kael furrowed his brow. "You don't know how to suppress it? You were never taught to control it?"
Vel shook her head. "I don't know what I'm supposed to hide. I don't even understand what you mean .... "
Silence.
Kael stared at her intently, searching for any sign she was pretending. But there was none. Her confusion was genuine. Honest. Not a trace of pretense.
He exhaled sharply. Running a hand over his face, he sat in the chair across from her, calming himself.
"Do you know … that you're an Omega?" he asked softly.
Vel lowered her head. "Omega? ... What does that mean?"
She had heard the word before, vaguely, but didn't know what it truly was.
Silence wrapped around them again. Kael clenched his fists, holding back the flare of his nyx aura.
An Omega … who didn't even know she was an Omega?
In this world, the system was everything. Children were taught to recognize signs from an early age. Omegas, especially, were monitored closely. Rare ones even more so. They were valuable.
To not know she was an Omega meant she was never taught … or worse: it had been deliberately kept from her.
Kael felt a cold shiver run down his neck.
Erianne quietly entered again, as if sensing the conversation had ended. She glanced at Kael with a worried expression, then at Vel.
No one spoke for a moment.
Vel lowered her head, hugging her knees again. The gown slipped slightly from her shoulder. She looked like a lost child, thrown into a world she didn't understand.
Kael inhaled slowly, trying to calm the storm of emotions within. He leaned back into the chair, gazing at the small girl before him with a gentler expression.
" … What's your name? " he asked, his voice softer this time.
Vel lifted her head slowly. "Vel," she whispered.
"Vel …, " Kael repeated it, tasting the name. Simple.
"Just Vel?"
She nodded hesitantly, then added softly, "Avelia ... Avelia Mireille. But everyone calls me Vel."
Kael repeated the name in his heart. Avelia Mireille. A beautiful name. Fitting for someone as beautiful.
"Lovely name," he said unconsciously.
Vel turned toward him, her expression uncertain, as if compliments were unfamiliar to her.
Kael held back from probing further. Her face wasn't ready for deeper questions, especially ones about a past that might be full of pain. He looked away, trying to untangle his thoughts—when a familiar sound broke the silence.
Grrruuuuk …
Kael froze. Vel immediately dropped her head, cheeks flushing red. She quickly hugged her stomach as if trying to silence the sound.
" … Sorry, " she murmured, embarrassed.
Kael stared at her, trying not to smile from the adorable scene. "You're hungry?"
Vel didn't reply. She only bit her lip and nodded shyly, then asked, "Can I have your leftovers?"
Her question was so pure, so naïve, it made Kael's chest tighten. Not out of pity. But rage. Who let this girl live like an animal, begging for scraps? Who made her believe she was only worthy of leftovers?
Kael stood up.
Vel flinched instinctively, her body tensing.
Kael said nothing. He walked to the bell and pressed it once. Shortly after, a young servant entered, bowing respectfully.
"Bring hot food," Kael ordered, eyes sharp. "Quickly."
The servant nodded and hurried off.
Kael sat back down, gaze fixed on Vel, who was now lowering her head even more, unsure whether it was from shame or confusion.
He leaned back, eyes on the fireplace. "You won't eat scraps in this house ever again, Vel," he said quietly. "Not while I'm here."
Vel turned toward him, eyes filled with something unreadable—somewhere between confusion, gratitude, and fear of hoping.
Kael looked away.
Because if he kept looking into those lavender eyes any longer, he feared… his instincts might take over.