It was killing Noro to lie, and stretch out this conversation for longer than necessary, but he knew he had to. He wasn’t supposed to know about Matheson’s existence. He just hoped the omega was safe right now.
“What?” Noro asked. “How is that possible?”
“It’s true,” Peregrine added. “We found him hiding among the wolf packs. It’s a good thing we were given that tip, otherwise he might have slipped through our fingers.”
A tip?Noro thought, his stomach filling with dread.
Then Noro saw him.
They locked eyes at the same time. Noro and Neil, two old enemies, both shocked into silence.
“I know it’s weird to see a wolf standing in our halls,” Torin muttered, misreading Noro’s shock. “But King Blaze thinks highly of him for finding the omega for us. It’s not so bad once you get used to it.”
A million thoughts raced through Noro’s mind. Neil knew that Noro was covering up Matheson’s existence, but Neil was obviously having doubts about outing him right now--he’d seen how well-received and popular Noro was among the pride. Would they turn on him so easily just because of an outsider’s words? Without any proof?
For the moment, Noro doubted it. Neil seemed hesitant and he slunk away, putting distance between them. Noro let him go. He could deal with him later.
The most important thing right now was finding Matheson.
“An omega,” Noro murmured, feigning deep interest. “Could I see him? I’m very curious.”
Torin scoffed. “If you want a turn breeding, you’re gonna have to wait. He’s already knocked up.”
Noro almost flinched at the crass way Torin spoke about Matheson. “Ah. No, I only want to see him. Nothing else.”
Peregrine gestured with her wing down the hall. “He’s in the room with the big windows. Bastian’s taking care of him.”
That surprised Noro. “I see. Thank you. I’ll let King Blaze know I’ve returned after sating my curiosity.”
They nodded and Noro turned to stride down to where Matheson was being held, but he spared one glance over his shoulder at Neil. The wolf avoided his gaze.
He did this,Noro realized.He was the only one with the knowledge and malicious intent to do something as horrible as this.
Noro spread his wings, stretching them out in the wide halls, and gave Neil a glimpse of his fully healed wing just to spite him.
He found the room where Peregrine had told him Matheson was being kept, but after a few unanswered knocks at the door, he realized that nobody was inside. He frowned and double checked, peering inside, but found the room empty.
“Noro!”
The booming voice stopped Noro in his tracks. He turned to face the king of the gryphons as he strode towards him, puffing up his feathers.
“King Blaze,” Noro greeted him with a slight bow. He did a good job of hiding his mild irritation that his search for Matheson had been interrupted.
“You’ve returned, and you didn’t come to see me,” Blaze said.
“My apologies. I heard about the omega and was dying to see him for myself.”
Blaze nodded. “Ah, yes, I understand.”
“Peregrine told me he’s already pregnant,” Noro said before Blaze could tell him he needed to wait his turn--something he didn’t want to hear again.
“Unfortunately, yes,” Blaze murmured. He perked up. “But then again, if the child is an omega too, we’ll be doubly blessed.”
Noro’s stomach churned. The idea sickened him to his core. How could Blaze be so nonchalant about such a thing?
“So, tell me about your great expedition,” Blaze said, flicking his tail curiously. “Or have you come back empty-taloned?”
“No, sir,” Noro said. “I found a wealth of new information about magic.”
