The man was a Beta, yet he carried himself with the kind of quiet authority that needed no title to be felt. In a world where Alphas were bred to rule—where dominance was stitched into the bones of every court and council—this was something rarer.
Leadership without force, duty without ego.
Kaelen had met plenty of Alphas who wielded strength like a weapon but lacked the honour to match it. But here, under the simple light of a campfire, a Beta held his family together with nothing more than steadiness, trust, and the kind of responsibility Kaelen had been taught to expect only from those born to power.
Power alone didn’t hold a family like this together on the road.
Wisdom did. Love did.
And for that, Kaelen respected the man.
He leaned in, a genuine smile tugging at his lips. “Sounds like your family has seen more wonders than most. I’d say Yara’s fortunate to have crossed paths with you.”
Reiyana’s gaze dipped briefly, but when she spoke, gratitude softened her voice. “The Xians have shown me more kindness than Icould’ve asked for. They helped me get this far and offered me a place in their wagon until Vey’tar Oasis.”
Su Lian smiled, her voice gentle. “You’ve brought your own light to our journey, Yara. It’s only right to share the road with those willing to walk it beside us. Besides, Vey’tar Oasis is on the way to Asadia. It’s no trouble at all.”
Kaelen looked at Reiya, his curiosity stirred. “Youwere headed to Asadia?”
A faint flush touched her cheeks as she nodded. “I boarded a ship bound for Asadia. Pirates attacked . . . I didn’t reach my destination. The Xians were kind enough to help me.”
Kaelen fought back a smile. The need to falsify her story was understandable, but . . . Asadia? He caught Alarik’s eye across the fire. Of all places, she’d set her sightsthere. Had their presence nudged her toward that path—a quiet ripple in the choices she made?
But even if it had, would she ever admit it?
Ru Rong clucked her tongue, her gaze warm but firm. “To think of you washed ashore alone. Some god must be watching over you, girl.Anh.Think of what else could’ve happened.”
“Thalassazor must’ve carried her on his back and brought her to the shore,” Mei Mei chirped. “Sometimes he helps people lost at sea!”
The adults chuckled at her words, and the princess patted her head with the fawning fondness of an elder sister.
“And I was the one who found her first!” the girl exclaimed proudly. “She was sleeping on the beach, with ropes around her wrists. I was afraid at first, but after that, we became best friends.”
Reiyana smiled, wrapping an arm around the girl. “And I’m lucky for it,” she murmured, her voice laced with genuine warmth. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if I hadn’t met you that day, Mei Mei.”
Kaelen’s jaw tightened as his gaze swept over her—the redness still visible on her wrists, the mark on her neck. Proof of what she had endured. Alone.
A fierce protectiveness flared in his chest, sharper than he was prepared for. He hated this feeling—this restless, burning need to undo what had already been done. He wasn’t one to dwell on anger.
But this . . . this was different.
Even with her story wrapped in vagueness, the truth bled through. The fear in her silences. The desperation in her choices. The need for disguise.
The bruise from an Alpha’s bite.
Every mark, every hesitation, spoke of dangers faced—and a fight he hadn’t been there for.
She was stronger than he’d expected to have made it this far. But that didn’t quell the unease curling in his gut.
Because now that she was here—with them—he had no idea what to do with the raw urge to keep her that way.
“Hearing all this”—his gaze held hers across the fire—“we’re more resolute than ever to accompany Yara on her journey.”
Just moments ago, the mention of Vey’tar Oasis had sparked recognition. It was a familiar ground—a place he and Alarik had often relied on to rest, regroup, and gather supplies during their treks across the desert.
The idea of returning there felt like fates aligning, offering a moment of calm in the midst of uncertainty.
But a plan was only as good as the people willing to take part in it.