chapter nine

　　Nova didn't have high expectations over Luca's change of attitude. He was pleasantly surprised when Luca greeted him every time, they saw each other and even more excited when he invited Nova on a horseback ride with him.

　　 It was three days after Nova tried running away. Nova started spending a portion of his afternoons with Winnie. Upon leaving her room, Luca stopped and asked if he'd ride with him. Nova contained his excitement and simply nodded, but once he was in his room he jumped on his bed and kicked his feet while screaming into his pillow. Things have been so hectic. He was trying to find a way to keep Hael alive, but Hael refused to say more than he already had. Now, Luca was moving forward with plans to extract Nova's mother, and in the process bring down the River's Edge pack for good. The problem was, they weren't sure where the pack was. Nova had a general idea, but for the most part, he'd been kept in the dark about almost everything about the pack. He was never a pack member; he was a prisoner.

　　 On top of that, Triston was a tyrant trying to find the mole, but nothing came up. Even the people he considered untrustworthy had alibis. Nothing added up. Hael was born and raised here, so it didn't make sense. None of it did. Trying to make sense of something that had no clear beginning or end was exhausting and kept the whole palace on edge.

　　 So, Nova welcomed the much-needed break with a ride with his mate. After dressing and making sure his hair wasn't too messy, he skipped out of his room and through the castle with Jax on heels. Outside, two horses waited, next to them, his handsome mate. Nova couldn't stop the smile from spreading across his face. It took everything in him to not run over and jump in his arms.

　　 "Jax, we won't need you for a few hours," Luca said."

　　 This excited Nova even more. It would truly just be the two of them. It would be the first time he'd be without Jax since Jax was assigned to him. Nova and Jax shared a smile before Jax walked away. Nova cleared his throat and strutted towards the horses.

　　 "I've never really ridden one before," he admitted so he wouldn't humiliate himself later. He patted the horse's neck with a smile.

　　 "That's fine. These two are good, you won't need to do much. This one will be yours. Her name is Apple."

　　 "Hello, Apple." He giggled.

　　 Luca found himself smiling as he watched his mate. When Nova looked at him with those piercing gold eyes he looked away.

　　 "I'll help you up."

　　 He lifted Nova by his waist, satisfied when he saw the seekers cheeks turn pink from the touch. He mounted his own horses and nodded towards the gate.

　　 "Let's go."

　　 "Where are we going exactly?" Nova asked, as his horse moved forward. He didn't have to ask it to it simply followed.

　　 "To the village."

　　 Nova froze. The village. The people of this fine kingdom. He'd finally get to see them and meet them. As a seeker, these people fed his reason. His purpose.

　　 "That sounds great," he laughed.

　　 They rode in silence both struggling to find something to talk about. Both were too nervous to say much, but they still enjoyed each other's company. The company of their mate.

　　 In the village, everyone knew exactly who Luca and Nova were. They knew Luca from his involvement with the kingdom on a regular basis and being the King's nephew, and they knew Nova as their seeker. Everyone gathered around him, some just wanting to touch him. They offered gifts, shoving them into his saddlebags, or arms, whether he accepted or not. At first, it was overwhelming. But over a little time, Nova leaned into the attention and rather than denying gifts redirected their attention by engaging in conversation. Soon, he was off his horse walking from store to store, greeting anyone who wanted to meet him.

　　 Luca let it happen, watching with a smile. He could tell Nova was in his element. He hadn't seen the man smile like he was talking to these people since he met him. It warmed his heart to see it and even though he wanted to watch it all day, he also wanted Nova to himself. After a few hours of being surrounded by people, Luca stepped in pulling his mate by the arm out of the crowd and using his alpha power to send everyone away. Nova frowned at him for it but didn't fight him.

　　 "I'm hungry, let's eat." Luca let him go and led his horse further down the street.

　　Nova followed, also hungry.

　　 They tied their horses to a post outside a small restaurant with outdoor seating. They found a seat and ordered a meal. Many people still crowded nearby to get a look at the seeker, but Luca's presence kept them back.

　　 "This is nice," Nova said interrupting Luca's glares at everyone. "Seeing the town and meeting the people here. It's refreshing." Nova sent Luca a smile that had him melting inside. "Thank you."

　　 Luca nodded and took another bite of his food. After a few minutes of silence, he cleared his throat to get Nova's attention.

　　 "My mom really likes you."

　　 Nova almost laughed at the chosen choice of topic.

　　 "I think she's getting better because of you."

　　 Nova nodded.

　　 "So, thank you. For making sure my mom stays healthy."

　　 Nova looked up meeting Luca's eyes. They held each other's gaze, for the first time with nothing but gratitude and respect for each other.

　　 "Hopefully soon I can learn more from Basil. I've trained for so long in my offensive ability and hardly any in my healing ability. I'm excited to do more for the king's people."

　　 "They're your people too."

　　 Nova glanced at him and cocked his head.

　　 "What changed? You hated me so why are you all of a sudden being nice?"

　　 Luca took a drink and sighed.

　　 "It's not all of a sudden. It started at your inauguration. These people aren't the only ones who felt the truth behind your words. I tried looking at you with a more open mind. Plus, my mom hounded me about the bond." He scoffed. "I figured if she could forgive you, so could I."

　　 Nova dropped his head.

　　 "I don't deserve forgiveness, but I'm grateful for the opportunity of redemption." He reached forward and gripped Luca's hand ignoring the sparks running through him. "I won't let you down." He squeezed harder. "I promise."

　　 Before Luca could grab his hand, Nova pulled it back and continued eating.

　　 After paying, they mounted and headed back to the palace. More people bombarded Nova, some even asking for his help. He felt bad not being able to do much, but just by stopping to talk with them helped them some. Upon returning, Nova jumped off his horse and raced inside ignoring Luca's calls.

　　 He ran through the palace to the king's office barging in without giving the guards a chance to stop him.

　　 "I want to learn to heal. Now!" he demanded only to find the king wasn't alone. Nova's eyes fell on a man similar in stature to himself.

　　 "Well, it's a good thing I'm here then." Basil walked over and patted his shoulder with a big smile. "Since you're so eager, let's get started." He turned Nova around and waved to the king half-heartedly as he walked out of the room. He nodded to Luca who stood in the doorway. "I'll be borrowing your mate for a while," he claimed and pushed him down the hall.

　　 "I guess going out was just what he needed," Leon said.

　　 Luca chuckled and closed the door behind him before taking a seat next to his uncle.

　　 "You should have seen him. He was meant to be a seeker."

　　 "He is a seeker. Of course, he's meant to be one."

　　 "Has Triston found anything?"

　　 "You were only gone an afternoon, Luca. Nothing has changed."

　　 Luca sighed. He worried day and night about his mother's safety. Not just his mother but his king as well, his mate, and everyone in the kingdom was a liability. Especially since whoever after Nova was also after everything he cared about. As a seeker, he cared about the whole kingdom. Luca worried, that it wouldn't be individuals for long but the entire kingdom.

　　 "We can't sit around waiting," the king declared. "While Nova is being trained by Basil, it's a great opportunity for you to go look for River's Edge. Start where they were last seen, even if that was years ago. I know your pack couldn't follow a scent, but feel free to have them try again as well. We need to do something. I refuse to sit here any longer."

　　 "We could reach out to Iron Maw too. They have—"

　　 "No. This problem stays within our kingdom for now."

　　 "Yes, sir."

　　 Luca leaned back and closed his eyes but felt his uncle staring holes into him. He opened one eye and looked at him.

　　 "What?"

　　 "Go now!"

　　 Luca sighed and stood.

　　 "Yes, Alpha," he said as he walked out backward and dramatically bowed to him.

　　***

　　 Nova didn't get a moment to himself over the next three days. If he wasn't asleep, often with Basil invading his bed too, he was training with Basil. He took Nova to the infirmary by the warrior barracks to show Nova just what it meant to be a healer. Nova wasn't a queasy wolf, so it wasn't difficult being around bloody wolves, mostly from training gone too far, but it was so much information to take in, his stamina for learning and mental capacity was challenged every day.

　　 But he learned a lot.

　　 In just a few days he'd already learned how to heal cuts and small and large open wounds. Just a touch from a seeker was healing, but now he could go above and beyond that. Soon he'd be able to heal life-threatening wounds, and wounds in the mind, like Winnie. Despite his exhaustion, he worked hard. If not for all of the people in the kingdom, then for Winnie. His mate's mother. The woman who had a hand in convincing his mate to not deny the bond. The woman who lost her mate with his help. He could never repay her for what he'd done, but he'd spend the rest of his life trying.

　　 He hadn't seen much of anyone but Basil and Jax, and the warriors in the infirmary. So, when Basil suggested going to see the king Nova hoped he'd see Luca too. They were finally on okay terms and he barged off after a nice outing together eager to learn. Well, he got his wish and now he hadn't seen him for days.

　　 Double-checking his hair in a glass vase outside the king's office, Nova wanted to make sure he looked presentable for his mate. Inside, he was disappointed to see the king with Triston and no Luca. It must have been clear because the king asked if he was okay immediately.

　　 "I was hoping Luca would be here."

　　 It was only a second, but the room went cold and eerily silent. The king laughed and told him Luca went back to his pack for a couple of days to help his sister with something. Nova wasn't stupid. He didn't miss the looks the king exchanged with his beta. Hurt, by their secrecy, Nova lowered his head and kept his mouth shut, too afraid to know the truth to ask. His mind of course thought nothing good. He was sure Luca left because of him. He didn't want to be with him. He changed his mind about accepting the bond.

　　 "Nova, how about we go on a ride together? I'll show you our lands outside the kingdom."

　　He suggested it with kind eyes and good intentions, but Nova couldn't help the glare he sent the king, and the small snarl that escaped his lips.

　　 "No, thank you." He ground out and stormed out of the room leaving everyone speechless and confused.

　　***

　　 Leon found Nova in the gardens with Winnie. They were laughing about something until the king came over and Nova's demeanor changed completely.

　　 "Winnie, you seem well today."

　　 Winnie grabbed Nova's hand and smiled.

　　 "Thanks to our seeker. He's been even better for me since starting training."

　　 "Basil said you're learning fast. Even for a seeker."

　　 Nova didn't look at him.

　　 "Well, I'm getting a bit hot out here. I'll leave you to it."

　　 On that note, an omega walked over and escorted Winnie back to her room, along with her guard. Leon coughed and looked at Nova.

　　 "Care if I sit?" When Nova didn't answer the king sat, keeping a safe distance from the angry seeker. "Basil said we should try to build our bond. A bond between a king and his seeker is important for strengthening our abilities.

　　 Nova shrugged.

　　 "Nova," Leon almost whined forcing Nova to look at him with surprise. "How am I supposed to know what I did wrong if you don't talk to me?"

　　 "You know." Nova protested. He finally looked at the king with anger and hurt in his eyes. "Where's Luca?"

　　 The king flinched then sighed knowing there's no way out of it now.

　　 "He's looking for River's Edge."

　　 "What?" Nova sat up but the king pulled him back down.

　　 "Nova, he's the best fighter I know. He's an alpha. An alpha fit to be king. He's doing what he needs to do to make sure his kingdom stays safe. To make sure his family and his mate are safe too."

　　 Nova pouted.

　　 "It's dangerous. They're a bad pack. They play dirty and...And I should be with him."

　　 "And what would you do? Odds are, your trauma would get the best of you. Keeping you here is best. You're training to be a healer, and when he gets back this whole thing with River's Edge will be over with and—"

　　 "Alpha!"

　　 Their heads turned to Triston racing towards them, frantic about something.

　　 "You need to come with me. It's not good."

　　 The king jumped up and followed Triston, Nova trailed close behind. They walked into the palace, and as soon as they entered Nova gasped, covered his mouth, and turned his head. Immediately tears fell. The king stood in front of him, frozen. Nova didn't move until the king stepped away and he heard a thud. Nova braved to look, and saw the king on his knees, kneeling over Winnie's body. Blood spilled from the gash in her neck, soaking the floor. Nova backed away from the scene as bile rose in his throat. He ran into someone and faced them. Basil gave him a look of empathy as he wrapped an arm around his shoulders and guided him towards Jax.

　　 "I'll do my best," he promised but both of them knew, she was already gone. He'd come too late.

　　 Nova didn't say anything. Everything around him spun, and his vision narrowed. He doesn't remember Jax taking him to his room. He doesn't remember getting in bed. He does remember hiding under his covers and crying. Crying until his head ached, and he literally couldn't cry anymore.