Chapter 8 – Morning in the Eclipse Palace
The first light of dawn spilled into the chamber, painting the sheer curtains in shades of pale gold and rose. Kate stirred, her cheek still pressed against the steady rise and fall of Ryker's chest. His arm lay heavy but comforting over her waist, his warmth and the faint scent of pine and rain surrounding her like a cocoon.
The mark on her neck pulsed softly, not with pain, but with the strange warmth of connection.
She lay still for a while, memorizing the sound of his heartbeat beneath her ear. It was steady, grounding. Safe.
"Awake?" His voice was low, still carrying the husky edge of sleep.
She tilted her head, finding him already watching her, his blue eyes intense yet softened by something she couldn't quite name.
"Mhm," she murmured, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
His gaze dropped briefly to the mark, and something primal flickered across his face. "You're mine now," he said, the words a mix of satisfaction and quiet possession.
Kate surprised herself by answering without hesitation. "And you're mine."
One corner of his mouth lifted, and he brushed a thumb along her jawline. "The pack will see you differently after last night."
Her smile faltered. "Differently how?"
"They'll know you're my Omega. They'll have to respect you," he said, though his tone carried an edge, as if bracing for resistance.
---
Ryker's POV
The thought of anyone questioning her now made his wolf rumble low in his chest. He'd made his claim in the open field yesterday, sealing it privately through the night. Still, wolves could be stubborn, and some would test her — test them.
He pressed a kiss to her hair before pulling himself from the bed. "We'll have breakfast in the great hall," he said, buttoning his black shirt. "I want every wolf in this palace to see us arrive as one."
---
Kate's POV
The corridors were wide and sunlit, yet Kate felt as though they were narrowing with every step toward the great hall. Ryker's fingers laced with hers, steady and sure. Her hand fit perfectly in his, but she couldn't shake the awareness of the dozens — maybe hundreds — of wolves who would be watching.
The scent of baked bread, roasted meat, and fresh fruit hit her first, followed quickly by the sharp tang of wolf energy. The great hall was already alive with conversation, but as they entered, silence fell like a wave. Heads turned.
Kate fought the instinct to shrink back. Ryker's grip tightened just slightly, grounding her. He didn't slow his stride, didn't acknowledge the stares except with the quiet dominance that radiated from him like a second skin.
At the long head table, Ryker didn't wait for a servant to pull her chair — he did it himself. A ripple of surprise passed through the room.
She sat, lifting her chin. If they were going to watch her, she'd give them something worth watching.
Ryker took his seat beside her, greeting his Beta, Markos, with a nod. "After breakfast, review the patrol routes. I want the southern border doubled for the next week. And have the council ready for a midday meeting — I have an announcement."
Kate's curiosity flared, but Ryker only gave her a faint smile, one that seemed to say, You'll see.
---
Ryker's POV
He could feel the room's energy — a mix of curiosity, speculation, and unspoken judgment. Let them look. Let them wonder. By midday, the pack would have no doubt where she stood.
---
Kate's POV
She reached for a piece of warm bread from the basket between them, the soft crust giving way under her fingers. Ryker slid a plate toward her, adding slices of fruit and a portion of roasted meat before she could serve herself.
"You don't have to—" she began.
"I want to," he interrupted simply, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Her cheeks warmed, not just from his words but from the fact that several wolves nearby had noticed — and whispered about it. She wasn't sure if it was approval or disapproval, but the way Ryker's hand brushed hers under the table silenced the knot of anxiety in her chest.
She began noticing faces she'd seen yesterday — the warriors from the training yard, the older she-wolves from the market, a few younger Omegas who glanced her way with something like awe. Not everyone's gaze was warm, but not all were cold either.
One tall warrior at the far end leaned to whisper something to his companion, smirking. Kate's shoulders stiffened. Before she could react, Ryker's gaze snapped to the man like a blade.
The smirk vanished.
Kate turned back to her plate, suppressing the strange mix of gratitude and embarrassment curling in her stomach. Ryker's protectiveness wasn't loud or theatrical — but it was absolute.
As the meal went on, she began to relax, the low hum of conversation returning around them. She caught Ryker watching her more than once, and each time, his expression was the same — not the guarded mask he wore for the pack, but the quiet certainty of a man who had found what he'd been looking for.
By the time they rose from the table, her earlier nervousness had dulled into something steadier. She walked out beside him, hand in hand, not because he pulled her along — but because she wanted to.
---
Ryker's POV
The hall had seen them together. They'd seen him serve her, defend her, sit beside her as his equal. It was only the first step — but the first step was always the most important.
By midday, he would make it official.