Page 119 of Shattered Omega

The thing that was different as I met bright green eyes from the safety of Umbra’s arms. “You saved him, Shatter.” Ransom told me. “You tethered him with a?—”

“A princess bond?”

That couldn’t be true…

But I could feel it. The shift. Darkness to light. Dusk’s bite, and Umbra’s—they were both alive, but different. No bond with them would be worthless—not when I’d wanted it from the beginning—but the connection was different, as if the threads that held us together were made of golden light.

I burst into tears.

Ransom’s hand stroked my hair.

“And you’re… you’re okay?” I whispered.

“I just woke up a few minutes ago, Umbra’s still sleeping, even if he’s uh…” Ransom glanced past me to where Umbra was holding me tight. “Clearly possessive, and Dusk’s getting food. Everyone is safe.”

I nodded, though it wasn’t sinking in.

“Shatter. You saved us.”

Before I could respond, the door opened and Dusk backed in, tray of food in hand.

“How long have I been out?”

“About a day.”

“What about all the others?”

“Decebal and pack are fine; stayed a bit, but left earlier this morning. Roxy’s okay now. I think… She was so upset her sister apparently almost took her to the ER, but Decebal gave her our address and she got here last night. She didn’t stabilise until she saw you.”

“Is she still here?”

“Yup. She is…” Dusk trailed off, scratching his head. “I knew omegas were possessive. I didn’t know that carried so… seriously to best friends, too.”

“What does—?” I cut off as Roxy appeared around the corner.

“Would it be okay if I used one more—?” She cut off, half-open box of what looked like Christmas tinsel in her hands, but it tumbled to the floor as she caught sight of me. “Shatter!”

She shoved past Dusk, blue eyes wide, usually sleek hair up in the messiest bun I’d ever seen her wearing. Next thing I knew, Ransom was being shoved aside for a very tricky hug since Umbra was still holding me against his chest.

She broke the hug, drawing back and checking me over like I might fall apart.

“Are you okay?” she asked, eyes wide.

“I… think so…” I frowned. “What is the… tinsel about?” I asked curiously.

Roxy chewed on her lip. “Well, I hope this is okay—Dusk said you wouldn’t mind. I couldn’t sleep.”

“Mind what?” I asked, peering past her to the tinsel she’d dropped on the floor.

“She’s been… comfort decorating,” Dusk supplied.

“What?”

“The cabin is well ahead of schedule for Christmas,” Ransom clarified.

Roxy looked nervous. “I tried to take it easy and keep it just to what helped with my anxiety…”

Dusk did a very poor job of masking a snort with a cough, but I was grinning. I pulled her back into a hug, eyes brimming with tears.

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