Page 127 of Shattered Omega

“Little One…” She seemed lost for words.

My hand was over my mouth as Aunty Lauren crossed the room in a strange, stunned silence and pulled me into a hug that smelled like fresh linen. So familiar and comforting. Then she drew back, examining my face, eyes glistening with tears.

“I never thought… our sweet Shatter? Getting married? And…” Her eyes fell on the bond on my neck. It was glittering and silver right now. The bite Dusk had left turned from dark to light, drowning out the other marks around it from Flynn and Gareth.

She stared at it for a long moment, and then her whole expression crumpled and she burst into tears.

“Eugene told me… oh, what you must have done, Little One.”

Right, Uncle had all the pieces.

“You must love these alphas.”

“So much,” I whispered.

Her lips turned up in a smile, and she nudged a few of her tears away. “Shatter, I’m sorry we didn’t believe you. This is everything you deserve and more.”

Before I knew it, I’d grabbed her into a hug again, shaking with... well, I didn’t know what.

Love?

She’d come.

Like my mother might... Like family.

“I don’t know how I’m going to do this…” I whispered, wringing my hands. “They’re waiting out there for me, and I have to go out there and... and do things. And say things.”

The little piece of paper was in Roxy’s hand.

On the flight over, Roxy had helped me write out a little line about why I loved all of my alphas so fucking much.

Vows.

It all made sense now.

But I had to say them out loud, and not break.

“Nonsense,” Aunty said. “You are going to be just fine. I’ve seen you fight through much harder things.”

“There are no harder things,” I wailed.

“Shatter, look at me,” Roxy’s voice, and her orange and Christmas scent, swept over me. “Take a breath. We’ll be here the whole time.”

UMBRA

The moment Shatter stepped from between the trees just up the beach, everything else in the whole world faded away. Her golden eyes were wide and her grip was like a vice on Roxy’s arm as she approached, lips parted in shock.

Music had started, but I couldn’t really hear it. None of my senses were working right.

Shatter wore the most beautiful cream-white dress, loose and free enough to match the beach we were on. It billowed in the wind as tears streaked her face. Her feet were bare, delicate golden jewellery adorned her wrists and ankles, along with the beautiful shimmer of gold Roxy had painted upon her at the ball, emphasising every bite upon her skin. In her hands was a bouquet of tropical flowers, and her hair was loose, with petals woven through it, glossy honey brown waves rustling in the wind.

It took a lifetime for her to reach us, and during that time, I saw her first tear fall. Roxy helped her find the right place to stand before stepping back, taking the bouquet with her.

The turnout was small, just my pack, Roxy, Shatter’s Aunty Lauren, and Decebal.

Our perfect little world, all here.

We didn’t need any more.

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