Page 81 of Shattered Omega

Roxy grinned. “Not just flowers,” she said smugly. “The North Prince pack and the Valaren pack seem to be in a bit of a war.”

“Are you going to say yes to any of them?” I asked.

“No. But I will keep my mouth shut long enough to see how far the courting gifts go. And to be honest, I don’t have any plans for my next heat.” She shrugged. “Anyway.” She waved away the conversation. “For the record Shatter, I know for a fact that Dusk had that custom-designed.” She eyed my ring.

“He did?” I asked.

“I’m pretty sure everyone in his contact list got unending pictures. I suggested an adjustment for... this one.” She pointed to one of the hexagons in the piece. “It was just a little too organised, I think.”

I grinned as we sat back down with the others, and I hugged the ring close.

“Everything all right?” Ransom asked, looking at me curiously.

“Jasmine was just being a jealous bitch,” Roxy said with a shrug. “I think she’s realised that the Lincoln pack isn’t as obsessed with her as she hoped.”

I stared down at the ring, second guessing and hating that Jasmine got that kind of reaction from me. Did that mean the Lincoln pack was going to find out? I mean… of course they would. I’d known that when I’d chosen to wear it. It was probably better if they found out through Jasmine anyway. Then I wouldn’t have to live through it.

“I’m glad you wore it, Nightshade,” Umbra said to me as we made our way back to the apartments after classes. “We should celebrate with a movie night tonight.”

I perked up. “In the nest?” I asked. That way I could get cuddles, do my research, and watch movies all at once.

“Yeah, why don’t you guys get started on the homework, and I’ll grab some food for the evening.”

I busied myself adjusting the pillows in the bed just perfectly while Ransom flicked through his textbook, grumbling at the work set and complaining that he wasn’t even going to pass the class anyway, so what was the point?

I grinned as Dusk got to his feet. “I’ll be right back. Decebal’s just out front,” he said, tucking his phone in his pocket.

“What does he want?” Ransom asked.

“Just dropping something off.”

I peered up at him, noting that he’d just vanished from the bond.

“Oh, he called earlier,” he added, catching my expression. “He said to tell you to look into case study 632 he sent. Said it seemed to match what you’re looking for. Something about uh… cleaving—no, uh bond transfer. Unusual case, alpha… died part way through? Something like that.”

If he was watching me carefully to catch my reaction, he got it. I dove for my laptop, flipping it open in seconds.

“Alright. I’ll be back in a moment. Ransom better have picked the movie.”

The case studies were blurring on the screen as I scrolled, searching for the one he’d referenced. What he’d described sounded exactly like what I needed.

“What do you think Umbra’s getting?” Ransom asked, flicking through the channels. The start of a movie sounded before he hit pause. “Won’t be ruined by some popcorn, will it?”

I was barely listening as I reached the study.

He chuckled, and kissed me on the temple, and I realised he’d said something else. I hadn’t heard.

“I’ll get you all the options,” he said.

The little circle was loading on the screen as I clicked the study. Not fast enough.

This could be it, the answer I’d been searching for.

A Hail Mary.

Finally, the page loaded and my eyes scanned it, reading through.

Sure enough, it was a dark bond transfer. The pack lead had died part way through the negotiations.

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