Page 14 of Omega's Salvation

“Just think about it for a second. Maybe your place with us is more than just an Alpha of Nepheline’s pack. Why is it so hard to believe that you have a purpose?”

My shoulders droop as I let my guard down in front of him again. Having a purpose would mean that Philomena meant nothing more than a means to an end. That I was always going to end up with Nepheline. I hate the idea that everything leads up to one moment I’m supposed to perform regardless of the pain everyone else suffers. “If my purpose means that everything else has been worthless, I don’t want it.”

“How long have you had this… ability, Maverick?”

“A long time.” Since before Philomena but it’s strengthened since I met Nepheline.

“I know this is a hard thing to wrap your head around but maybe your purpose has always been there. A purpose that would manifest if needed. What happened to your beautiful family is horrid and I wouldn’t wish that terror on anyone else but it is not because of their deaths that you have become who you are. You were always going to be Maverick. How that manifested is based on more than one factor. It’s the same with me. I am Asani, the rightful Alpha of the pack of the Forbidden but that is not my purpose. Even I am still figuring out where I belong but it includes Mateo and the others, our Omega, and you.”

The earth comes alive with Asani’s declaration, that he is the rightful Alpha of a pack that he denounced. I can tell by the shock on his face that this is a new feeling, the magic that runs through Mother Nature strengthening with every day we stay true to the old ways. When Nepheline declares her spot as Luna, I know that it will be a similar feeling.

Asani makes it so much easier to see and yet so much harder to accept. I wouldn’t have become the man I am today if certain other events didn’t happen. Nepheline would have married Mateo as was her duty and the unrest between the packs would have stayed dormant.

But so would the magic.

I push off the tree and gesture to the path toward our home, deciding to dwell on Asani’s words later. “Come on. We need to be home to receive the Beta. He’ll need you to patch him up.”

“What makes you think he will be coming back to the house?”

“You saw the way she tucked his clothes into her nest but you didn’t see the way she was with him in my memory. Sure, she was much younger then but bonds can form that young, bonds that are almost stronger than an Alpha’s bite.”

Asani frowns. “You think they’ve already bonded.”

“I do. I may not have officially mated with Nepheline but I could feel what she was feeling when she remembered him and it’s the same vibe I get when she looks at each of you or me. Nepheline won’t let Calista hold onto him. We just have to make sure he isn’t a trap.”

“And if he is, we’ll weather that when it comes.”

Silence envelopes the two of us as we trek back to the house, Asani soon slipping his hand into mine. A calmness sweeps through me as his wolf purrs contently and for a moment, everything feels right.

12

MATEO

The tension thickens the longer I sit here listening to Calista’s plans for the pack. Kylan and the elders are nodding and humming their agreement for every change she wants to implement, my mother truly believing she has the power to do anything more than sit back and watch as the pack bows to my word, not hers. I expected as much with the seating arrangement even if I’m placed at the head with Nepheline beside me. With the two vacant positions on the council, it’s just my mother speaking to Kylan and the four elders, none of which I trust anymore. Not even Taras, my father’s friend.

My wolf bristles beneath the surface as she seeks to change how laws are rolled out, who can be accepted into the pack, and who is in charge of security. According to her plans, my guards are no longer the ones that will secure the premises as Calista says ‘it’s too dangerous’ now that our Luna requires their ‘services’. Every word that falls from the woman’s mouth demeans my position, disrespects my guards, and makes my Luna out to be a damsel in distress.

However, I wait for the opportune time to speak, willing for Nepheline to hold on a little longer. She’s been growing increasingly more agitated, aggressively sniffing the air as she searches for the Beta we found in the woods. This room is full of his scent, the cell just next door but without the right tactic, we will find ourselves with our hands tied behind our backs. At the end of this meeting, they will all be removed from their positions if I can get a word in.

Calista finally smiles as she punctuates her last sentence and then turns to me as if she did me a favor. “Anything to say, Mateo?”

Obviously, she learned nothing from the conversation we had outside. “A few things, yes. First, I think we spoke and I told you that my name is Alpha, to you. Mother or not, you owe me the respect of my position.” She balks at my words as I sit forward, River placing a firm hand on my shoulder. His fingers digging in calm my wolf enough that I don’t lunge across the table at her. Kylan is sitting on my right, Nepheline on my left, both of them now sharing a fierce stare-off that I know my Omega will win.

One of the elders, Hart, clears his throat. “You shouldn’t speak to your mother like that, son. She has done so much for this pack before you were given your position.”

“Then she shouldn’t have killed my father and my mate’s family. I do know that she has done a lot of good for this pack but Calista is no longer the pack Alpha. I am. And the last thirty minutes spent droning on about changes she wants to see are not her choice. They are mine. My guards will not be removed from their duties because my Omega is not a needy child. Does she need her mates? Yes. But she is more than capable of carrying her position without being smothered.”

Kylan snorts, drawing my attention. He’s squaring up against my Omega but Nepheline isn’t perturbed. In fact, she seems unbothered by his threatening aura even though he’s larger than I am at this point. “Let our Luna speak. I haven’t heard a word from her other than watching her savagely pull apart her Beta. As entertaining as that is, I’m not sure I can get behind a woman who needs five Alphas to sort her out.”

This time it’s Nepheline laughing, her eyes widening when she realizes what she’s done. She slaps a hand across her mouth and then glances at me for my approval. I’ve been waiting to see her take over, knowing that her spirit has always been fierce. After all, disregarding the rules, Nepheline would cross the crystal forest between our pack lands and crawl into my window. There may no longer be serum running through my Omega’s veins but that isn’t what gave her her confidence.

Nepheline pops out of her chair, smoothing down her shirt as she turns to address the council. Everyone sits forward to hear her speak, Calista grumbling about being pushed aside. “Since I have arrived, I have not been given a warm welcome. The problem is, I don’t know why. My pack was always supposed to be joined with this one. Nothing changed on that front. The pack I’ve gained has been cordial but following the council’s distaste, they stay away. I have met a few here and there but there is no respect as the pack’s Luna.” Kylan goes to speak but she merely holds up her hand. I have no idea if she realizes the power she holds right now. As per pack law, Kylan must listen to that gesture. “I know. I must earn the respect that comes with the position.”

She holds her head high and puffs out her chest as she walks behind me, dragging her hand along my arm and then across Remi and River’s back. I only know by the way they straighten up behind me before she appears on my other side. My wolf begs to be set free as Nepheline is now standing between me and Kylan, a hair too close to a wolf I don’t trust.

“Wise words from a little girl.”

Nepheline ignores the jab. “I don’t understand everything about the council, especially the criteria to become a member. I would assume trying to attack an unmated Omega or any wolf would be enough to dismiss them but that’s not my place. I’ll leave that decision to the pack Alpha. As for your other changes, Calista, I know that you were trying to help.” My mother beams, thinking she has pulled one over on Nepheline but my Omega has seen through that. “However, your brand of helping tends to include slipping your hands into pots you have no business touching. And Kylan, your lust for power will get you killed. Following those who don’t have the rights to the pack lands will leave you lonely and desperate. Is that what you want?”

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