Page 16 of Omega's Salvation

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NEPHELINE

I’m shaking as we cut through the heart back to the house. I meant every last word that fell from my mouth in there but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t terrified speaking them into existence. When the serum was running through me, my first instinct wasn’t to curl into myself but with my Omega forefront and center, I want to crawl into my nest and hide beneath the blankets.

There isn’t time for that though as I hurry after River, Remi on my heels.

We aren’t even halfway through the door before Asani receives the Beta and carries him into one of the rooms off the living room that has been converted into a small clinic. The Beta groans as his back hits a metal table. I rush over to his side, lightly gripping his arm as I lean over him to inspect his face. I have no idea why I couldn’t remember this beautiful man or why he’s only just popping up into my memories now.

“Nepheline, I know you’re excited that he’s here but I need a little space to clean him up.”

I growl at Asani and then swallow the sound, trying to look apologetic. My Alphas only burst out laughing as they crowd around my back, Asani on the other side of the table. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that.” Except I did. My Omega and my wolf feel territorial over this Beta. We don’t want anything to happen to him even if I can’t remember his name. When Asani grabs a wet cloth and begins to wipe the Beta down, another growl tears from my throat.

“Sweetie, let’s go see Gael. That’s something on the agenda and it’ll give Asani the time he needs to take care of your Beta. He can’t care for him if you keep growling.” River grasps my shoulders and directs me out into the living room with some protest. Suddenly, I’m stuffed in a small pile of blankets on the couch with Mateo crouching in front of me. I didn't even hear him come through the front door.

My gaze darts around the room and then falls on the clinic door before Mateo steals my attention. “Princess, this is a lot to deal with and I get that. You were so fucking strong during that meeting and I couldn’t be more proud of calling you my Omega and the pack Luna. I also know that a piece of your heart belongs to the Beta in that room. Let Asani heal him and then I’ll make sure you have a spot to sit beside him, okay?”

I hate that Mateo is right. I hate that I have to wait to deal with these feelings for a man I don’t remember. I hate that my wolf is begging me to protect that Beta even from my own Alphas. I don’t even remember when I lost him.

“Nolan should be here in a minute to take you to Calista’s house. Are you still up for that, Nepheline?” Mateo squeezes my thigh to keep me present and I nod. Gael is just as much a priority as my Beta. “You’ll be perfect, just as you always are. If you need anything, you tell Nolan. Do not confront my mother. I don’t expect she would attack the pack Luna but-”

“I’ll be careful. I promise.”

Remi gathers up the lingering blankets and pillows off the floor to wash, my makeshift nest completely gone. Pain settles in my chest at the empty space but I know when I come back, he’ll help me rebuild it. River and Maverick settle on either side of me, offering me a comfort I didn’t know I was searching for. Mateo pats my knee again, a tight smile spreading across his lips.

"There is some good news in all of this. How did you put it? I told the council they were fired." I snort at the image of Calista's face turning red or Kylan trying not to act out. I'll truly be happy when all of them publicly give up their position.

Fifteen minutes later, I’m trudging back across the heart with Nolan in tow. He’s pretty tall for a Beta and nearly as thick as River and Remi. Dark hair and eyes add to his mysterious aura but his scent is comfortable and protective. When Mateo all but threatened Nolan if something should happen to me, I had to giggle.

Calista won’t be stupid enough to try anything but even if she was, I feel safe by Nolan’s side.

We don’t speak; the situation doesn’t call for it as I approach Calista’s house. I knock several times before a growl erupts on the other side and then the door is swung open. I step back into Nolan’s chest, confused and a little scared of the woman staring down at me. Her gray hair is wild around her face, pupils fully dilated. Her chest rises and falls rapidly, her teeth bared in a snarl that doesn’t seem like it’s meant for me.

If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that Calista just injected herself with that serum.

“You came to check on Gael, I presume.”

“Yes.”

“Well, you are allowed to come in. Nolan, stay.”

I snort, shaking my head. “First off, Nolan isn’t a dog. Second, he is my protection. Bringing an Alpha would be disrespectful so I am working within my means. Third, now that I am the pack's Luna, my word overrides yours. Where is Gael?” I give Calista no room to argue or to respond to my comments. She just grunts and moves out of the way, pointing to the stairs. When she gives me no more than that, I nod and all but dash up the steps to find Mateo’s father.

Nolan catches me before I can burst into one of the bedrooms. “Luna, I don’t want to discourage you but it smells like death in here. I don’t know what you will find up here but it won’t be the man we used to know as our Luno.”

I was afraid of that. Still, I push forward, finding the first two bedrooms empty. There is only one left, heavy breathing spilling out into the hall. The lights are dimmed, the faint outline of a bed and a dresser along the far wall. I squint, looking for the man in question, a faint breeze wafting in from an open window. Even then, the curtains block out any real light. That’s when I see a frail form curled up in an armchair in the corner, the heavy breathing picking up as I approach. He's wrapped up in a thick blanket, a few pillows situated around him.

“Gael?”

“You shouldn’t be here, child,” He croaks out, shifting so that he’s sitting up. My mouth drops open at the image set before me. Gael is nearly all skin and bones, a stark contrast to the happy Omega I met a week ago. “Why are you here? I told Mateo I was fine.”

“But you’re not!” I whisper-scream. When Gael shivers backward, I stop approaching. Seeing him like this is physically painful but I don’t understand how it happened. I’ve never seen an Omega like this, not even ones neglected by their mates. “What happened?”

“It is the way of the world, child. Return to your mates. Nolan, take her-”

I pull out of Nolan’s grip when he reaches for me. “No! I don’t understand Gael. You are supposed to be my teacher and my mate’s father. But you’re here. I don’t-”

“When you marry for love, there are always bound to be problems.” Gael sits up straighter, hacking until I’m sure his lungs will end up on the floor. His face scrunches up as he grips his chest, blowing out a deep breath before he continues. “I can feel your desire to help, Nepheline. But this isn’t something you can fix.” A moan filters from his lips as he sags backward. “Calista has rejected her claim.”

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