Page 22 of Omega's Salvation

I’m a Luna.

Princess isn’t so much a nickname anymore and yet, no one from my own pack is here to see me take the position I was born into. An arm winds around my shoulder and I look up to see River dangling a piece of steak off a fork against my lips. I open and he places it on my tongue, waiting for me to bite down and chew.

His gleeful expression grows every time I oblige his antics, my Omega preening at the idea of being taken care of. I open my mouth for another bite, enjoying the medium rare steak when a sharp pain hits me in the chest. My brows furrow as I rub at it and then dismiss it, chewing away as I try to soak in the happiness running around the diner.

Unfortunately, the growing pain in my chest overshadows the elated emotions as I start to wiggle in the booth. A hiss slips through clenched teeth as I try to weather the sharp pangs in my chest but when it doesn’t stop, Mateo places a hand on my thigh only to comment on how I’m burning up. My cheeks warm as I slowly push him out of the way to exit the booth. Not soon enough, I’m rushing to the bathroom and splashing my face with water to relieve the sensation.

“It’s not going away!” I cry out when Remi bursts inside. He turns me to face him as I frantically scratch at my chest, whining for relief and finding none. My Alpha helps me out of my shirt as I cling to him for support, panting for air when the pain nearly becomes unbearable. For several seconds, I hiss out my anguish until I’m only left with a tingling sensation on my skin.

Remi isn’t even looking at me when I open my eyes, his gaze firmly on my chest. “Nepheline…” Slowly, he turns me toward the sinks, guiding me closer until I see what he’s seeing. A crest. But it isn’t just any crest. It’s the Awang family crest but much larger than Mateo’s. The crow’s wings span nearly my entire shoulder length, riding on top of a wolf’s head. A dark crimson color is woven through the wolf’s fur and the raven’s feathers. As I lean closer, I catch wisps of blue to signify the Sapphire wolves and touches that remind me of Asani’s original mark.

I reach forward to touch it through the mirror, my skin red and angry from the magic now seared into my flesh. River pushes inside the bathroom, glancing around before frowning at the same image we’re staring at. “There hasn’t been an emblem like that since before… I’m not even sure when. Fuck, you’re gorgeous.” I glare at River through the reflection in the mirror. It’s not exactly where I would have put a tattoo but it definitely makes a statement. “Does it hurt?”

“It did. I thought I was burning up from the inside but I’m not now. I just feel connected with everything. Don’t ask me to explain it. I don’t know what it means. Just… I can feel the energy now. It’s everywhere, almost like there’s truly a heart in the pack lands and it’s come back to life.” I memorize the different curves and colors now etched into my chest before Remi helps me back into my shirt. “I’m not sure the pack should know just yet, not before Mateo and Asani.”

River shrugs as he leads me out of the bathroom with Remi on the other side. “Fine with me but it seems that a few of the older ladies think you might be pregnant. Thought you had to go throw up your dinner and you were inside with us for a week.”

“I’m not pregnant.” Omegas—especially shifters—usually know. There’s something in their biology that changes that makes it extremely obvious. If I was pregnant, every last Omega in here would be shooting me giddy smiles, commenting on how I’m glowing, even if I look a hot mess right now. Despite all that, I make a mental note to clear out an entire drugstore and pee on every goddamn stick to double-check.

The last thing I need is a child.

We slip back into the booth as I wave my Alphas’ worried stares off and assure everyone that I’m fine. It doesn’t go over well as I try to settle back in until I blurt out something that is most likely nothing they’ve ever heard from leadership before.

“My period started, okay? I needed to… settle it.” That doesn’t explain why River and Remi entered the woman’s bathroom but I’m hoping they don’t question it. Asani chokes on his food as my other Alphas try to hide their giggles. Everyone bursts out laughing before continuing to enjoy our first dinner as a full pack.

Then someone says ‘god, it’s refreshing to have a woman in power that isn’t Calista’ and everyone starts laughing again. It doesn’t cover up the somber feelings lurking in the back of my head but there’s hope for our future.

17

NEPHELINE

The night continues as the pack members introduce themselves and bow their heads in respect to myself and Mateo. It’s a refreshing feeling to be included even if it is a little overwhelming. When I shift in my chair for the umpteenth time, uncomfortable from the crest burned into my chest, Mateo decides it is time to return to the house. I’m both anxious to show off the new art and to snuggle into my Beta’s arms, wanting to take back every last memory I lost.

One of the Alphas, Levi, brings over his Omega, the one who asked about Calista earlier. The Omega—Quaid—apologizes profusely but I just smile, loving the way he leans into his Alpha. Mateo wraps an arm around my waist, dragging his nose along my cheek. “Quaid here makes the most delicious dinners and his pies are to die for. Maybe he’ll make one for you.”

The Omega clears his throat before producing a small container, his eyes wide as if I would be disgusted at his offering. I pry open the lid and grin at the few slices of cherry pie sitting inside. “You made this? Fuck yes. I mean, thank you.” My Alphas and Levi burst out laughing as I clutch the container to my chest. “I can’t wait to try it.”

We entertain the pack as long as it takes for goodbyes before I’m all but trampling over Mateo to make it out of the diner. Asani catches me around the waist just as I step outside to keep me from taking off. “Want to explain what happened in there?”

“Not out here.”

Mateo raises an eyebrow as we begin the walk back to the house. “You’d tell me if you were pregnant, right?” Every one of my Alphas glances down and stares at my belly as if it’s all of a sudden rounded out with pups. I slap his arm, growling with distaste at the notion.

“No, I’m not pregnant. That’s not… the magic is doing funny things, okay? You remember how our crest used to be something given by magic rather than something we tattooed on? Well, I got mine.” Asani hums a response, ushering me to continue. I don’t really know what to say though. It still tingles but it’s no longer painful.

River jumps in but he only makes it worse. “The damn thing takes up the entire space between her collarbone and those pretty tits of hers. It’s absolutely gorgeous.”

I sigh and start walking a little faster but that does nothing. I’m short and petite like most Omegas and have since put on weight being with my Alphas. I’m the picture-perfect, plump individual with fuller cheeks and a little meat on my hips. Clutching the dish tighter to my chest, I block out the whispers of my Alphas as they discuss pack dynamics and going forward.

I should listen. I know I should but for just a little while longer, I want to play into the Omega my mates have said I’m allowed to be.

The moment we reach the house, I scramble to the living room to check on a sleeping Darius, my Beta’s lips pursed in the most adorable pout. His fingers are curled tightly into my nest’s blankets, his face scrunched up. When I lean down to press a kiss to his cheek, he relaxes, a soft purr rumbling through his chest.

I ignore my Alphas’ shocked expressions as I search for Maverick and find him sitting in one of the armchairs on the other side of my nest. His smile widens when I silently climb into his lap and hold up the container.

“Didn’t think you were serious, kitten.”

“Why would I not want to go on a date with you, Mave?”

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