Page 41 of Omega's Salvation

Everyone freezes, Bambi releasing me and stepping forward. “Locke sent Dari to me? Why didn’t he say anything?”

“Nepheline, Locke wanted to ensure your safety. He could feel something brewing and knew he had to protect you. He may not have lived to see you become a Luna but he made sure that you were safe.” Victoria folds her hands in front of her, offering Bambi a small smile. “You and your pack have much to learn and we don’t want to leave you vulnerable. However, we can not aid in your fight against Silas, at least not physically. We will stay here and protect whoever is left while you finish your journey. Then it will be time to start anew.”

Bambi slowly nods, looking over to Mateo for strength. I can feel her anxiety and her uncertainty about taking on this role, Mateo so easily stepping back for her. He’s worked hard for this position but he wants what is best for her.

“Right, of course. And you’ll explain the magic and how it works?” Bambi asks. “Because we can all feel it but we don’t know how to utilize it or if we even should.”

“Of course you should!” Victoria chuckles. “Mother Nature would not offer a gift if she did not want it used. We shall get to that. For now, focus on ripping Silas’ territory apart. He will be waiting for your attack but you all will be stronger. Should he indulge in more of that drug, you may not win.”

Mateo sighs, running his hands through his hair. “So we leave tomorrow night. I assume you know where they are.”

“Just up north, yes. My Alpha will give you the location. Use everything you have, including the pack Alpha in your midst. No, not Mateo. Asani. The true leader of the pack of the Forbidden.” Victoria’s face scrunches up when we all just look at her. “I am appalled at how much you do not know about the shifter history, about the fact that the pack of the Forbidden is not truly evil. They have grown to be that way but they were the keepers of magic for a long time. They knew spells far beyond our comprehension. It was a dangerous but important job to hold onto that knowledge. Until they decided to take that power for themselves.”

I cut in. “Is that why Bambi and I can’t remember each other?”

“Stealing memories is one of many things that magic could do. Mother Nature decided to rid this area of magic altogether so that it would be impossible to destroy her creation anymore. It is only now returning because you are ready to receive it. I will leave my Alpha here with you to discuss your plans. Nepheline, it has been a pleasure to meet with you and your mates. I shall reside in the city should you need me.”

Nepheline looks around, almost waiting for someone to step in.

“What is it, princess?”

“They… my pack… the heart. It’s empty.” I can see how hard it is for Bambi to refer to her former home, one she hasn’t visited since she left months ago. She clears her throat and approaches Victoria, pushing her shoulders back to present her strength. “Victoria, if you would accept, I would like to offer you a place to stay. My pack lands have been vacant for some time but they need someone to occupy them. If your wolves need a place to roam and to live while you are here, I gift you that space.”

A smile spreads across Victoria’s face as she bows her head to our Omega, our Luna. “And I offer you my protection.”

31

NEPHELINE

My head is reeling with the numerous thoughts running through my head—from Darius’ purpose at my side to what the future of our pack is supposed to look like. Leader? I don’t know how to do that. That was always supposed to be Mateo’s position, maybe even Asani’s but even with so many powerful men around me, Victoria is saying that I am the one that is supposed to carry our pack.

Leaving the Alphas to discuss the specifics in the office, I venture into the kitchen, peeking at the entrance to the living room.

“I’m surprised you have a nest, Luna.” I jump and whirl around to see Lawrence standing a few feet away from me. Awareness of my surroundings filters back in, Darius standing at my other side and Victoria resting against the kitchen island. “Sorry for startling you, Luna but most don’t have a nest. They have a safe space but most don’t lean into their Omega biology. At least those that are part of packs with magic.”

Darius snorts, cutting in for me. “She enjoys the space coated with her Alpha’s scents but one of her Alpha’s builds it for her. He enjoys it and Bambi loves watching.”

The Sapphire Luna tilts her head to the side, running her tongue across her upper lip. Lawrence moves closer, his intent to address Darius but I bar him from getting closer. “Darius, you should address your Luna with respect.”

“And I like that he calls me Bambi. It’s special. Leave it alone. I appreciate you coming but I think it would be best for us to rest tonight. There is too much to do tomorrow if I am going to bring down the man who killed my family.”

Victoria pushes off the table and gestures for her Beta to follow. “Just remember that the pack of the Forbidden is not to blame for that Alpha’s crimes. The core of their knowledge is required to keep the balance between our use of magic and Mother Nature’s desires. It may take years before we can regain what we have lost but destroying that entire pack will erase our history.”

I frown as I follow them to the front door. “Why won’t you fight alongside us? I am grateful that you are here to help us learn but I don’t-”

The Sapphire’s Luna whirls around, her silver eyes wide with a fierceness I hadn’t seen before. “Because your goal is very different from mine, Nepheline. You seek revenge to repay what you have lost. I seek knowledge to replace what has been hidden. The end will bring about the same goal but my pack and I are not trained to kill. We are not warriors. We are meant to be companions, to support, to nurture, to love. I can not taint our purpose for your desire and I can not ask my pack to do so either.”

Victoria and Lawrence slip out the front door and I close it behind them, even more lost than before. Silas’ subordinates are not to blame. We are going to rid them of the darkness and the Alphas that have leaned on the serum to gain power. I can handle that much, so long as Silas is still mine to kill.

This is all so fucking twisted and with the weight of Gael’s loss, I just want to curl up into a ball and let the world pass me by. Arms wrap around my back and pull me into a chest, Darius’ sweet scent filling my nose. “Fuck, you must have so many questions. They were your pack before you were mine. You should go and-”

He shakes his head, tightening his hold. “My questions will be answered one day.”

“But your parents or your family-”

“Bambi, the only good thing to come out of this is that I can’t remember anything. When those memories return, I will jump headfirst into their arms and embrace them with everything that I have. However, right now? My purpose is to protect you and I can do that with no distractions because I can’t remember. It might be selfish but it seems like the way of the world with the Sapphire wolves to let Betas choose their Omegas. The fact that I am here and not still with them means that my decision was honored.”

I can’t fault him for his words but it still feels wrong. “Dari-”

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