Page 11 of Omega's Salvation

The serum Silas got his hands on will rip apart the wolves and any magic Mother Nature is so gracious to bring back. There is so much hatred and death in the pack I grew up in. It was never perfect but I no longer see a future there. I’m terrified that it is all I have to return to, a world of despair and darkness with wolves that don’t even know how to love.

And for what?

At what cost?

I mentioned before that nothing Silas does will stop fate, that Mateo now has one of the most powerful magical beings on his side. I will not step in the way of what is meant to be, including becoming Calista’s pawn for whatever agenda she has within this pack.

Straightening my shoulders, I hold my head up as best I can, weathering the pain so that my face remains emotionless. “My Alpha left me for dead on pack lands I’ve never been to. I don’t know what his plans are because I’ve been discarded. Something he does regularly.” Silas doesn’t discard those who he deems unnecessary. He rips them apart and leaves them in the heart of our own packlands to send a message.

Calista chuckles as she places a hand on my leg, slowly traveling up until I shake her off with what little space the chains give me. “Then Silas is a fool for dumping his trash here. I am not his maid. I am his mother and he would do well to remember that.”

I manage a small, timid smile, trying to play into the persona of a terrified Beta wolf. The problem is that I’m not really scared of Calista or the other two Alpha wolves. One of them must be an elder but the other—the one on the serum—won’t react unless provoked. My mind drifts back to the moment Silas dragged me out to the clearing and then gutted me. That’s when I remember something that gives me a glimmer of hope.

When that Alpha found me, his scent and aura wrapped around me like the sweetest drug. He is my Alpha, not Silas. My entire body and my wolf responded to him. I need that Alpha like I need to breathe but it was the added scent that brought my body to life, that made me want to fight a little harder.

It’s sweet and soft but not one that should be possible. The scent reminds me of Bambi but I can’t ever remember meeting someone like that. She has to be a figment of my imagination because no one in our pack smells like this. There’s not even many women in our pack to begin with. A faint image of a young girl laughing flits through my head but disappears just as quickly.

Mates? I’ve never thought about a relationship outside of the one with Silas. Even then, when I told myself I would get away, it was never with someone. My tongue darts out to coat my chapped lips, thoughts reeling between being captured and finding wolves that are mine. It shouldn’t be possible and I know that Silas had no idea but maybe this is my way out.

Calista stands and kicks at my foot, jostling my entire body. “My son doesn’t do anything lightly. Discarded or not, you serve a purpose. A spy? A warning? What is it? He mentioned everything was fine.”

I may be digging my grave but my alliances have never been with Silas. He’s just all I’ve known. I want the soft touches and caresses that the Alpha in the woods offered me. I want to experience a pack and the freedom to live. I won’t get that by sitting here and playing Silas’ game or giving into Calista’s desires. So, I say the words that have been sitting on my tongue. “Everything is not fine, Calista. The magic has returned to the pack lands and whatever Silas has up his sleeves will destroy the wolves.” If Silas succeeds. If he doesn’t, I have seen what happens when he suffers a meltdown. Everyone will be in his warpath but those he believed stood in his way will suffer worse.

So many think that death is the worst punishment.

It isn’t.

Calista growls at my declaration before allowing the wolf with the serum to step around her and swing at my face. She definitely believes I may be a trap for her and not for Mateo. I just hope that someone rescues me from this situation before it takes a turn for the worse.

Steeling myself against the pain, I focus on that Alpha’s hand from the forest and the scents he brought as they wrap me in a cocoon of comfort and warmth.

10

NEPHELINE

River stands behind me in the full-length mirror installed in the hallway. He grins at how perfectly the t-shirt and jeans hug my curves, proud that his eyeball measurements worked. I’ve mentioned more than once that I can shop for my own shit but my Alphas really do enjoy taking care of me. I smooth down my shirt, nerves getting the best of me when I catch Mateo and Remi strolling toward us.

The reality of what is about to happen settles on my shoulders but Mateo doesn’t let me dwell on it. “You’ll be perfect, princess. You were made for this position and I promise that your family would have been proud to see you step into this role today.” My cheeks heat at his words as he bends down to place a quick kiss on the bridge of my nose.

My brother would have loved to see this moment and in spirit, I wrap my arms around him and squeeze him until I feel ready. I blow out a deep, unsteady breath before searching out my other two Alphas, both of them standing a few feet away. Asani is holding a hammer after patching up the back door, sweat glistening on his shirtless body. The scarred crest of the Nightshades hangs over his previous seal but it doesn’t detract from his beauty.

“You aren’t coming?” I tilt my head to the side as I approach, careful to keep a few inches distance so I don’t show up the council drenched in Alpha sweat. I love my Alpha’s scent but I’m not so sure it’s a good look.

“Just the doctor, precious. But don’t worry. I’ll stick here and take good care of Mave for you.” Asani wiggles his brows before we both glance over at Maverick. He sucks in his bottom lip but I don’t miss the way his eyes heat.

He mentioned once that Asani’s scent makes him want to submit. It’s something I’ve wanted to see since then but it won’t be an immediate relationship. I just want to make sure that I’m present for whatever happens. Maverick shifts uncomfortably and then forces a smile as I approach. “Hey.”

“Hey, kitten.”

I giggle at his awkwardness. In any other situation, he’s an Alpha not to be messed with but when it comes to his attraction to the other Alphas, it’s like watching a teenage boy around his crush. I press myself against him, Maverick’s arms winding around my back. “Let it happen, okay?”

“Nepheline-”

“No. I’m not telling you to do anything that you don’t want to. I’m telling you that it’s okay. I’m telling you that you deserve a happy ending too.” I rise to my tiptoes so that these words are only for him. “I’m telling you that this one won’t be ripped away from you. I swear it.”

Maverick steals a kiss, one of his hands sliding around the back of my neck to pull me closer. “I can’t promise you anything, kitten but I’ll try.”

“And that’s all I can ask.” I pat his chest twice before leaving them there. Mateo reaches out to take my hand, River and Remi flanking our sides. Their guard masks immediately take over their usually relaxed expressions, the heaviness of this situation becoming clear. It's been nearly a week since I interacted with any of the pack members save for a few Omegas who have brought information to the door. It's custom to give the pack Alpha and his new Luna time before they officially take over but I feel like I'm stepping into something I'm not entirely prepared for.

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