Page 25 of Omega's Salvation

“You are the Alpha. The one who will return the ways of old to the pack lands. The one who will honor Mother Nature and the sacrifices she made. You will rid this place of evil and the stench of death.” When his head rises, his vision is pointed toward Darius who is still cradling Nepheline against his chest. “You will be her protector. Her lover. Her companion.” Maverick stands and meets each of our gazes in turn. “You will live for your Omega and submit to your Alpha. The magic is here. Embrace it.”

Maverick weathers an awkward smile as his eyes return to their normal color, the Alpha moving to the entrance to escape our pointed stares. Darius’ expression is one of awe as Nepheline shifts to face his chest, a cute little snore interrupting our thoughts. “You have an Oraculum? The seer! Do you know nothing?” He gestures to the wings spread across Mateo’s chest. “The crow. It is an Oraculum’s symbol, the eyes of the pack. The… magic hasn’t returned. It has always been here. You just needed all the pieces.”

My head is going to burst from all this information.

Oraculums don’t exist.

Just like how Omega wolves are an impossibility.

Just like how someone stole Darius and Nepheline’s memories of each other for some nefarious purpose.

“This is too many coincidences,” I blurt out.

Darius nods. “Which means that they aren’t. Mother Nature has been trying to talk for a very long time but some have been silencing her.”

I narrow my gaze at the newest pack member who has gone from unconscious to faring pretty well on two legs and speaking as if he belongs. He truly does with the way Nepheline is holding onto him but there’s no fucking way he healed that fast. It doesn’t make any sense. My head is also about to explode and I can’t deal with any more information.

I’ll let the others handle Darius’ sudden awakening.

19

DARIUS

Mateo's roar drew out our wolves and subsequently helped heal my wounds. I've never been forced to shift before but this wasn't painful. It was just something my wolf needed to answer to. However, I wasn't planning on waltzing into her nest and wrapping her up in my arms.

They’re all staring at me. Well, except for River who promptly left the room. Several naked men are looming over me as I cuddle Bambi against my chest. Everyone keeps calling her Nepheline or princess or whatever but she’s always been Bambi to me. Two days ago, I thought she was just a figment of my imagination. A happy little pill in my brain that gave me hope in the darkest times.

Now that I know she’s real, I’m furious someone stole my memories of her. She’s gorgeous and fierce and outspoken. She was never afraid of the Redstone Alphas and always stood her ground when there was something she wanted. Memories of the way she’d sneak out of her room and into mine worm their way into my head. We were lovers once, stolen kisses and secret sleepovers, promised to each other.

A bond stronger than an Alpha’s bite.

And then it all just… disappeared.

For nearly ten years, I’ve lived without her at my side.

They’re still staring.

Mateo focuses on his Omega even as I continue to hold her. Had I been anyone else, he would have shredded me being so close after claiming his mate. But there’s a different kind of bond between me and Bambi. A bond I don’t understand but refuse to question.

“I trust you with her. That isn’t a question so you can relax, Darius. However, I need to know why my brother thought dropping you here in the clearing, in the crystal forest would undermine my position or my pack.” He reaches forward to play with her hair, his closeness putting me on edge. The supercharged energy from Mateo is fiercer than Silas’, more terrifying. His wolf is on an entirely different level because there is magic involved rather than that stupid serum.

I watch as Nepheline preens under the attention of her Alpha, smiling when her body relaxes in my hold. “Silas… he wants your Omega. I didn’t know who she was. She was just your Omega. The pack’s Luna. He wants what you have, regardless of the cost.”

“But why you?” Asani asks. He’s the doctor who has been caring for me with such gentleness that I refuse to believe he’s real. No Alpha has ever treated me with kindness before these. Even Maverick helped me drink water when they were all out tonight.

A shiver crawls up my spine as I find the courage to speak with her Alphas crowded around me. Surely they won’t discard me after the revelation. “I’m his most trusted Beta. I was his.” The words feel like ash in my mouth. “He never touched me but his intentions were clear. He wanted me at his side with your Luna.” Mateo growls and I shield Nepheline against my chest in response. “That won’t happen. She’s Bambi. She’s mine.”

“Bambi?” Remi asks. He still has that sloppy smile on his face. Mateo must have fucked him really good but the Alpha looks reenergized rather than in pain. “Was that what you called Nepheline?”

“Yes. I don’t remember much but she was mine. And yours. But she was always mine. I knew it. And then that other Beta—” I try to remember his features or even his name but it escapes me. All I know is that he was a hateful creature, always trying to grab Nepheline’s attention and wow her with things that didn’t interest her. He made her cry. He made her angry and he was always one step away from making her rage.

My beautiful Bambi sought me out in those moments for comfort and long conversations. The vague memories start to clear, the absolute happiness I had forgotten filling me with a warmth that I didn’t know was possible.

“I don’t know why I don’t remember. She was always so bright and then I was in the pack of the Forbidden and I couldn’t remember anything other than that. So much hatred and death and greed. Everyone is using this serum to make them stronger and it’s all about strength rather than honor and loyalty. There is no pack anymore. I… who took me from her?” I bend down to kiss Bambi’s cheek, sighing when a tendril of energy runs through me.

My Bambi.

My heart wrenches as I try to remember more but it’s just darkness.

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