Page 33 of Omega's Salvation

“We are aware of the serum. Enzo, I’m sure you know him?” Asani asks. “He was my partner in crime. That drug was never meant to be used like that. It was supposed to be to help repair broken glands or genetic defects. I had no idea what Enzo had planned with that shit or I would have never agreed to make it. Granted, I think I have found something that will neutralize it so if we stumble upon any of them, it'll be easy to rid of them.”

I narrow my eyes at the Alpha, hating how much pain he has brought into the world. He’s not lying about wanting to help but I can see that there was some scientific curiosity that came with the creation. I can’t rage at him, though. His power is comparable to Mateo’s if not stronger and that isn’t a wolf I want on my bad side. “Well, that serum is being used as a crutch to create this kind of demonic creature stronger than any wolf I’ve ever seen. Many of the Alphas in that pack also take it but not to the extreme that Silas does.”

My attention flits to the entrance to the living room again before I continue.

“Silas and Calista aren’t on the same terms, either. They have entirely different agendas just from what I’ve seen here. Silas is like a bulldozer but Calista is strategic. Or was. She’s not much of anything anymore. Kylan and Pierson are just pawns, really. Um-” I run my hands through my unruly strands, growing more anxious by the minute. Flashes of a memory when Silas had me pressed up against a wall flit through my head.

He never truly touched me but he was very clear of his intentions. The number of times I felt every inch of him, including his hardened cock against my belly still disgust me. Had I not remembered Nepheline or grown a conscience at some point, I may have been Silas’ Beta mate.

Maybe that’s why I swore off Alphas altogether.

My heart will only belong to Nepheline.

And maybe Remi.

Maybe.

“Basically, Silas is unpredictable and strong. He’s also stupid which makes him even more of a danger because he will take every risk. We don’t have that long to deal with any of this. Even if we make a plan for Silas, Kylan is a problem. He’s injected with that serum and Mateo might be strong enough but we all know that Calista will bring Gael to that fight. Mateo-”

Maverick slowly reaches out to place a firm hand on my arm, softening my unease. “First, I need you to take three breaths and calm down. You are bonded with our Omega, which means that she can feel every last emotion flowing between you. There you go. One more. Now, you are right that Calista will bring Gael. She needs a strategy where she no longer has any. However, Mateo’s resolve is strengthened by emotion. When he sees what will be lost, he will fight for what is left to be saved. I can see the magic growing in these lands, even the lands the Redstone pack used to own. That will only happen if Mateo wins.”

That does little to assure me because we still have an entire day before the confrontation between Mateo and Kylan. “Great. Great. Glad all this has been figured out.”

Remi sits up a little to push off of Asani’s lap and walks over to my side. I hate the way I lean so easily into his chest when he offers comfort. “Mateo can handle anything that is thrown at him and you know that Nepheline is stronger than all of us combined. River can fend for himself. They’ll be back soon and I promise that you can have first cuddle. Or fuck. Are we there yet?” He trembles as he tightens his hold around me, showing off the bit of fear coursing through him.

Deciding not to dwell on it, I pull away from Remi and situate in the perfect spot to see when Bambi shows up. “Just tell me. I don’t know who he is but there was another Beta. There’s this… certain hatred for him but I can’t even remember a name.”

Asani snorts as he gathers Remi back into his lap. “Flynn? You’ll be happy to know he’s dead. Maverick helped drag him into the heart and then our Omega ripped him limb from limb in front of the entire pack. Quite the sight. I would pay to see it again, the fire in her eyes, the wild smile that spread across her lips as she realized he was dead.”

“Good.”

I snuggle into a stack of pillows, counting as the seconds pass us by. It isn’t long until it’s just Maverick and I waiting for the rest of our pack to stumble into the house. His gaze darts to Asani and then back to the door, his cheeks a faint shade of pink. My entire job revolved around watching and coming to conclusions with Silas. It’s not hard to tell where Maverick’s heart lies and while I don’t know the entire story, I can guess some of it.

“Let yourself love, Maverick. No, this time it’s me telling you to listen and understand what I’m saying. Love is a luxury most of us don’t get, let alone getting it twice. No, Bambi didn’t say anything but she didn’t have to. Living with that pack taught me hatred and submission. Violence and absolute obedience regardless of morals. I’ve seen so much fucking death, so many innocents lose their lives to Alphas like Silas who believe it’s their way or nothing at all. It might hurt to move on, maybe it’s just terrifying but if you don’t allow yourself to love…”

I trail off, not wanting to finish that thought.

Maverick carves out his own section to rest, none of us wanting to use Bambi’s nest without her here. “You aren’t the first person to say something and definitely not the last. I hear you, Darius. I hear you. Get some sleep. I’m sure Nepheline will need her protector when she arrives.”

If the Alpha was trying to soothe my nerves, he definitely didn’t.

25

NEPHELINE

I wake up in a literal puppy pile the next morning, surprised that we’re still in our wolf forms. River and Mateo are nearly on top of my wolf, shielding me from the bitter chill. My mind wanders to last night and the chase that started shortly after Mateo finished addressing the pack.

“Mateo?” I ask as my Alpha shifts, his glorious black coat now with a stripe of crimson down the middle of his back. It’s the same color that runs through my coat, a color that sets me apart from every other known Omega shifter. Reaching over, I sink my hands into the fur of his chest as he rests his snout on my head. “What’s wrong?” Power runs through him, seeping into me as something about his wolf changes.

I release him as he takes off, my eyes wide at his sudden exit. River comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. “His wolf needs a break, sweetie. However, we won’t let him do this alone. I usually take Remi but fancy a patrol?”

“A patrol?”

“We’ll go catch our Alpha and show him that he doesn’t have to do this all alone. Come on. I’ll race you.” River doesn’t even give me a second as he shifts and leaps into the forest, running after my Mateo. I glance at my other mates, confused and worried but it’s Asani and Maverick’s approval that has me shifting as well.

“You always go where you’re needed, Nepheline. You just seem to know and right now, Mateo needs you more than we do.” Maverick steps up to kiss the side of my wolf’s face before I race after my mates, following them by their scents. It’s just after midday, the sky darkening with the threat of another snowfall. I ignore that, though, locked on my Alphas as they rip through our pack lands, driving deeper into the forest until the sunlight is all but gone.

River runs alongside Mateo, keeping up with each stride. It seems like a game, Mateo trying to outrun the demons in his head as River tries to outrun his Alpha to catch his attention. I keep up as best I can but even with my nimble speed, I’m no match for two Alpha wolves, one of which is a true Alpha.

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