Page 35 of Omega's Salvation

>

>

I refuse to watch my family slaughtered across the snow. I refuse to watch someone steal everything from me. I refuse to turn back without my Alphas directly behind me.

Instead of listening to River, I shift to my wolf and throw my head back to release a howl that will definitely reach our mates.

>

The magic told me that we would be okay. I’m choosing to believe it.

I bow my head, releasing the same snarl that Mateo is, waiting for River to agree.

>

I’m about to protest when Mateo just shakes his head.

>

>

The wolves that entered the pack lands slowly creep closer, heads lowered and ready to fight. The snarls fill the small space as I lower my front leg to prepare an attack. Mateo and River do the same, their much larger wolves shadowing me.

When the first one lunges, Mateo snatches him from the air by his neck and thrusts him onto the ground before ripping out flesh. Blood sprays across the three of us as Mateo makes his presence known. Unfortunately for them, it doesn’t deter the other wolves as they charge forward. I take a step back, watching as my Alphas take on an unfair number of opponents. The offset is quickly matched as the rumbling growls of my other mates meet my ears.

Flashes of black fur race past me to join Mateo and River, Darius coming up one side of me and Maverick on the other. I glare at him, wondering how the fuck he made it over here.

“Asani offered. We’re not going to speak of it.”

I crack a smile, unable to rid myself of the image permanently in my head. Maverick riding Asani’s wolf? That isn’t something I expected but having every one of my mates here with me is special. Darius rubs his nose along my face and then down my neck, his presence settling my Omega and wolf.

>

I plant my paws firmly on the ground and stretch up as far as I can. My wolf is much smaller than the others but Mateo has mentioned more than once that I am the beast to be feared. So, I embrace it.

“You have accepted each of your mates, Nepheline. Your coat is changing. Showing the Luna that you will become,” Maverick says as he runs a hand through my fur.

>

“No, you will see when we return. For now, watch as your Alphas strike down the intruders.”

I watch, wolves being ripped apart, my Alphas howling with glee every time another wolf meets its demise. For the first time, when I see bloodshed, I won’t think about everything I have lost but everything I have gained. Soon, the snarls lessen, my Alphas pacing around the wolves. Darius nudges me forward and I walk toward the carnage, ignoring the crimson rivers spilling onto the earth floor.

Snow still falls, quieting the death now spread around us. My heart beats in my ears as I take charge of my own story, watching as one wolf tries to stand. My Alphas stand back as I lunge toward the wolf and slash my paw across his chest. There is no remorse for the way he whines and breathes his last.

I’m not ready for the way my Alphas circle around me and then bow their heads. Even Darius joins, giving me respect that is usually due a pack leader.

“Nepheline, Mateo might be a true Alpha but you are his Luna. His center. The one that will run this new pack.”

The walk back is slow and silent, Mateo gathering one of the wolves between his teeth to drop in the middle of the heart. It won’t be long before he must fight Kylan but this is more important. Someone tried to kill not only my Alphas but myself. While it could have been a random attack, the fact that the wolves came through at that point, I’m sure that it was coordinated and planned.

I don’t shift until we reach the heart, Mateo laying the wolf at his feet. Pack members gather around us, horrified at the slaughtered animal. Even the council makes an appearance, stepping outside of Calista’s house, no doubt making plans without us. Boone approaches us from the other side with his mate, Nolan, bowing their heads and waiting for us to speak.

My Alphas and Beta remain in their wolf forms, showing off the carnage splattered across their coats. Darius stands directly beside me, his wolf bristling with an energy I’m unfamiliar with.

Maverick nods to me. “This is your show, Nepheline. Address your pack.”

A deep sigh leaves me as I face the pack. They stare at the crest on my chest before many of them give me a bow of their heads and then return their attention to my face or the wolf at my Alpha’s feet. Maverick moves to slip his shirt over my head and although shifters rarely discuss nakedness or are shamed by it, it is better to discuss this topic with clothes.

---