Page 40 of Omega's Salvation

It’s a wonderful tribute to the absence of Gael but my heart still hurts without him. They soon head back to the heart and their homes, leaving us to mourn once Gael is buried, a fresh mound of dirt covering the hole. Snowflakes begin to cover it, blending it in with the surroundings as silence falls around us. Three wolves stay, shifting back before they bow their heads to Mateo.

One of them is the woman Gael introduced me to briefly, her silver eyes full of pride. The man steps forward—the Alpha of the pack—and addresses Mateo. “We came after your call, wanting to help you curate the magic that has come back to your lands. You have mated many powerful individuals that will bring you the help you need—”

The woman slaps his chest, frowning at his demeanor. “What my Alpha meant to start with is that we are sorry for your loss but excited for your gain. It is a tough time to lose a loved one while trying to fight for your future.”

My gaze narrows at her and then moves to her Alpha before settling on the woman again. “Aren’t you his Omega?” It dawns on me that she is also a shifter like I am. Rare as we are, I have never met another Omega shifter.

Her lips crack in a wide smile. “Yes, we are the pack leaders of the Sapphire wolves. Alpha Kehlani. Myself, Victoria, the Luna, and my Beta, Lawrence.” She says ‘my Beta’ the same way I do as if Lawrence is not also her Alpha’s. I’m thoroughly intrigued, something she picks off my face. “We have much to speak about but I fear that this clearing is not the best place. Do you have somewhere we can speak?” Her attention flits to me and I realize that the dynamic within the Sapphire wolves’ pack is very different than the Nightshades or anyone else’s.

In fact, I’m pretty damn sure the Luna runs the pack and not the Alpha.

Alpha Kehlani doesn’t even look perturbed for being told off and her Beta is content pressing up against her back in a protective hold. From a quick glance, they don’t have crests like we do but I suppose the silver strand through their hair is symbol enough.

“The house. I think that would be the safest.” Mateo helps me to my feet and stands behind me, Darius eagerly scurrying over to my side. No doubt he has questions about his place in all of this but that will have to wait until we reach the house. Victoria waits for me to lead, even Mateo nudging me forward. It’s a strange feeling to be the centerpiece as we walk the short distance to the pack Alpha’s house.

She leans over to me, taking one of my hands in hers. “Nepheline, right? Gael mentioned a few words before he passed but you do know that the Luna is the leader of the pack, right? Not the Alpha?”

“What?”

“We are the ones that bring the wolves together. The ones who hold the balance, the magic, and the guiding light to move forward. Did you think you were meant to submit?”

The color drains from my face at what Victoria is insinuating. I’m supposed to lead?

That’s not what I planned at all.

30

DARIUS

It feels so surreal sitting next to a member of my pack, someone who understands me more than I do myself. Bambi’s Alphas are spread out in one of the office rooms, far away from the nest in the living room—Bambi’s orders. She’s currently between Mateo and I, both of us a little confused at Victoria’s words while Victoria and her mates stand a few feet from us.

Nepheline, the leader of the Nightshades?

Victoria bursts out laughing at our bewildered expressions. Lawrence, her Beta, taps her arm, obviously bringing her back to the issue at hand. “I apologize. It’s just so different from how the packs used to be run. Well, both the Nightshades and the Redstones used to carry their packs just like us. The Luno or the Luna leads, not the Alpha. However, the Alpha may use their voice to carry out the command because of the biological pull that they have. Do none of you know this? It’s fine. Just means a little more training. First thing is first, where is your Oraculum?”

I swallow nervously as we all turn to point at Maverick. He tenses up, his eyes wide as he stares at the Sapphire Luna. “Present?”

“Not what I expected. You don’t shift?”

Maverick frowns and shakes his head. “Am I supposed to?”

Victoria sighs and leans back against one of the desks in the office before folding her arms across her chest. “Oraculum are usually shifters, yes. It’s not an obstacle, just odd. And your Beta, Darius. It’s been a while.” The smile slips off my face as I sag in my chair. “I see that you don’t remember me. So long as you take care of your Omega, everything else will return in time.”

It’s good to know that my memories of Bambi when she was younger will surface at some point but I have other questions. “What about your pack? I know that I am a Sapphire wolf but I don’t remember any of that either.”

She manages a small smile as she tilts her head to the side, gesturing for Lawrence to answer. He straightens his shoulders and clasps his hands together in front of him. “We are given the choice to serve once we are old enough. Our duties are simple—to protect an Omega. To love them and to cherish them. Some say that our instincts border on Omega biology with the way we cling to the ones we choose.”

“Wait, I chose Bambi?” I twist to look at Bambi who is beaming up at me, holding onto me. My entire being wants to please her, to make sure that she’s happy, well-fed, and sleeps well. I want to hold her and kiss her and fuck her until she passes out. I want her to be mine, forever, and always.

Lawrence moves toward us, stealing my attention. “We always choose our Omegas. It’s an instant bond. You’ve been her protector for much longer than you can probably remember. The only downside is that our Omegas are our only mate. You may share, body, mind, and heart with her other Alphas but you will never share that bond.” A flash of sadness flickers through his eyes as I realize that he’s in love with Victoria’s Alpha but the magic will not allow him to bond another. His entire existence revolves around hers, not theirs.

When I first reconnected with Bambi, I wasn’t worried about her Alphas. Now, it’s a little painful to know that I’ll never be able to share a bond with them.

Bambi wraps her arms around my waist and places her chin on my chest to meet my gaze. “You are theirs too, Dari.”

Victoria pulls Lawrence back, nodding to agree with the statement. “We still share. That’s never been a problem. Darius, Betas in our pack are given scent cards much like nonshifter Omegas receive in those centers. If they find a card they like, we speak with the pack that gave us the scent. In this case, it was the Redstone pack Alpha, Locke.”

“Locke? Isn’t that Bambi’s brother?”

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