Page 48 of Omega's Salvation

“No,” I snort. “I still need my revenge.” Then, I raise my hand, letting my claws extend before I swipe them down his cheek and neck, giving him an identical wound to mine. He bares his teeth but is in no position to fight back, Mateo cutting off his air. With the tranquilizer running through him, he doesn’t have enough energy to pull the demonic wolf forefront and center but I'd rather speak to Silas like this anyway. I say the same words I spoke in my head to Calista, but this time they are loud and bold.

“You will die and no one will mourn your death. No one will come to bury your body. No one will remember your legacy. You will rot here in this very chair, forgotten by the history books. Every shred of work you’ve done to get to this point has been in vain. Congratulations, Silas. You have become nothing.” This time when I swipe my claw, Mateo moves back so that I catch the entire horizontal length of Silas’ neck.

Blood streams from the cut, Silas gurgling as he wraps his hands around the new wound. As suspected, he bleeds black as well, too many injections turning him into a monstrous creature. I watch with rapt attention as the stream thickens through his fingers, coating his chest and pooling around his thighs and sorry excuse for a cock.

I probably watch longer than is appropriate as he gurgles and spits, his hands falling to his sides when he breathes his last. His eyes are still open from the shock, the silence that surrounds his death disheartening. I’m not sure if I wanted another fight or at least more pushback but this ending doesn’t sit well with me.

Or maybe I just don’t know how to be without conflict.

My entire life has revolved around this one moment and now… it’s over.

No one expresses their excitement or yells their praise. Mateo just slowly approaches and turns me into his chest before wrapping his arms around me. I sag against him, trying to understand my emotions. The rage is gone, poured into that last blow and now it’s a mixture of relief and confusion at what to hold onto next. Tears gather in my eyes as I cling to my Alpha.

“It’s done, Nepheline. When we return to the pack lands, we will honor those who have died for us to reach this point. Then we will start again with the Sapphire wolves at our sides.”

It doesn’t feel done.

Darius presses a kiss to my shoulder, running his hands up and down my back to soothe me. “You’ll feel unsettled. Your mission is over but the emotions don’t just disappear. That takes time.” His voice seems heavy, no doubt Darius remembering the life he lived here and the memories ripped from him. I’ll eventually ask him everything as we try to regain the memories we lost.

I pull away from Mateo and look around to see each of my mates bowing their heads, a respectful gesture meant for the pack Alpha but even Mateo is doing it. It doesn’t feel forced. It feels right, even if the thought of leading a pack is terrifying.

Victoria said she would help.

Hopefully.

I gather what little confidence and energy I have left before marching back into the heart where the few who came with us are waiting for news. They are scratched up and bruised, one of the Alphas carrying his wounded Beta in his arms. Asani rushes to help but from what I can see, we fared well against the pack of the Forbidden—well, the few that remained.

Cutting down the stragglers will be easier now that the head is no longer alive.

“Silas is dead,” I announce. “The reign of the pack of the Forbidden is over. We will return to the heart of the Nightshades to regain the strength, magic, and status that is rightfully ours.” I grit my teeth together, my body fighting against me. I’ve been fighting against the need to sleep or eat since we started, wanting to show that I can truly lead.

I throw my head back to howl into the heavens, my mates and pack members following suit. The echoes will serve to show each and every lingering wolf from the pack of the Forbidden that their leader is dead, that their objective is unreachable, and that we will be seeking them out for more than exile.

My favorite part is that I know exactly how to do that. Maverick enjoyed the hunt and I loved spreading my wings. Mateo and Asani will immediately veto the idea but I’m sure I can persuade them.

The journey back to the heart is a lighthearted one as wolves tumble and play, a smile permanently etched into my face. Darius continues to tell me that my anxiety is merely an after-effect, that Silas was just trying to stir up trouble before he died.

And with every step back toward our pack, I begin to believe it.

That tomorrow is a brand new day.

That for the first time in my life I will look forward to being an Omega and a Luna because that’s not all I am.

I’m more than that.

I’m Nepheline.

Darius chuckles as he rubs his fur coat against mine.

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36

EPILOGUE

Read at your own risk as this last chapter contains a cliffhanger that won't be solved until the last installment of the series: Luna's New Reign.

ASANI

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