Page 11 of Omega Claimed

For the first time, my mates have left me alone. They told me I was safe and to stay inside until they returned. Then they locked the door. I watched them climb the path up the mountain before they disappeared into the night.

I don’t know what to do with myself while waiting for them. I’m used to their constant presence—at least one of my alphas has always been with me, protecting and doting on me.

The forest outside is dark, the mountains are silent, and I’m scared.

Where did they go? Why wasn’t I allowed with them? How long will they be gone?

My stomach hurts and my hands shake. Strange creaks and the rustling of the wind make me think of demons and ghosts. I know such creatures don’t exist, but I fear them anyway.

Time crawls forward. I watch the moon through the window. Since they left, it’s barely moved on its path across the sky.

A scratching sound from above makes me jump. It must be a night bird or a tree branch scraping at the roof in the breeze, but I’m trembling with terror.

I can’t wait anymore. I can’t be without them. What if they left for good? I’m nothing without them.

The walls of the cottage seem to be closing in on me. I rush to open the window and stick my head outside. I draw in strangled breaths.

A surge of fear and longing gives me strength, and I pull myself up into the window. I’m about to disobey them, and they’ll be angry, but I can’t be alone. I can’t be without them for a minute longer.

I follow the narrow path they took up the steep incline. There’s only one trail winding through the trees and bushes. The moonlight is strong enough for me to distinguish roots and boulders, and I walk fast until I’m breathless with exertion.

A vast meadow opens in front of me. The mountain peak rises before me, boulders dotting the grass as if a giant threw them around.

The silver light outlines three silhouettes of tall men standing atop the mountain. My mates.

What are they doing up here in the middle of the night? I don’t wait for answers. I’m so happy I’ve found them that I rush toward them. I’ll be grateful for whichever way they punish me for my disobedience.

Then I stumble and freeze.

For a few heartbeats, I fear I’ve lost my mind.

They’re naked but that’s not what startles me. My enormous alphas grow even bigger in front of my eyes. Low howls and ominous snapping carry through the quiet night. Their skin darkens and bursts with fur.

They turn toward me, and three pairs of yellow eyes are pinned on me.

They’re monsters. Half-wolves, half-men, with muscled limbs that could crush boulders, fangs and claws made to tear flesh from bones.

I’d seen a picture of a lycan in a book of legends when I was a child. The beast was frightening, with knife-like talons and blood dripping from its open snout. My grandfather told me not to be afraid because lycans didn’t exist.

Now I know they do.

I fall to my knees. My heart flutters around my ribcage, and my breaths come short.

“We told you to stay at home!”

It’s Hale. It’s his voice, just stronger and gravelly. It makes me shiver. I can recognize his face, but his mouth is turned down at the corners, thick fur covers his head, creating an arrow down the middle of his forehead, and his ears are pointed. He licks his fangs and clenches his fists. He looks angry.

In a few leaps, they’re in front of me. Wyot snarls at me. Oh God, his claws! I cower on the ground.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

“Why did you follow us?” Hale asks. His ears twitch, and his lip curls with displeasure. He looks like a hunter about to attack.

But they’re my mates! They love me, don’t they?

“I grew afraid,” I stammer out. “I couldn’t be alone.”

“And you’re not afraid now?” Wyot asks.

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