Page 131 of The Omega's Bloodline: Part One

While I lay there floating in the aftermath, Haru returned to the suite, hopping up to put his front paws on the edge of the bed.

Want to come for some fresh air?

“Fresh air sounds amazing.”

Did you and the witch have fun?

“A lot of fun actually. I might try to walk down.”

You’re feeling well enough for that?

“I think so. Logan charged the amulet and I got a bit of a boost too. Maybe I’ll try panther form. Then I have four legs to keep me upright instead of two.”

Haru nodded and sat back, waiting while I slipped into the familiar form. The amulet swung from my neck when I hopped down off the bed, stretching every muscle before giving myself a good shake.

Hey, Lo, Haru and I are going for a walk.

Have fun. I love you.

Love you too.

Haru managed the elevator and the two of us rode down to the main level together and out into the misty afternoon. I hadn’t quite realized how much I’d been missing fresh air.

Flickers of pleasure still rolled through me every so often, presumably from Logan being taken care of upstairs. I didn’t mind it at all, but it was a bit distracting.

Haru led me to the garden that was full to bursting with fresh produce. I only recognized a few—carrots, beans, beets—with most of the garden being a mishmash of beautiful greenery, flowers, and fruit trees.

I still wasn’t at full strength, so we paused to rest often. It was nice to sit with Haru curled at my side where I could feel the grass beneath my paws and breathe in the cacophony of scents from the garden.

What do you think the monster’s doing?I asked.

It’s on the other side of the nest.Haru replied.I didn’t want to see it while we were out together. It seems to stick by the gates.

That’s good to know.

I flopped backwards and looked up at him from the dirt. Haru licked my cheek and nuzzled my face with his. It would’ve been nice if fate had given us an easy path. I appreciated this nest for what it was, but a part of me was afraid of what would happen after. If we succeeded in our task, Logan and Caden would go back to Syracuse. I had to go with them. But I didn’t want to leave Haru either. A long-distance romance was difficult to manage when you lived a lot of your life as a cat and didn’t have the money to be crisscrossing the nation. But I knew Haru wouldn’t leave here. He and Yelena were as good as bonded even if it wasn’t official yet.

What’s going on in your head?Haru nudged my cheek with his nose.

A lot of things I probably shouldn’t be worried about considering the high probability of death.

Who says there’s a high probability?

To be fair Ididalmost die already.

Haru snorted.But you didn’t. And the witch is learning more and more about her power.

You can call her by her name, you know.I set a paw against his side, feeling the plush fur against my toe beans.

I’m trying not to get attached. I’m already far too attached to you,Haru replied.

Are we sharing the same brain cell today?

Haru let out a huffing sound that I assumed was their version of a laugh.Were you worrying about the same?

I might’ve been. I’m ready to walk more.

I rolled to my feet, shaking the dirt from my fur. Haru stayed pressed against my side as we walked the back edge of the nest barrier. The forest stretched out, seemingly endless, and it went against every instinct I had not to race through those trees.

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