Page 65 of Claimed Omega

“You scared us half to death.” Grasping Daniel’s hand, I tenderly brushed his hair away from his face. “Promise me you won’t get stabbed again, okay?”

He attempted to laugh but winced instead.

“Alright, no one make Daniel laugh,” I declared. Nestling close to him, cheek to cheek, I whispered, “I’ve been so terrified I might lose you.” Pressing a gentle kiss on his cheek, I recalled the intensity of his kisses, the passion that ignited in my body, and the way his gaze carried the same fiery desire. I thought I had given my heart to three Alphas, but in reality, I’d fallen for four men…

“Is that a challenge?” Viper interrupted, a wicked smirk spreading across his face as he rubbed his hands together.

I rolled my eyes at him while Daniel held a reassuring hand on my thigh as though he couldn’t bear to let me go.

Shadow joined us, taking a seat on the other side of the bed. Cradling Daniel’s face, I searched his eyes with a look of relief and tenderness. “I’m so glad it’s nothing too serious. Now you have all the time in the world to heal, and I’ll be right here for you.”

“We all will be,” I added, smiling at Daniel, whose eyes shimmered with unshed tears, his lips curling upward into a grateful smile. “You’re all going to make me cry.”

I tightened my grasp on his hand, and Shadow reached over to gently stroke my cheek. His face wore bandages from his cuts. We all looked as if we had just come from a battlefield, but no one in the hospital dared question us after they discovered we were connected to the Matteis family.

Voices sounded behind us, and I twisted around to see Rusty entering the room, accompanied by one of the elders from the previous day’s chaotic fight. I had lost my father in that battle. Although I couldn’t shake the knowledge that I had taken his life, I reminded myself that I had put an end to his murderous reign.

Shadow, Viper, and Aspen rose to their feet, standing at the foot of Daniel’s bed like vigilant guardians, ready to defend us once more. I clung onto Daniel’s hand, and he slowly lifted it to his lips, a soft kiss to my knuckles. I adored that he used his energy to heal and comfort me.

“It’s going to be okay,” he reassured me, his soothing touch and chocolate scent wrapping around me like a warm blanket. It eased my tension at Rusty’s arrival.

“We don’t want to take up too much of your time,” Rusty said. “But we must address this now since the situation with the Matteis estate and Shchavlev family is currently unstable.”

“Okay,” Shadow replied, his posture commanding and shoulders broad.

The older man, leaning on a black cane, stepped forward, his lips drawn into a thin line. His bushy white eyebrows framed his eyes, which held a surprising softness as they studied Shadow.

“My son,” he said, setting a hand on Shadow’s shoulder. “Your great-grandfather made lots of mistakes in dealing with your father and keeping you away from the family, but he didn’t deserve to be killed by that snake, Axel. However, what’s done is done, and we can’t change the past, can we?”

“I guess not,” Shadow answered, his voice steady.

Viper and Aspen were silent but alert, their gazes tracking everyone in the room.

“I’m here to inform you that with Axel defeated, you and your friends are no longer being hunted. Your bounties have been rescinded. Most importantly,” he continued, clearing his throat and dropping his hand from Shadow’s shoulder, “you should know that with Axel’s demise, you are now the new boss of the Matteis family. I’m here to seek confirmation that you will accept the role to take your great-grandfather’s place.”

My pulse spiked. The possibility had crossed my mind, but I never allowed myself to seriously consider it while we were trying to survive.

“Go to his side,” Daniel whispered, nudging me to join my Alpha.

Shadow’s decision wouldn’t be an easy one, and the weight of it unnerved me. As I slid in beside Shadow, he intertwined his fingers with mine.

“That’s a huge decision. I’ve had more than my fill of war and conflict to last me a damn lifetime.”

The old man’s bushy eyebrows arched, his gaze shifting to me, causing me to bristle defensively.

“Then you better speak with the leader of your rival family, considering you’re holding her hand right now.”

My mouth dropped open, my stomach twisting. “Wait, what?”

Viper and Aspen gasped in unison while Daniel chuckled behind us. Shadow simply grinned down at me.

“My delightful little adversary. I like the sound of that,” he teased.

“You vanquished your father,” Rusty murmured. “We, along with some of his guards, witnessed it. As his only remaining blood relative, you inherit his entire estate, his possessions, and all his power.”

“No, that can’t be right. I-I…” I was at a loss for words, struggling to comprehend the enormity of my father’s wealth and power. Suddenly, I felt lightheaded and close to fainting. The room swayed around me, and I clung to Shadow.

“If you don’t accept this responsibility, we will appoint a new leader. You and your friends will be protected by the Matteis family, but you won’t gain access to your father’s fortune if you walk away,” the elder stated, lifting his chin and speaking in a firm tone.

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