Page 86 of Shattered Omega: Part Two

Ransom grinned.

“Plus,” I added. “We’re even now. He found her, and she fixed you, so…” I shrugged.

That was it. Shatter was the best gift in the whole universe. I’d go through those experiments all over again if that was the price of having her in my life.

“Sheisours,” Ransom said quietly. He was tense, eyes drifting to Dusk’s door.

Oh good. Ransom was on board. “‘Course she is.”

“What’s she like?”

“I don’t know… she’s… Shatter. She’s just perfect.”

DUSK

I woke to sunlight streaming through the huge windows of my room in the cabin. Outside, I could hear the familiar sounds of tree branches rustling in the wind and birds singing in the late fall air.

It was impossible to escape the scent of earth and pine here; it lingered in the bones of this place, sweeping in with every open window or door. The air had a texture to it, the heavy exhales ofa thousand trees—so different from the city. And all of that, I’d woken to a thousand times before.

Except this morning was different.

Because in my arms was an omega.

My omega.

Tangled with the bark and earth, were the light petals of nightshade, a balance of sweet and bitter that complemented the smooth earths of the cabin.

She was facing me. We’d come apart during the night, and I’d readjusted her shirt, making sure her dressings were safe. Even then, when I’d slipped away briefly for the bathroom, she’d been restless when I returned.

Now, her slender arms were wrapped around her waist, her cheek pressed to my chest as little purrs shuddered through her body with each exhale. I was quite sure she was drooling on me, which was oddly adorable.

Her wild, honey hair was ruffled and messily spread across the pillow behind her. The sunlight spilled past unclosed curtains, and her golden skin looked like it glowed with the morning rays.

I felt a moment of sorrow, seeing her peace, knowing that it wouldn’t be so simple when she woke.

My omega, a survivor when she should never have had to be.

I slipped a hand through her hair, unable to look away, guilt swallowing me whole. Her purr rose at the touch, and golden eyes creaked, large and beautiful, as she blinked away sleep, getting her bearings.

Her brows bunched for a moment before her eyes met mine.

Then she drew back, one arm drawing away from me as she wiped her mouth, a little warmth blooming on her cheeks as she glanced down at the small trail of drool on my chest. I grinned, taking her chin between my thumb and forefinger, and pressing my lips to hers before she could get embarrassed about it.

I drew away, and there was a flash of a smile on her face. Breathtaking beauty contained in a perfect bubble.

A bubble that couldn’t last.

I saw the moment it popped—when her eyes darted around the room, taking it in. It was the moment her memories came crashing back. Like a storm blowing in, I saw a shadow cross her eyes. Her smile dissolved, the glow of her cheeks draining away. Her purr stuttered out to nothing, and she squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, her chin quivering.

“I’m sorry,” I breathed, sitting us up gently and letting her sink against me, clinging tight. She was shaking.

“If there’s anything else you need to feel safe, will you tell me?”

She drew back, capturing me in those beautiful eyes once more. I could see her mind working, something desperate forming on her face. She opened her mouth, then closed it again, as if unsure.

“Tell me.”

“A-anything?” she whispered.

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