Page 26 of Omega's Salvation
“You truly loved her. I can see it in your eyes, Darius.” Maverick scoots a little closer. “And if neither of you can remember, I can only imagine that what little magic was present within the Redstone pack was used against you. Since you ended up in the pack of the Forbidden, I would assume they are the culprits.”
The heaviness of that revelation doesn’t sit well with me but there’s nothing I can do about it. My only focus is Bambi, now that she’s back in my arms. For as long as the other Alphas allow me to love and nurture her, I will.
“Oraculum-”
Maverick’s eyes widen and he furiously shakes his head. “Nope, absolutely not. If you need to call me something, it’s Maverick or Alpha. Being this… seer makes sense, especially after what just happened but I’m not ready for that kind of title.” He chuckles nervously before nodding to Mateo. “I think we have a true Alpha on our hands which is one of many reasons the magic has returned. I also think that we need sleep. Lots of it.”
Asani holds out his arms and I bristle a little before releasing Bambi to him. He nods his head as a gesture of respect and thanks, one that seems involuntary. An Alpha would never bow to a Beta, especially one of Asani’s power. Still, I’m thankful they understand I don’t want to ruin their dynamic, just that I want to be beside my first love, my promised, my mate.
Mateo stands as do I, the pack Alpha leaning down to my ear as his hand settles on my shoulder. “Tomorrow, you will detail your time with Silas and help us plan for his downfall. As for Nepheline, if any harm befalls our Omega at your hands, I won’t hesitate to ruin you until I’m satisfied.”
“I would never-”
His grip on my shoulder tightens almost painfully. “However, if harm befalls our Omega at my hands or the feet of my wolf, I expect you to slit my throat and display it in the heart. You are her protector, Darius. Welcome to the pack.”
Mateo stalks forward, displaying an entirely different confidence than before. There’s power in each step, magic following him. He speaks to me like I am his equal and not a Beta mate because that’s what I am. I am hers, not theirs.
Welcome to the pack.
It’s a stamp of approval from Mateo himself.
I’m not sure it gets any better than that.
20
RIVER
I needed a moment to think, a moment that didn’t involve all that testosterone in one place. From magic to the Sapphire wolves, to Gael’s physical health, and now this new crest and an Oraculum? I’ve always prided myself in gathering information, studying it, and then making sure Mateo can utilize it. However, all of this is way beyond my expertise.
Refusing to let my chaotic thoughts overtake my rational mind, I opt for a walk through the pack lands. There can never be enough security and what better way to think than to spend time in nature? My feet take me to the edge of the heart, near where the clearing between our pack and the Redstone pack begins. The crystal forest as Mateo so called it once.
It was only later that I learned Nepheline had a part in that name. It fits beautifully, the way the icy snow sparkles beneath the moonlight.
“Running?”
I twist around to see Remi walking up to me, the little Alpha throwing his arms around my waist as he sets his chin on my shoulder. “No.”
“And you’re a liar. We’re all allowed to admit something is too much, River. We’ve been thrown a lot of fucking details in such a short amount of time. Just over three months ago, I thought we’d be sharing an Omega with Mateo. And now? Everything has changed.” He squeezes me a little tighter before I grab his hands and pull them up to my lips to kiss his knuckles.
“Are you going to admit that maybe Mateo was a little too rough with you tonight? I thought he was going to break you in half, babe.” I know Remi enjoys the rough side of our Alpha but Mateo wasn’t in control. His wolf was driving that connection and if Remi had so much as shown an ounce of discomfort, I would’ve fought the pack Alpha.
Remi snorts as he comes to stand beside me. “Asani already mentioned something. Well, he basically told Mateo that he’s not allowed to do that again and he needs to get his wolf in check. It was awkward and I also needed an out. But hey, Nepheline is half-asleep and Darius won’t leave her alone.” He shrugs like our entire pack dynamic didn’t just change with the appearance of Nepheline’s Beta. “Also spoke with a few of the Alphas and they said they were all forced to their knees during whatever that was in the bedroom. They didn’t shift but it was like a call of absolute submission.”
I raise an eyebrow, curious as to how powerful an Alpha’s call can truly be. There hasn’t been one for so long that I wonder what would happen if our pack ever had to fight another. Could Mateo’s call give us an extra boost of adrenaline? Or is this magic just surface-level?
“I am going to do a quick patrol before I go back.”
“There are other guards for that, River.”
“And sometimes I miss running through the woods with my mate at my side.” A wild grin spreads across Remi’s face as he shifts first, looking back at me.
Remi <
“You’re on, you cheater!” I don’t bother stripping, knowing that none of my mates will be bothered by my nakedness when I return. Magic ripples through my body as the shift takes over; being one with my wolf more natural than it ever has been. Before, it was just a different form, something to aid my job here as part of the pack. Now, it feels fluid, natural, and each stride across the snow-covered grass brings me a sense of peace I’ve never had.
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