Page 9 of Omega's Salvation
I dwell on Maverick’s words and then nod. “No, you don’t need a title, Maverick. Where you fit with us isn’t something to be rushed. You’ll find your place.” I firmly believe that we haven’t figured everything out about the wolves and the magic we’ve lost. River has poured over the books and the things he has discovered tell of a time where magic was prevalent, where the smallest tasks were filled with joy, where Mother Nature was part of our everyday lives. Ilsa’s diaries are filled with stories from his father and it’s a time I want to return to.
A time we are already returning to if we stay true to ourselves, our pack, and Mother Nature herself. The first thing is ridding our pack of the bad seeds. The next is taking down the wolves pumped with a serum that goes against the magic.
Asani leans back, threading his hands behind his head. “The currently vacant seats on the council, do you have any ideas? Why not appoint Boone? He’s been by your side for this long. It would automatically mean that Nolan is able to help with all council matters. Then you just have to find another individual for that last seat. Someone you trust enough until you rid of everyone else.”
I raise an eyebrow in jest, Asani scowling at the idea of himself taking that last seat. It would cause an uproar and as much as I value his input, our pack isn’t ready to hear the truth of Asani’s past. “I’ll figure it out. For now, we attend the council meeting and then retrieve the Beta. I’m not even sure we’ll be able to stop Nepheline once she catches his scent.”
“Is that wise?” Maverick prods. He steps closer, his arms folded across her chest. “We all want her to have everything she wants and needs but her claim is a powerful one. Your mother will not be able to push back against the pack Luna but laying our cards out so soon when we don’t even know what they are might be detrimental.”
I’ve thought of that as well, but leaving the Beta to my mother and the council could very well bar us from ever seeing him again. Asani mentioned that the wolf was healing but god knows what Calista has done in the meantime. I'm trying not to think about it. Knowing that the Beta was dropped off by Silas himself makes this more difficult. “I won’t keep her from what she needs. We’ll navigate that issue when it comes because Nepheline will find her Beta and she will demand to bring him home. What happens after that, we take in stride.” I run my hands through my hair, no longer envious of my father as pack Alpha. The issues that weighed him down aren’t child’s play and my mother has only made them worse in her greed. “The council will be dealt with once we make a formal announcement.”
River squeezes my knee. “Are you going to fight Kylan?”
“I have to. He undermined my position and has worked against the pack for years. Calista has done the same but dealing with her will be more complicated. When we visit the heart, I will issue a challenge to anyone who wants to fight me for the title of pack Alpha. It’s the way of the wolves.” It’s a terrifying prospect but it’s how we have always determined the outcome. To the victor, the spoils, to the loser, shame, and exile. The elders will be an entirely different beast to tackle as I'm not sure anyone has stripped them of their titles in the history of our pack.
“He’s doped up on my fucking serum, Mateo.”
I shrug. “And my wolf is feral. We’ll be a great match.”
The room stills and I realize the words that just came from my mouth. Maverick tilts his head to the side, narrowing his gaze at me. “Leaning into your beast may have consequences, Mateo. It might save your position but it could ruin your pack and everything you are working towards.”
His uncanny ability to say things like that is unnerving but he’s not wrong. Every time I give in to my beast, it’s a little harder to stuff him back into the cage I keep him in. “Well, hopefully, it doesn’t come to that.” I clear my throat and head for the kitchen. We have a little while longer before the council is expecting us and I could use a few of Remi’s pancakes. “Maverick, reach out to the Sapphire wolves. Make sure they know what’s going on. We need all the help we can get. And Asani? Fix my fucking back door.”
River snorts as he comes up beside me, planting a kiss on my cheek. “You seem feisty today.”
“I’ll show you feisty, River. Believe me.” I turn to him, reaching between us to cup his cock in my hand. It thickens between my fingers as he stares at me, immediate submission flooding his expression. “I’ve missed that look and as much as I want to explore it, I’m not sure some of us are ready for that kind of show.”
The Alpha grunts and then twists around to catch Maverick’s steady gaze. Maverick’s lips quirk up in a smile before he nods to Nepheline’s nest. “Just because I’m not fucking your Omega yet doesn’t mean I don’t like to watch. Besides, I know for a fact that Nepheline does and she should be down shortly.”
I don’t know how he knows that and even though he won’t participate, this is the first time he’s been more than just Nepheline’s Alpha. A deviant grin spreads across my lips as I guide River into the middle of all the pillows. If it’s a show they want, I’m all for it. Maybe I'm deflecting and choosing not to deal with my emotions. It's probably not the healthiest thing but the alternative option is racing into Calista's house and spreading pieces of her across the lawn.
Her time will come.
8
NEPHELINE
Waking up into an unexpected puppy pile is my favorite. Unfortunately, even with Remi lightly sucking on my bond mark, I’m still anxious about my first council meeting. I slowly sit up, Remi’s eyes opening to see what’s wrong. His lips turn down in the most adorable pout that I have to kiss before I look around and notice that I’m now in the living room.
How I didn’t notice one of my Alphas transporting me to a different room? I have no idea.
It’s still a little strange that I draw comfort from a scent I haven’t been around for years, maybe even decades but my Alphas haven’t commented on it. In fact, other than cleaning me up, the torn fabrics are still lining the edge of my nest, complimenting my Alphas’ scents. My chest constricts almost painfully, knowing that he’s just outside of my reach and in Calista’s claws.
Not for long, hopefully.
I crawl from between my Alphas and over to Maverick who is sitting at the edge of my nest, the closest he’s ever been. I take it as a sign of growth, that he’s slowly opening his heart to what this life could be. A smile plays on his lips as I situate myself in his lap and draw his arms around my stomach. That’s when I notice just how my Alphas are positioned. Asani was on the other side of Remi, his arm draped over the little Alpha’s stomach.
But it’s the other two that immediately draw my attention. River’s lips are parted in ecstasy, Mateo’s hand wrapped around the man’s cock while the pack Alpha’s hips snap against River’s. Heat creeps into my face and slowly spreads down my spine as I watch. Ever since I came into the picture, each and every one of my Alphas has focused on me. Sometimes I wondered if I had wedged myself into relationships that didn’t previously include me but I’m beginning to see that it’s just the way of the world.
I am their Omega.
But that doesn’t take away from what they have with each other.
A gasp falls from my lips as I continue to watch, squirming in Maverick’s lap when Mateo’s purr begins. The rumbling sound of satisfaction fills the room, the freeing feeling of magic sweeping through me. My back arches forward as Maverick moves a hand up my stomach to cup my breast. His fingers brush over Remi’s bite pulling a moan from my throat.
Suddenly, everyone’s attention is on me, even River half-asleep and fucked out of his mind. Maverick lowers his lips to my shoulder, playing over another bite as his hands continue to roam. My body heats beneath his attention and four pairs of eyes watching me respond to the Alpha who hasn’t yet joined in on any of the activities.
“Maverick, you don’t need to prove anything,” I whisper. Forcing him before he’s ready is the last thing I want to do but he just shakes his head, his lips traveling up to my ear.