Page 124 of The Omega's Bloodlinem: Part Two

We pushed all of our last-minute additions into the next car available, already outfitted with a relatively calm shifter in the driver seat. Once they zipped off as well, we turned to Velda.

“That’s the last of them,” she said.

“Where are they going?” I asked, knowing Seattle couldn’t take any more of our residents.

“Anyone who has an indigenous-looking animal form is going toward Seattle and onward to Vancouver or Kananaskis, crossing the border as animals. Everyone else is headed south to Medford, some on to Sacramento. Margaret and Shakti have been connecting with the other nests all morning since Calliope went into labor.”

“Did she and her family get out?” I asked.

“She was spitting mad about it, but yes,” Velda replied. “Dr. Atling and Sarah went with her. I shoved Cora in with Shakti to make sure she didn’t try to stay.”

The last few vehicles disappeared down the road, leaving the nest painfully empty. I stood with Yelena, Velda, Caden,and Seth, staring into the woods where Logan and Haru had disappeared, risking their lives for the nest.

I’d been such a prick when Caden had suggested Logan be a Protector, assuming it was a simple power grab, and not something that was at the core of her being. I knew she was forced to face this, that running was probably far more appealing, but if it meant saving us, she was willing to put herself in danger. No matter how many times I had witnessed it, it was still a shock.

Our omega needed us to surrender our power. Mere weeks ago I never would’ve been able to do that, but even without knowing its purpose, she had shown me I was capable of it.

Please, gods, let us make it through this. It didn’t matter if I was missing my shifting or the magic core that gave me an extended life, I wanted to spend whatever years we had left together.

I slipped my hand into Seth’s. Warm affection buzzed through the bond when he turned to look at me. He took Caden’s hand on the other side, starting a chain reaction, Caden reaching for Yelena, and Yelena for Velda.

I had no intention of going quietly, even if I was willing to surrender the core of myself. I would give what was necessary, but I desperately didn’t want death to be in the cards. My pack was here with me, a steady presence in the bond no matter how afraid we all were.

Whatever happened, I was glad I didn’t have to face it alone.

Haru really was as fast as a car, which, while impressive, was also fucking terrifying as they moved through the trees at that speed. I stayed as low as I could so I didn’t get knocked off by a tree branch, following the flow of their body like water. With my fingers locked in their fur, I had some semblance of hope I wouldn’t fall off and get immediately consumed.

Shrieks followed us, each one setting me on edge and sending goosebumps cascading over my skin. The gold marks on my skin flared with light with each monstrous scream, all the crossed wires in my brain slingshotting desire through my system. It didn’t temper the fear, but it was a pleasant distraction.

The bond was overflowing with panic and I absorbed it like a sponge. We were down to the now or never, and I wasn’t fucking ready. How could I be? I’d barely had a moment to breathe since all of this started.

How was I supposed to protect my pack?

One thing at a time,Haru assured me.Keep breathing.

I buried my face in their fur. The air behind us was ice cold, like the creature was absorbing every ounce of warmth. The forest was hauntingly quiet besides the fall of Haru’s paws against the ground and their panting breath.

We couldn’t run for long, but if the monster was following me, it wasn’t guarding the gate. My pack would make sure the nest occupants got to safety, and beyond that, it was up to me.

No pressure or anything.

I wept as Haru ran, mourning everything we were about to lose. Maybe I wasn’t as at peace with things as I’d thought. This was no longer apossibilityof destruction, but rather a certainty, and the only question was how much damage we’d have inflicted.

We got them out.

Velda was warm and jittery in my head, like she was trying to comfort me beyond her own worries.

Haru turned, beginning a wide roundabout to get us back to the nest. I dared a look back and instantly regretted it. The trees were scorched and wilted on the creature’s path, like it was drawing the life force out of the forest itself and still ravenous to take from me, too.

Hecate, I don’t know what to do.

Little star, you have always known.

But I didn’t. I wasn’t brave enough to look death in the face and not be afraid. I had no choice, though. If it wasn’t a willing sacrifice, the rift wouldn’t heal.

Haru, go as fast as you can. Get some distance between us and it.

My wolf bolted ahead, so quick I had to close my eyes against the breeze.