The Omni-Wolf’s Choice novel Chapter 10

Chapter 10 Dreams… always dreams…

Ryder’s POV

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I had waited too damn long to finally find her, and now that I had her under my roof, the idea of

walking out of her room felt wrong. The only reason I did was because my sister had picked the worst

possible moment to barge in-an interruption I fully intended to repay when she found her mate.

But I couldn’t stay. Not if I wanted Bridget safe.

There were calls that had to be made. The Vampire King. The Witch Queen. If Bridget had powers- real ones-I needed someone with experience digging through ancient bloodlines and buried magic. I

needed answers before something else found her.

Then the bond hit.

Scent first. Steam and shampoo drifting through the hall. The soap she’d chosen, fresh and warm.

And then-her arousal, blooming sharp and sweet in my lungs.

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Talon surged in me like a wild thing, all instinct and hunger. Every part of me wanted to turn around, push into her room, and take her apart until the only sound left in the world was her saying my name.

I forced myself farther away.

The only way to keep my control was to bury myself in work, so I headed for my office-and the meeting I was supposed to be having with my pack officials.

I sat behind my desk with a drink and locked my expression into something steady.

“Connor,” I said, “I want you talking to everyone who was at the lake. Anyone who saw her eyes light up. I need every detail they remember from that night.”

Connor’s brow creased as he searched his memory. “The weather changed because she was hurting. Cars were getting thrown around behind us. I thought it was some older, powerful entity at first… but with what we know now, it could’ve been your mate’s abilities waking up.”

I nodded once, filing it away.

“Lucas. Pierce,” I continued. “One of you goes to the witches. The other goes to the vampires. I’ve already sent word-they’ll be waiting for you.”

I barely finished the sentence before my body went rigid.

A mind link snapped into place-Emmett, posted outside my Luna’s door.

‘Alpha Ryder,’ Emmett said, ‘Luna Bridget is asking for you.’

< Chapter 10 Dreams… always dreams…

‘Tell her I’m coming. Now.’

I pushed back from the desk.

(*)Ger5)

Mera

“Connor-when the elders get here tomorrow evening, we meet immediately,” I ordered. “All leaders

present. Everyone briefed. Everyone ready for Bridget.”

“Understood, Alpha,” he answered, and there was unmistakable satisfaction in his eyes. He wasn’t the

only one. They’d been my men since we were pups. They’d watched me search. And now I’d finally

found her.

Then something ugly slid through the bond.

Fear. A racing heartbeat. A spike of panic that didn’t belong to me.

Talon slammed into my skull. ‘Our mate is scared. She needs us-right now!’

My breath caught. I shot to my feet so fast the chair scraped.

“Bridget,” I rasped. “Something’s wrong.’

I was already moving-out the door, down the corridor, taking the stairs two at a time. My men

thundered after me without being told, ready to tear apart anything that threatened the future Luna.

I mind linked the guards as I ran.

‘Report. What’s happening?’

‘Nothing, Alpha,’ Emmett replied instantly. ‘Do you want me to go/in?’

I reached him at her door and didn’t bother answering aloud. I shoved inside.

The room looked like a storm had chosen it as a nesting place.

Windows were flung wide. The balcony doors yawned open, banging in the wind. Curtains whipped

and snapped, twisting like pale ghosts.

My eyes swept the bed-empty.

And then I saw her.

Bridget was on the couch, tossing and turning, fighting something only she could see. My men fanned

out, checked corners, verified there was no intruder, no lurking threat.

It wasn’t an attack.

It was a nightmare.

< Chapter 10 Dreams… always dreams..

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I moved to her and cupped her cheek, my thumb brushing along damp skin. “Bridget,” I murmured, keeping my voice low. “It’s me. Ryder. You need to wake up.”

Her face tightened, and then she cried out-calling for her parents.

My chest clenched.

She was back there. Reliving it.

I motioned for my men to shut everything, and they moved fast-closing windows, forcing doors shut

against the wind. The storm didn’t stop immediately. It fought, like it didn’t want to release her.

I pressed a kiss to her forehead and leaned in until my brow touched hers. “Bridget,” I tried again,

gentler. “Come back to me.”

She didn’t.

So I used what I was.

“Bridget. Wake up.” My Alpha voice cut through the room like a blade.

Her lashes fluttered. Her eyes snapped open, disoriented and wide, and then she clutched me like I

was the only solid thing in existence. She buried her face against my chest.

Sobs tore out of her, shaking her whole body.

I gathered her up and carried her out. Behind us, her room dripped and hissed with rainwater, a

wrecked, wind-torn mess.

Connor caught my eye and gave a sharp nod-he’d handle the cleanup.

I took Bridget to my room and sat with her on my couch, keeping her tucked against me while she

cried herself hollow. I couldn’t wrap my mind around watching your parents die in front of you. To be dragged through it again and again in sleep? That was its own kind of torture.

“Shh,” I whispered into her hair. “I’m here. I’ve got you.”

When the sobs finally began to break, I reached for the tissue box on the end table and pressed it into

her hands.

“You’re soaked,” I said. “I’m getting you something dry. A warm bath, maybe tea. Has this happened

before?”

I lifted her again and carried her into my bathroom, setting her on the counter while I turned the taps

and filled the tub.

“No,” she said, teeth chattering. “I’ve never… experienced that.”

< Chapter 10 Dreams always dreams

The water steamed, ready to do what I couldn’t-warm her from the outside in.

“Okay,” I told her softly. “Let’s get you in.”

I helped her down and started to step away to give her privacy.

Her hand shot out, cold and slender, and caught my wrist.

“Could you stay?” she asked.

“Of course.”

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I turned mye slightly as she undressed, doing my best not to watch her reflected in the mirrors. It didn’t help. Golden skin, sun-kissed, smooth as if it had never known a bruise. A body that looked like

it belonged in my hands.

I shut my eyes and listened for the sound of her moving.

“Okay,” she said quietly.

When I opened them, she was curled in the tub with her knees pulled up, the water lapping at her like it was grateful to have her. But even in the heat, she trembled, chin resting on her knees.

“We’re not warm enough,” I said.

There was only one heat I could give her that mattered.

I stripped fast-shirt, pants-letting everything drop to the floor. I was already hard, and the sight of her naked in that tub made Talon snarl and strain inside me.

“Wow,” she managed, trying to tease through the shaking. “Nice body, Alpha.”

“Careful,” I shot back, keeping my tone light. “Make room, trouble.”

Her gaze dipped-right where it shouldn’t-and her mouth curved.

I slid in behind her, keeping my boxer briefs on. I needed the thin barrier, because without it she’d be straddling me and I’d be thrusting into her until she shattered-again and again-until I spilled every

last drop of myself inside her.

Not tonight. Not like this.

I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close. My nose found the curve of her neck, and I

breathed her in until my head swam.

She sank back against my chest and let her eyes close.

< Chapter 10 Dreams… always dreams

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I grabbed the sponge and soap and started with slow, steady circles-washing her arms up to her shoulders. My hands traveled down, over her breasts, and I kneaded them gently, thumbs brushing

sensitive peaks.

Bridget scooped water and let it sheet over herself, nipples tight and gleaming. My mouth ached to

taste.

I slid my hands over her stomach and down to her thighs.

Her knees opened for me without hesitation.

Two fingers slipped between her folds, and she was already soaked. She exhaled like she’d been holding her breath for days. I stroked her slowly, back and forth, and her legs spread wider.

“Good girl,” I breathed into her ear.

Her teeth caught her bottom lip, and she ground her hips against my hand.

Praise. She liked it.

I pushed two fingers inside her and watched her hands clamp onto the tub’s edge. Her mouth fell open, and that pink tongue flicked out to wet her lips.

“Oh, the things I’m going to do with that mouth,” I said, voice rough, as I began to pump my fingers.

Water splashed. Her breathing turned ragged.

“Ryder…” she moaned.

My free hand slid into her hair, pulling it aside so I could mouth along her throat. My canines pricked out, scraping lightly-an intentional tease where my mark would go.

She moved harder, chasing it, and I felt her tighten around my fingers.

“My good girl’s close,” I murmured. “You going to come for me? You want to soak my fingers?”

“Yes,” she gasped. “Please-yes.”

I curled my fingers, again and again, hitting the spot that made her break. She turned her head and I kissed her, tongue sliding into her mouth, claiming every tremble and sound.

“Come for me, Bridget,” I commanded.

I didn’t slow down.

She came in a rush that felt like a flood even through bathwater, her body clenching hard against my hand as she cried out into my mouth.

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Chapter 10 Dreams always dreams

*GerB*

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I held her through it, whispering against her lips. “That’s my girl. Goddess… you’re stunning.”

She slumped back, exhausted, and managed a drained little smile.

“Well,” she said softly, “you definitely made that easy.”

I huffed a low laugh. “I could keep doing this all night. And a hell of a lot more.”

“Tempting,” she murmured.

“But I’m getting you out before I take you up on it,” I told her, and forced myself to move.

We climbed out, and I wrapped her in thick, warmed towels. After drying her off, I handed her one of

my shirts.

Watching her step into my bedroom wearing nothing but my t-shirt hit me like a punch.

When she was settled, I nodded toward the couch. “Do you want to talk about the dream?”

She gave a small nod, then folded into herself on the cushions, feet tucked under her. Her fingers found a curl and twisted it nervously.

“It’s always the same,” she began. “I’m running through the woods with my parents. I hear people behind us. We reach the water, and my mom slips-she falls in. My dad goes after her, trying to pull her out. I see them one last time and then they’re gone. And then… everything turns black.”

Tears tracked down her cheeks again.

It wrecked me.

Talon whimpered, miserable, restless. All we wanted-both of us-was to keep her safe.

“I’m so sorry,” I said, and my voice came out scraped raw.

I pulled her into my lap and held her until the shaking eased. When her breathing steadied, I could see how heavy her eyelids were.

She’d been through too much in one day.

I knew she needed sleep. I just didn’t know if she’d let herself have it.

I lifted her and carried her to my bed.

“You take the mattress,” I told her with a small smile. “I’ll crash on the couch.”

Her gaze fixed on me, worried. “Can you-can you hold me until I fall asleep again?” She patted the space beside her.

< Chapter 10 Dreams… always dreams.

I didn’t hesitate.

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I was already down to pajama pants, shirtless like always. I ran hot, and she was still recovering from

the chill.

I slipped into bed and she scooted close, laying her head over my heart like she was listening for proof

I was real.

“Thank you,” she breathed. “And… I’m sorry. I’m causing problems for you already.”

I tipped her chin up, making her meet my eyes.

“You don’t apologize for existing,” I told her. “Not with me. You’re the most incredible creature I’ve ever

met.”

I kissed her-soft, careful, a promise more than anything.

She smiled faintly and settled back onto my chest.

Seconds later her breathing smoothed into sleep.

I stayed awake, arms locked around her, swearing silently that if the nightmares came back, they’d

have to go through me first.

<The Omni-Wolf’s Choice