The Omni-Wolf’s Choice novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23 We’ve got company…

Bridget’s POV

“He’s a complete jackass,” Evelyn says, spooning at a bowl that’s basically ice cream water, “but he loves you. And none of this is normal for either of you. Two weeks ago, we didn’t even know you existed. Now? You’re the future Luna of this pack.”

I stare at the salted caramel sludge Chef Rebecca has been trying to convince me is a meal. My stomach has been on strike all day. My chest, though-that’s a different story. That’s just….shattered.

“Right,” I say, breath coming out sharp. “I’m a magical whatever who’s supposed to save everyone, know how to do it perfectly, and never screw up because actual lives depend on me. Awesome. Truly.” I nudge the bowl away as a staffer swoops in to take it. “Thanks for the upgrade.”

They give me polite smiles and keep moving. The kitchen is a revolving door of people and trays and last-minute chaos. Guests are already arriving for tomorrow’s ball.

Evelyn’s eyes widen like she’s suddenly remembered the calendar. “Oh my God. It’s your birthday eve. You should be getting ready. You’re going to wake up and feel your wolf for the first time. And you’ll have that whole ‘meeting your mate’ moment in a few hours. We’re supposed to be upstairs squealing like idiots in your room.”

Guilt twists in me. My mess keeps hijacking what’s probably meant to be a normal werewolf night-if

that exists.

“Yes,” a smooth voice agrees from behind us, “she is completely right.”

Luna Kendra glides in like she doesn’t walk so much as…arrive. Effortless, poised, untouchable. I don’t

understand how I’m expected to become that.

“Mom,” Evelyn says, leaning into me on our stools, a side hug that still feels new but less foreign every day, “it’s four in the afternoon. Later we’re doing movies and all my favorites Chef Rebecca made. It’s

planned. Right now, I’m helping my sister.”

Luna Kendra’s expression softens when she looks at me. “Is there anything I can do, dear? I happen to

know a thing or two about stubborn Alphas. Especially the ones with Blackwood in their blood.”

“Uh-huh,” Adrian says, strolling in with a bowl of fruit salad and the kind of deadpan that could cut

glass. “In most cultures, the future daughter-in-law doesn’t go to the mother-in-law for tips on her son.”

I laugh and steal a bite right off Adrian’s spoon.

“Mmm. This is actually good,” I moan.

10.30

20.18%

< Chapter 23 We’ve got company.

Adrian recoils like I’ve infected the utensil. “You can have it. Gross.”

Menu

The tension in the room cracks. We laugh-real laughter-and my shoulders drop for the first time all

day.

Luna Kendra steps closer anyway. “No matter what ‘culture’ we’re working with at the moment, I’m

here for you. And I’m excited to have you in this family.”

And then she hugs me.

My face does something uncomfortable on instinct, which is apparently an invitation, because Evelyn and Adrian pile in and suddenly it’s a whole group hug whether I’m emotionally prepared or not.

A voice booms from the entryway. “And what, exactly, did I just walk into?”

Alpha Marcus appears in the kitchen like he owns the air inside it-because he kind of does. I can’t

help thinking: does anyone in this castle actually work in an office, or do they all just wander around

dramatically? My mate is notably absent, which feels deliberate.

Evelyn bumps me with her hip, a quiet check-in. I’m grateful for her. For all of them. One week ago I h

ad no one. Now I have a pack.

I give Alpha Marcus a small smile. He answers with a wink.

Connor is beside him, doing an Olympic-level job of avoiding Evelyn.,

I inhale-and there it is.

Ryder.

His scent is right outside the door, mixed with the men. He’s close enough that my skin reacts, but he

doesn’t step in.

He’s avoiding me.

After what passed for our last conversation, I can’t even blame him. He shouldn’t have to feel tense in

his own damn home.

Luna Kendra answers her mate, slipping easily into place as Alpha Marcus wraps his arms around her.

“Just the girls talking. And getting ready for Evelyn’s big day tomorrow.”

I pivot away to give them privacy.

Apparently I’m the only one who thinks privacy is needed, because the room carries on like the Alpha and Luna aren’t kissing like teenagers six feet away.

Aiden breezes in like nothing unusual is happening. “Hey, Dad-can I take the Hummer out? There’s a

10:30

19.59%

< Chapter 23 We’ve got company…

girl I want to impress.”

They pause long enough to look at him.

Get 5 >

Menu

Adrian’s voice stays flat. “If ‘Alpha’s son’ isn’t impressive enough, avoid her.”

Aiden rolls his eyes. “She’s human. The title doesn’t mean anything to her.” He straightens, warming to his story. “I met her at the mall. She’s gorgeous and smart. She goes to that all-girls prep school, and her mom’s a congresswoman.”

Alpha Marcus gives him the Alpha stare. “You’re sixteen. You need an adult in the car at all times. Especially with the Hummer. Take a warrior with you, and you can get ice cream. That’s it. And I want you back before nine. Tomorrow is big, and more people are arriving.”

Aiden lights up. “Thanks, Dad! I swear!”

He bolts out of the kitchen like he’s already late.

“I’m going outside,” I say, sliding off my stool.

Old Iron Fang rises immediately, silent as a shadow.

I let out a slow breath. “Yeah. Okay, Fine.”

Evelyn reaches for my arm. “Do you want me with you?”

I know what she’s doing-trying to pour calm into me.

“No.” I squeeze her hand once. “You have stuff. I’m going to walk for a minute. Then I’m going upstairs

to apologize to my mate.”

The word mate scrapes my throat on the way out.

I head for the deck. The hill gives the first floor a view that feels like you’re floating above the grounds. Cars are already pulling in-expensive ones, polished ones-and people step out like royalty, luggage and attendants trailing behind them.

To keep myself from unraveling, I start a stupid little skit under my breath.

I drop my voice into a deep rasp. “You may approach and, you know, speak like an adult.”

Then I switch back to my own voice, saccharine sweet. “Oh, thank you so much, future Luna, but the Alpha prefers I keep my distance and focus on your security.”

Raspy again. “Fair point.”

Normal again. “So glad we cleared that up.”

-10:30

19.77%

< Chapter 23 We’ve got company

I glance at Iron Fang.

Nothing.

Get 10 >

2 Menu

Not a twitch.

Ryder really did pick the most humorless statue of a man he could find. I haven’t even seen Lucas or

Pierce today, so who knows where he has them stashed.

Adrian joins me outside and drops onto the concrete edge with a sigh. “If you keep doing that, we’re

going to be famous for having a Luna who holds conversations with herself.”

“Better that than being the girl everyone points at like, ‘Here she goes again…”” I mutter.

Adrian turns toward me, surprisingly gentle. “Bridget, you’ve been here for barely a week. Everyone else

has been training since they could walk. Give yourself a break.”

I squint at her. “Are you sure you’re sixteen?”

She shrugs like it’s exhausting being right all the time. “It is, actually. I’m pretty sure ‘wisdom’ is one of my gifts.”

Her gaze shifts down to the drive. Another car rolls in. “That’s Alpha Arthur and Luna Natasha-Oregon territory. And their daughter. Oh…”

A redhead steps out-stunning, bright as fire-and looks straight up at me like she already knows

where to aim her attention. She smiles.

I tilt my head and return it. No explanation required.

Another vehicle pulls up, this one with only an Alpha.

Adrian’s voice lowers. “Alpha Randall. Widower. Two sons and a daughter. She…” Adrian trails off as

the girl appears.

Jet-black hair. A body like a statue someone carved on purpose. Even in jeans and a sweater, she

looks unreal.

I swallow and force my tone light. “So how many of his…conquests am I going to be watching glide around tomorrow night?”

I refuse to turn into the jealous girlfriend. The Moon Goddess chose me, for whatever reason, and I’m holding onto that. I had a life before Ryder. He did too.

But still.

My past isn’t about to show up in fitted dresses and perfect hair and stand ten feet away from me all

14:20

19.93%

< Chapter 23 We’ve got company….

night.

“At least two,” Adrian says, almost to herself.

Get 19?

Menu

I laugh, partly because it’s that or scream. Adrian side-eyes me like she can’t decide if I’m chill or about

to detonate.

“I’m going to go upstairs,” I say. “I need to talk to Ryder. I’ll meet you later in Evelyn’s room?”

“Yep.” Adrian smirks. “I keep telling her I’m too immature. She laughs. Then I laugh. Then we pretend

it’s settled.”

I hug her, quick but real. “Thanks for sitting with me.”

I nod to Iron Fang and start back inside. He follows without a sound until we reach my floor-our floor.

Once I turn into the private hallway that belongs only to Ryder and me, relief slips in like air after

holding my breath too long.

Did I enjoy seeing gorgeous women who’ve been with my mate in ways I haven’t even had yet? No.

Am I angry? Maybe.

Am I going to fling it in his face and start a fight like some-

No.

I have to get control of myself. His past existed before me. What matters is now.

Now is supposed to be him and me.

And I can feel him.

Ryder is calm. Looser than he’s been around me lately.

He’s in the shower.

I can smell water, steam, his soap-clean, sharp, him. The memory of the bathroom and the few

moments we’ve had in there flashes hot and bright, and a smile tugs at my mouth before I can stop it.

I push open the double doors to our bedroom.

The shower door is cracked; I can hear the water hitting skin.

My gaze flicks to the bed.

My bed.

10:30

20.13%

< Chapter 23 We’ve got company…

A young woman is sitting on it.

Get 10%

= Menu

She’s casually flipping through a magazine from my nightstand like she belongs there. Her shoes are planted on my side of the mattress.

I stop dead and just stare, waiting for her to notice me.

In.

My.

Room.

** 10:30

20.18%

< The Omni-Wolf’s Choice