The Omni-Wolf’s Choice novel Chapter 3

Chapter 3 The Blackwood River Pack Part 2

Alpha Ryder’s POV

We stripped off and stashed our clothes at the base of a few trees, letting our wolves slide forward and take the wheel.

Talon came out the biggest—no contest. I was already tall in human form, but my wolf stood well over seven feet, built like a battering ram with shoulders that could bowl through anything. Drake, my Beta’s wolf, was nearly my match in size. Connor’s bloodline had always struck me as old and potent; his wolf showed it—dark brown fur with clean white paws. Nero, Lucas’s wolf, carried a solid gray coat, while Pierce’s wolf, Lance, was gray too, marked with white around the eyes and across the chest.

Fast. Strong. Dangerous. The best combination.

We cut through the forest at full tilt, the world blurring into trunks and wind—until Talon suddenly snapped to attention.

He veered hard, launching into a sprint so abrupt it yanked at my balance. I tried to reach him, to press my voice into his mind, but he slammed the connection shut.

“Talon—what is it?” I pushed anyway, getting nothing back as he drove straight for the cliff.

He didn’t slow until he hit the edge overlooking town—human town—spread out below like a quiet, ordinary painting.

I wrestled for enough control to see what had grabbed him.

The old lodge.

“Talon,” I demanded, “what’s going on?”

“I don’t know…” he answered, and that alone put a knot in my chest. Talon always had a remark. Always.

The others finally thundered up behind us.

“You okay?” Drake linked, breath rough from the run.

“Something’s wrong with Talon,” I sent back. “We’re heading in. Lunch.”

Whatever had gotten under his skin, I was going to figure it out.

Back at the pack house, we showered and filed into the huge dining hall. The kitchen was open to everyone here—no locked doors, no separation. My parents entered together, my father’s hand wrapped around my mother’s like it belonged there. They fit. She steadied him when his temper rose; he anchored her when the world tried to push.

I wanted that someday.

Behind them came my father’s Beta, Warren—Connor’s dad. The guys and I stepped in after, bowing to both my Alpha and my Luna.

Then someone bumped my shoulder—small, familiar impact.

“You’re going to have to learn punctuality eventually,” I said, already amused as a grunt answered me.

Evelyn.

My sister was turning eighteen soon, and I couldn’t wait to meet her wolf. That pairing was going to be trouble. Evelyn was bright and loud and chronically late. She looked like Mom: tight jet-black curls, almond-shaped brown eyes, warm light-brown skin. I favored Dad more—hazel eyes—but I’d inherited the curls too. I kept mine around shoulder length, though it rarely behaved. In a fight it turned into a wild mane; I’d seen myself after battle and looked like I’d tried to headbutt a storm.

“That day’s never coming,” Evelyn said. “My labs come first.”

Genius didn’t even begin to cover her. She was taking college-level courses already, aiming for science, and she worked alongside the witches in our pack as they traded knowledge back and forth. She was stunning, and because of that—because she was mine and Dad’s and we knew what the world did to beautiful, brilliant women—we kept security on her every hour.

No one touched her. No one got close.

If they did, I would have handled it with my bare hands—assuming Dad didn’t get there first.

“Hey, Evelyn,” Connor said, and immediately looked away.

I’d warned my friends: lay a hand on her and I’d remove things they were fond of.

“Hi, Connor!” Evelyn beamed. “Thanks for the book. It was exactly what I needed for my research.”

“What book?” The words came out sharper than I intended, and my Alpha aura started to roll off me.

Connor felt it and dropped into submission, bowing his head and baring his neck.

Evelyn moved fast, planting herself between us. “Ryder, stop. It’s for school. Breathe.” She looked up at me—pleading, stubborn, fearless.

My mother stepped in at my side, guiding me toward my chair. “Sweetheart, calm down. I asked Connor to pick it up on his last trip.”

And just like that, the heat drained out of me. Those two women—my mother and my sister—could pull me back from the edge like nobody else besides my future mate.

Dad tried to hide a laugh and failed. He knew exactly how whipped I was for them. He was, too.

‘Sorry, man,’ Connor linked once we sat. ‘Luna Kendra asked me to grab it. I didn’t know it was for Evelyn. No disrespect.’

I nodded and let it go.

Evelyn took the seat across from me. A few of her friends waved as they headed for their own table, flashing smiles at Connor and me. We both smirked and looked away.

My father nodded slowly. “Then we consult the Grand Assembly. If they’ve read abnormal energy coming from here, other species may have noticed it too.”

“I agree,” Gideon said. “Something has been moving in the shadows for about a week. I have been feeling strong vibrations from town. The humans I speak with claim nothing has changed, but I’ll send vampires down again to look.”

Other packs thought it was strange—wolves sharing land with witches and vampires.

I thought it was smart.

Numbers kept you alive. We helped defend their spaces; they reinforced ours with spells. And yet, despite all that, our border had been breached in the last few days.

My father turned back to me. “Ryder, I need you and your best trackers on the borders. Crescent Valley nearly touches our southwest line. I’ll contact Alpha Zachary and ask if they’ve sensed anything. His Luna has abilities that may help—and her coven is close.”

“It’s not far,” I said. “I can go in person, talk to them directly, and be back the next day.”

Out of the corner of my eye, Connor’s mouth twitched like he was amused. Talon perked at the idea—ocean. Any excuse to hit the water and he was all in.

And I could visit Aurelia while I was there.

Blow off some steam.

My father leaned back, thoughtful. “That could be valuable. But we call first. We don’t just appear.”

Then he looked to Connor. “Future Beta Connor—this is a good opportunity for you. Leadership training. You’ll experience managing the pack in your Alpha’s absence. Your father will guide you. Everyone understands their roles to keep our land safe for all species here?”

Connor nodded. Warren nodded. The whole table followed suit.

“Yes, Alpha,” everyone answered together.

We broke with purpose.

As the future Alpha, I wanted whatever had slipped onto our land found—and removed—fast. I had a phone call to make and a bag to pack so I could get out and get back as soon as possible.

Something was coming through our borders.

And whatever it was, it carried power that had every one of us on edge.