The Omni-Wolf’s Choice novel Chapter 34

Chapter 34 That gut feeling…

Bridget’s POV

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I don’t need anyone to tell me-his smell has soaked into me, head to toe. Ryder and I have just finished a long, hot shower, and now we’re getting ourselves presentable to face the King and Queen.

The second we’re dry, he’s back at it, scattering kisses like he can’t help himself. Mystique is convinced Talon and Ryder are trying to stamp our scent on each other before the royals lay eyes on

“Are we okay?” I ask, tugging my zipper up on my cream slacks.

My matching sweater is still on the bed. Ryder sits, then hooks an arm around my waist and pulls me in, breathing me in like he’s checking for something.

Something is off.

“It’s Talon,” he says quietly. “He’s… agitated. We don’t know why. He’s restless, and he keeps pushing me to keep you close.”

“Then I’m staying right next to you until he settles down. I tell him. “Between the two of you, we’ll be

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He grins, and I reach up and mess up his hair-on purpose.

“Awe, damn it, Bridget,” he groans, popping to his feet. “Now I have to fix this.”

I laugh because of course he’s more offended by his unruly hair than anything else. Men.

A few minutes later, we’re walking hand in hand toward Alpha Marcus’s office.

The castle corridors feel different today-tighter. There are extra armed guards sweeping the halls. More soldiers stand outside the office door too, and their uniforms aren’t ours. Royal detail.

I know our warriors by face. Photographic memory has its perks.

They told me this wouldn’t be some grand formal audience-just a small, friendly meet-and-greet

before they address everyone else. I still don’t get why meeting me is such an event.

I mean… other than the whole “mystery girl with gifts” thing.

Teleporting. Mind reading. Making explosions big enough to ruin someone’s entire day. Levitation. And I’m pretty sure I can copy other gifts if the person is close enough.

Normal.

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We reach the door, and I don’t even realize I’ve slowed to a stop until Ryder squeezes my hand.

I look up at him, caught again by those unreal eyes. They’re shifting-hazel sliding toward a pale gold when he looks at me. And when Talon pushes forward, they go ink-black.

Part of me thinks that when I finally mark Ryder, he’ll end up inheriting some of what I can do. It’s like the longer we’re together, the more we bleed into each other.

Thank the goddess he hasn’t picked up my temper.

“You good?” Ryder asks softly. “Need a minute?”

He’s all patience and quiet steadiness, and honestly he’s so ridiculously attractive it derails my brain. Bronze skin. Built like he was carved. Thick black hair combed back. Black slacks, black button-down

-like he dressed to make a point.

“I’m fine,” I say, forcing myself back into the moment. “Let’s do this.”

He kisses my forehead, then pushes the door open.

Inside, two more guards stand at attention. A table of appetizers sits to the right, untouched. Alpha Marcus and Luna Kendra are already there, talking with another couple.

And they’re… in regular clothes.

I don’t know what I expected-crowns, ceremonial robes, something dramatic. Instead, they look like they could be heading to a private dinner.

Honestly? A tiny letdown.

Alpha Marcus turns with a host’s smile. “Our guests of honor,” he announces, guiding us forward. “You remember our son, Alpha Ryder. And please allow me to introduce our future Luna-Bridget.”

He gestures to the couple. “His Royal Highness King Griffin and his mate, Her Royal Highness Queen

Eleanor.”

The King is huge-tall, broad, older in a way that’s hard to measure in wolf years. He has a thick dark- brown beard and long dark hair twisted into locs that fall down his back. His skin is strikingly fair.

The Queen’s eyes are the clearest blue I’ve ever seen. Her hair is a sheet of red fire down her spine, her

skin pale like something out of an old Scottish tale.

They come toward me smiling warmly… but I don’t feel wolves.

“We’re Lycans,” Queen Eleanor says.

Because she has just read my mind.

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I wince internally. Mind reading sounds like a gift, but it also sounds like being trapped in a room full of screaming radios.

She laughs at my expression. “You’re not wrong. Before I learned how to shut out what I didn’t want, it was a constant headache. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. We’ve been wondering whether you truly existed. I’m looking forward to seeing what you can do.”

“You and me both,” I say.

The King chuckles, and the Queen joins him.

“I like her,” King Griffin says. “Hold on to that humor. It helps when the world flips on you.”

“So you’re Lycans,” I say, keeping my tone light. “The strongest kind, from what I’ve read.”

“We are the keepers of the wolves,” the King replies, motioning me toward a seat. “We ensure laws are followed, disputes are settled, and everyone is treated fairly. When packs can’t resolve problems between themselves, we step in. Land conflicts too.”

Ryder and I settle onto the couch. The moment we sit, he shifts closer-closer than necessary-like

he’s building a wall with his body.

“Ryder,” King Griffin says, sounding genuinely pleased, “it’s good to see you again. If we’d known what was coming the last time we met… wow.”

Ryder laughs. “Yes, Your Highness. I had no idea what was waiting for me. I never could’ve imagined any of this.”

Across the room, Queen Eleanor speaks quietly with Luna Kendra, but I keep catching her eyes sliding

back to me.

My hand rests on Ryder’s thigh.

Talon’s presence hums behind Ryder’s calm like a predator pacing, but thanks to our bond-and the

way I’ve been training-I’m keeping our energy locked down. No one in this room is going to feel what

they usually would.

King Griffin studies me with a curious tilt of his head. “Have you identified all the species you’re composed of yet? It will be fascinating to see what powers emerge fully once you’ve chosen your

mate.”

“Not yet,” I answer. “We’ll figure it out when it’s time.”

I’m not handing out personal details like party favors, even to royalty.

“Mmm,” he murmurs, undeterred. “A mate blessed by the Moon Goddess instead of selected by

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choice. An honor. And the mix of what you are… with a mate like him…”

His eyes sweep over Ryder, then back to me, like he’s cataloging pieces.

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“I remember watching you train and fight with my men, Alpha Ryder,” the King continues. “You were

the best among them. I see why the goddess chose you.”

Then his gaze drops to my neck.

“Oh,” he says, smile widening. “Congratulations. You’ve been marked. Such a special stage in a

mating bond.”

His attention lingers too long.

I don’t like it.

I don’t care if he rules the whole planet. Something about the way his eyes track my mark makes my skin tighten. His finger twitches, like he’s imagining touching me.

I keep my mental walls up, refusing to open myself enough to catch whatever is in his head. It could be harmless curiosity.

Or it could be something else.

And I am not volunteering to find out.

I want to mind-link Ryder-Now. I’m not comfortable. I want to leave. But would that be disrespectful? Would that turn into a problem?

Before I decide, Queen Eleanor stands.

“It was lovely to meet you, dear,” she says to me. “But I should rest before the ball tonight.”

She signals to her mate. The King hesitates, looking like he doesn’t want to end this conversation-one

I have already mentally walked away from.

Ryder shifts, voice smooth and polite, saving me without calling attention to it.

Sometimes you don’t need evidence. You just get a feeling.

And my gut is screaming.

Maybe that’s what Talon has been prowling about.

I rise too, almost too fast.

“Of course,” King Griffin says at last, turning to Alpha Marcus and Luna Kendra. “We’ll see you tonight.

< Chapter 34 That gut feeling.

Alpha. Luna. Always a pleasure.”

Then his gaze snaps back to us. “Alpha Ryder. Luna Bridget. It truly is a pleasure.”

He extends his hands.

Ryder shakes first.

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Then the King takes mine.

His palm is damp.

And the second our skin meets, a vision slams into me.

A cellar.

Wet air, mold thick in my nose.

Screams-muffled, ragged, desperate.

No light. Just heavy darkness.

Chains clinking. Metal biting stone.

My stomach drops out.

What-what the hell is that?

I jerk closer to Ryder, forcing my mouth into something that resembles a smile.

King Griffin glances down at his own hand with a confused little frown, like he felt something too-or

like he’s startled by my reaction.

“We’ll see you later,” Ryder says firmly, and I cling to the shape of his voice while my face stays frozen

in place.

The King and Queen leave with their guards.

The moment the door shuts, my legs give.

Ryder catches me, and I fold into him, shaking so hard my teeth want to chatter. Cold sweat breaks

over my skin.

“Bridget,” Luna Kendra says urgently, taking my hand. “Breathe. Marcus-back way. Now.”

Ryder scoops me up like I weigh nothing and moves.

Through a blur of panic, I see Alpha Marcus rush to a bookcase. He touches something hidden, and

<Chapter 34 That gut feeling.

part of the wall slides aside.

A secret passage.

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If I weren’t actively unraveling, I’d be furious no one mentioned the castle had tunnels.

“Get Dr. Yvette to our quarters,” Ryder snaps to one of the warriors following. “Now!”

The hidden corridor is dim, lit by torches like some medieval movie set. The air is cooler down here,

and that helps-just a little.

We move fast to the end, take stairs, and emerge near our bathroom, right by the walk-in shower.

Ryder carries me straight to the bed.

Luna Kendra is there immediately. Alpha Marcus stays back, giving me room. My whole body keeps trembling, and the worst part is realizing I can’t make it stop.

I’m more afraid of the loss of control than the vision itself.

“Where is she?” Ryder roars, climbing onto the bed and wrapping himself around me like armor.

Luna Kendra throws a blanket over my shaking body. Her voice turns soft, rhythmic-soothing words,

gentle strokes through my hair.

Ryder presses his forehead to mine. I can hear Talon inside him, arguing with Mystique, pushing for

her to take over.

“I’m here, baby,” Ryder murmurs.

“I’m here, Alpha,” Dr. Yvette says as she rushes in, Blackwood bag in hand.

Ryder growls at her-deep and dangerous-and I can’t tell whether it’s him or Talon anymore.

“I need to examine her,” Dr. Yvette says calmly.

“Son,” Alpha Marcus tells Ryder, voice firm. “Give the doctor space. Let her help.”

Ryder loosens his hold, just enough.

Dr. Yvette’s hand is cool against my skin. Her voice fades in and out as panic roars in my ears. Then I feel the sharp prick of a needle.

The room tilts.

And everything goes black.

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