The Omni-Wolf’s Choice novel Chapter 35

Chapter 35 Cat and mouse…

Evelyn’s POV

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The whole house was full-voices, laughter, people I loved brushing past me-and still all I could think about was the empty space where my mate should have been. Zephyr and I knew, without question,

that it was Connor.

So where the hell was he.

He had been dodging me like I was a problem to outrun, like whatever was twisting him up mattered more than what we could be. No Connor posted outside my door. No “accidental” excuses to get me

alone before the night started.

Fine.

If he wanted a game, I would make sure he remembered who started it-and who finished it.

The day had already been endless: hair, makeup, and waxing places I had never once considered waxing. I had eaten something light at lunch because everything about tonight felt like it needed

control.

Bridget and Mom had left earlier to meet the royals.

Now my makeup was finished, my hair spilling in loose waves down my back. Someone had rubbed shimmering lotion over my skin until I looked like I was lit from the inside.

“Need anything?” Sienna asked, eyebrow cocked, amusement written all over her face. “A strong drink, maybe?” She slid a small bowl of grapes toward me.

I took one, bit down, and smirked. “Funny you mention strong. Didn’t I see you talking to Montgomery

last night?”

Sienna’s grin turned wicked. “Let’s just say Wear Bear is officially crossed off my list. And yes-he’s exactly as intense as you’d expect.”

I flicked a grape at her, and she laughed.

Across the room my gown hung from the tri-fold mirror, catching every bit of light. Gold, glittering,

shameless.

Archer glanced between us and lifted her chin at Sienna. “And what happens if you meet your mate

tonight?”

We adored Archer for the way she held out for the one-just like we adored Sienna for refusing to

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apologize for what she wanted.

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Sienna wrapped Archer in a crushing hug. “Then I’ll greet him with open arms… and open legs.”

Archer squealed. Sienna cackled.

The door opened and Ms. Tabitha came in like she owned the place-which, in a way, she did. She had been here since Dad was a kid. She helped raise half the pack, knew every corridor and secret nook of the house, and somehow managed to be both unshakably practical and soft as sunlight. Her mate worked the grounds, overseeing the gardens and farms. We grew most of our produce on pack land, and the rest of the business ran through one of our human company names.

“Ms. Evelyn. Ladies.” Her gaze swept us with fond authority. “Time for gowns. Your mother will be

down soon. There was… a small hang-up. Bridget will meet you downstairs with her mate.”

Every instinct in me snapped taut.

I stepped forward and stopped her hand as she reached for my dress. “No. What happened to

Bridget?”

Ms. Tabitha’s mouth pressed into a line.

“If it were nothing, she would have told me herself,” I said, already grabbing for my robe. “So tell me. Is

she okay? Take me to her. Now.”

“Ms. Evelyn, you don’t need to concern yourself,” she tried, voice gentle. “This evening is meant for

you.”

“Then it won’t begin without me,” I cut in, tying the robe tight. I looked back at Archer and Sienna. “Eat

something. Drink something. I’ll be back.”

Archer’s expression hardened with worry. “Tell her we’re thinking of her.”

“Update us,” Sienna added, suddenly all sharp edges.

Ms. Tabitha sighed like a woman resigned to fate. “I don’t know why I ever give you kids partial information. You hear half a sentence and sprint off to do exactly what you want anyway.”

“That’s because you raised us,” I said, catching her hand as we walked, “to be tiny, stubborn versions of you.”

We reached Ryder and Bridget’s door. I knocked once, then pushed the words through it like a promise. “It’s Evelyn. I’m coming in no matter what.”

Ms. Tabitha stopped at the threshold. Protocol said only family entered unless invited. Even though she was family in every way that mattered, she stayed outside.

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Inside, the air felt wrong.

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#5) = Mer

Bridget lay sprawled on the bed, unconscious. Ryder sat beside her, wrecked-his posture rigid like he was physically holding Talon back. Dr. Yvette was on Bridget’s other side, fingers at her wrist, watching her breathing. Mom stood near the foot of the bed, too still.

Dad’s eyes were distant-mind-linked with someone.

“What happened?” I rushed to the bed and reached for Bridget’s feet.

The moment my fingers brushed her skin, a cold shock raced up my arms. Not normal cold. Not room

temperature. Something darker-like stepping through a draft in a place that shouldn’t have one.

I jerked my hands back, staring at them as if they’d betrayed me.

Ryder’s head snapped toward me. “What did you feel? She shook King Griffin’s hand and broke out in a cold sweat. The second he walked away, she spiraled-full panic. Yvette had to sedate her.” His voice kept slipping, his words roughening with Talon’s edge. “So tell me what you just saw. Did he touch her with something? Because I will challenge him right now.”

“Ryder,” Mom warned, trying to steady the room. “We don’t move until we know. Until Bridget can tell

us.”

Even she sounded unsure.

Ryder looked at me again, fury tightening his face. “Evelyn. What did you see?”

I forced myself to breathe. “A flash-just darkness. And the chill. Like a draft moving through me.” I held his hand, anchoring him as best I could. “That’s all. I swear it. It isn’t enough to threaten the

King.”

Then I placed my other hand lightly on Bridget.

Her lashes fluttered.

Dr. Yvette leaned in immediately, watching her response with sharp focus.

“Bridget,” Ryder said, voice suddenly soft, the way it got when he was terrified. “I’m here. Talk to me.

Are you okay?”

Her eyes opened, unfocused at first, then finding him.

“Ryder,” she whispered, reaching up.

He gathered her into his arms like he could make her safe by sheer force of will.

Mom moved us toward the door. “Let them have a minute. As much time as they need.” Then her gaze

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found mine. “Evelyn, your ball is waiting.”

We stepped out, the door closing behind us.

A mind-link hit the moment the latch clicked.

‘Thank you.’ Bridget’s voice, faint but present.

My stomach tightened.

I had things to deal with before I ever set foot in that ballroom.

There was no better time than right now.

Connor-

Meng

I had been tearing through the pack house like a man losing his mind, and thanks to Archer and Sienna, I had been doing it in entirely the wrong places. They had sent me on the kind of chase that felt planned.

Ballroom. Kitchen-just in case she had changed plans. Dining hall. Library.

Even the dance studio came up empty.

I ended up circling back toward her room, ready to demand answers from her two sneaky, traitorous she-wolves of friends. They were absolutely in on this.

Zephyr-my wolf-couldn’t catch her scent. Neither could I. She had to be blocking us.

Which meant she was furious.

And I deserved it.

I was going to be begging for forgiveness for the rest of my natural life. Someday I would probably tell our grandchildren about this and let them laugh at how spectacularly dumb I had been.

I pounded on her chamber door.

It opened to reveal two women cleaning-Oscar and Simon-looking up like they’d been expecting this

exact moment.

“Oscar. Simon. Where’s Evelyn?” I kept my body angled, ready to bolt the second they answered.

Oscar gave me a sympathetic look. “They moved the session to the Luna’s quarters. Complete

lockdown, from what I heard.”

I let the words fall out loud anyway. “So that’s how you want to play it…”

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We were wolves. Of course they heard.

Simon chuckled without looking up from her work.

“Thanks,” I said, forcing myself to be civil. “See you at the ball.”

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The entire pack was invited. People working would rotate in staggered shifts so everyone got time to enjoy the night. It wasn’t supposed to be just for high ranks to find mates. Everyone deserved the

chance.

Even an absolute asshole like me-too scared to accept what the moon goddess had handed him.

I turned down the hallway. As I passed my own door, Ms. Tabitha appeared like a wall with opinions.

“Ah,” she said brightly, stepping right into my path. “The exact wolf I was searching for. Shouldn’t you

be getting ready?”

She was five-foot-five, and somehow it felt like she blocked the entire corridor.

“Ms. Tabitha, I need to talk to Evelyn.”

“Tsk.” She didn’t even pretend to consider it. “That can wait. Tonight is her night, and she’s got

traditions to follow. You will respect that and get yourself presentable. Your suit is waiting.”

“Ms. Tabitha, I’ve been running all over this place trying to find her and-”

“Yes,” she interrupted, wrinkling her nose. “I can tell. You smell, and you look run into the ground. I also

heard you were working all night.”

Before I could argue, she herded me into my room with startling strength.

“I had to make sure everything was ready for her ball,” I said, grasping for justification.

“And you will make sure you shower,” she replied, pushing me toward the bathroom like she was

moving furniture. “Now. Shave-or at least trim whatever you’ve got going on. I almost made your father get ready for you. Imagine the humiliation.”

She tossed me a towel and planted herself in the doorway.

“I’m capable of bathing without an audience,” I muttered.

“Not today you aren’t. You’ve got runner energy.” Her eyes narrowed. “I’m watching you. Strip..I’ve seen everything there is to see. I changed your diapers.”

“I’m a grown man,” I protested, reaching for the hem of my shirt. “And I have changed. A lot.”

“Tsk.” Her tone was ruthless. “Not nearly enough. Move faster or I’ll come in there and scrub you

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myself. I have my Wesley saving me a dance tonight, and I refuse to let a pack of crazy kids ruin my date night. Chop, chop.”

“Ouch,” I said, putting on fake wounded pride as I undressed. “That’s harsh.”

Her laugh followed me as I stepped under the water.

By the time I finished-clean, trimmed, and dressed-she stood in front of me like a proud grandmother judging a pageant. She straightened my bowtie with brisk satisfaction.

Black tux. Hair slicked back.

Damn, I cleaned up well.

“I remember you pups playing in the maze,” she said softly, and for once her voice held pure warmth.

“And look at you now. I couldn’t be prouder if I tried.” Her fingers tapped my chest once. “Now go. And

grovel at her feet.”

My brows shot up. “So you know she’s my mate too?” Confusion threaded through my voice. “How did

I not know?”

She snorted. “Even a blind man could have seen it. That girl crushed on you from the moment she laid eyes on you. And you?” Her gaze sharpened with fond scolding. “You were a wild little thing trying to fight the entire world. Your goal was clear-become the best beta you could be. Everyone saw it. Maybe the moon goddess didn’t want you distracted until it was time for you two to truly become

one.”

“But why didn’t my wolf-or me-feel the bond before now? Not even after we turned.eighteen?”

Ms. Tabitha pursed her lips. “I can only guess it has something to do with you living on magical soil.”

Then her eyes slid sideways, as if she was watching something I couldn’t.

“Speaking of,” she murmured, “looks like someone has just asked your girl to dance.”

She lifted a hand.

An image shimmered into view-some f-ker standing too close to my woman, offering his hand like he had a right.

I bent down, kissed Ms. Tabitha’s cheek in gratitude, and walked out of my suite.

Time to go claim what was mine.

< The Omni-Wolf’s Choice