The Omni-Wolf’s Choice novel Chapter 36

Chapter 36 And Then We Dance…

Evelyn’s POV

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The ballroom looked like something ripped out of a fairytale and dialed up to obscene. Crystal chandeliers threw diamond-bright light in every direction, and flowers-huge ones, tiny ones, every color imaginable-had been packed into the space until it felt like the room itself had decided to

bloom.

The evening had started out simple: my birthday, and Ryder’s big “hello, society” moment. Then we had learned who Bridget really was, and suddenly the night had become a double celebration-

welcoming our new Luna and celebrating me. Which meant Daddy had been more than pleased to

“adjust” the budget upward. Lucky, lucky me.

My dress was basically liquid gold. It clung like it had been painted on, glittering with every breath I

took, and the sweetheart neckline left very little to the imagination. Even I had to admit the girls

looked… impressive. The skirt skimmed the floor, but both sides were slit up to mid-thigh, and every

step flashed more leg than was probably polite.

Mom appeared at my side with champagne, her expression soft in that way that always made me

suspicious.

“My love, I hope tonight feels as enchanting for you as my eighteenth birthday felt for me,” she said, pressing the glass into my hand.

I arched a brow. “Is this a trap?”

“It’s champagne,” she replied, unbothered. “And I’m fairly certain you’ve snuck worse.”

“Ohhh. So that’s the trap.” I lifted the glass with exaggerated offense. “Mother, I am scandalized by

such slander.”

I drank anyway.

She watched the room with me, smirking. Dad was already in full Alpha mode-cornered with a cluster of neighboring Alphas, all posture and politics. Work followed him everywhere. Eventually he broke away and headed toward us with a couple in tow.

“Evelyn,” Dad said smoothly, “this is Alpha Irving from Hawaii, and his mate, Luna Lorraine.”

And there it was again. Smile, shake hands, trade pleasantries. Meet a couple, then their son-or meet a single Alpha-and silently assess if any of it meant anything. I kept mind-linking Dad the same

message after each introduction: not him. Not him either. Definitely not him.

After a few more promises of future dances and the kind of small talk that made my teeth itch, I

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slipped away.

I

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I needed my friends. Also, I was praying Bridget would appear any second and draw the spotlight off me. Across the room I spotted Adrian laughing with a few of her girls, her security hovering several feet behind like a shadow that knew how to fight. On the opposite side, Aiden was having the time of

his life with wolves his age, his own guard hanging close. We all had security.

Everyone except Ryder.

“And where do you think you’re sneaking off to, birthday girl?”

That voice-deep, familiar-hit me from behind, and my mouth curved before I even turned. Montgomery stood there in a perfectly fitted suit, big as a wall and twice as hard to ignore.

“Monty,” I said, grinning. “You clean up ridiculously well.”

He was built like a promotional poster for strength training-muscle, sharp features, and the confidence of a man who knew exactly what effect he had on people.

He didn’t let me distract him. “Nice try.” His nostrils flared as he leaned in slightly, scenting the air around me. Confusion flickered across his face. “Why are you alone… and where is your mate?”

“Just going to find my girls,” I said quickly. “Bridget, Archer, Sienna. Speaking of Sienna… you know her, right? I heard you two got… biblically acquainted.”

I could tease like that because Sienna wouldn’t care, and in our world sex didn’t come with the same

human clutch-the-pearls drama.

Montgomery’s gaze didn’t soften. “Evelyn. Focus. You’re without your mate.” His tone sharpened. “Do you need me to track him down?”

He was starting to bristle, and that was the thing about Monty: wolves were intense, sure. Bears were worse. A werewolf-bear hybrid? Absolutely unhinged on the protective scale.

And his nose was lethal.

Montgomery was famous for it-an elite tracker who traveled the world helping recover kidnapped supernatural species before anyone could auction them off. The fact that he had stayed here at all meant he cared about me-strictly as a little sister, but fiercely. He had seen my crush on Connor

before anyone else had.

Which meant he was probably looking for Connor now.

And he wasn’t smelling him.

“It’s fine,” I insisted. “I haven’t met anyone who fits the Moon Goddess’s description. So until she

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decides to stop playing games, I’m going to enjoy myself and party like it’s my job.” I bumped his arm lightly. “I’m just happy you’re still here.”

“Anything for you, Em,” he said, eyes still scanning. “Say the word and I’ll go find him.”

“No,” I said firmly. “If it is who I think it is, he’s going to earn me. However long that takes.”

His mouth finally twitched. “That’s my girl.” Then he amended with a chuckle, “Or… woman.”

Two women approached us, both beaming.

“Happy birthday, Evelyn,” they said together.

“Thank you!” I turned toward them. “Lillian, Yvonne-have you met Montgomery? He’s basically family.”

Their eyes immediately did that slow, appreciative sweep. Honestly, I couldn’t blame them. Between his warm brown skin, neat beard, and that wild curl-heavy hair, he looked like temptation in

formalwear.

Montgomery opened his arms with effortless charm. “Ladies. Can I get you a drink?”

They smiled and went with him without hesitation.

A heartbeat later, Sienna swooped in like she owned the place, Archer tucked beside her.

“There you are!” Sienna grabbed my arm. “We’ve been hunting you down. They’re playing our songs, and we are about to dance like nobody has eyes.”

Archer looked around, dazzled. “Em, this is insane. The room is gorgeous-you guys went all out.” Then his expression turned eager. “Have you felt anything? Any tingles? What’s your wolf doing?”

“That’s the weird part,” I admitted.

Zephyr-my wolf-had been chaos all day. Normally she was prancing in my head, chattering nonstop, or doing some excited little internal dance. Pure energy. I loved her for it. Life was never quiet with her.

‘Please, do continue complimenting me,’ Zephyr purred. ‘You know exactly how to treat a lady.’

Of course she did.

‘Zephyr,’ I pushed, suddenly impatient, where have you been? Are you okay? Are you picking up on

him?’

‘Listen to you-who’s the excited pup now?’ she teased.

‘Stop it. Tell me what you know.’

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‘I have discovered something,’ she said, voice turning sly. ‘We function better under pressure. Maybe even with a little anger. Walk. Let me work.’

I stiffened and immediately tugged Archer and Sienna closer, moving with them rather than drifting alone in the enormous room with my security trailing behind and half the eligible men watching like hunters.

Near the edge, I spotted the royals I’d met earlier. They’d seemed polite enough, but the King had scared Bridget, and for that alone he could stay on my permanent bad list. I still hadn’t gotten a clear read on any of them.

Thankfully, they were leaving tomorrow.

Hopefully.

‘All right,’ Zephyr said. ‘See that cluster of warriors? The one with the blond.’

‘Absolutely not,’ I shot back. ‘Zephyr, I would never-he’s too…’

I couldn’t even finish the thought.

Because he had already noticed me.

He started walking straight toward us, and my first instinct was to bolt. I didn’t. I wasn’t a runner. I

could handle a man. I could reject a man. I knew he wasn’t my mate-didn’t I?

But there was something about him. A signal I couldn’t translate.

He moved with controlled confidence, smooth and certain, like he knew the room would part for him.

He was handsome in an almost unreal way-like a polished Ken doll that had been dropped into the

mountains for a year and come back with a perfectly trimmed rugged beard.

The air felt warmer. Or maybe that was me.

I lifted Archer’s drink and took a long sip, trying to drown whatever strange buzzing was creeping thro ugh my nerves.

Then the blond warrior reached us.

He was taller than me, and I wasn’t short-none of us were. That put him near seven feet. Not Ryder- tall, but close enough to be ridiculous.

His scent hit next: not magic, not sharp, not overwhelming. Just… steady. Comforting. I could sense his wolf clearly beneath his skin.

“Evelyn,” he said, voice respectful. “It’s an honor. I’m Patrick. Happy birthday.”

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A dimple carved into his right cheek when he smiled.

He offered his hand.

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And fear-real, stupid fear-flared in my chest. Because what if touching him confirmed something I

wasn’t ready to face?

Who’s afraid of their mate?

A girl who had been in love with the same man for as long as she could remember.

‘Quit thinking,’ Zephyr snapped. ‘Take his hand.’

I stared at his palm like it was a test I didn’t want to take. My throat went dry. I let out the worst laugh -horrible, jagged-and took another gulp of Archer’s drink as if I could hide behind it.

If I kept holding this glass forever, I could keep the moment suspended.

Usually, it wasn’t subtle. There was a scent. A spark. Wolves losing their minds.

But most wolves also didn’t live on sacred ground where power ran strange and old. Our pack was different-rooted in the land our ancestors had claimed long before, when Tribes moved across these plains alongside buffalo, wild horses, bears, and of course wolves.

We didn’t fit the standard mold.

So maybe nothing about this would be simple.

“Thank you,” I managed, finally finding my voice. “It’s nice to meet you too. Are you visiting with a

pack?”

“I am,” Patrick said. “But I’ve also got family here-on my mother’s side. Coming for an event like this

was an extra bonus.”

“Where’s your pack based?”

“New Zealand,” he replied. “I’m acting Alpha right now, until things get settled.” He paused, eyes steady on mine. “But that isn’t why I walked over. Would you like to dance?”

His hand extended again.

I looked at it.

Then at him.

“Sure,” I said, surprising myself. “Why not.”

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I wasn’t going to sit around waiting for the universe to get organized. If something happened, it happened.

I handed Archer his drink-fine, our drink-back and reached for Patrick.

His skin was warm. Grounding. Almost soothing.

And-nothing.

No lightning. No explosion. No wild rush of certainty.

Relief slipped out of me on an exhale, and my shoulders loosened as the tension drained.

Patrick leaned in as we stepped onto the floor. “So,” he murmured, voice rich and smooth, “I’m not your

prince charming.”

I smiled easily. “Afraid not. Sorry to disappoint after traveling all this way.”

He laughed under his breath. “Still. I did get the first dance of the night with the most sought-after

woman here. That’ll bump my value.”

One hand held mine; the other settled at the small of my back, guiding me with practiced ease.

“Well,” I said as he turned me, the movement effortless, my feet barely grazing the floor, “you’re a very

good dancer.”

He was just about to answer.

And then it happened.

Tingles raced up my arm so fast I gasped, my heart slamming hard against my ribs. A new scent

flooded the air-fresh rain, clean and unmistakable.

It couldn’t be.

My mate.

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