The Omni-Wolf’s Choice novel Chapter 40

Chapter 40 We must talk…

Connor’s POV

The ballroom comes into view and my attention locks onto one person.

Evelyn Blackwood.

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That green dress is a problem-clinging to her like it was made for her skin-and every male in the place is staring like they’ve forgotten how to blink. Her hair is swept back, leaving her throat exposed. Bare. Unmarked. No claim on her.

They all want her.

But she’s already taken. I can feel it humming under my ribs, and I know she can, too.

I move in, watching some idiot guide her toward the dancefloor like he has a right. Drake surges up hard, ready to take the wheel and tear the guy’s hand away from our mate.

I try to leash him-and myself-at the same time. It doesn’t work.

‘You need to settle down. We do this the right way.’

‘The right way is simple. We walk up and mark her. Right there. In front of everyone.’

‘And that is exactly why I’m in charge. You do that and she’ll explode, the whole family will explode,

and Ryder will spend the rest of the night trying to bury us.’

‘As long as she’s claimed, I don’t care when or where.’

He isn’t wrong. Wherever it happens, it will be perfect because it will be her.

I close the distance and my pulse starts hammering. Then it hits-peaches. Sun-warm, sweet, like

summer sitting in your hands. The mate bond flares alive. Electricity skates through my body, every instinct screaming to connect.

The man’s fingers brush her skin.

My vision edges red.

I’m beside her left shoulder in seconds. They’ve been dancing barely a minute.

A minute too long.

My hand reaches out, and recognition slams into me at the same time.

Patrick.

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I set my fingers lightly on Evelyn’s elbow.

Instant.

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Drake roars ‘MATE’ inside my skull, and I clamp down with everything I’ve got to keep it from leaving my mouth. The bond locks in, unmistakable. Evelyn’s hazel eyes blow wide, her lips part on a sharp breath, and she turns.

“Evelyn. Patrick.” My stare stays on the man whose hand was on her like he forgot she belonged to

someone.

“Connor,” he answers.

Evelyn looks between us, thrown.

“Connor… you two know each other?” She pulls back from me, breaking the contact. At least she’s no longer touching him. I’ll take that as something.

“I see you’ve met my cousin,” I tell her, smirking at Patrick.

“Your cousin?” she echoes. “Of course he’s your cousin,” she mutters, like the universe is personally

mocking her.

“Yes-my mother’s side,” Patrick says easily. “Good to finally see you, cousin. They keep you busy up

here?”

“Busy enough,” I reply, but my eyes never leave Evelyn. Even confused, she’s unreal. “We’ve had visitors. Their safety has been my responsibility.”

Then, to her, quieter and sharper: “Evelyn. I need a minute with you. Alone.”

Her heartbeat picks up. I feel it like a second rhythm. I know what I have to do-I just have to do it.

“Um… well-” she starts.

Horns cut through the room.

Ryder and Bridget step in, and the entire ballroom pivots toward them like iron to a magnet. Ryder-the pack’s infamous bachelor, deadly on the field and worse behind closed doors-walks in with his mate

at his side. Goddess help me, he looks like the happiest man alive.

“Ma’am, you’re needed on stage,” one of our warriors assigned to Evelyn says.

She nods and lets herself be moved away immediately.

She doesn’t even glance back.

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Patrick watches her go, impressed. “She’s incredible. Exactly the sort of woman I could see ruling beside me as Alpha back home.” His tone shifts, curious. “Unless she’s already spoken for. Has she found her mate yet?”

My fists tighten, ready to answer.

Before I can, Alpha Marcus steps up to the microphone and starts the welcome.

I leave Patrick where he stands and push toward the front, taking my place off to the side of the stage where I can see Evelyn clearly. She looks flawless-and tense. Her mind is moving fast; I can see it in

the set of her shoulders.

Lucas and Pierce fall in beside me as the room applauds Marcus’s closing words.

Then he introduces Evelyn.

She moves to stand near her father like she was born for it. Poised. Polished. Whatever chaos is happening under her skin, she wears the mask perfectly.

But I can read past her smile.

I’m the reason she’s unsettled.

And soon, I’ll be the reason she hurts.

I have to choose what’s best for her. What’s best for the pack.

I won’t drag her down. She’s too good-too perfect-to be tied to me. I will reject her so she can move forward with someone worthy, someone who can give her the life she deserves.

So why does it feel like I’m trying to convince myself more than I’m preparing to tell her?

Alpha Marcus speaks again. “Hopefully tonight our daughter, Evelyn, will find her mate.”

It feels like stones are lodged in my throat. Evelyn’s smile holds, false and practiced. Her gaze flicks to

me for a heartbeat before she sweeps the crowd.

Marcus announces Ryder’s mate next-without mentioning, of course, that she’s also the infamous

Omni-Wolf. That information stays locked down. Need-to-know.

The King takes the floor. I keep half my focus on the Queen, too. Secrets cling to that couple like a second set of clothes. Ryder has trusted us to dig into anything connected to them. I’ve already been told about what happened with Bridget earlier. I believe her abilities will help keep us safe.

Which means it’s on us to keep her safe.

That’s why we’ve been searching the castle.

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When the speeches end, the dancefloor clears for a formal dance with the upper ranks. Bridget dances with the King. Others join in.

We watch everything.

Ryder eventually pulls his woman back to him, and I know they’re comparing whatever they’ve uncovered.

The night rolls on. I spot Evelyn again-this time with another Alpha, one from Minnesota. He’s lost his mate in battle and he’s been desperate for a second-chance bond.

After a few seconds of watching him try, I decide he’s a problem.

I cross the room and stop at Evelyn’s side.

“We need to talk,” I say, voice hard, already angling her toward a side door. I signal her detail that I’m escorting her to the bathroom.

No one questions it.

She doesn’t move. “Why?” Defiant. Chin up.

“You know why,” I tell her. “Please. Just-private.”

Her eyes sharpen. “I don’t see the point. If we’re still standing out here like this, then you’ve already told me what I need to know.” She turns away from me, decisive. “Meet me in my suite. We’ll finish it

there.”

She nods to two warriors from her detail and walks out of the ballroom.

Evelyn’s POV

If my heart is going to break, it’s happening on my terms-behind my own door.

I take the elevator up with my security ahead of me. They know the rules: no questions, no lingering looks. We’ve grown up together. They’re practically family.

How long this gets kept from my brother is anyone’s guess.

I don’t care right now.

By the time I step into my suite, my nerves are shredded. I leave the men outside and pace, twisting my fingers until the knock finally comes.

My mouth is so dry it feels like I’m swallowing grit.

I open the door

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Connor stands there in a black tux, devastating as always. Dark brown hair slicked back. Beard lined perfectly along that carved jaw.

I let him in and try to steady my breathing, even though I know he can feel what his presence is doing

to me.

“Well,” I say, refusing to waste a second, “it’s my birthday, and you’re in my room. What exactly are we discussing?”

“Evelyn. I… uh.” His eyes move over my face like he’s searching for words he doesn’t have.

I’ve never seen him like this. Connor Reynolds is control personified.

And now my chest tightens because I’m starting to think I’m the reason he’s unraveling.

“Just say it,” I snap, going cold on purpose because the truth is I’m barely holding together. “You don’t

hesitate. You don’t stall.”

My body aches for him-aches to be pulled into his arms. My heart is chaos from a lifetime of loving him. And my brain is already bracing for the worst.

“Evelyn,” he says, voice low, “you’re the most perfect person I’ve ever known. It’s been an honor watching you become the woman you are. Any man would be lucky to have you.”

A cliff edge.

“But…” I manage.

His gaze drops for a fraction of a second before he forces the rest out. “But that man can’t be me.”

There it is.

The sentence that will follow me for the rest of my life.

I have a thousand things to say and none of them make it to my mouth. How can the Moon Goddess

hand me what I’ve always wanted-and make it end like this?

“Why?” It’s all I can get out.

“I can’t-” He drags a breath. “I mean… I wish I could explain.”

“I’m owed an explanation, Connor.”

“Yes.” His jaw flexes. “You are. I just… can’t give you one. You deserve better than me. Better than what I can offer. Someday you’ll understand-”

“Fine,” I cut in, voice sharpening. “Reject me.”

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“Evelyn.”

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“If I’m so much better off, then do it.” Frustration lifts my volume. He stares at me like I’ve suggested the dumbest thing imaginable.

“Evelyn-”

Then his attention shifts.

A mind-link.

Of course.

He exhales, pinned between duty and whatever this is. “I have to go deal with something. We’ll finish

this when I’m done. Okay?”

“Really?” My laugh is bitter. “So I get to sit here and wait until you decide I’m worth another visit? No.”

I kick off my heels and step closer, forcing myself to look up at him, at his towering frame.

“I, Evelyn Blackwood, daughter of Alpha Marcus Blackwood of the Blackwood Rowen Pack, reject you -Connor Reynolds, Beta of the Blackwood Rowen Pack-”

“No.”

He’s on me in an instant, pressing a finger to my lips.

The bond lashes through my body like live wire, lighting up every nerve. His eyes are pleading as he backs away, turning toward the door.

I love him.

And I hate him.

Both at once.

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