The Omni-Wolf’s Choice novel Chapter 43

Chapter 43 Name Him…

Bridget’s POV

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These days have been escalating into pure chaos. I keep waiting for a normal stretch-no shouting, no blood, no frantic sprint to the hospital-and it never comes. I’m grateful, I am. Somehow I’ve ended up with people I can finally call family. Still… a quiet day would be a gift.

I’ve been camped out at the hospital to keep Evelyn company while her mom went to change. Luna Kendra wouldn’t leave her daughter’s side until I promised I’d stay until she came back.

Evelyn is still out cold, but the doctors say she’s stable.

I keep replaying the moment in the SUV, trying to understand how I knew what to do. I didn’t plan it. I didn’t even think. My wolf did-like she’d already memorized the steps. I could sense the poison threading through Evelyn, moving like something alive. When I held my hands over her middle, light

bled from my palms. Then I watched it-watched the toxin lift and peel away from her as if it were smoke being pulled by a current.

The strangest part?

It slid into my hands.

And it didn’t touch me. Not even a sting.

I have a thousand questions stacked in my head, but they’ll have to wait. For now, I’m sitting beside her bed with Adrian and Aiden. Adrian has one of Evelyn’s favorite magazines open and is reading aloud like it’s a bedtime story.

“I thought she hated that one,” Aiden cuts in. “Didn’t she call it shallow and a waste of brain cells?”

Adrian doesn’t even look up. “Exactly. I’m counting on her getting so offended she wakes up just to tell

me to shut up.” She flicks her eyes at him, long-suffering. “You know, for medical reasons.”

I snort, and Aiden’s mouth twitches like he’s trying not to laugh too.

“That… honestly tracks,” he says, reaching over to give Evelyn’s leg a gentle pat. Then his gaze shifts to me, serious again. “Bridget, thank you. What you did-your gifts-we’re grateful.”

“I’d do anything for you guys,” I tell him, and I mean it.

The door opens before anyone can answer, and Luna Kendra steps in. She’s traded the earlier gown for a sweater and slacks, but the exhaustion on her face makes her look older.

“All right,” she says, voice soft but firm, the way mothers sound when they’re trying not to fall apart.

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“It’s late. Go on back. I’ll stay with her now.”

She hugs both twins, holding them a second longer than usual. “Your escorts are in the hallway.

Message me when you’re safely in your rooms.”

“Yes, Mom,” Aiden answers, rising and offering her his seat.

Adrian follows him toward the door. “Keep us updated, okay?”

They both wave at me on the way out.

“Goodnight,” I call after them.

I still don’t stand. “Do you want me to stay with you, Luna?”.

She shakes her head immediately. “No. You need rest too. Ryder will probably have people to question, and with what you can do…” Her eyes dip, as if she’s afraid to say it too boldly.

“If you’re sure,” I say. “I can go back to the castle and see where things stand.”

I slip my arms into Ryder’s suit jacket. It hangs off me like I’m wearing a tent, but it’s soaked in him- his scent wrapping around my nerves and pulling them down a notch. The fact that this happened inside our own home makes my stomach twist.

Luna Kendra stands, comes closer, and takes my hands. She looks straight into my eyes like she

needs me to understand every word.

“Bridget… thank you for saving my baby. There’s no way I can ever repay you.”

“I’m just glad I was there,” I whisper. “I’m glad I could do something. I just-” My throat tightens. “I wish I’d been able to pull more out. Maybe she’d be awake already.”

“Oh, sweetheart.” Her thumbs rub over my knuckles. “The Moon Goddess placed you exactly where you needed to be. You did what you were meant to do, and she’ll handle the rest. Marcus and I… we’ll

never forget it.”

Then she pulls me into a hug.

She smells like fresh flowers, like clean sunlight trapped in petals. I can’t even remember the last time someone held me like this-steady, warm, unquestioning. It tugs at something deep in my chest and

makes me miss my mom so sharply it almost hurts.

What would she think of who I am now? Of the power in my hands? Did she ever know any of this was

in me?

So many questions.

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But I don’t chase them. Not right now.

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“I’ll let you settle in,” I say when we part. “Tell me if you need anything, Luna.”

Outside the room, old Iron Fang is waiting with another warrior. He gives a short nod, and I fall into step between them.

‘Ryder-sorry to bug you. I’m heading back to the castle with my escort,’ I send through the mind-link, hoping he isn’t in the middle of something bloody.

‘Hey, my love. Good. I’ve got two more men outside to drive you in.’

‘It’s not far. I was going to walk. I could use the air.’

‘Bridget, the whole pack is locked down. Don’t pick tonight to argue with a request. I need you back

fast and safe.’

I sigh, even though he can’t see it. ‘Okay. Fair. I’m getting in the SUV now. I’ll see you soon.’

‘Thank you. I’ll see you in a bit.’

The link cuts, and the drive back is short enough that my thoughts don’t have time to settle. I’m still in

my

ball gown, and the fabric feels ridiculous against everything that’s happened.

When we pull up to the castle, Ryder is already coming down the steps.

He’s changed into a black button-down and black slacks, the kind of outfit that makes him look like a

shadow given a body. But his right hand is bruised, and there’s blood spattered along his neck and

collarbone.

“Hey,” he murmurs, and he folds me into him, breathing me in like he needs to remember I’m real. I feel

his heartbeat begin to slow against my chest.

I lift my chin, staring at the red on him. “Is that yours?”

“No,” he says, voice flat. “Just… working on getting answers.

“Did you find who did it?”

He takes my hand and leads me inside. He nods at the men, dismissing them for the night-everyone except Iron Fang, who remains behind us, silent and watchful. I swear he’s starting to tolerate me.

“We’re close,” Ryder says. “He’s in the cells. Alpha Patrick and Beta Connor are… persuading him.”

Up in our suite, I don’t waste time. I strip out of the gown, tug on jeans and a sweatshirt, and twist my hair into a messy bun. Ryder is still speaking with warriors the whole time, his voice low and clipped.

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When I finish, he glances over, surprised. “I’ve never seen you change that fast.”

“I’m motivated,” I mutter.

His jaw tightens. “I need to go back down. He’s ready to talk.”

“Tell me if you need me.”

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He presses a kiss to my forehead. “I will. Hopefully it won’t be a long night. I’ll message you.”

He leaves, and through the crack of the door I see him exchange a few words with Iron Fang.

The second Ryder is off our floor, I’m moving again.

Iron Fang is there instantly, like he never blinked.

“Oh, you knew I wouldn’t stay put,” I say under my breath as I head out. “Didn’t you? Fine-walk with me, then. And if you’ve got something to say, now’s your chance.”

He offers me absolutely nothing.

He just falls in beside me.

We end up on the main floor, and I drift into the kitchen. Chef Rebecca is slumped at the prep table, eyes swollen, hands clasped so tightly her knuckles have gone pale.

“Chef Rebecca?” I slide into the seat beside her. “Are you okay?”

She shakes her head, a broken motion. “They’re questioning my nephew. I’m the one who brought him here-got him the job.” Her voice trembles. “And now he could be connected to hurting Evelyn. She’s like my daughter. All the kids are. This can’t be real.”

“If he did anything,” I say carefully, “no one is going to blame you for trying to help family. You did it with a good heart.”

The kettle screams, and I move on autopilot, pouring hot water into two cups. Iron Fang stations

himself nearby, the same protective statue he always is.

I glance back at her. “Was your nephew already part of this pack?”

“No,” she whispers. “Ashenvale, up north. His parents died in battle. He wanted to start over

somewhere new.” Her eyes shine again. “He was so excited to belong. None of this makes sense.”

“Ryder will find the truth,” I promise. “He always does.”

We stir in milk and honey and let the silence sit between us, thick and restless. My mind keeps snagging on her nephew’s name-Terrence-turning it over like it might explain something if I stare

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hard enough.

Then the world detonates.

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A thunderous crash slams through the kitchen as the cellar door-just off to the side-bursts inward

so violently it tears off its hinges. Rebecca gasps. I jolt, and Iron Fang is in front of me in an instant.

Beta Connor storms out mid-shift, his body caught between forms, fury rolling off him in waves. He barrels straight out of the castle. Two guards race after him, shifting as they go.

And then Talon streaks past them all, faster than anyone.

My pulse spikes.

They got something.

They got a name.

And now they’re going to hunt whoever it belongs to.

Ryder’s POV

When the terrace erupted, Alpha Patrick had been exactly what we needed-calm, decisive, brutal when it mattered. He’d locked everything down and sealed the exits before panic could scatter

witnesses.

One of the final servers still on the terrace had been an omega named Terrence, Chef Rebecca’s relative. We brought him to the cells and kept pressing: who handled the drinks, who sent him, who

touched the tray.

He had not been giving us much.

Not until Connor started applying pressure.

“I need you to tell me who handed you those drinks,” Connor snaps, his aura pushing Terrence toward

submission.

Terrence shakes his head hard. “I swear I don’t know. They gave me the tray and told me to take it

over.”

“Who?” Connor barks. “Man or woman? Werewolf? Witch? Warlock? Give us anything to work with.”

“I don’t know!” Terrence’s voice cracks. “I’m new-I don’t recognize people yet. It was a man, I think, but nobody stands out-please!”

I step in, close enough that our breath collides. His eyes flick up to mine, terrified.

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“I need a name,” I tell him quietly, “or I will cut your stomach open and pull your intestines out while you watch.”

He goes pale, eyes blown wide.

“I… it…” He tries, and then locks up again.

I glance at Connor. He drags the tools nearer, metal clinking softly like a warning.

“I can use these,” I say, letting the words hang. “Or I can use my claw.”

My claws slide out.

Connor moves behind Terrence and locks an arm around his throat, a chokehold that turns instantly

lethal because Terrence is strapped to the chair. He can’t fight it. He can’t escape it.

Connor leans back, putting his weight into the pressure.

“If my Beta shifts one more inch,” I say, voice cold, “your neck breaks. Give me a name.”

Terrence’s eyes bulge as his airway collapses. His lips shape something-one word-desperation

forcing it out.

I motion sharply.

Connor releases him.

“Name,” Talon demands from the side, all blade and impatience.

Terrence sucks in a ragged breath. “Oscar…”

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