The Omni-Wolf’s Choice novel Chapter 5

Chapter 5 The Bon Fire…

Alpha Ryder’s POV

“Alpha Ryder—truly, it’s always a delight when you come to Crescent Valley.” Luna Adriana’s voice carries across the castle’s grand hall the moment I step inside.

Their pack matches ours in strength and size, and like us, they aren’t made up of one kind alone. We’ve always been the nearest allies. Our fathers were boys together, trained side by side, and never let that bond fade.

Adriana looks every bit the legend people whisper about. Middle Eastern features, midnight hair swept clean from her face, a jeweled tiara throwing light back at the chandeliers. She hasn’t aged the way normal people do—she still could pass for someone in her twenties. Regal. Sharp. Certain. Power sits on her like a crown.

“I appreciate you making time for me with no warning,” I tell her, dipping into a respectful bow. “I know your schedules aren’t exactly light.”

We may call each other family, but there are lines you don’t cross. I don’t embrace her; I don’t let my scent cling to another Alpha’s mate. That’s how wars start. And with a bond like Zachary and Adriana’s, a war would not be a small thing. People talk about mates like them sharing strength—old stories even claim they can fuse power. No one has witnessed anything like that in centuries.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she says warmly. “Family always matters.”

The lobby doors open behind her.

Alpha Zachary strides in, built like a fortress, nearly my height and mass. Ink covers most of his skin—marks, symbols, trophies for every kill he’s taken. A brutal fighter. One I enjoy trading blows with.

He grins, and we clasp forearms.

Aurelia follows on his heels—their future Alpha. Beautiful as ever, her father’s caramel-brown eyes set in her mother’s striking face. When she catches my gaze, she smiles like she’s already planning trouble.

“Look who showed up,” she says. “Miss me, chump?”

We grew up more like brother and sister than anything else, despite both our parents quietly hoping fate would tie us together. Then we turned eighteen, waited for our wolves to react… and got nothing. No pull. No spark. So we stayed friends, trained together, and never lost touch.

“Hard not to,” I shoot back. “Hey, chumpette.”

They lead me into Zachary’s office, the three of them settling in with the ease of people who’ve done this a thousand times.

Aurelia drops into a chair and tilts her head at me. “So are we squeezing in a spar so I can beat you like usual?”

Zachary’s laugh rumbles. Adriana’s gaze snaps to her daughter.

“Your mouth, Aurelia. Somewhere under all that attitude, you are still a lady. You test my patience daily.”

Adriana moves to her mate, and he draws her onto his lap like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

Aurelia’s grin turns innocent. “Sorry, Mom.”

Zachary’s expression sobers as he gestures to the screen. “I have Alpha Marcus on video.”

“Father,” I say, taking a seat.

My father gives a crisp nod. “Alpha Zachary. Luna Adriana. Thank you for meeting with Ryder.”

“Always,” Zachary answers, voice firm with friendship. “Now tell us what you’ve learned.”

My father inhales, then speaks with the careful tone he uses when the subject is dangerous.

“My coven has passed along an old warning. There’s said to be a rare being—male or female—right around the age of first receiving their wolf. Their power would exceed anything we’ve documented. The description matches what some texts call the Omni-Wolf: a direct descendant of the Moon Goddess, sent to keep balance when darkness rises.”

He pauses, eyes hard.

“The problem is the bloodline was believed to have been wiped out. Hunted, exploited, murdered for what they could do. Every record we possess ends with no survivors. But the energy we have detected recently… it suggests otherwise. If someone lived, your breach could be tied to them.”

Zachary’s stare pins me. “And you’re sure whoever crossed into your territory didn’t harm your people?”

“Correct,” I answer.

“Then they likely don’t understand what they are,” my father says. “If you find them, you protect them—no matter the cost. If we sensed that power from a distance, anyone seeking to twist it for evil sensed it too.”

I lean forward. “How does someone carrying that kind of power not know?”

Aurelia lifts a finger. “Protection magic. A spell could’ve been layered on them.”

Adriana nods, already flipping through a book on Zachary’s desk. “Or the abilities only awaken on certain land—yours, perhaps, Alpha.”

My father’s brow furrows on the screen. “So anything could be triggering this.”

Zachary’s voice turns decisive. “Then you should know this: I’m readying my warriors. Your pack is ours in all but name. We will back you however you need.”

“Thank you,” my father says. “We’ll be grateful.”

Adriana closes the book with quiet authority. “I’ll begin the spellwork. Teleportation for our fighters—and a way to reach you quickly.”

I nod once, gratitude tight in my chest.

Zachary’s eyes narrow. “If that person is on your land, they could drag the war of all wars right to your doorstep without realizing it.”

Aurelia leans back, suddenly all swagger again. “This is insane. And for the record, they should’ve shown up here—I’m clearly the better fighter.” She points at me. “Relax, Ryder. My warriors and I will come save you like I’ve been doing for years.”

I break into laughter despite everything. She has always been able to cut through the worst tension.

“Aurelia Margot Sterling!” Adriana barks.

Aurelia straightens. “Sorry, Mom. Sorry!”

Adriana exhales, done. “Take Ryder to his room. Let him settle. Dinner at seven.”

I follow Aurelia toward the familiar guest corridor—my usual room on visits.

And then it hits.

A violent pulse of pain splits my skull. My hands fly to my head. My teeth clamp down as I fight a shout.

Aurelia whirls. “Ryder? What’s happening?” She raises her voice. “Mom!”

Something is wrong at home. I can feel it—sharp and distant, like a hook buried in my nerves.

Just as fast as it comes, the agony vanishes.

When I blink my vision clear, Zachary and Adriana are beside me, and Dr. Katherine is crouched close, studying me like I’m a puzzle she’s never seen.

“I’ve never witnessed this,” Katherine says. “It looked like mirrored pain—like you’re linked to whatever is occurring back in your territory.”

I don’t know what Bridget is capable of, but it’s a lot. She sensed the rogues in the trees before any of us. Mason is the best tracker we have, and even he didn’t pick them up.

Connor is furious—though lately, he seems furious by default. I have been obsessed with him since I was a pup. To him, I’m still the little sister of his best friend, the tagalong kid he has to watch out for. He doesn’t see what I’ve been carrying for years.

I have loved that man since the first fairytale I ever heard.

In a week, I get my wolf. I keep wishing—praying—that he’ll be my mate. I don’t know how I’d survive watching him bond with another she-wolf.

‘You’re seeing this too, right?’ I send through the mind link as Connor drives.

‘Yeah,’ he answers instantly. ‘She’s got abilities she doesn’t even understand. Your brother is already at the scene. I’m taking you girls somewhere safe, then I’m heading back. We need your friend in the hospital.’

‘Got it. I’ll tell my mom we’re coming, and she needs to contact the elders.’

I push that message out to everyone crammed into the SUV.

From the first second I saw Bridget, I knew she was a wolf. More than that—I knew there was something about her that mattered. She felt like someone who needed us. I can’t explain it without sounding ridiculous, but she carries something clean in her, something good, even with a life that’s clearly been brutal.

And her eyes—when she stared into the woods, they flashed gold for a heartbeat.

I won’t forget it. The doctors need to know.

We swing into the pack hospital, and my mom is already outside waiting. I twist around in my seat to check Bridget again—she’s completely out cold. The rain, which had been pounding the windshield, has stopped like someone turned it off.

Doctors and nurses rush us the moment we step out.

“We’re fine,” I say quickly, voice sharp with panic. “It’s our friend—she needs help!”

They lift Bridget onto a gurney and fly through the doors. We chase them down the corridor until we hit the line where we’re not allowed past.

Connor steps close, that hard, pissed look still on his face. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, Connor,” I snap. “It was a bonfire. Rogues attacked.”

I’m done with him acting like I’m five—like I’m fragile—just because I’m younger than him and my brother.

His jaw tightens. “A bonfire outside the territory. Anything could’ve happened to you. And you brought a newbie who doesn’t even know she’s a wolf,” he whisper-yells, trying not to draw attention.

“I am not your responsibility,” I shoot back. I step in close, as close as our height difference allows. “And I’m not doing anything you and my brother didn’t do at my age.”

Connor freezes.

For a second, I swear I hear a growl in his chest.

“Beta Connor.” My mom’s voice cuts through it, calm radiating from her like a wave. “Please go assist your Alpha.”

“Yes, Luna.” He bows and turns away fast.

The moment he hits the main doors, he shifts—gone in a blur of muscle and fur.