The Omni-Wolf’s Choice novel Chapter 53

Chapter 53 A Tiny Q&A…

Evelyn’s POV

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I’ve been home from the hospital for two days, and the pack house still feels like someone shook it like a snow globe and never set it down.

Yesterday I caught word we’d gone full lockdown over whatever explosion happened between Ryder and Bridget. It got “resolved,” which in their language probably means it ended with them tangled up in sheets. They’re disgustingly adorable. If Ryder weren’t my brother, I’d want the explicit version. Since he is? No. Absolutely not.

At least Sienna’s chaos is safe to listen to.

Maybe it’s time I stop spectating and start living. I heard what the Moon Goddess said. But I still have to choose what I do with my own life.

After a full day of rest, I’m heading down to the cells with Ryder and Connor to talk to Oscar.

When I step out of my room, I’m expecting my guards.

Instead, Alpha Patrick is standing there beside my mom.

“Well, this is convenient,” Patrick says with an easy grin. “I was about to take you down there myself.”

Mom beams like she’s just found a new hobby. “I bumped into him and figured your guards could breathe for once. Alpha Patrick volunteered. Happily.”

I narrow my eyes. “Careful, Alpha Patrick. You keep making my mother sparkle like that and my dad’s

going to challenge you.”

“Oh, sweetheart,” Mom says airily. “He’s not nearly ‘bad boy’ enough for me.”

Patrick’s brows jump. “Hey.”

“Ew,” I mutter.

Mom barrels on anyway. “Your father is a very talented man. I mean-we have four kids.”

“Mom. Stop.” I clamp my hands over my ears. “I will crawl back into my coma.”

Patrick lifts his chin, playing along. “I have talents too, you know. I’m not just pretty.”

“Obviously,” Mom and I say together, and we both laugh.

Patrick shakes his head like we’ve personally victimized him. “Women are ruthless.”

<Chapter 53 A Tiny Q&A

We reach the dungeon doors. The guards straighten and salute.

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“I’ll see you later, Evelyn,” Mom says, kissing my cheek. Then she gives Patrick an appreciative nod. “Thank you for keeping her safe.”

He returns the nod, all professional.

When Mom leaves, the air shifts. Just the two of us now. No jokes to hide behind.

Patrick watches my face. “You sure you want to do this right now? They’ll wait as long as you need.”

“I’m not dragging it out.” My hand lands on the keypad. Code, then the eye scan. The lock releases, and we head down.

As we descend, Patrick glances around, impressed. “We need upgrades like this back home.”

At the basement checkpoint, we’re scanned again. Another door clicks open.

We turn left, toward the older section.

The last door on the right is the medical cell.

Inside, two beds sit under harsh lighting. Oscar and Terrence are strapped down, both looking wrecked -injuries layered on injuries. Tortured, no question.

“Why are you here?” Connor snaps, and for half a second I bristle-until I realize his glare is on Patrick.

“He’s with me,” I say, flat.

Ryder is in the room too, along with Connor and Beatrix-one of our top female warriors.

Connor smirks like he’s filed something away.

I ignore it the same way he has been ignoring our mating bond: like it doesn’t exist.

Oscar turns her head toward me, eyes wild. Her voice is shredded. “You’re alive,” she rasps. “They weren’t lying. You’re going to ruin everything.”

She wheezes between words. Broken ribs, maybe. Something sharp pushing where it shouldn’t.

I frown, genuinely lost. “Why?” I take a step closer, and Connor shifts instantly to block me.

“Let her breathe,” Ryder warns, his whole body tight, ready.

I appreciate them-every single one of them poised to tear the world apart for me.

But this part is mine.

< Chapter 53 A Tiny Q&A.

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Oscar’s stare burns. “You never saw me. I cleaned your room. I scrubbed after you. You didn’t thank me. You didn’t appreciate me. You were handed a life, and I had to wipe it down with rags.” Her lips curl. “If I wasn’t broken like this, I’d kill you myself.”

Low growls ripple through the room.

I raise one hand, stopping them.

My voice stays calm. “I’m sorry you’ve been carrying that.”

Then I step in close and rip the bandage off her stomach.

Oscar screams.

“I was never cruel to you,” I say over her noise. “I didn’t make you work insane hours. I didn’t demand

anything impossible.”

I pick up scissors and start cutting the stitches.

One.

Then another.

Then another.

She can’t do anything but thrash and cry out, wrists cuffed to the bed.

Blood begins to spill.

Terrence yanks against his restraints, shouting at me to stop.

I don’t even look at him.

“The funny thing,” I say, “is this could have been a conversation.” I angle my head. “You wanted witch

training, didn’t you?”

I drive the scissors into Oscar’s abdomen.

Blood spatters my face and arcs onto Terrence.

Oscar’s scream turns animal.

“I would have helped you,” I tell her, voice still even. “Because I can do things. Like move objects.”

With a flick of my fingers-like seasoning a meal-I make the scissors tear, slow and deliberate,

opening her stomach wider.

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<Chapter 53 A Tiny Q&A

She shrieks until she chokes on it.

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“My problem,” I murmur, leaning closer, “is that people look at me and see something soft.

More blood pours, pooling on the floor.

“They forget who raised me. Who my brother is. Who my father is.” I let my gaze go cold. “They forget I come from monsters who ‘had’ to mate with angels.”

I bring my mouth near her ear. “And I didn’t inherit the angel part.”

Her eyes flutter, going glassy.

“Enjoy hell, Oscar.”

I plunge my claws into her throat and rip out her vocal cords.

Her body jerks once.

Then the life drains away.

I drag my tongue across my claws, tasting iron.

Terrence’s howl of grief fills the cell.

When I straighten, I find Patrick staring at me like he’s just met someone new.

Everyone else? They’ve trained with me since I was a kid. They know.

“Someone shut him up,” I say, nodding toward Terrence. “I need a shower before lunch. I’m starving.”

I glance at Patrick. “Ready?”

“Got you, sis,” Ryder says, and walks over to Terrence.

In one efficient motion, Ryder ends him-payment for his role in trying to assassinate me.

Patrick heads for the exit.

“Yes,” he says quietly. “Let’s go, Evelyn.”

We ride up while I wipe blood from my skin with a towel. It feels familiar-too familiar-and good in a

way I don’t bother excusing.

At the elevator, I look at Patrick. “You okay?”

He exhales like he’s been holding his breath. “Evelyn… that was-” He shakes his head. “I had no

words.”

< Chapter 53 A Tiny Q&A.

Then his mouth curves. “Actually, I do. That was sexy as hell.”

I burst out laughing.

Of course he has the same dark humor I do.

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For a dangerous second, my mind slips into what-ifs. Why didn’t the Moon Goddess tie me to this relative instead? Maybe she misread the family tree. Patrick is gorgeous-same kind of lethal beauty his cousin has.

Do I get the electric shock Connor gives me? No.

Could I live with that? Maybe.

After we reject each other, could Patrick become a second-chance mate?

On magical land, stranger things have happened.

We reach my door. I turn, studying him. There’s too much to consider where he’s concerned.

“Lunch with us?” I ask.

“I’d love to,” he says. “I need to handle a few calls in the office Alpha Ryder’s letting me use. Then I’ll

meet you downstairs. Sound good?”

“Perfect. Main dining hall.”

I slip inside to shower.

Lunch is already loud when I get there.

The King and Queen have left, planning to return next week for the coronation. They sent wishes for

my quick recovery.

My parents have been buried in transition work for the new Alpha and Luna. Mom has been helping Bridget prepare for the role, while the elders keep dropping in-Elder Evangeline and Beatrix included-

to drill her on everything from tradition to combat.

Ryder has been settling into the responsibilities he has already been carrying while waiting for Bridget

to step fully into place.

My doing, by the way.

When they have pups and start begging for girl names, I’m going to remind them.

Right now, the table is full, and the mood is warm. Ryder and Bridget sit at the head, Connor beside

him. Then me, Sienna, and Archer.

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< Chapter 53 A Tiny Q&A

I left a space for Patrick between me and Sienna.

Lucas and Pierce are there with Pierce’s mate. Beatrix, Elliot, and Iron Fang have been ordered to eat with us by Luna Bridget.

The food is unreal. The laughter is better.

I’m so grateful the Moon Goddess gave me another shot at life. Missing this would have been

unbearable.

Then Patrick walks in.

He looks like he stepped out of a designer campaign-so put together it’s ridiculous. For a second, it’s

like the room turns monochrome around him.

“Patrick,” I call, lifting my hand. “Seat saved.”

He smiles and slides in. “Appreciate it. Sorry-conference call ran long.”

Everyone answers him in a chorus of greetings while staff set a plate in front of him: roasted chicken,

mashed potatoes, green beans.

Connor leans back slightly. “So when are you going back to New Zealand, cousin?”

“Connor,” Bridget hisses under her breath.

Patrick doesn’t flinch. “It’s fine.” He cuts into his food. “After the coronation.”

His gaze lands on me. “Unless there’s a reason to stay. I can be convinced.”

Connor’s tone turns sharp. “You probably should go run your pack.”

Patrick’s smile doesn’t change. “I’ve got a beta I trust and a full team holding things down.” He pauses. “Besides, maybe I’ll bring someone back with me. Worth waiting for an opportunity. Don’t

waste the right one… right, cousin?”

Oh, Goddess.

They’re arguing in coded Alpha-ego language, and I know exactly who the prize is supposed to be.

Nobody can realize it’s me. Ryder would tear Connor apart.

I shoot Sienna a look.

She saves me instantly. “Bridget-your birthday is in a few days, isn’t it? We should go out. All of us.

Celebrate.”

<Chapter 53 A Tiny Q&A

Bless her.

Ryder shuts it down immediately. “No.”

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Bridget shrugs, soft. “I’ve never really had a party. It’s okay.”

“It’s not okay,” I jump in. “She’s never had one, Ryder.”

Ryder’s stare pins me. “And I want her to have several more birthdays after this one.”

I tilt my head. “Then we do it smart. Club Blackwood. Close it to the public. Our warriors on security.

Thoughts?”

Bridget’s eyes brighten like she can’t help it.

Twenty years old and never celebrated-my chest tightens for her.

Ryder’s expression eases a fraction. “I’ll see what I can arrange. No promises. If not, we’ll do something here. Okay, sweetheart?”

He leans into Bridget, and she melts into a smile, completely gone for him.

“Okay,” she says.

Patrick sets his fork down and looks at me. “Also… would you go out with me tonight? Just you and

me.”

In front of everyone.

Connor’s chair shifts hard. “Evelyn doesn’t date.”

Ryder glances between us, amused. “She’s legal now, man. And Patrick’s solid.”

Connor stares at his plate like the answer might be etched into it.

His voice drops. “I guess she is.”

I breathe once. “I guess I am.” I meet Patrick’s eyes. “Sure. Tonight.”

Patrick’s smile goes satisfied and bright. “Seven. I’ll come get you.”

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