The Omni-Wolf’s Choice novel Chapter 61

Chapter 61 – Love, Delivered from Romania…

Ryder’s POV

Something was off with her. I didn’t need words-our bond carried it straight into my

chest. Anxiety, tight and constant. And not knowing what had caused it was making me

lose my mind.

When she finally confessed what was behind it, relief hit first-then the cold, clean focus

that always follows. Now I had a target. Now I could pull every string I owned until I

found the people responsible.

And then I could erase them.

Anyone arrogant enough to go after my mate-after us-was volunteering to become an

example. I already had a witch rotting in my dungeon who refused to answer anything

without wrapping it in a damn riddle. My sister had been poisoned. The king was a

question mark with a crown. The queen was still whispering about some women-only

sanctuary like she could lure Bridget away with a beach and promises. And as if that hadn’t been enough, a var Chapter Unlocked, Enjoy Reading!

Our path had been chaos.

Bridget was still worth every second of it.

I made it back to my office to find Connor continuing the interrogations while I watched.

We’d tightened the circle: five staff members couldn’t explain where they’d been.

I stayed in my chair, silent, letting Connor grind through them one at a time until the

room thinned.

44

“…and then there were three.”

I stood as the last three remained: Porter, Russell, and Imogen.

Lucas mind-linked me-there was video, and it showed a male on the floor. I told him to

send it. By the time I’d pulled it up at my desk and watched enough to be sure, one name

dropped off the list.

“Imogen is cleared,” I said. “You can go, ma’am. Thank you for coming in.”

“Thank you, Alpha.” She let out the breath she’d been holding. I gave her a short nod.

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“Take the rest of the week paid,” I added. “Go somewhere. We’ll handle the cost.”

Her whole face changed. “Thank you, Alpha! Thank you so much!”

“…and then there were two.”

Russell and Porter stood there trying to look steady. I didn’t bother pretending they both

had the same spine.

I went to Porter.

“I need answers,” I said, leaning close while he sat trapped in the chair. My hand

clamped over the back of his head, fingers digging in just enough to remind him I could

do worse. Sweat slicked his hairline.

“What did you do, Porter?” I asked. “Because I can smell you shaking.”

Porter handled landscaping on our grounds. He’d transferred up from southern Russia.

His daughter had been here, but she’d recently gone to another pack with her mate.

Porter stayed behind anyway.

His voice cracked. “I swear, Alpha, I only did what I was told. They offered me ten grand

to deliver the flowers. Ten thousand-just for dropping off a damn arrangement. He said

it was for the Luna! Just flowers!”

“Who,” I said, “is he?”

“No name,” Porter blurted. “But I can describe him. And I can tell you where I met him.

Nightshade Bar.”

I straightened. “Put him in a cell until we’re finished.”

Then, without looking away from him, I ordered, “Montgomery. Connor. You’re coming

with me. Let’s move.”

Guards hauled Porter out. I mind-linked Iron Fang to stay on Bridget-full responsibility.

I had people planted at Nightshade. I also had leverage there.

Nightshade belonged to Sullivan, an old friend of mine. He was vampire, ran a tight

house, and his bar had become neutral ground where all kinds of supernaturals mixed.

Connor and Montgomery followed me down. I grabbed four warriors on the way, and we

piled into the black Hummers waiting below.

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On the ride over, I tried reaching Bridget through the link, but the bond felt soft and

distant-sleep. The thought of her birthday getting wrecked still burned.

I would make it right.

Nightshade’s lot was busy for a weekday. We pushed inside, and noise slammed into us

-voices, music, bodies pressed close. I scanned the crowd as we entered.

“Fan out,” I mind-linked my team. “We’re looking for a man with a scar on his cheek.”

They split, slipping between tables and shadows.

I caught the bartender’s attention with a small gesture. “Tell Sullivan Ryder’s here.”

“Yes, Alpha. Right away.” She nodded and sent the message.

I kept sweeping the room, watching hands, watching eyes.

Velvet curtains at the back shifted. Sullivan emerged with a wide grin like we were

meeting for drinks instead of hunting a criminal.

“Alpha Ryder,” he said, warm as ever. “An honor. Sorry it’s under these circumstances.

And congratulations on finding your mate-I’ve heard she’s extraordinarily powerful. The

two of you… that’s going to matter for every species.”

I clasped him in a one-armed hug. “My friend. Thank you. Bridget and I appreciate it. Can

you make her coronation next week?”

“I will,” he promised without hesitation. Then his tone turned business-sharp. “He was

here earlier. One of my waitresses spotted him. He comes in most nights-regular as

breathing. Best thing you can do is wait. Want a booth? Drinks?”

“No,” I said. “We celebrate after we catch him.”

Sullivan nodded. “Tell me what you need. I’ll signal you when he shows.” He

disappeared behind the bar again.

Connor slid onto the stool beside me. “My guys didn’t catch any scent-him or the

flowers. If he’s been here, it wasn’t within the last few hours.”

He ordered two seltzer tonics and passed one over.

I took a pull and kept my eyes moving. “You planning to tell me what’s going on with you?”

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Connor’s jaw tightened. “It’s complicated.”

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“It won’t stay hidden,” I said flatly. “You know that. Better I hear it from you than from someone else.”

“I know…” He exhaled like it hurt.

Connor always carried secrets like weapons. For all I knew he had a hidden kid, a

forbidden bond, a vampire lover-nothing about him would surprise me.

I was about to press harder when I turned to set my glass down.

In the mirror behind the bar, the front door opened.

Scarred cheek.

Vampire.

His scent hit my nose an instant later-old blood and cold night.

Sullivan moved, subtle but deliberate, a signal in motion.

I mind-linked my men. Move in. Take him alive.

My team surged.

The vampire bolted with his speed, slipping between hands that should’ve closed on

him. Sullivan vanished-one blink, and he was gone-then reappeared directly in the

vampire’s path.

And I moved too.

The vamp speed Bridget had gifted me snapped through my veins, and I was suddenly

at the man’s side. Silver cuffs clicked shut around his wrists. I hit him once-clean, hard.

His eyes rolled back, and he dropped.

“Appreciate it,” I told Sullivan.

He inclined his head and held the door while we hauled our captive out to the Hummer

and drove him back to the cells.

He was strapped to a chair when we arrived, silver chains binding him tight. The scarred

vampire still hadn’t come around.

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I grabbed a bucket and dumped it over his face.

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He jerked awake, choking, coughing water as he fought for air. His gaze snapped around

the room, trying to name it.

“What the hell is this?” he barked.

“That’s exactly what we’re asking,” I said. “So start with something easy. Your name?”

He lifted his chin like the chains were an inconvenience, not a threat. “I am Lord Jude of

the Seven Isles.”

The clothes confirmed it-medieval styling, the kind some old vampires wore when they

wanted the world to remember how long they’d existed.

“Lord Jude,” I repeated. “Good. I’m Alpha Ryder. And it’s come to my attention you paid

one of my former staff to deliver flowers to my mate.”

His expression sharpened. His eyes brightened like I’d offered him a gift.

He looked around, searching-almost hopeful, as if Bridget might step out of the

shadows.

She wouldn’t.

Not unless she chose to.

And she didn’t even know he was here.

I intended to keep it that way until I got what I needed.

“Dragul meu,” Jude said.

My lip curled. I glanced at Montgomery.

Montgomery mind-linked the translation. It’s Romanian. He said, “my love.”

A growl tore up my throat. I grabbed Jude by the neck and squeezed just enough to

make him remember the power difference.

“You don’t get to speak about her like that,” I said. “You don’t get to disrespect me in my

own territory. What do you want, Jude?”

His smile was slow and certain. “The same thing you want, Alpha,” he said. “To be

claimed by our mate.”

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<Chapter 61 – Love, Delivered from Romania…

He leaned forward as far as the chains allowed, eyes burning.

“I’m here,” he whispered, “for my queen.”

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