The Omni-Wolf’s Choice novel Chapter 64

Chapter 64 A little mind control…

Connor’s POV

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The day has been one hit after another-starting with a vampire showing up to “claim” our Luna like she’s a prize he can collect. Except it didn’t land the way he expected. The mate bond never took, and Bridget and Ryder stayed exactly what they already are: just

them.

They also haven’t explained how the hell they’re managing that, and honestly? They don’t owe anyone a play-by-play. If Ryder ever wants to talk to me, I’ll listen.

Still. Four mates-well, three now. I get it, she’s the Omni-Wolf, but that’s too many

plates spinning at once.

I can’t even wrap my head around sharing Evelyn. It already twists my stomach when my cousin so much as stares at her like he’s entitled to breathe the same air. Sharing her in

every way? That would wreck me.

By the time Gamma Lucas finished digging and Alpha Marcus ran his own checks through his contacts, the vampire’s story matched up. Lord Jude ended up on the field

with us this morning.

And of course half the supernatural world crawled out of the shadows to watch him. Vampires, others-everyone curious.

To his credit, he’s lethal and disciplined, and he actually teaches instead of showing off. If we can track down Bridget’s other two mates, maybe we’ll find out whether they’re

coming as allies—or problems.

After training, I got buried under paperwork. I sorted through contract proposals and

new bid packets that Ryder needs to approve. Later we ate together, and the mind-link

started flying beneath the table like a secret current: tonight’s surprise birthday party is

happening at Club Blackwood.

Evelyn has been handling the details with Sienna and Archer. Bridget, thankfully, hasn’t

caught a hint.

Back in my office, a message comes through from Violet. She wants to touch base when

I can.

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‘I’ll come down as soon as I’m finished here,’ I mind-link back.

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The second I wrap things up, I head for the kitchen wing to find her-and to see if she’s

made any progress.

Violet is at the island when I walk in, trimming and sorting herbs like she’s building a

weapon out of plants. It’s probably not far off.

Ever since she and Amara have seen what’s in my head-since they’ve finally

understood-they’ve been in my corner. I hadn’t realized how heavy it was, carrying this

alone, until it wasn’t just mine anymore.

I hate that Amara is involved. She’s young. But she’s also the only person who ever

recognized what was happening to me. The curse didn’t fool her.

“We’ve run several spells already,” Violet says, turning pages with quick, impatient

fingers. “Nothing has cracked it. We’ll keep combing through the books. I keep coming back to the same thing-if we knew who cast the original spell, we’d have a real starting

point.”

“If I had that answer, I’d hand it to you,” I say. My hand goes into my hair, tugging hard

as the frustration blooms again. “My memory was wiped completely. All of it.”

Violet’s expression tightens, more thoughtful than defeated. “I’m going to pull another book from my library. There’s one I want to check. But I also asked you here because I want to try your vision again. If I missed even a detail-anything that points to who did

this-I need to see it.”

I nod, and she disappears down the hall.

For a moment it’s just me, the quiet, and the hum of my own thoughts. Then voices drift

in from outside.

I move to the sink and look through the window. Amara is near the door, talking to some

boy. The instant they notice me, he lifts a hand in a quick goodbye and practically jogs

away.

Amara walks in like nothing happened, waving. She’s carrying a stack of books and

loose papers, her arms full.

She smiles and points at me like she’s found what she was searching for. “Perfect.

Exactly the Beta I needed.”

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“Uh-huh,” I say, nodding toward the door. “And who was that?”

“No one. A friend,” she answers, too casual.

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“A friend who escorts you to the door?” Skepticism slips into my voice before I can

smooth it out. I’ve known her a short time, but she’s already got that little-sister vibe.

That means I’m going to be protective whether she likes it or not.

“Connor,” she says, flat and patient. “He’s just a friend. Relax.” Then her eyes sharpen

with purpose. “Listen-what if we’ve been doing this backward? What if the only way to

stop the spell is to speak it intentionally, bring it out into the open, and then counter it

before it finishes settling?”

My whole body reacts like she just offered to walk into a fire. “What? No. Absolutely

not.”

“Connor, think about it. It might be the only-”

“Amara. No.” My voice cuts hard. “Not under any circumstances. I’m not gambling with

you or your mom getting hurt because of my curse. That was the agreement. No

speaking it. Ever.”

“I know, but-”

“No.” The word comes out like a slam. “You promised me. Swear it again. Right now.” I’m

nearly shouting, and the look in her eyes twists at me-hurt, disappointed, still trying.

“Fine,” she says, shoulders sinking. “It was just a thought. I’m trying to help you, Connor.”

“I know.” I force my tone down. “And I know you’ll figure this out without doing

something reckless. I believe you can. I’m grateful-both of you.”

Her mouth tightens. “Back to the drawing board, then.’

Violet returns before the silence stretches too far, arms loaded with more books.

“Okay,” Violet says briskly, sliding one onto the island. “New approach. Let’s see what

this says about the Yom Kipling spell. We’ll need nettle and milfoil.”

“Got it, Mom,” Amara answers, already opening the book and flipping to the section.

Violet wants.

Violet turns to me. “Connor, I have to go into your head again. Sit. I want to make sure I

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didn’t miss anything in that vision.”

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I take the same chair at the little dinette. I let my mind empty-no images, no resistance, just a blank stretch of quiet.

Violet steps in front of me. Her fingers comb through my hair with practiced calm. Her thumbs settle against my temples while the rest of her hand anchors against my scalp.

I can feel Amara behind me as she moves into position.

They start chanting like before. The sound vibrates at the edges of my awareness. Then

Amara brings her hands over the top of my head, hovering.

The chant continues, and the world dims.

Darkness pours in, thick and instant, and I’m gone-locked in that internal void until they

drag me back out of it.

When I come to, I already know the answer.

Nothing. Again.

At least nothing that helps me.

Violet does manage to pull a reverse image off a glass vase in the room, trying to tease

out any reflection that might give her more than a vague blur. She’s even contacted a

sketch artist, but her description is so broad it might as well be describing half the

planet.

Eventually I’m back at the pack house, sitting in my office, ready to shut down for the

night. Tonight is Bridget’s makeup birthday party.

And I’m looking forward to it more than I should.

If I can steal even a few minutes with Evelyn-alone-or if I can just watch her walk in

wearing something criminally sexy, it’ll be enough to make Drake and me lose our

minds.

I power down my computer. A knock hits the door.

“Come in.”

Of course it’s Patrick.

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He strolls in wearing that idiot grin on that idiot face-the one I’ve wanted to rearrange

since we were kids.

“Why are you still here?” I ask, letting the disdain sit right on the surface.

“Good to see you too, cousin.” He drops into the chair opposite mine like he owns the

room. “I just came from the castle. Heard about the party tonight. I figured I’d escort

Evelyn, since I didn’t get to last time.”

My fist tightens under the desk. I keep it there by sheer force of will.

“That won’t be necessary,” I say. “You should stop loitering and go back to your own

pack. If they’ve managed to survive this long without you, I have to wonder how

essential you really are… Alpha.”

Patrick’s smile barely shifts. “My affairs are handled. Relax. Besides, I wanted to meet

with Alpha Marcus tomorrow.”

My eyes narrow. “For what?”

He leans back, casual as poison. “Evelyn interests me. She hasn’t found her mate. Neither have I. I’m serious about her. She’s the full package, Connor-she’d make an exceptional Luna. My pack in New Zealand would adore her.”

Heat flashes through me. “No. Absolutely not.”

I stand so fast my chair scrapes. “She’s not a possession you negotiate for like it’s the

1800s. You don’t get to ask for her hand like her father controls her future. He has as

much authority over her choices as a stranger on a street corner. And if you think this

approach is going to impress her, then you don’t know her at all.”

I have a hundred more things I want to say.

The problem is his expression-the smug little curve that tells me I’ve already given him

exactly what he came looking for.

Patrick lifts his brows. “If you feel that strongly, why haven’t you made your move?”

“We’re not talking about me,” I snap, trying to slow my heart back down.

He rises, smoothing his shirt like this conversation has been a pleasant chat. “Fine. I’ll

pause. But I’m not waiting forever. Neither is she. Either do something, cousin or step

aside.”

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He walks out.

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I stare at the closed door for several long seconds, jaw clenched, then finally leave my office and head for the shower-because if I don’t cool off, I’m going to break something I can’t put back together.

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The Omni-Wolfs Choice