The Omni-Wolf’s Choice novel Chapter 69

Chapter 69 A little lunch and blood…

Bridget’s POV

“Thank you for agreeing to have lunch with me, Luna Bridget,” Lord Jude says as we sip wine. “My coven can’t wait to meet you. They understand we aren’t mates, but they’re thrilled we’re bound through our pact. You and Alpha Ryder are welcome on our island

whenever you’re able to come.”

“We’d be honored,” I tell him. “Once things settle here, I want to see your island and

meet everyone.”

Jude’s expression stays steady, earnest. “If there’s anything we can help with, say so. I won’t repeat gossip, but if you need protection, you have it. My people have…talents.

Consider us at your disposal.”

“Thank you,” I say, raising my glass. “It’s starting to come under control, but I may call on

you if it turns.”

Jude and Nikolai lift their glasses with mine. We drink.

Then my eyes snag on what’s in Jude’s cup-darker than wine. “What are you drinking?”

“A brunch mix,” he answers. “Tomato juice, vodka, and blood. Consensual blood. We don’t take.” His gaze sharpens on me. “Have your cravings started yet?”

“I…honestly don’t know,” I admit, taking another sip of my sangria.

Nikolai cuts into her salad, calm as a queen. “With everything you are, it might not follow

our rules. Maybe you’ll want small amounts. Maybe none. Maybe something else entirely. With you, it’s all uncharted.” She drizzles a thick, blood-red vinaigrette over her

next bite like it’s the most normal thing in the world.

It still throws me. I’ve lived surrounded by wolves-and now, after tasting Ryder’s blood,

it’s like a door in me has swung open.

“Well,” I say, forcing a smile at Nikolai, “I hope whoever’s documenting my existence

keeps meticulous records. I’ll need daily summaries.”

I turn back to Jude. “So, Lord Jude-”

“Just Jude.”

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<Chapter 69 A little lunch and blood.

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“Jude, then. Will you attend the coronation? It would show unity between our pack and

your coven. And we could host some of your people, too.”

His face brightens. “We would be honored. I would be honored. And Alpha Ryder

supports this?”

“He does. We talked last night. He thought it was the right move.”

“Then we accept with gratitude, Luna.” Jude smiles as staff glide in with our plates.

Steaks. Baby red potatoes. Asparagus.

Nikolai slices into hers first. “How are you handling everything?”

Juice seeps from her meat-bright, fresh, red. She sits impossibly composed, posture

flawless, as though she’s been dining with monarchs for centuries.

“I haven’t felt a dramatic shift,” I say, watching Jude cut into his steak next. His is just as

bloody.

And I’m…salivating.

I take a quick drink of wine, like that might quiet it.

“It’s normal,” Jude says. “For an ordinary vampire, the first taste becomes a pull. A thirst.

But you aren’t ordinary. You may want it. You may dislike it. You may need it. There’s no

template for you.”

Nikolai slides her plate toward me, offering without a word.

My own steak sits safe at medium-well. I’ve never liked anything too rare-my sushi is

usually flash-fried. Yet the scent coming off Nikolai’s plate makes my mouth water.

I shouldn’t.

I want to.

Not like when Ryder’s blood hit my tongue-that had been a detonation, a rush that wok

e every cell in my body.

Still

I take my knife and fork and cut a piece from Nikolai’s steak. It’s practically alive. One

step from standing up and walking off. I swear it could moo.

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I bring it to my mouth and bite.

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Heat floods through me immediately. Nothing matches Ryder’s blood-maybe because it

isn’t human-but this is still rich and incredible.

“Okay,” I say, grinning as I flag down the staff, “I need this. Please make mine rare

enough to argue with.”

Lunch turns into something like entertainment. Jude and Nikolai have lived through so

much, and I find myself hanging on every story, every offhand detail.

By the time dessert arrives, Jude studies me over his spoon. “Forgive the question. You’re

meant to have two other mates. Is that correct?”

In front of us sits Sanguinaccio dolce-dark Italian chocolate made with pig’s blood.

Even the menu here adapts to every species under this roof.

“Yes,” I say, taking another bite.

Jude may be an ally, but I’m not reckless. I keep my answers clean, careful.

My phone chirps.

I glance down at the screen and my stomach drops.

You look beautiful today, Luna. Red looks good on you. I can’t wait until I can claim your

as my own.

ΧΟ

Cold rushes through my veins. I’m in a simple red wrap dress.

They can see me.

The conservatory’s glass walls suddenly feel like exposure instead of elegance. I scan

the room, then the grounds beyond it-trees, paths, shadows, reflections. Anywhere.

Everywhere.

I’m done being hunted quietly.

If you are so enamored by my beauty. Wait until you see me kill you. Slowly. I’ll be sure

to wear your blood since you like me in red.

I watch the screen.

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Three dots appear.

Typing.

Then nothing-gone.

I lift my gaze again, sharper this time, and mind-link Iron Fang.

Lock down the room. Now.

Then I push farther, to Ryder.

‘Ryder, I need the outside perimeter covered-anyone who has a line of sight into the

conservatory. And I need Violet here immediately.’

His response hits fast, tight with control barely holding. ‘Bridget, what’s happening?’

He feels the anger in me; I feel his panic spike, then his movement-closing distance like

a storm breaking loose.

‘I just got another text. They said they can see me.’

The castle answers with a massive roar that rattles glass and bone.

Talon.

Jude and Nikolai both turn at once, reading the chaos.

“Jude,” I say, voice clipped, “your men are trackers, right? I want them working.”

He nods immediately, waiting for orders.

A heartbeat later, Ryder charges into the conservatory. His eyes blaze; I can practically

see him wrestling Talon for control.

He seals the corridor. No one in. No one out.

Jude moves to help secure the space. Nikolai dispatches people to sweep the grounds,

every angle, every possible viewpoint. Violet starts working her magic, searching for

what we can’t see.

Ryder is at my side in a blink. “Bridget-are you okay?”

Lord Jude’s fascination flickers through our link.

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‘Vampire speed. Fascinating,’ he sends.

I give him a small nod.

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‘I’m trusting this stays between us, Lord Jude,’ Ryder adds as he jumps onto the three-

way mind-link.

Jude’s shock is instant-and then he recovers with smooth respect. “Of course.” His

attention returns to me. “What do you need from my men?”

“We portal them in,” I say, meeting Ryder’s gaze until he gives me that proud, approving

nod. “They search the pack grounds-with permission. We find out how they’re watching

me, and what kind of black magic they’re using. Then we find them.” My voice hardens.

“And we make an example. By nightfall.”

“As you wish, Luna,” Jude replies, already stepping away to contact his people.

Ryder stays close. “You were incredible. What are you feeling?”

He asks that way when we’re alone in our chambers-trust your instincts, trust your

read. A leader’s habit.

“Like someone’s watching through something,” I tell him. “Witchcraft, maybe. Not

physically here. Burner phone. Too much time and no fear. I need Lucas. I just thought of

something.”

“Office,” Ryder says. “Jude can meet us there when he’s ready. We’ll have everyone

waiting.”

We move through the castle with security snapping into place around us. The air feels

different-tight, braced.

“Good,” I say. “And I want Violet and Beatrix in there too.”

“Done.” Ryder opens the door for me.

Iron Fang halts outside and posts himself like a wall. As I pass, I touch his shoulder-

gratitude without words.

He actually nods back.

I look at Ryder, surprised I got a response out of him.

Ryder gives a low chuckle as we step in.

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He addresses the room. “Listen up. Another message came through from someone who

clearly doesn’t care if they see tomorrow. I don’t know how they keep reaching her.” His

voice drops. “But it ends now. Our Luna has directives. Luna.”

I turn to Lucas. “It’ll be another burner, I know. But can we send a Trojan-something

that pings a location the moment they open it?”

“I haven’t done that exactly,” Lucas says, already hauling his laptop into position-like

it’s an extension of his body. “But give me a minute. I’ll see if I can slip in a timestamp or

a trace without tipping them off.” His fingers fly.

I look to Violet. “Can you build a spell that grabs them somewhere else when they open

it? Trap them the instant they interact with the bait. Anything.”

Violet’s eyes narrow, mind working. “I can check. If I tweak teleportation with realm

removal…maybe. I’m going to the lab.”

She disappears through the secret bookcase door, already talking to herself.

Ryder turns to Connor and Pierce. “Get security. Pull footage within five miles of the pack

house. I want everything-every glitch, every flicker, every odd shift. If the wind changes

direction on camera, I want to know why. Take one of the witches with you.”

A knock interrupts.

Montgomery steps in, travel-worn, satchel in hand. “Alpha. Luna. I just got back. I heard

there was another message. Tell me where you need me.”

Perfect.

I point toward Beatrix. “Train her. She’s a skilled fighter, and I want her moving up in

rank.”

Montgomery’s gaze slides to Beatrix, and he inhales-testing her scent like I would.

‘Does she know?’ he asks through the link.

‘No. She needs her powers first,’ I send back. ‘We’re going to need her. Soon.’

He gives the smallest nod.

Beatrix’s voice is steady, unflinching. “Luna, I’m ready for whatever you think I can.

handle.”

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Montgomery straightens. “All right. Get changed. Gym in ten.”

“Copy that,” she says, then follows him out.

The door closes.

For a moment it’s only Ryder and me in the quiet between strategies.

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He reaches for me and pulls me in, holding me tight enough to steady the fury coiled

under my skin-giving me a second to breathe before I turn back into the fight.

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