The Omni-Wolf’s Choice novel Chapter 71

Chapter 71 The Fight for a Beta…

Ryder’s POV

“Connor, stand down!” I shout, but the warning lands a second too late.

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The portal stutters-flickers like it’s about to tear itself apart. We need bodies on the

other side. We need me on the other side.

I jerk my chin at Lord Jude and his squad. “Go. Now.”

They rush through. My men pour in behind them. I dive after the last one as the opening spasms and snaps shut.

Darkness swallows us.

The air reeks of mildew and standing water, with a sharp bite of rust. A warehouse- abandoned for years. Above, the roof is half-stripped, metal slats missing, moonlight leaking through in thin, cold stripes.

I lift a hand and signal.

‘Teams. Jude takes east perimeter. We take west. Wolves and vampires split evenly.’

‘Copy. Everyone dies except the leader,’ Lord Jude answers.

I agree with a hard nod, and we peel away into the dark.

Our vampires blur forward-fast enough that it’s almost like they’re blinking from

shadow to shadow.

“Stay low,” I breathe. “Something’s moving.”

Six witches slide past us, unaware.

“Now.”

We explode from cover.

I seize the nearest witch by the throat. Claws extend, and I drag one across his neck. He

drops in my grip, bleeding out in a wet rush.

To my left, a vampire intercepts another witch before he reaches me-hand through the

chest, heart ripped free. I tip my head in thanks. She answers with a quick nod and flings

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the body aside like trash.

In seconds, all six are down.

We push forward.

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A long corridor stretches ahead, and at the far end a weak light pulses. We advance carefully. I keep trying to mind-link Connor-again and again-and I’m getting nothing

back.

Halfway down, Lord Jude’s voice hits my head.

‘Alpha. Hostages found. We’re securing them and moving to you.’

‘Copy. Stay alive.’

We reach the end of the hall.

Our cloaked vampires blink to the far side of the doorway.

‘Alpha-your beta’s inside. We have to go,’ Rowan sends.

I draw in a breath.

‘On three. Three… two… one.’

We smash through.

The door detonates into splinters. Wood flies. The room beyond is packed-witches and

warlocks everywhere.

And Connor.

He’s crumpled in a corner, face swollen, body battered, sitting like he’s been dropped there and forgotten. His heartbeat is there, but slow-too slow. Drugged. Has to be.

Talon surges forward and tears through the first two witches who try to lift magic toward us he takes one head, then the next, like it costs him nothing.

My vampire speed outpaces their spells before they can finish shaping them.

The fight turns into a storm.

Witches, warlocks, wolves, and vampires collide in a mess of claws, fangs, and glowing

hands. Screams and impacts echo off the metal walls.

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A massive brute-an ogre of a man-stomps toward me. He’s a vampire now, but not

one of ours. He charges with a guttural grunt, all muscle and hunger.

Talon dodges and rips claws down his back, opening him deep. The brute slams into a

wall, roars, and still drags himself upright, cracking his neck like he can reset pain.

He comes again.

Talon doesn’t move until the last second-then lifts a claw and hurls him into the wall

like he weighs nothing.

We have gotten some of Bridget’s witch power too. She has been training me in our private gym, drilling control into me until it sticks.

The brute tries to rise.

One of our witches is beside him, mid-duel with a warlock who just threw a spear with magic. She freezes it in the air, pivots, and drives it up under the brute’s chin-straight

through and into his skull.

I give her a sharp nod and keep moving.

Connor is all that matters.

Lord Jude and his team hit the main hall, and the battle spreads wider. Limbs scatter.

Bodies drop. Blood paints the floor in slick pools.

Their leader retreats, step by step, toward the back.

I leap over a witch rushing me and snap her neck in the same motion. Her body hits the

ground, but the sound disappears under the roar of combat.

Talon is drunk on it-blood on his claws, bones cracking, hearts torn free. I let him take

every opening, every strike, until the enemy’s heartbeats fade one by one.

He has had his fun.

Now we end it.

The leader is still backing away.

“Don’t let him out!” I bark, loud enough for everyone. “I want him alive!”

I can mind-link beyond my pack-like my mate-and I understand why so many want

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what’s mine. But she was made for me. I will never share her.

‘Yes, Alpha!’ comes back from witches, wolves, and vampires alike.

I sprint toward two defenders who throw themselves into my path.

Twins.

And they teleport.

Perfect.

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I shift back to human form mid-run. Roll left. Grab pants off a corpse missing its legs-

easy. I yank them on as someone slams me down.

Twin A straddles me with a silver blade, driving it toward my chest with everything he

has. I catch his wrist, pushing back. He leans in, adding his weight.

He’s close enough that his breath hits my face-rank, rotten. He smiles as the tip bites

my skin.

Bridget flashes through my mind.

I have to get back to her. This can’t be where our story ends. We still have too much

ahead of us.

Something in me kicks-second wind, surge, whatever you want to call it. Power shifts. I

shove harder, forcing the blade back out that inch it gained.

Then I drive my elbow into his head.

He staggers.

I twist the blade in my grip and bury it into his chest.

Once isn’t enough. I slam my fist into the hilt, punching it deeper.

He screams.

And his twin screams too-rage snapping his focus. He stops fighting everyone else and

charges me.

“You killed my brother! I’ll wipe you out-your whole family!” he howls, forming a ball of

power.

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Chapter 71 The Fight for a Beta…

He throws it.

I raise my own power-shield, then redirect. It skids away, deflected.

He freezes, stunned for a breath.

A breath is all Lord Jude needs.

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Jude appears behind him, bites, and drains his life in an instant. Then he rips his head

clean off.

I turn.

No one stands between me and the leader now.

I walk, slow on purpose, because my team is a moving wall around me-covering every

angle while they keep the last fighters pinned back.

The leader’s eyes burn with hate.

“You,” he hisses. “You stole what was mine. My power. My place. It was meant for me!”

“You listed everything,” I say, closing in, “except the part where she’s supposedly the

love of your life. You were never worthy of her-of her power. You know that.”

“Love is a stupid human habit,” he snaps. “Useless. I would have been perfect with her. I

would have found her, marked her, and we would rule this world-and every other one.”

“Not happening.”

“If I kill you, it still might.” His smile is ugly-yellow teeth bared.

He’s older. Hair bone-white, skin iridescent, almost fairy-like in the wrong way. A long

white cloak hangs off him, spotless-because he has used everyone else as a shield to

keep himself clean.

“These people fought for you,” I say. “They died for you. And you’re still talking about

what you deserve?”

“They’re mine,” he answers, shrugging it off. “I’m building a new coven. It will be

beautiful. With your Luna, we’ll expand fast.”

Talon and I growl together.

“You’ll be lucky to see sunrise,” I tell him. “You’re coming with us. Move in.”

< Chapter 71 The Fight for a Beta

My men step forward.

He bolts-not away.

Toward Connor.

In a heartbeat he’s there, yanking Connor upright enough to press a blade to his throat. That same sick grin spreads across his face.

Connor’s eyes focus like he’s waking through fog. Still drugged, but aware.

“One more step,” the leader says softly, “and your beta dies.”

I throw an arm back, halting my men.

“You let me leave,” he continues, “and the beta comes with me. Then we trade. Your beta

for my mate. Understood?”

Connor’s voice hits my mind.

‘Don’t. Let me go.’

‘Never,’ I shoot back. ‘I’m so damn happy to hear your annoying voice, brother.’

His reply comes rough, urgent.

‘Don’t do this. He will kill me. I fucked up. But do not trade me for our Luna. We protect

her at all costs. You take him down-no matter what I do. Just… one thing. Tell my mate I

love her.’

The leader snaps aloud, impatient. “Do we have a deal, Alpha? I have other

engagements!”

I stall, buying seconds I don’t have. “What do I call you?”

“I am Balthazar,” he declares. “Warlock of the Darkstone Coven. And look-Lord Jude.

You gave up your chance, and now you’re here doing his work? She must be an excellent

lay. I can’t wait for my turn.”

Rage erupts through me.

“Watch your mouth when you speak about my mate,” I roar. “I’ll kill you right here.”

Balthazar laughs. “Big talk from the man without the knife.”

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He pushes the blade harder into Connor’s neck.

Blood beads. Then runs.

Connor’s mind brushes mine again-steady, terrifyingly calm.

‘Ryder… it’s okay. I won’t let him take me.’

I feel it-his power crawling back.

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‘Connor, don’t you do anything stupid. Don’t you dare. I will never fucking forgive you,’ I

warn.

‘Yes, you will. You love me too much, bro. I’m sorry I wasn’t honest about everything.

Look after my family.’

His eyes drift shut.

“No!” I shout.

Connor jerks, trying to wrench the knife away as it bites deeper into his throat. Every

movement draws more blood.

Balthazar’s expression flickers-confused by Connor’s sudden strength.

That’s my opening.

I lunge.

Connor shoves at the arm holding the blade, fighting to keep it off his neck. I hit them

both and drive us to the ground.

We roll.

When we stop, Balthazar is gasping-shocked, winded. Lord Jude seizes him

immediately.

I spin to Connor.

The blade isn’t at his throat anymore.

It’s buried in his chest.

Connor drags air in hard, struggling. I can tell his lung is filling-his breathing wet. heavy. I press my hand around the wound, keeping pressure, not daring to pull the knife.

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“Secure him!” I shout. “Get help! We need a portal-now!”

Our witches begin chanting, voices layering, pulling at the air.

Connor grips my hand with what strength he has left. His shirt is soaked through.

I bend close. “Don’t you fucking die on me. I swear to the goddess, I’ll find a way to

haunt you for the rest of my life.”

His mouth twitches. “Don’t… make me laugh.” A rough chuckle, then a cough.

Blood spills from his lips.

“Portal!” I roar. “Fucking now!”

Manu

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