The Omni-Wolf’s Choice novel Chapter 86

Chapter 86: Two Rats and a Bucket…

Ryder’s POV

“Lucas, consigue las ratas y el cubo.” I say it in Spanish on purpose, my stare locked on

Eleanor.

She understands every syllable. Terror blows her pupils wide.

Good.

Lucas disappears and comes back carrying a dented metal bucket. Two rats writhe

inside, claws scraping, bodies frantic. I’m finished pretending this is a negotiation. Every

extra second I allow her heart to beat feels like a crime.

“Please, Alpha Ryder,” Eleanor pleads, voice shaking. “I can help you. I can find him. I can

take you to him. Don’t do this-please. I’m a victim too!”

“You’re not.” My words come out flat. “You learned what your mate was and chose

yourself anyway. Now I’m going to carve through every warrior and witch between me

and that pathetic excuse for a king. And when I reach him, I’ll make it slow.”

I step closer. “And the funniest part? You could arrive with his enemies’ blood on you and

he still wouldn’t care. So from this moment on, you’re nothing to me.”

I hook my fingers around a rat’s tail and lift it. It shrieks, twisting. Eleanor jerks against her restraints, but she’s still strapped to the bed-no leverage, no escape. And now she’s

run out of bargains.

I need this done. Then we bring in the witches and see what they know.

“Tilt the bed.”

Connor hits the control. The mattress shifts, dragging Eleanor forward until she’s angled

upright, more displayed than supported.

“No-no, please!” Her panic turns feral. “Wait. I know a witch who can help you.”

“Talk.” That’s all I give her. Talon has been hammering at me for her death.

“Promise you won’t kill me. Please, Alpha!”

“Bucket.”

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< Chapter 86 Two Rats and a Bucket.

Lucas starts to hand it over.

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“No! Stop-wait!” Eleanor blurts, words tripping over each other. “Beatrice. Her name is

Beatrice. She’s been helping him. She lives at the southern tip of Minnesota-she has a

farm, lots of land. She’s been in his life for years. She came to the castle whenever he

needed information.”

Eleanor swallows hard, humiliation and rage mixing in her face. “After he found the Omni-Wolf, he even made her use dark magic so she could look like her. They… they did disgusting things. Right in front of me. Like I didn’t matter.”

“Yet you stayed?” Beatrix cuts in, her voice sharp with disbelief and disgust.

“I didn’t have a choice,” Eleanor insists. “I had the title, but he was given my power.

Lycans… they expect you to remain together. Leaving is shameful. And my parents didn’t

care as long as I kept the crown.”

“Connor,” I say, fighting the burn in my hands as my claws try to push out, “mind-link my

father. Tell him everything. I want confirmation.”

While Connor reaches out, I shove my thoughts down a different path.

‘Talon. Please. Hold on a little longer.’

‘She dies,’ Talon snaps back. ‘I need to find our mate. Something is wrong. I can feel it.’

The cold fear hits harder because it isn’t mine alone. If Talon senses it, it’s coming

through Mystique.

‘Can you track her?’ I ask.

‘I’m trying. I get close, then it slips. Mystique is strong-she gives me seconds, Ryder.

Then it vanishes.’

Connor’s eyes flick up as the response comes in. “Alpha-your father confirms it. That

witch is already on a watch list. Lord Jude and Alpha Patrick both have reports where her

name surfaced.”

“Then we move,” I tell the room. “Everyone gear up. We leave as soon as we have the ex

act location.”

Eleanor exhales like she’s been reprieved.

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“Enjoy hell, Eleanor,” I tell her quietly. “You’ll see your mate there soon enough.”

More blood bubbles at her lips. Then I straighten and turn away.

Outside the room, I nod to the warriors on watch. Cleanup.

My team falls in behind me. We’re not done-we’re only pivoting to the next target. We need Beatrice’s confirmed location, and we need to be moving.

My mate needs me.

And I need her.

On the way back, my father meets me at the doorway. There’s energy in him-something

close to hope.

“Son,” he says, pulling me inside, “we think we’ve got a lead. Lord Jude sent vampires

out to check it-vamp speed. They’ll be back any second.”

A warrior pushes a towel into my hands. I scrub at the blood on my skin, trying to wipe

away the last room from my mind.

“Good,” I say, stepping toward the head of the table. “When did they leave?”

“Five minutes ago,” Lord Jude answers, just as his phone lights up and he takes the call.

Sorcerer Violet speaks next, her tone clipped with urgency. “Alpha, my witches in the

Dakotas picked up the trace of a powerful entity moving through the region. I’m certain

the king drugged her, but even unconscious, her energy is unmistakable.”

My chest tightens.

“That’s not bad news,” Violet continues. “If we keep the portals open to read the wave

patterns, we can technically follow where she’s being taken.”

“Do it,” I order immediately. “Everyone-activate anyone you have who can sense high

energy. Use this. We believe they’re heading toward the southern tip of Minnesota.”

The room erupts into motion-calls, mind-links, messengers.

A knock interrupts it.

Elder Preston enters and gives a respectful nod. I return it.

“Elder Preston. I wasn’t expecting you.”

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“Alpha,” he says, regret heavy in his voice, “I am sorry for what has happened. I’m here on behalf of the elders. Whatever power or magic you require-consider it yours. Our

resources are at your disposal.”

A chair is brought. I gesture him in.

My father starts explaining everything we’ve learned, but my focus slips-just for a

heartbeat.

A high ringing crawls through my skull.

Talon howls inside me.

Connor is suddenly at my shoulder. “Ryder-are you okay? Do you need air?”

I nod, not trusting my voice, and follow him out.

The emptiness where Bridget should be feels like a physical wound. It’s not just

distance. It’s the ignorance. The not knowing.

Connor pours two shots of whiskey and presses one into my hand. “Drink.”

I stare at it, fingers locked, unable to move.

“Ryder,” he says, steady and firm, “breathe. Bridget is one of the smartest, strongest women I’ve ever met. She’ll find a way to reach you. You need to be ready when she

does.”

“What if I’m late?” I manage. “What if that bastard hurts her? If anything happens to

her…” My throat closes around the rest. “I won’t forgive myself.”

“Then don’t fall apart,” Connor replies. “That’s exactly why you have to stay sharp. The

Moon Goddess paired you for a reason. She doesn’t make mistakes. She knew you were

the one who could complete her. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to her. Do

you hear me?”

I nod, but fear still sits in my ribs like a weight. I have never loved anyone the way I love

Bridget.

“I can’t lose her, Connor,” I admit.

“You won’t,” he says, like he can will it into being. “You’ll find her. You’ll get your happy

ending. You’ll have a whole pack of ridiculous, adorable pups-hell, name one after

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A laugh breaks out of me despite everything, the image of a tiny Connor wreaking havoc almost enough to hurt.

<Chapter 86 Two Rats and a Bucket

Connor watches my face. “There. Keep that. Now pull it together-we’re going to get your mate back.”

Uncle Connor.”

He frowns, thinking. “She was wearing the necklace you gave her when he took her.”

He freezes mid-sentence.

“Wait…”

“The necklace!” we say together.

T

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