The Omni-Wolf’s Choice novel Chapter 9

Chapter 9 A new place to live…

Bridget’s POV

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He carried me like I weighed nothing, those big arms solid around me. Without even thinking, I tucked myself closer, chasing the warmth. Something in me unclenched. The spinning in my head, the odd, floaty sensations-gone the second I was against him. For once, the hard shell I’ve worn to survive slipped right off.

The moment we crossed the threshold of the room he said was mine, he set me down. I tried-really tried-not to let disappointment show that I wasn’t still wrapped up in him.

The bedroom looked like it belonged in a magazine: pale gray walls edged with bright white trim, two huge windows dressed in off-white curtains that ran from ceiling to floor. A king-size bed sat between them, anchored by a carved headboard and piled with pillows in pink, gray, and white. To the left, a little sitting space held a cream sofa and matching loveseat. On the right wall, two doors waited.

“This one’s the closet,” Ryder said, indicating the first door.

I stepped in and just stared. Walk-in didn’t begin to cover it-it was bigger than my room at the lodge. Bigger than any room I’d ever called mine.

“I… don’t actually have much,” I admitted, the honesty coming out before I could dress it up.

“Doesn’t matter,” he said, and I could feel him doing that quiet mind-link thing when his focus shifted.

“Evelyn and her friends can shop for whatever you need.”

“You really don’t have to. I’ve saved-

“That’s your money,” he cut in gently, but it wasn’t negotiable. “As my mate and future Luna, you’re

taken care of. Okay?”

The finality in his tone told me arguing would be pointless.

He led me through the other door.

The bathroom stole the air from my lungs.

“This is yours,” he said. “I’ll have housekeeping bring fresh towels.”

A massive shower sat at the center-honestly, it looked the size of a king bed. Four shower heads hung overhead, and another four lined the walls. White pebble tile flowed behind an enormous soaking tub. There was a double vanity with a mirror that seemed to stretch forever, and a separate little room for the toilet. It was unreal, too beautiful to feel like it could possibly belong to me.

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< Chapter 9 A new place to live…

A knock sounded.

“Come in,” Ryder called.

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A young woman entered carrying neatly folded towels and a set of pajamas. “Welcome, Luna,” she

said, holding them out. “Your bathroom has already been stocked with shampoo and anything else you might need, ma’am. If you want something additional, please tell me. I’ll be your personal

assistant while you’re here. My name is Blake.” She bowed.

“Blake,” I repeated, smiling. “That’s a beautiful name. I’m glad we’ll get to know each other.”

I’ve worked everything-scrubbing, hauling, serving-anything to keep breathing. One rule has never changed: you treat people like people. Like royalty, if you can manage it. Her cheeks pinked, and she slipped out.

Ryder turned back to me. “Anything else you want?”

“Yes, actually.” I straightened, suddenly eager. “Could someone bring up those books on wolf history? I

want to go through them.”

“Done,” he said. “There are eight of them-thick ones-so don’t rush.” The teasing was soft, familiar

already.

“I fully intend not to, my Alpha,” I shot back.

His gaze shifted-darker, heavier. I felt it like a pressure in the room, like his wolf paced under his skin.

He closed the distance by a step.

I didn’t move.

Was he about to kiss me? Here? Now?

“Well, knock knock!” Evelyn burst in before the moment could become anything. She pushed a cart into the room like she owned the place, parked it, then wedged herself right between us and hugged

me hard. “I knew there was something special about you!”

“Evelyn,” Ryder thundered, all big-bad-Alpha. “Why are you here?”

“Dad needs you,” she said breezily. “He said you’re blocking us, so I volunteered to come poke you. Also-I caught Blake in the elevator with the books Bridget asked for. Look at her, already on it. Love it.” Her eyes flicked over us with wicked delight. “Though I’m honestly shocked by how much clothing

you two are still wearing.”

“EvelYN!” he barked.

I couldn’t help the laugh that slipped out.

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Ryder’s expression changed when he realized her innuendo hadn’t bothered me at all.

“It’s fine,” I said, pressing my palm lightly to his chest. His heart was beating faster than it should have

been. “I could use some girl time.”

He exhaled like he hated leaving but had no choice. “I need to handle some work. My room is next

door. I’ll come check on you when I’m back up. If you need me before then, knock-or yell.” His eyes

held mine. “I’ll let you two settle in. Today… it was a pleasure. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

He headed for the door, then caught my left hand and tugged me with him. At the threshold he turned,

lifted my hand, and pressed his mouth to my knuckles.

If I’ve ever been jealous of anything, it was my own hand.

I let out a slow breath as he left. I wanted him to stay. But this pack was buzzing with chaos, and he

was the Alpha-meaning duty always came first.

“Thank you,” I murmured as the door shut.

I stood there a moment, thinking: is this really my life now?

I pivoted toward Evelyn. “So you knew he was my mate this whole time?”

Her eyes went wide. “No! I knew you were a wolf. And I could tell you had something… different. But I

did not know you were my brother’s mate-my future sister!” She practically squealed the last word.

Her excitement made me laugh, but it also made my throat tighten.

“I’ve never had anyone happy I’m around,” I whispered-then startled myself because I’d said it out

loud.

Evelyn softened. “Well, you are hella wanted here.” She flopped from the bed to the couch like it was

all perfectly normal. Then she eyed the cart. “Okay, look at you, trying. My mom and I can help with any questions. And these books-history, myths, all the old stories.”

“Even the one about the special wolf I’m supposed to be?”

“Yep.” Her face lit up again. “Oh goddess-wait. You’re in the history books. You’re literally in them.

This is insane!”

“Let’s not sprint ahead, Em.”

She held up her hands. “Fine. But I haven’t been wrong about you yet.” She nodded toward me. “Ask

me something. Anything.”

“Do you have powers?”

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“I do,” she said. “Visions. Usually in dreams. Not often while I’m awake-but it’s happened.”

“And your mom?”

“Visions too, and soothing.”

“Like healing?”

“Not exactly.” Evelyn searched for the right words. “More like… put a bunch of furious men in a room

and her aura makes them calm down.”

“That’s wild,” I said, still trying to wrap my head around it. “So if you get visions… have you seen your mate? Your birthday’s coming up.”

“Smart question,” she said, pleased. “But no. I haven’t seen him.”

I tilted my head. “Then what about you and Connor? You two looked like there was… something.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said instantly, cracking one of the books open like it was

suddenly the most fascinating thing in the world.

“Oh, please.” I arched an eyebrow. “The tall, broody guy who pulled you aside at the bonfire-right

before everything went to hell. That Connor. Come on, friend.”

She huffed, then lowered her voice. “Okay, but you cannot tell my brother.” Her eyes darted around the

room as if Ryder might materialize out of the curtains.

“I won’t. Talk.”

“I’ve been crazy about Connor my whole life,” she confessed. “But I’m the future Alpha’s sister. Ryder

has basically sworn me off from his friends and every guy in this pack. Even if Connor liked me, he’d never cross Ryder. He’s his best friend.”

I blinked. “I didn’t even think about how many rules you’d have.”

“It sucks,” she said, and for the first time her voice sounded more tired than dramatic.

“If there’s anything I can do to help,” I told her, “you’ve got me.”

Evelyn’s face softened again. “Thanks, Bri. That means a lot.” She leaned over and hugged me.

Apparently this family hugged like it was oxygen, and I was already adjusting.

She stood and moved toward the door. “I’m gonna go so you can rest. The elders are arriving, and they’re dying to meet you. But don’t stress-my mom and I will be with you the whole time.” Her grin turned sly. “Especially my brother.”

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“Thank you,” I said. “Really. I’m going to shower.”

“Okay. I’ll check on you tomorrow.” Then she slipped out.

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I opened the first book, read a bit, and then practically sprinted back to the bathroom to start the

water.

Steam filled the air as the shower came to life. I undressed and stepped in, letting heat pour over me until my muscles loosened. I pulled my hair out of its bun, and thick curls fell down my back. My hands drifted along my own body, and my mind did what my mind had been doing all day-turning

Ryder into a daydream.

I wanted him here.

When my fingers slid between my legs, a quiet moan escaped before I could swallow it. I’d never been this sensitive, not like this. The thought of him-those abs, the tattoos, the way he’d kissed my hand-

made my whole body feel too awake.

I forced myself to stop before I went too far. He’d probably sense it. Somehow.

shut off the water, dried myself, and rubbed scented oil into my skin-sweet, like dessert. Then I

pulled on the tank top and pajama pants Blake had left.

Back in the bedroom, I returned to book one. Pages turned into more pages. A few chapters disappeared.

At some point, my thoughts kept wandering to Ryder-what he was doing, how long he’d be gone, how

I would even reach him.

Do I just knock on his door like some unhinged neighbor?

I walked to my door and opened it.

Two guards stood outside. They snapped to attention the second they saw me.

“Luna,”

one said, respectful and stiff, “do you need something?”

“I… need to talk to Ryder.”

It hit me then: I had security. And also, if I tried to bolt, I didn’t want these men punished for it. They

might have been three times my size, but I’d always been fast.

Fast as a fox.

Or maybe now… fast as a wolf.

“No problem, ma’am,” the guard said. “I can contact him. He actually stepped downstairs for a

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< Chapter 9 A new place to live…

“Thank you,” I said. “Really. I’m going to shower.”

“Okay. I’ll check on you tomorrow.” Then she slipped out.

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I opened the first book, read a bit, and then practically sprinted back to the bathroom to start the

water.

Steam filled the air as the shower came to life. I undressed and stepped in, letting heat pour over me until my muscles loosened. I pulled my hair out of its bun, and thick curls fell down my back. My hands drifted along my own body, and my mind did what my mind had been doing all day-turning Ryder into a daydream.

I wanted him here.

When my fingers slid between my legs, a quiet moan escaped before I could swallow it. I’d never been

this sensitive, not like this. The thought of him-those abs, the tattoos, the way he’d kissed my hand- made my whole body feel too awake.

I forced myself to stop before I went too far. He’d probably sense it. Somehow.

I shut off the water, dried myself, and rubbed scented oil into my skin-sweet, like dessert. Then I

pulled on the tank top and pajama pants Blake had left.

Back in the bedroom, I returned to book one. Pages turned into more pages. A few chapters disappeared.

At some point, my thoughts kept wandering to Ryder-what he was doing, how long he’d be gone, how

I would even reach him.

Do I just knock on his door like some unhinged neighbor?

I walked to my door and opened it.

Two guards stood outside. They snapped to attention the second they saw me.

“Luna,” one said, respectful and stiff, “do you need something?”

“I… need to talk to Ryder.”

It hit me then: I had security. And also, if I tried to bolt, I didn’t want these men punished for it. They

might have been three times my size, but I’d always been fast.

Fast as a fox.

Or maybe now… fast as a wolf.

“No problem, ma’am,” the guard said. “I can contact him. He actually stepped downstairs for a

Chapter 9 A new place to live…

minute.”

s Mem

His focus slid away, like he was listening to something I couldn’t hear. Then I felt it-tingles across my scalp, a faint, broken-audio sensation in my mind. Like a bad phone line. And somewhere in it, fragments of Ryder’s voice.

Something new. Something that made my stomach flip.

“Alpha Ryder will be up in a few minutes, ma’am,” the guard confirmed.

“Thank you.”

I went back inside, curled onto the couch, and picked up the book again.

My eyes started to burn with yawns I couldn’t stop. The words blurred. And then, without noticing the exact moment it happened, sleep pulled me under.

All I could think, right before I drifted off, was a simple hope-that my dreams would find my parents again, and not the dark things waiting at the edges.

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