The Omega Mated To The Four novel Chapter 169

Elijah’s aims were wrapped tightly around me, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. I could feel his heartbeat through his shirt, and for a moment, it drowned out every fear and drilst lurking in the back of my mind. I nestled closer, savoring the warmth and safety of being held by him.

But he was ton quiet–too still. I shifted slightly, looking up hunted, and I knew his mind was far away.

linds gaze fixed on the tent’s fabric above us. His eyes looked

my fingers along his jaw. He turned as head, giving me a small, half–hearted smile.

“Elijah?” I whispered, brushing my

“Sorry,” he murmured. “Didn’t mean to wake you”

1 shook my head. “You didn’t.

‘L. What’s going

going on?”

He didn’t answer but gave me a small smile, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Can’t sleep?” Lcontinued stilling curious about what was on his mind.

He shook his head. “I was just thinking.”

“About what?”

He looked away, his jaw tightening. “About my parents,” he finally sad, his voice barely more than a whisper. “Being with you. with all of you… it makes it easier to forget sometimes. To push the pain to the back of my mind and just… live.”

My chest tightened, and I reached up to brush my fingers along his wline. “Elijah…“.

He gave me a sad smile. “I still see them sometimes, in my dreams. The way they looked the last time I saw them tge day we were leaving. I can’t help but wonder what their last moments were.”

My heart ached for him, and I cupped his face gently, forcing him to meet my gaze. “You didn’t fail them. They would be proud of you, Elijah, You’re strong, and you’re fighting to protect those you care about. You’re doing everything you can like the good Alpha

you are”

He hesitated, his hands trembling slightly as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “You make it easier to breathe, you

know that?”

I couldn’t help but smile, even though my heart felt heavy. “You guys do the same for me.”

He leaned in, pressing his forehead to mine. “No matter what happens, I want you to know that

I love you!

you,”

The words sank into my heart. I pulled him closer, kissing him softly, His lips were warm and tender against mine, and I poured every ounce of my feelings into that kiss, letting him know that I loyed him

When we pulled back, he took a deep breath, his expression more relaxed. “We should probably get going. The others are waiting.” Then I heard the movements outside and knew it was time.

As we stepped out of the tent, the cool night air greeted us, and I spotted the others gathered around the dying embers of the campfire.

Isaiah raised an eyebrow. “Finally awake, Sleeping Beauty?”

smuked, shooting him a glare. “Some of us actually need sleep, unlike you insomniacs.”

Austin grinned. “Or maybe you just needed Elijah’s warm embrace to keep you cozy.”

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Chapter 163

Mijan shot him a warning job, but I couldn’t help but lugh.

6 we were all gother: J. Austin glanced at the, “Bà, what exactly

“we looking for in this kinet7-

I repeated the inscription from the stone tablet, “Only with the dew the Echoing Pines shall the path he revealed.”

Isaiah valued a brow, “Dew from which tree exactly? There are thousands of pines here. Are we supposed to collect des from every

single one?–

Austin frowned, pulling out the worn old book and flipping through acoustics, where honels create endless echoes,” he read aloud.

Isaiah straightened. “That means we have to shift.”

We glance at each other, knowing it was the only way to navigate

“The Eichning Pines is a mystical forest known for its

forest. Carefully, we placed our clothes and the pieces of the

store tablet into waterproof bags to carry. I inhaled deeply before te ting my wolf take over.

My bones shifted, muscles stretched, and my fur burst forth, coating my body in shimmering silver light. It had been so long since I’d run in my wolf form–just for the pure thrill of it.

The others shifted too–Elijah’s powerful black wolf, Isaiah’s sleek smoky grey, Alex’s and Austin’s golden brown wolf–all standing

beside me, ready for the challenge.

Together, we plunged into the forest, paws pounding the earth, and the thrill of freedom made my heart race.

The forest seemed alive–branches swayed despite the lack of wind, shadows danced even when the moonlight didn’t touch them. It was as if the woods themselves were playing tricks on us.

But I didn’t care. I was running with my mates, the light from my fur casting a glow around us as we moved like a single unit.

After a while, I slowed to a trot, ears pricked as a faint sound echoed through the