Semua Bab The Omega's Choice : Bab 11 - Bab 20

The fire crackles low in the hearth, the amber glow barely touching the shadows that crowd the corners of my office. I’m on my third sleepless night—though I’ve stopped counting. The whiskey in my glass has long since gone warm, untouched in my hand.“You’re falling apart and it’s your own damn fault.”Cyan’s voice slices through my thoughts, harsh and cold.“Not now,” I grit out silently.But he doesn’t let up.“You rejected her.” His snarl echoes louder, claws scraping against the inside of my skull. “You let fear make you a coward.”My jaw tightens. I close my eyes, but that only makes it worse.I drag a hand down my face and stare into the flames. I hate that he's right. Hate that I can still smell her in the halls. Hate that her laughter echoes in my head like a curse. Hate that the moment I finally made my choice—it broke something vital inside me.A knock disturbs the silence. Before I can answer, the door creaks open and Zara steps inside. She’s wrapped in a deep red silk n

“Fuck you,” I mutter, dodging the apple Lior just threw at me like we’re two middle schoolers in detention.He grins, obnoxiously pleased with himself, and takes a bite of his own apple. “Relax, it was a love tap.”“Your love taps could knock out a small horse.”“You’re not that small.”I glare at him, then roll my eyes and go back to rummaging through the kitchen cabinets. “Why are you like this?”“Born this way. Sorry to disappoint.” He leans against the counter like he owns it, all easy charm and broad shoulders. “You’re grumpy this morning. Want to talk about it?”“No.”Truth is, even though Lior constantly hanging around me eases the pain that comes from the rejection with Nox, it doesn't take it away a hundred percent.Last night, it was more painful than it had ever been and I lay awake mostly crying. I don't know what to do with myself. I can't keep on like this. But can you blame me really? The pain does something to me that sometimes, it's asking too much of me to try to ma

It’s funny how moonlight makes everything look softer. Even scars.The Full Moon Festival is in full swing—lanterns swaying above the courtyard like floating embers, laughter spilling out of every corner, and music thumping in the ground like a second heartbeat. Everyone looks radiant, glittering, drunk on wine and the illusion that everything’s fine.Including me.Lior spins me in the middle of the courtyard, and I laugh—genuinely. Like something in me is still alive.“You’ve got a good smile,” he says, grinning as he catches me, his hand warm on the small of my back. “You should wear it more.”“I should punch you for saying something that cheesy,” I mutter.“Do it. Ruin my night. Although, I know you won’t,” he teases, smug as hell.I roll my eyes, but the corners of my mouth twitch upward. Damn him. How has he managed to crawl his way up to my head?Heck, I still haven't stopped feeling the tug of the severed mating bond between Nox and I. I would say that sometimes, it feels lik

The sunlight filters through the east wing windows, catching on the dust in the air as I wring out the cloth in my hands. It squeaks against the glass with each circular wipe, but the voices behind me are louder than the sound of my scrubbing."Just how lucky are you, Elara?" one of the girls whispers, not even bothering to lower her voice properly. "Your mate’s from the Dawnrise pack. What does it feel like to plan a mating ceremony with the Dawnrise females?"My heart stutters. I don’t turn around, but my fingers pause for a moment.That's true...she recently turned eighteen and by a twist of luck, she came across her mate just outside the borders a while back.I overheard that news about a week ago while spreading linens on the lines."He’s supposed to be strong. And he’s got this gorgeous black wolf. I swear Elara, you're luckier than the moon goddess herself." Another one of Elara's new friends says.I steal a glance over my shoulder. Elara stands with three other girls, holding

"What if I just fuck it all and run?" I whisper to no one in particular.The thought's been brewing for days now, like a storm rolling in slow and steady behind my ribs. Even though Lior has tried to convince me to stay, I can't help but feel like it's a little selfish if him to request that of me when he's not going through the half of what I'm going through.What's the need to stay here if I'm only going to be walked on? Coming to think of it, I had a pretty good start here. I had friends and no one was whispering about me until I turned eighteen.The damn golden year in werewolf society.Fucks up your life more than it makes it, do you know?Now everyone whispers, they stare and there's the ache of being treated like everything that has led me to this point is all my fucking fault—it's all too much. I find myself brushing my hands against the banister of the east wing staircase, staring off toward the forest through the window, imagining what it might feel like to disappear into