13. NEPHELINE

13

NEPHELINE

I'm shaking as we cut through the heart back to the house. I meant every last word that fell from my mouth in there but that doesn't mean I wasn't terrified speaking them into existence. When the serum was running through me, my first instinct wasn't to curl into myself but with my Omega forefront and center, I want to crawl into my nest and hide beneath the blankets.

There isn't time for that though as I hurry after River, Remi on my heels.

We aren't even halfway through the door before Asani receives the Beta and carries him into one of the rooms off the living room that has been converted into a small clinic. The Beta groans as his back hits a metal table. I rush over to his side, lightly gripping his arm as I lean over him to inspect his face. I have no idea why I couldn't remember this beautiful man or why he's only just popping up into my memories now.

"Nepheline, I know you're excited that he's here but I need a little space to clean him up."

I growl at Asani and then swallow the sound, trying to look apologetic. My Alphas only burst out laughing as they crowd around my back, Asani on the other side of the table. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that." Except I did. My Omega and my wolf feel territorial over this Beta. We don't want anything to happen to him even if I can't remember his name. When Asani grabs a wet cloth and begins to wipe the Beta down, another growl tears from my throat.

"Sweetie, let's go see Gael. That's something on the agenda and it'll give Asani the time he needs to take care of your Beta. He can't care for him if you keep growling." River grasps my shoulders and directs me out into the living room with some protest. Suddenly, I'm stuffed in a small pile of blankets on the couch with Mateo crouching in front of me. I didn't even hear him come through the front door.

My gaze darts around the room and then falls on the clinic door before Mateo steals my attention. "Princess, this is a lot to deal with and I get that. You were so fucking strong during that meeting and I couldn't be more proud of calling you my Omega and the pack Luna. I also know that a piece of your heart belongs to the Beta in that room. Let Asani heal him and then I'll make sure you have a spot to sit beside him, okay?"

I hate that Mateo is right. I hate that I have to wait to deal with these feelings for a man I don't remember. I hate that my wolf is begging me to protect that Beta even from my own Alphas. I don't even remember when I lost him.

"Nolan should be here in a minute to take you to Calista's house. Are you still up for that, Nepheline?" Mateo squeezes my thigh to keep me present and I nod. Gael is just as much a priority as my Beta. "You'll be perfect, just as you always are. If you need anything, you tell Nolan. Do not confront my mother. I don't expect she would attack the pack Luna but-"

"I'll be careful. I promise."

Remi gathers up the lingering blankets and pillows off the floor to wash, my makeshift nest completely gone. Pain settles in my chest at the empty space but I know when I come back, he'll help me rebuild it. River and Maverick settle on either side of me, offering me a comfort I didn't know I was searching for. Mateo pats my knee again, a tight smile spreading across his lips.

"There is some good news in all of this. How did you put it? I told the council they were fired." I snort at the image of Calista's face turning red or Kylan trying not to act out. I'll truly be happy when all of them publicly give up their position.

Fifteen minutes later, I'm trudging back across the heart with Nolan in tow. He's pretty tall for a Beta and nearly as thick as River and Remi. Dark hair and eyes add to his mysterious aura but his scent is comfortable and protective. When Mateo all but threatened Nolan if something should happen to me, I had to giggle.

Calista won't be stupid enough to try anything but even if she was, I feel safe by Nolan's side.

We don't speak; the situation doesn't call for it as I approach Calista's house. I knock several times before a growl erupts on the other side and then the door is swung open. I step back into Nolan's chest, confused and a little scared of the woman staring down at me. Her gray hair is wild around her face, pupils fully dilated. Her chest rises and falls rapidly, her teeth bared in a snarl that doesn't seem like it's meant for me.

If I didn't know any better, I'd say that Calista just injected herself with that serum.

"You came to check on Gael, I presume."

"Yes."

"Well, you are allowed to come in. Nolan, stay."

I snort, shaking my head. "First off, Nolan isn't a dog. Second, he is my protection. Bringing an Alpha would be disrespectful so I am working within my means. Third, now that I am the pack's Luna, my word overrides yours. Where is Gael?" I give Calista no room to argue or to respond to my comments. She just grunts and moves out of the way, pointing to the stairs. When she gives me no more than that, I nod and all but dash up the steps to find Mateo's father.

Nolan catches me before I can burst into one of the bedrooms. "Luna, I don't want to discourage you but it smells like death in here. I don't know what you will find up here but it won't be the man we used to know as our Luno."

I was afraid of that. Still, I push forward, finding the first two bedrooms empty. There is only one left, heavy breathing spilling out into the hall. The lights are dimmed, the faint outline of a bed and a dresser along the far wall. I squint, looking for the man in question, a faint breeze wafting in from an open window. Even then, the curtains block out any real light. That's when I see a frail form curled up in an armchair in the corner, the heavy breathing picking up as I approach. He's wrapped up in a thick blanket, a few pillows situated around him.

"Gael?"

"You shouldn't be here, child," He croaks out, shifting so that he's sitting up. My mouth drops open at the image set before me. Gael is nearly all skin and bones, a stark contrast to the happy Omega I met a week ago. "Why are you here? I told Mateo I was fine."

"But you're not!" I whisper-scream. When Gael shivers backward, I stop approaching. Seeing him like this is physically painful but I don't understand how it happened. I've never seen an Omega like this, not even ones neglected by their mates. "What happened?"

"It is the way of the world, child. Return to your mates. Nolan, take her-"

I pull out of Nolan's grip when he reaches for me. "No! I don't understand Gael. You are supposed to be my teacher and my mate's father. But you're here. I don't-"

"When you marry for love, there are always bound to be problems." Gael sits up straighter, hacking until I'm sure his lungs will end up on the floor. His face scrunches up as he grips his chest, blowing out a deep breath before he continues. "I can feel your desire to help, Nepheline. But this isn't something you can fix." A moan filters from his lips as he sags backward. "Calista has rejected her claim."

Tears prick the edges of my eyes, my legs buckling from under me. Nolan catches my dead weight as I lean on him, staring at a man who doesn't have much longer to live. An unmated Omega is one thing but a rejected Omega has consequences. We are meant to bond and be taken care of. We thrive off the protection and comfort of our Alphas.

Having that ripped away is a death sentence that can't be repaired. No Alpha will step one foot in this house to claim Gael, not after he has been tossed aside by Calista, the former pack Alpha.

The worst part is that no one even knows of Gael's weakened state because I am the new focus.

"She's killed you. Calista has sentenced you to death just like she did my family and your Alpha." I stumble toward a man I never got to cherish, falling to my knees right before him. The light is gone from his eyes as he gently pats my cheek, trying to give me comfort where there is none. I've gained my Beta but lost a father figure. "She will pay for this, Gael. I don't care what reason she gives for ripping out your heart. She will pay for discarding you."

He sends me a warm smile before leaning back into the chair, his lids sliding closed. His breathing softens before he coughs again, my entire chest restricting as I watch him. Gael is in immeasurable pain, pain that no Omega should ever have to suffer. He may make it a few more days but without the bond, he won't survive.

The tears I've been holding back spill down my cheeks, Nolan helping me to my feet. All of the adrenaline and confidence I had from the council meeting falls away to helplessness. I want to be happy that I have found my Beta but I'm terrified that Mateo will lose yet another person he can trust. "We're getting you out of here. I'm not letting you fucking stay here when-"

Gael shakes his head before curling up a little tighter. "Child, there are many things you do not understand. Titles have shifted but the power has not settled. I also can not leave." I frown, one of my hands hovering over the pillows that have been discarded to the floor. "I need this room, Nepheline."

I have absolutely no idea what he's talking about until my eyes start walking the walls. There are few decorations in here and even less furniture aside from the bed but it's the aura that gives the reason Gael doesn't want to leave. "This was Ilsa's." My heart sinks into my stomach as I realize the horrid truth of Calista's actions. Many Omegas find solace and comfort in their nest. They find protection and love in their Alphas. But when an Alpha rejects a bond, the Omega retreats to where they feel safest.

Which for Gael, is right here surrounded by Ilsa's lingering scent. I can't imagine how hard it is to sit in this room and stare at a bed that they used to share, knowing that the woman who caused all of this is just downstairs. Even if I was to take Gael with us to the pack Alpha's house, he would suffer even more through his last moments. There's no winning this one.

Time stops as I stand there, unable to leave without him but running out of time to stay with him. Too soon, Nolan pats my shoulder. "Let's get you back to your Alphas, Nepheline."

I don't fight the hold on my arms as I let him guide me down the steps and to the front door, Calista leaning against the archway. "Get what you needed?"

My brows furrow at her obvious disrespect for her own Omega. "You are a poor excuse of an Alpha," I mumble before spitting at her feet. Nolan quickly escorts me from the house so Calista can't retaliate and I barely make it across the heart before Mateo is gathering me up in his arms. Stragglers from the pack are watching as I sag against his chest, tears freely falling down my cheeks.

"Princess, what happened? Did she hurt you?"

"Your father… Calista rejected him. He's-" I can't bring myself to say it as I cling to him. Calista is far more evil than I imagined, killing those closest to her for power she'll never have. Mateo helps me into the house, murmuring a thanks to Nolan before he walks me into the living room.

His soft breaths quickly turn to the beginning of a growl as he hands me off to River, my Alpha kissing my temple to soothe my chaotic emotions. Mateo bares his teeth, a roar rumbling through his chest as he partially shifts, his eyes flashing a bright yellow and then a red that matches the fur in my wolf's coat. Terror spills through me as I cling to River, watching Mateo lose the battle to his wolf.

My Alphas surround us, confused at the revelation but Maverick, one step ahead of them all speaks first. "Remi, settle Nepheline in her nest beside her Beta. She needs the rest. Asani and River, you need to bring your Alpha back."

River hisses as I'm removed from his arms, the staunch scent of angry Alpha filling the room. My breathing quickens as I try to grab onto something soothing, the sweet smell of my Beta instantly beside me. The long-haired man is sprawled out in my new nest, still unconscious but clothed in a pair of shorts. His cuts are cleaned and bandaged, the beauty of his face slowly revealing itself beneath the bruises. I curl into his side, hating the way I find comfort in a man I barely know and can't completely remember.

Remi saddles up against my back, one of his hands moving to cup his bite through my shirt, his lips dipping to another bite on my neck. I relax against him, even as another growl rips through the hallway, ringing in my ears.

"Gael's not okay, is he?"

"No," I push out with a watery sigh. "She rejected him. She's killing him but he can't leave." There's nothing we can do without disrespecting her position as former pack Alpha. I can't even ask one of my Alphas to claim Gael and there's no other Alpha I know enough or trust to rescue him. It's also too late and pulling Gael from where he feels safest will only take him from us faster. Calista has purposely kept him hidden so that we wouldn't see his decline.

The fact that Gael is this weak and frail tells me that Calista rejected him before I ever met him, that Gael has been holding this secret close to his heart. A rejected bond isn't an immediate physical change. In fact, Omegas may not see a change for several days until their body begins to give out.

I wrap an arm around my Beta's stomach and stuff my face into his chest as Remi curls himself tighter around my back. His purr starts up, calming my Omega as he whispers for me to let out my emotions, to let myself feel. A stray hand sifts through my hair, Maverick's if I'm right but I don't move from my position.

The growls from the hallway soon turn to howls of despair, wrenching at my heart. I didn't expect more death and loss so soon. The howls morph into human cries of defeat, muffled by skin. No doubt, River and Asani are holding him close, keeping his wolf tamed. As much as I want Calista dead right now for her crimes and her treatment of her Omega, the pack needs to know what she's done before we do.

We may not be able to save Gael but I will make sure Calista feels the same pain she's inflicted. Every last scar she's left, every wound she's opened, and every death she's caused—Calista will pay in blood. I will draw it out and I will let the entire pack hear her screams until she breathes her last.

Silas is my ultimate goal but I'll set him aside for her.