Page 69 of Your Wild Omega

The sobs echo, compounding with the throbbing in my head until it feels like an earthquake’s shaking the building. I force myself to stop rocking and lie still, quivering, gripping Callisto’s sheets tight enough to break something.

But it’s me that’s breaking as a stupid, long-cherished hope gasps its last breath and disintegrates—the hope that Callisto and I would be together someday. Before I met Red, Callisto was the only person in my life who didn’t throw me away like unwanted trash. So for him to be gone too tears away a spiritual scab on an old childhood wound, one I’d rather never address.

Every memory I have of him will take on a new meaning once I leave this room. Instead of a slow lead-up to the future we could’ve shared, they’ll fade into the background, bright spots in a painful childhood where love was scarcer than gold.

My phone tinkles with the first alarm of three I set to ensure I woke up on time today. I shake my head on the pillow and pull away, my tears leaving dark stains in the material. Gasping for breath, I pat at my eyes, but the tears continue to fall. I roll over enough to reach for tissues on the side table and clean my nose and face, hiccupping a few times.

“Stupid Rickon,” I mutter, blowing again. “It was only a pipe dream, anyway.” I shut the alarm off with a huff.

But with the phone in my hand, all I can think of are the countless calls and texts with Callisto. I thumb over to my messages and look down at his profile photo. The picture’s an old one from several years ago, but it’s so clearly him. Small obsidian eyes, neatly trimmed black beard. Polished and professional.

I sniffle again. I know he regretted what he did. Callisto might be an idiot, but Red is his scent match, and I can’t even imagine how much he must be suffering after being denied entry to the pack. If it was me, I couldn’t bear the pain—to the point where I don’t think I could keep living. But Callisto wouldn’t do something stupid, would he?

I drift my fingers across the keypad, typing and clearing a message several times. What do you say to your long-term crush after an alpha throws him out of his own house? It all sounds too insensitive. But I have to say something.

Hey, Calli. Damn. Bloody rough night. I just wanted to check you were safe.

I hit send, feeling like an idiot.

A shot of adrenaline pulses through me as a reply flashes up almost immediately.

Yeah. I stayed at a hotel but wound up at Mom’s house for breakfast. You don’t need to worry about me, but thanks for checking in.

He’s added a thumbs-up and a 100% emoji. I drop the phone onto the bed with a sigh of relief, staring mindlessly out the window. I cried so hard I drained my energy and now I struggle even to stand. But at least I know Callisto’s in one piece. I’ll take something for my headache and shower before waking Red. We’ve got an important appointment today, so I can’t fall apart.

Footsteps pad down the hall and pause by the door.

I turn to find Zack peering inside. “Morning, Zack,” I murmur, wiping the last traces of tears from my eyes. “Did you come to find me?”

Zack grunts, gaze sweeping the room before coming back to rest on me. “Ri. White Mine,” he says simply.

I manage a half smile and lurch to my feet. “Yeah, handsome. And you’re mine too, don’t forget.” Even if I feel empty and alone, I’m not—Zack’s claimed me as part of his pack.

I switch the curtains closed, sending the room back into darkness. Instinct tells me Callisto won’t want to sleep in a place dominated by another alpha, so this room will stay empty.

Well, it’s not the first time I’ve come home to an empty house.

And from now on, Red and Zack will be by my side. I won’t be greedy anymore. The pack I have is more than enough for a guy like me.

Chapter twenty-seven

Red

Rickon gently shakes me awake. “Get up, Red. I let you sleep as long as I could.”

I grumble and try to roll over, but he catches me with a chuckle.

“Don’t be like that. It’s ten a.m.” He levers me upright.

Without opening my eyes, I lean my head on his shoulder. “But dawn was showing before Zack finished having his way with us.”

Rickon peppers tiny kisses through my hair. “True, but today was the only day I could get an appointment at the hospital to take his cast off.”

I pry one eye open. “We’re not on set today?”

His smile flashes all the way to his beautiful green eyes. “Nope, because of the film festival, remember?”

“Oh, right.” I stretch both arms high and groan as I work out the kinks. Right, most celebrities, including the director, are attending the three-day film festival. We bought tickets to onlythe opening gala because I didn’t want to put Zack through hours of sitting in cinemas to watch the various films, even though Rickon and I would’ve loved it. Next year might be different.

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