Page 119 of His Bonded Omega Mate
A shiver ran down my spine at the thought of him. As we’d all figured would happen, he’d escaped the council’s holding cell, an inside job, and now was evading recapture. And they wondered why so many shifter groups had lost faith in them.
Jared was still out there, but he had fewer allies this time. Less power over me, too. Next time we met, I wouldn’t be pregnant and vulnerable.
I would end his miserable existence.
Roan
Watching emotions flit over Hiroshi’s face never got old. My mate was expressive and could never hide his thoughts from me. I felt his joy and wonder at all the people celebrating with us.
Asher and Tate stood next to us, keeping close. There were so many people. For Hiro’s sake, I ignored my discomfort. It was getting easier to come to terms with my arm being as it was, but I still had a ways to go before genuine acceptance.
Many people, even alphas and betas I was sure had resented me or had bought into the lies others had spread about me, came to congratulate me on my wonderful family and the risk I’d taken to ensure everyone got home safe.
If they resented me for Carl and Sven’s deaths, then they were wise enough not to let it show.
There was a makeshift stage area set up, and Blake called the pack to order from it. “Sweetwater pack, we are here to bless three new lives, three more shifters that have joined us. A miracle from our goddess.”
The crowd parted to let us join him on the stage along with Poppy, her wife Zinna and their baby, a little girl called Sage, on her hip. Poppy passed the little one off to her wife as we approached so that she could hug us all. The crowd chatted among themselves as we greeted Blake and Kade; the babies making a rare appearance in public with a heavy elven guard.
Above us, Jake and Sebastian flew, protecting us from the air.
To the side, a large purple demon stood next to a man wearing a nice suit. “Roan, come meet Cody and Toth,” Kade urged, pulling me away from Hiroshi, who was still chatting to Poppy. “Sorry we haven’t been able to introduce you all before.”
“That’s alright, it’s been a busy time for all of us,” the man, Cody, said, while the demon muttered something about “Mori and Damon,” that I didn’t really catch or understand. Cody elbowed the demon. “Behave, Toth. Some shifters are wary enough of you like that. Why don’t you put them away?”
“Thought you liked my wings, and my tail?” Said tail had wound around Cody’s waist, pulling him against the demon.
“You know I do, but we need to fit in.” Cody’s face was bright red.
With some more grumbling, the demon changed and gone were the horns, tail, wings and pointed ears, leaving an attractive man in his place. Cody kissed his cheek. “Much better. Let’s do this, shall we?”
Blake called the crowd to order again, a hush rolling over the assembled shifters. Poppy took her place beside him.
“Thank you for coming to welcome these babies to our Sweetwater family. High Witch of the Northarbor Coven, Poppy Birchwood, will give a traditional witch blessing. Then Cody Valentine, our business partner, with his demon mate, Toth, will impart a demon blessing. Finally, Ívarr will give a welcome from the elves.” Blake was quiet as a murmur went through the crowd.
“These babies represent a new chapter in the lives of shifters. Not only do they show The Luna is with us by increasing our fertility, they show the true purpose of the beta sickness. Thanks to the safe arrival of these children, we will begin testing on the betas who have volunteered tomorrow.”
There was a cheer from the betas. Hugs were given, and Blake smiled genuinely at them. Our alpha was a good man. I’d known it before I even met him, which is why I’d been happy to trust Kade to him. My best friend had flourished under his care in a way I’d never seen in him before.
Hiroshi cuddled into me. “This is amazing, isn’t it? I’m so excited to see more betas change and be who they were really supposed to be.”
“Me too.” I meant it. I hoped that each of my beta friends would find happiness in the months to come.
Kade whistled. “My mate wasn’t done.” He laughed. “We are so happy to have another alpha female in the pack. The Luna honors us with these girls. They are going to need the protection of each and every one of you so that they can grow to be the queens that they are. We have too many enemies out there to risk them.”
I felt the trickle of fear. None of us liked the reminder that the fractured council was now fully against us.
“News has reached us that the Northarbor aviary has declared war on the Sweetwater pack and our allies, the Northarbor pride. They believe shifters should only be with their alter types and that we have perverted the beta designation. That the beta sickness is a punishment and not a gift.” Kade was trembling with rage. “This is a pack that locks their supposed wrongdoers in their alter forms, leaving them open to being attacked and even killed.”
People looked angry now instead of scared. Betas looked determined to weather this storm whatever came.
“We believe in the elves and their visions. Janet has never let us down, and she has a message from the goddess that we are on the right path. The only way forward is through. Together.”
Resolve settled over the pack as each of the babies was blessed by their Alpha, the High Witch, a demon prince, and elven royalty. Ívarr had hidden that bit well.
The pack cheered for the babies, and I finally felt at home here. Sweetwater was where I belonged with my mate, his other mate, and my brother. As a family. Whatever came next, we would face it together.
The end
