Omega Mine

Epilogue

“Hurry up with those drinks, slacker.” Ava swatted Brett with the hand towel she’d swiped from beneath the counter, landing a blow directly to his left ass cheek, and a warning growl echoed in her head.

Haven’t I warned you about touching other males, mate?

Ripping her attention away from the friend standing beside her, she met the lethal stare of the imposing eye candy who rose from his seat amongst his newly acquired pack and started stalking her from across the club.

Technically I didn’t touch him.

Even across the distance she could see Diskant’s annoyed scowl. It was close enough.

Brett unknowingly interrupted their conversation, unaware that he was in the line of fire. “Since my best bartender left me high and dry and I’m the lone slinger, I’m afraid you’re just going to have to suck it up.”

“Okay, if you say so,” she responded quickly and stepped from the bar, rushing to intercept the two hundred-plus pounds of possessive Omega striding in their direction.

It was still difficult to believe that only two weeks had passed since Diskant had ascended to Alpha, taken control of the pack that he’d been born into and assumed responsibility of the wolves who’d decided to stay behind instead of continue forward with Trey to eradicate those responsible for cutting their numbers in half. A lot had changed in such a short span of time, in ways she never would have believed possible a month before, and it was only the beginning.

I should take you over my knee and tan that pretty little ass of yours in front of everyone. If I didn’t know better I’d say you’re intentionally provoking me.

I’m not provoking you, Neanderthal. And you wouldn’t dare.

They met halfway, a collision of groping arms, eager hands and hungry mouths. That saintly attribute referred to as modesty had long since fled, replaced by a hunger she couldn’t—and didn’t want to—control. When Diskant touched her there was nothing else. She had no pride, no restraint, no concept of right and wrong. He centered her, grounded her and provided all of the things she needed even when she wasn’t sure what they were.

Diskant groaned. You’re driving me mad.

His large hands cupped her ass, kneading the globes. He lifted her and she wrapped her legs around his waist, grinding against him, turned-on by the feel of his fully erect cock pressing against her. Damn if she didn’t want him here and now. She didn’t care who saw, who watched. This man was all hers and she wanted everyone to know. There would never be another for him just as there would never be another for her.

“Good lord, Ava.” Delmar’s deep, disapproving voice broke through the sexual haze. “Get a fucking room.”

Diskant pulled away and nailed the bouncer with an annoyed look. Then he turned, striding back to the booth, keeping her trapped in his arms. She heard the chuckles of the pack as she approached. They teased her with familiar taunts, displaying the camaraderie they shared. They were more than a unit, their connection far stronger.

“They’re here,” Nathan said in a tone that was anything but joking, causing the group to quiet down.

Diskant turned and lowered her to the ground, allowing Ava to see Trey, Emory and the wolves accompanying them. There were over a dozen of them, some of whom were males who had lost their mates in the explosion. Their expressions were grim, lines creasing the outlines of their mouths, jaws and chins shadowed by thick stubble. Caden brought up the rear, remaining close yet apart, just as he had since he and the pack had come to an understanding, struck a tentative truce and bartered an agreement for his aid in tracking down the Shepherds responsible for his wife’s death.

Ava’s gaze unerringly drifted to Zach. Long gone was the playful shifter who’d snatched Katie by the waist and whispered sweet promises into his mate’s ear. She felt his pain, his anguish, and she intuitively reached out with her mind and the pack connection, soothing him though he wasn’t aware of it, calming the wolf and providing some small semblance of peace. His stern frown eased and he paused for a moment, no doubt stunned by his reversal in feelings.

I wish he wouldn’t go. The thought went out before she could stop it, her connection with Diskant so strong it was almost impossible to completely shield herself from him.

You’ve helped him survive the first two weeks. Diskant wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. It’s up to him to decide if he wants to give life another chance.

The notion didn’t bring her comfort but then, not much did the last few days. Although the pack was out in force, the meeting at Liminality was a final farewell to their former Alpha. Tensions continued to run high and all of them were on full alert. She chanced a glance at the bar, feeling the weight of Brett’s stare. He was studying all of them closely while wiping down the counter. The tray with their drinks was ready, perched at the empty serving space.

Standing on tiptoe, she kissed the hollow of Diskant’s throat. “I’m going to get the drinks.”

“Don’t get too close to the warlocke.” Diskant’s low grumble in her ear made her smile. “You don’t want the night to end in a brawl, Pinkie.”

She laughed, warmed by the verbal display of possession and dominance. The slap he delivered to her ass as she walked away caused her to hiss and nail him with a look that promised payback. He grinned, those full lips curving at the corners in a manner she adored.

Delmar was shaking his head as she crossed the room but his good-humored smile was intact. The club was crowded, the floors flooded with people. A majority of them were human patrons but, as was the norm, there were also shifters.

Directing her attention to the top floor, she saw the prides seated at their usual vantage point high above the world. One in particular lifted his glass to her, his green eyes luminous across the distance. Kinsley had managed to bring the cat shifters together, vowing to aid Diskant in his transition to Alpha. It wasn’t an easy feat, however. The cat breeds didn’t care about any other shifting race aside from themselves. With the exception of Kinsley, they were an extremely arrogant and elitist group.

Are you calling me an elitist, Ava mine? She could have sworn she heard Diskant chuckle the thought. The nosy bastard.

She grinned but didn’t turn. If the shoe fits.

You’re so going to pay for that. As soon as I get you home I’m going to tie you to the bed and torture you until you swear to treat me as I deserve.

The thought made her wet, so hot it was difficult to breathe. He would tie her to the bed and cover every inch of her body with kisses and warm licks, among other equally delightful, pleasurable things.

Get the drinks and hurry back. It’s too distracting when you’re not at my side.

The spring in her step had nothing to do with the command but the desire to be near him, to hear, smell and touch him. Being apart from Diskant in any capacity was hell, something neither of them enjoyed. For the last two weeks she’d gotten a crash course into what it meant to be an Omega, an Alpha and the mate to one of the most important shifters in the city. They remained locked at the hip, completely inseparable with the exception of times when he met with Alphas who demanded a private audience.

Private. Now that was a laughable notion.

If only the Alphas knew that she was privy to everything, able to hear not only their words but their thoughts. It didn’t matter if she was in another room, another vehicle or another location. If she concentrated, her mental connection with Diskant was so strong they could communicate even if they were miles away from each other.

Brett glanced up as she approached but promptly went back to cleaning the bar. She didn’t pry into his head, able to sense his displeasure at her present company. When she’d ventured to the club with Diskant to quit her job a week before Brett had been stunned and demanded to know what in the hell was going on. She’d since learned that he wasn’t exactly human. She’d come clean with him in a very strange, very surreal conversation. Their friendship had been strained ever since, no matter how many times she tried to reach out to him.

She stopped at the counter, studying the drinks on the tray. The weight of the mugs wasn’t a problem but with her small size someone might notice and wonder what she was eating for breakfast nowadays.

“JT!” Brett barked and stopped cleaning.

“Boss?” JT walked from the other side of the bar, wiping his hands on the towel at his waist.

Brett grasped the tray and shoved it into JT’s chest. “Take this to booth twelve.”

As JT scuttled off she placed her elbows on the counter and tried to make conversation for the second time. “Thanks.”

Brett’s response was a grunt, a nod and the presentation of his back as he turned to the backdrop and pretended to busy himself by cleaning the shelves. Nope, he was still unhappy with her.

Releasing a dejected sigh, she’d turned to make her way from the bar when a flash of blonde snared her attention. The woman was standing near the hallway to the restrooms, dressed from head to toe in black, and her gaze was riveted across the room. Recognition struck, taking Ava back to the alley, the smoky sky and the angelic face that stood over her as Nathan cradled her injured body in his arms. Ava followed the direction of the woman’s stare until her eyes rested on Trey and Emory. She wasn’t aware she’d started walking toward the woman until she heard Diskant in her head, angry and afraid.

Stop, Ava mine.

She didn’t listen, continuing forward. If she meant me harm, she would have killed me in the alley.

At least wait for me, don’t approach her alone.

She could leave if we do that. You weren’t exactly nice to her after what she did for me, if you recall.

A string of curses sounded in her mind and she knew Diskant was tearing a path through the crowd. She moved faster, pushing aside the people in her way until she stood at the side of the tall, beautiful creature with eyes so pale they seemed translucent. Those ice-blue eyes turned until they were no longer focused on Trey and Emory but rested entirely on Ava. Their gazes caught, blue on blue, a merging of mind and wills occurring as their telepathy flared and touched. Then Ava felt the woman’s power, recognized it. She’d known she was a vampire, had listened as Nathan recounted the story of her rescue to Diskant after the Shepherds attempted to finish what they started outside Dougan’s.

Ava hadn’t known she was also something more, something different.

Do you feel it, sister kind? the vampire mused. It is how you were given the ability to read and communicate mentally, how it flourished inside you.

Ava’s heart started racing, the crazed beating painful inside her chest. “Magic?”

After a fashion. Your parents were descended from mages.

“Mages?”

The vampire clasped her forearm in a soft grip, her fingers silky smooth. Allow me a parting gift.

There was no way to describe what happened next.

One instant Ava wasn’t aware of the significance of her parents’ lineage. The next she understood everything as an instantaneous burst of information was passed along, absorbed and processed. Extrasensory perception was a white mage trait, something that was passed along through the generations. It was stronger in some than others—ranging from what people referred to déjà vu to full-blown telepathy to telekinesis—but was always present. Her parents’ gifts manifested and were made more powerful in her by the genes that passed along the trait.

The hand on her wrist vanished, the world came into sharp focus and Ava stumbled slightly. Muffled curses and angry voices brought her attention to the floor, past the heads of those moving out of the way. Diskant was plowing through the unfortunate victims in his path as if they didn’t exist. Directly beside him was Trey, and his expression was equally terrifying, his level stare locked onto the beautiful blonde vampire standing beside her.

Time to go. Take care, Ava Brisbane.

Ava turned to ask the vampire how she knew so much about her, her parents and their connection. When she did an empty hallway greeted her. She gaped at the vacant space, stunned to find she was alone.

“Damn it, Ava,” Diskant’s loud snarl was the only warning she got before she was lifted from the ground and hoisted into his chest.

Trey barreled past them, nostrils flaring as he scented the air. A loud growl carried down the hallway and when Diskant turned so that she could see, Ava froze. The former Alpha looked absolutely feral, his canines prominent, eyes sharp with bared claws visible. He rotated in a circle in the exact spot the vampire had vacated.

“Where are you?” Trey continued to turn, eyes wild.

“Trey,” Diskant warned.

“I know she’s still here.” He stopped circling and faced them, opening and closing his fists. “I can fucking smell her.”

Ava, Diskant whispered in her mind, preparing her for what he was about to do.

She reacted as he expected and opened the connection between them. Diskant was an Alpha but his true power resided in his ability as an Omega. He was for all intents and purposes a peacekeeper and could manipulate emotions to soothe the beast within those around him. Now, with her help, he could replace anger and loathing with serenity, peace and calm.

“Don’t you fucking dare.” Trey snarled as Diskant’s power washed through him an extended outward.

“Sorry, man,” Diskant said.

Trey’s enflamed, amber-hued irises slowly changed, becoming a whiskey-colored brown. The claws at the tips of his fingers receded, as did his canines, and his shoulders went from tense to relaxed.

I hate it when they fucking do that. Trey’s private thought sounded as exhausted as he looked. He turned from them without another word and made his way toward the bar.

Diskant lowered Ava to the ground and bowed over her, an angry glint in his eyes. “I swear to Christ, if you don’t start listening to me I’m going to tan your sweet fucking hide in front of god and everyone.”

“She didn’t mean me any harm. You’re going to have to—”

She yelped when he swept her off her feet and started walking down the hallway, toward the restrooms. “What do you think you’re doing?” she snapped, wriggling on his shoulder.

He remained silent as he stomped into the bathroom, sat her down and locked the door behind him. The look in his eyes said it all but it was his voice that set her blood on fire and caused her body to sizzle.

He approached her slowly, stalking her inside the tiny room. “I’m about to show you who’s boss, baby.”

Ava met the challenge with a grin, advanced on him just as intentionally and placed her hands flat on his oven-warm chest. “You’re more than welcome to try, lover.”

Trey stared at the door to the men’s room, where his best friend was undeniably getting his fuck on, as he downed the rest of his beer, tasting nothing, drowning some odd emotion he couldn’t describe. Even with Diskant’s assistance, something continued to linger, a presence hovering just out of his reach that he could perceive yet never quite touch.

He closed his eyes when he felt that odd, ghostly impression of a hand against his nape, stroking him as if he were a child who needed comfort. The whispering fingers wound down his neck, flitting down his spinal column until they vanished for a moment and returned to repeat the caress.

Caress? Who was he kidding? The feeling was nothing more than a figment of his imagination. Wishful fucking thinking. Maybe he was losing his mind. Perhaps the loss of his brethren was too much.

No, the soft, feminine voice he knew so well from his dreams argued. You’re not losing your mind.

Then why did it feel like it? Why was he so unhinged? So desperate for a phantom who didn’t exist? Unexpectedly, his thoughts turned to the female who’d dared touch Diskant’s mate. He’d seen her only once before and had mistakenly assumed she was…

Well, something that a vampire could never be.

“Take it easy, brother.” Emory’s deep voice drew him from his thoughts and Trey lifted his head in time to see him slide into the seat beside him. “We’ve got a long drive tomorrow.”

“Last one,” Trey muttered and downed the remnants from the mug, swishing that final, bitter taste in his mouth. Talk about things coming full circle. How fitting that Emory would now be the calm one while he was now the loose screw?

“You won’t return with me once the dust settles?” Emory asked, staring straight ahead.

The ghostly feeling of fingers brushing his neck ceased, as if the phantom at his back was eager to know the answer as well. He shivered at the loss of contact and quickly cursed himself for sliding into dementia—once again—quite willingly.

“You already know the answer to that question.” Raising his hand, Trey signaled to the bartender that he wanted another beer by lifting his mug.

Emory turned concerned eyes in his direction. “I thought you said that was the last one.”

Trey was tempted to tell his sibling that this was his last one, his final hurrah. The pack was saying goodbye but what they didn’t know was that he was saying farewell too. There was no chance he was returning, not after what he planned to do. The Shepherds had no idea what they’d done, didn’t have a clue of the hell which was about to descend on them. He hoped they continued to say their prayers, because when his final brand of justice arrived he didn’t plan on sparing any of them.

Not a single one.

“I did,” Trey said, accepting the new, frothy beverage. “Didn’t I?”

“Trey…”

“Let me enjoy my beer, Emory.” He brought the mug to his lips.

After a moment Emory stood and Trey watched him walk through the crowd and disappear as he made his way back to the pack.

What a miserable fist fuck this had become. He’d dreamed of moments like the one he could have just shared with his brother—without fighting, without recrimination—but he was too warped in the head to maintain any sort of casual conversation. If he wasn’t frothing at the mouth for blood he was drooling for a trace of the scent of a fucking vampire.

When that comforting touch returned to his skin, gentle and pacifying, he allowed himself to enjoy the warming caress for a moment before he swatted at his neck until there was nothing to distract him but the heat of the club, the throb of the music and the iciness of the mug in his hand.

Soon he would put this all behind him.

Soon he would lay them all to rest.

He lifted the glass, brought it to his lips and drowned the contents.

Soon…

The End