The Omega Mated To The Four

Chapter 40

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The Omega: Mated To The Four

Chapter Forty

The sunlight filtering through the curtains did little to lighten the heaviness that hung in the air. 1 sat curled up in a crater of Elijah's bed, my arms wrapped tightly around myknees. The events of the previous day replayed in my mind like a haunting meleta My eyes were swollen from crying through the night, the salty streaks of tears still etched on my cheeks.

The knock on the door was soft but insistent.

"Stormi,” Elijah's voice came gently through the wood, followed by Alex's. "We're coming in, okay?"

The door creaked open, and my mates stepped inside-Elijah, Alex, Austin, and Isaiah, Their concern was evident, their usual confident composure replaced by worry.

"You've been crying all night," Alex said, walking over to the bed. He crouched beside me, his hand brushing lightly over my arm. "We're worried about you."

I lifted my head slightly, my voice cracking as I spoke. "If I had been there... If I hadn't left after fighting with Mariah... She'd still

be alive."

sitting beside her. His strong arms

face. "I left her... I let her go into the woods alone. I should have been

me, his dark eyes intense but filled with compassion. "Stormi, those things-those umbrakins-attacked because of

her face in Elijah's chest. I pushed

the doorframe, finally approached. He took my hand gently, his voice firm but kind. "Stormi, you need to stop blaming yourself.

their presence was grounding. Slowly, the overwhelming tide of grief ebbed

had managed to pull myself together enough to shower and change. The hot water had done little to wash away my sorrow, but it gave me the strength to face the

members were outside, their voices hushed in mourning. 1 stepped out onto the porch, the cool

sight of the witches from the Umbral Society. They stood in their striking white outfits, their wands in hand. Four more witches had joined the group since the battle, and to my surprise,

The witches had gathered them into a heap, their grotesque forms now lifeless. The sight was both horrifying and oddly satisfying-a reminder that the threat had been

approached me, their

low but steady. "We're so sorry for your

throat tightened as

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Chapter Forty

for you," the Luna added, her eyes for the first time soft

spill over. "Thank you," I managed to

tinged with sadness. “I'm sorry, Stormi," she said softly. "Mariah's loss

my tears any longer. I cried quietly, my shoulders shaking