The Omega Mated To The Four

The Alpha Bond 214

Mariah leaned back against the couch, arms crossed, a smirk playing on her lips. "Well, kid, I gotta tell you-if none of that were true, I'd say you've officially lost it."

I blinked at her, my heart hammering in my chest. "So... you're saying it is true?

She sighed, running a hand through her dark curls before giving msmall, knowing smile. "Yeah, Stormi. It's true."

A sharp chill ran through me, but nothing could have prepared me for what she said next.

"You're really dead?" I whispered, my throat tight.

Mariah's smile softened. She didn't say anything right away. Instead, she reached out and tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear, just like she used to when I was little. Then, she leaned in and pressed gentle kiss to my forehead.

Tears burned at the edges of my eyes..

I already know the answer. But I needed to hear it.

"Mariah, I begged, my voice cracking.

She nodded once. "Yeah, kid. I'm really dead."

A broken sob tore from my throat.

Mariah wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a hug. I clung to her, my nails digging into the fabric of her T-shirt as I buried my face against her shoulder.

I was never going to let go.

"I don't understand," I whispered against her. "Am I dead too?"

Mariah pulled back, brushing her fingers over my cheek. "Not really, she said gently. "You're somewhere in between."

"Between?" I echoed, confused.

is the place where you meet your loved ones. It's where we guide you... before you pass into the spirit realm."

She nodded. "This is

I swallowed hard. "So I'm dying?"

Mariah tilted her head slightly, a sadness flickering across her face. That depends on you, kiddo."

I didn't know what to say to that.

For a long time, we just sat there.

It felt like I had been drowning in darkness, and now I was finally breathing again.

Being with Mariah felt right. Safe. Like I was home.

I didn't want to leave,

Mariah seemed to sense my thoughts because she grinned and stretched her arms over her head. "Well, since you're here, we might

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as well make the most of it.

And we did.

together, just like

sat cross-legged on the old, worn-out carpat, playing poker

sneaking cards up her sleeve when she thought I wasn't looking. Lentight her, and we ended

she playfully smacked my arm when I stole a bite of

table, sharing stories

For

The first t

what felt like an eternity, I

ache in my

war. My mates. The Shadow

of it mattered

I hesitated in the hallway, biting my lip. "Mariah... can leep in your

you're

I shrugged. "Please?"

rolled her eyes but ned her bedroom door, "Fine.

crawling into bed beside her. She wrapped an arm around me, and I closed my eyes, sinking into the warmth of her

to the top of my head. "Oh, my little

back tears. "I love

Mariah's throat. She stiffened

lump formed in my throat.

Mariah frowned. "For what?"

"For the big fight we had before you

me off by gripping my chin and tilting

Her voice softened. "Listen to me. What happened wasn't your fault. It never was. You were a kid-my kid. And

spilled over

Mariah wiped them away.

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let go of the guilt," she murmured.

swallowed hard and

now, we

smiled up at her.

Marish blinked. "For what?-

said

Silence.

Mariah didn't answer.

her lips slightly

couldn't quite place.

"Mariah?" I whispered.

She looked away.

horrible feeling crept into my

firmer this time. "What's

She turned back to

her eyes

can't come, Stormi,"

A sharp sting shot

through my chest.

sat up. "What do you mean? Of

hands tightly. "Not yet,

voice cracked.