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 we

old, worn-out

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

the kitchen, flour dusting our faces, and she playfully smacked my

tiny table, sharing stories between bis

For

The first t

what felt like an

in

mates. The Shadow

it mattered

hallway, biting my

"Damn, kid, you're not a little

I shrugged. "Please?"

rolled her eyes but ned her bedroom door, "Fine. But dont make it

an arm around me, and I closed my eyes, sinking into

my head. "Oh,

back tears. "I love

sharp breath caught in Mariah's throat. She

in my throat. "I'm

Mariah frowned. "For what?"

I whispered. "For the big fight we had before you died. For not being there to save you If

by gripping my chin and tilting my face up to hers

"Listen to me. What happened wasn't your fault. It never was. You were a kid-my kid. And I would never, ever

spilled over

Mariah wiped them away.

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let go of the

hard and

least now, we could stay

at

Marish blinked. "For what?-

with you,” I said softly. "To

Silence.

Mariah didn't answer.

her lips slightly parted, her eyes dark

couldn't quite place.

"Mariah?" I whispered.

She looked away.

feeling crept into

again, firmer this time. "What's

She turned back to

me, her eyes shining with

can't come, Stormi," she

A sharp sting shot

through my chest.

"What do you mean? Of course,

out, gripping my hands tightly. "Not yet, my

My voice