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.

breakfast together, just

on the old, worn-out

thought I wasn't looking. Lentight her,

faces, and she playfully smacked my arm

tiny table, sharing stories between

For

The first t

like an eternity, I was

ache in my chest

mates. The

it mattered

biting my lip. "Mariah... can

snorted. "Damn, kid, you're not a little pup

I shrugged. "Please?"

eyes but ned her bedroom door, "Fine. But

arm around me, and

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

eyes shut, holding back tears.

caught in Mariah's throat. She stiffened slightly, then hugged me even

lump formed in

Mariah frowned. "For what?"

we had before you died. For not being there to save you If

tilting my face up to hers

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

spilled over my

Mariah wiped them away.

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of the guilt," she

hard and

least now, we

at her. "I'm

Marish blinked. "For what?-

I said softly. "To

Silence.

Mariah didn't answer.

lips slightly parted, her

couldn't quite place.

"Mariah?" I whispered.

She looked away.

horrible feeling crept into

again, firmer

She turned back to

to me, her

Stormi," she said

A sharp sting shot

through my chest.

you mean? Of course, I

gripping my hands tightly. "Not yet, my

why?" My voice cracked. "I