The Omega Mated To The Four

The Alpha Bond 215

I gasped awake, my body jerking upright as my heart hammered in my chest. My breath came in short, panicked bursts as my eyes dorted around the dimly lit

room.

Marish's room.

The familiar scent of lavender and old books lingered in the air, wrapping around me like a comforting embrace. The worn-out furniture, the slightly crooked picture frames on the walls, the thick, knitted blanket covering my legs-it was all exactly as i remembered it.

A shuddering sigh of relief escaped my lips.

It wasn't a dream. I was still here. With Mariah.

Before I could process what t coffee.

that truly meant, the door creaked open, and Mariah stepped Inside, balancing two steaming cups of

"You good, kid?" Mariah raised a brow. "You look like you saw a ghost."

I stared at her, struggling to find words. Practically she is a ghost.

Mariah's warm laugh filled the space as she handed me a cup. "Relax Stormi. Why are you panicking?"

I swallowed, fingers trembling around the ceramic mug. "1-I thought I shook my head, my throat tightening. "I thought I had gone back. And all of this was just a dream."

Mariah's eyes softened with understanding. She let out a small chuckle and sat beside me on the bed. "Nah, you're still here. You said you wanted to stay, right?"

I blinked. "That's... how this works?"

Mariah nodded. "Yeah. This place is different. You get a choice-to go back or to stay."

I let out a shaky breath, relief washing over me.

I was safe. I didn't have to leave.

A small smile tugged at my lips. "Then I'm glad. I want to stay."

But Mariah's expression shifted.

The warmth in her eyes dulled, and the lines around her mouth tightened as she pressed her lips together."

"Storm...." she said softly

1 stiffened. A sinking feeling settled in my chest. "What?"

"You can't

words hit me

like a slap.

grip on the coffee

1/3

mug on the nightstand, turning to Ence

No, that's not true. You said I

And I were selfish, I'd let you stay. But I can't. You have

My breath caught.

"Why

twisted with

"Don't you miss

Mariah flinched,

wavered. "Don't you

jaw clenched, and suddenly she was pulling

"or course,

to stay," she whispered fiercely, her own voice thick with emotion. "Of course, 1 missed you. You're my child, Stermi." She pulled back just enough to cup my face,

lips trembled. "1-1 can't go

her head. "Yes,

"I'm scared."

But you've always been the bravest person I've ever

"I'm not strong

up. "Yes, you are. You are the

head. "I can't do this

expression softened. "You don't

I swallowed.

time

out a strangled sob, throwing herself into Mariah's

you mommy."

me.

each other for a long time, neither

deep down,

2/3

This was goodbye.

outside the

before me, their glowing forms

celestial sky.

I gasped, my barath

stolen from my

"Who..." I whispered.