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All of this information was making my head spin. After nearly 20 years of dealing with this man and he was just… gone? It didn’t feel real. “We just move on?” I asked and I cursed as my voice wobbled.
“The self-defense charge is in the system and with so many witnesses, that’s not going to change.” Zahria stepped a little closer, rounding the table and it took everything in me not to react to the way Nala unconsciously leaned in her direction. “I know what happened back in Grimsby, but this is different.”
“How?” I yelled, shooting up out of my chair. “He had gotten out of every other chokehold. Slaps on the wrist and minimal jail time. How do I know that this shit isn’t going to blow back on me?”
“Because Kieran, you have people in your corner. Powerful people. Chief Hart didn’t get to where he is by sucking a few dicks. He’s there because he earned it. He pushes back. He fights. He’s starting a whole fucking task force because he’s sickened by what we’ve told him. Kieran, you’re safe now.”
Her words shot an eerie feeling down my spine as Isaias stood beside me and wrapped an arm around my waist. It’s what they had been telling me for a while now. That I was safe with them. I always had been but this time, no nightmares were lurking in the corner. It was just us.
Zahria crouched down in front of Nala and despite the bandage across her gland, I could smell her sweet syrupy scent. “You are so precious, Nala and you were strong against a man that should have never touched you.” Her voice was firm, Nala melting into the gentle hand caressing her face. “You’re safe now as well and there’s not a better pack to be with than the one you’ve found.”
The tiniest little whimper fell from Nala’s lips, Zahria’s eyes darkening in response. The mixture of possessive scents strengthened in the room and I knew it was only a matter of time–if they could tame Nala. Beneath the trauma, I knew she was a force to be reckoned with. Nala swinging and hitting Michael with that pan would forever be etched in my memory.
Feeling that it was time to go, I waited for Xylo to nod before pushing my way out of the room and stumbling toward the lobby. Joel and Ren shot out of their chairs, their free arms wide as they embraced me. Our sons were cradled in their other arms, now crushed against my chest as we held each other.
“It’s over?” Ren asked silently.
“Yeah, it is.”
Isaias and Nala weren’t too far behind as they joined in on the hug before we quickly moved outside of the station. It felt like I had been handed a new deck of cards to play and there were somany things I wanted to do. Joel stepped up to me, smiling wide as he reached up to pull me into a sweet kiss. “What are you thinking about, Kieran?”
I wanted to be more than my Omega but I no longer wanted to deny my biology. I wanted to lean into it, embrace it,nurture it.It would take time and a whole lot of help and conversations I didn't want to have.
Isaias placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, delicately running his thumb over my mark. “At your own pace, Kieran. We'll all be here. Whenever you're ready to talk, we'll listen.” I knew he said those words loud enough for Nala to hear so that she knew she was just as loved in this little family.
They waited for my answer to Joel's original question but I didn't need to really think about that. I already knew. It was time to step out of my shell. “I want to finish the nursery,” I stated.
“That sounds like a great idea,” Joel murmured against my lips.
Ren came a little closer, carefully watching my expression. “Do–do you want help?”
I didn’t need to do everything on my own anymore. I also didn’t want to. “Yeah, I’d love it.”
thirty
EPILOGUE ~ FIVE YEARS LATER
This snippet into the future speeds past Nala’s story in Absolute Devotion, the third installment of the Omega’s Preference series. There may be a few spoilers about who her mates are. Curious about how Nala met her mates? Find out in Absolute Devotion.
KIERAN
Hammering in the last nail, I survey my work after redoing the bedframe for the fifth time this year. It’s only February. I stand up and wipe the back of my hand across my forehead, glad I stripped out of my shirt before starting this task. Sweat gathers along my chest and back as I stretch, my spine cracking with the movement.
Elias is going to be in deep trouble next time I catch him jumping on the bed. I snort, shaking my head at the mess a5-year-oldhas been able to do. Who knew that kids these ages could be such a pain in the ass? I should have, especially whenours are built like mini linebackers. They’re still carbon copies of Joel with those luscious curls and wide eyes but when it comes to size? They unfortunately take after me. It only makes it worse that they believe running headfirst into a hug is the best way to greet someone.
I’ve seen both Elias and Leo take someone down when they step inside with no regrets and high-pitched squeals.
A screech sounds from the living room and I can’t help but smile. Leo must have tripped over something,again. He’s as clumsy and stubborn as they come and I know that in the next five seconds, little footsteps will be racing down the hallway as he runs to me for comfort.I. 2. 3…
A little grunt meets my ears and then footsteps slapping against the wood race toward me.
I never thought I’d reach this moment—the moment where I’m comfortable in my own skin, with two children of my own, and a pack that has loved and supported me every step away. Just over six years ago, I was at the end of my rope and then three beautiful men stumbled into my life and gave me everything I needed.
A thick form bumps into my leg, little arms wrapping around it. Leo’s tear-stained face looks up at me, his dark green eyes glowing with displeasure. In a contorted position, he holds up his foot while still dangling off of me. He reminds me of a little gymnast, his sweet scent thickening a little. That’s been something to get used to—both of them carrying distinct Omega scents but nothing specific just yet.
“I have a booboo,” Leo cries, wiggling his toes at me.
I stifle a smile, knowing that will just make him angry. “Did the booboo come from a certain set of toys you’ve thrown across the living room?” His face scrunches up adorably as I lean down to grab and wiggle his nose. “Let me inspect those toes.” Leo lets out a squeal as I pull him off my leg and dangle him upsidedown, gently rubbing my thumb over the pads of his feet. “I don’t know, seems like we’ll have to cut off those little piggies.”
