Someone shouts my name.
I ignore them, too consumed by the need to run my fingers across the chilly water.
The liquid seems to hum in response, utterly entrancing me.
At least until a hand grabs mine and tries to pull me in.
I yank back, a scream billowing up from my throat.
Then a pair of bright green eyes meet mine from beneath the water, the ash-blonde-haired woman petite like me. Except she’s older. Similar to Krolic’s age.
Her nails bite into my wrist as she tugs on me again.
I jerk my hand out of the water.
And bring her with me.
She gasps, the sound seeming to echo throughout the entire courtyard.
Then she releases me to drop back down.
Only, she doesn’t go under; she hauls another woman out.
Followed by two more.
I blink, my own hand joining hers as a male clasps my fingers.
Rather than think about how impossible this is, I just help him to the surface.
Everyone continues the process until half the fountain seems to be filled with people.
Omegas, I realize.They’re all… Omegas.
Krolic is no longer in beast form, but standing as a human a few feet from me, his eyes filled with awe. “How?” he breathes.
I… I just shake my head.
Because I have no ideahowany of this is happening.
“Thank you,” the original blonde says to me, her voice a rasp. “Thank you.”
“Mom?” Krolic breathes, blinking at the female. “H-how?”
She smiles fondly at Krolic, her hand reaching up to cup his jaw. “Your Omega chooses you.”
His brow furrows. “We haven’t completed the ritual yet.”
“I know,” she whispers. “But her soul has already chosen, and it was enough.”
“Enough for what?” he asks, staring at her like he can’t believe she’s here.
I understand the emotion because I feel similarly.
None of this feels real or possible.
Which, of course, means that it’s all entirely plausible.
Because nothing is ever what it seems.
