Page 3 of Run Wild Omega

I clear my throat loudly. “Okay, break it up. What part of ‘it’s bad luck to see the bride on the wedding day’ don’t you three understand? You’re going to curse the whole thing.”

Daniel pulls back, resting his forehead against Mara’s. “I don’t believe in luck. I believe in her.”

Gray digs into the pocket of his sweatpants and pulls out a small bottle of pills. He holds them out to me.

“I heard you two had a long night.” His eyes crinkle at the corners. “We wanted to check in. Make sure you were still alive.”

“Barely,” I mutter, taking the pills and dry-swallowing two of them. “Thank you.”

“We also brought breakfast.” Leo slides a plate of croissants onto the table. “From the bakery down the street. We know your mom’s busy with the catering.”

“Thank you.” My resistance crumbles. They’re trying. They’re good to her.

I look at the three of them—Daniel, Gray, Leo. Her pack. Her home. And even though I’m thrilled for Mara, even though I know this is exactly what she deserves, a hollow ache opens up in my chest. I’m happy for her, truly. But I’m also so incredibly alone.

“All right.” I clap my hands together. “You’ve seen her. She’s alive. She’s hungover. Now get out. You have prep to do, and we have hair appointments.”

“Bossy,” Daniel murmurs, but he kisses Mara’s hand and heads for the door. Gray and Leo follow, each of them kissing her cheek or squeezing her shoulder before leaving.

When the door closes, the silence rushes back in, but it feels lighter now.

Mara sinks into a chair at the small table, picking at a croissant. “They are amazing.”

“They are.” I sit across from her. “But you’re the star today. Don’t let them distract you.”

She takes a bite, chewing slowly. “I wish my parents were here.”

The joy in the room dampens instantly. I reach across the table and cover her hand with mine.

“I know.” I keep my voice soft. “I know they would have loved your pack. And they would have been thrilled to see you so happy.”

Mara nods, blinking back tears. “It just feels unfair sometimes. Everyone else has parents helping with the dress and the flowers. And I just… it’s not fair.”

“Hey.” I squeeze her hand. “You have me. You’ll always have me. I know how to mix a better hangover cure, and I know exactly which shade of lipstick will make them lose their minds.”

She laughs, a wet, snorting sound. “Even Daniel?”

“Yuck!” I fake gag. “I like to think of my brother as a nonsexual human being, thank you very much. As far as I’m concerned, he’s a monk. Let’s keep it that way.”

“You’re right. You’re the best maid of honor a girl could ask for.”

“I try.” I stand up and walk over to my bag by the door. I dig through it until I find the small, wrapped box. I bring it back to the table and slide it over to her.

“What’s this?” she asks, wiping her eyes.

“Open it.”

She unties the ribbon and lifts the lid. Inside, nestled in white velvet, is a delicate silver bracelet. It has three small charms dangling from it: a mountain, a book, and a sun.

“Mara.” My voice is thick. “The mountain is for the strength you found to come back here. The book is for the smarts you used to survive that Academy. And the sun is for the light you brought to this town and to everyone around you, even when you felt like you were in the dark.”

She looks up, lip trembling. “Tess…”

“I wanted you to have something old,” I say. “Something from before them. Something from us. No matter what happens today, no matter what pack you join, you’re still my Mara. You’re still my best friend. And I know I’ve fucked up a lot in the past, but I truly hope that you know that you’re my sister in every way that counts. Not just as my sister-in-law.”

She stands up and rounds the table, hugging me so hard I can barely breathe. “I love you,” she whispers into my hair. “Thank you.”

“I love you too.” I hold on tight. “Now, finish your croissant. We have a wedding to get to.”