The Omega Mated To The Four

Chapter 65 2/2 The Omega: Mated To The Four Chapter Sixty Five When Commander Lynne finally releasedfrom my punishment, didn't waste any time. My legs ached, my shoulders screamed, and my pride-thought battered-remained intact. Ignoring the lingering stares and murmured conversations of the onlookers, I trudged straight to my room. I couldn't deal with their curiosity or their pity. I just wanted to be alone.

The evening dragged on. I sat in my room, staring at the walls, my mind a whirlwind of emotions. Anger simmered beneath the surface, mixing with betrayal and an ache I couldn't quite name. Eli's words from earlier- about the lot drawing-still echoed in my mind. It felt like I was skind of prize, a gpiece they'd passed around without a second thought.

A knock at the door startled me. For a moment, I considered ignoring it. But when the voice on the other side called out, my resolve faltered.

"Stormi, it's me," Elijah said, his voice soft, almost hesitant.

I stayed silent, my arms crossed tightly over my chest as I stared at the door.

"Please," he said again, and this time, there was something raw in his tone- regret, maybe even desperation. "Can we talk?" I debated for a long moment before finally relenting. I stood, crossing the room and pulling the door open just enough to meet his gaze.

"What do you want?" I asked, my tone colder than I intended.

Elijah stepped inside cautiously, his hands raised as though to show he wasn't a threat. His hair was slightly disheveled, and dark circles lined his eyes. It was clear he hadn't been sleeping well.

"I just... I wanted to explain," he began, his voice steady but soft. "I owe it to you." I arched a brow, leaning against the wall, my arms still folded. "Explain what, exactly? How you and the others decided to turninto skind of prize to be won?" His face faltered, guilt flashing across his features. "It wasn't like that, Stormi." I let out a bitter scoff, the anger flaring in my chest again. "It sure felt like it." Elijah ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. "I know it looks bad. Hell, it is bad. But it wasn't about reducing you to... to a gor anything like that." "Then what was it about?" I demanded, stepping closer, my voice rising. "Because from where I'm standing, that's exactly what it looks like." He hesitated, his shoulders slumping slightly as if the weight of his explanation was too much to bear. "It was... stupid. I know that now. But you have to understand-sharing a mate isn't exactly second nature for us." I blinked, caught off guard by his admission.

He continued, his voice earnest. "We were trying to figure out how to handle things without stepping on each other's toes. We didn't want to argue over who got to spend twith you or-" He stopped himself, shaking his head. "The lots were a dumb way to keep the peace. None of us thought it through." I stared at him, my chest tightening. "And you thought I wouldn't find out?" "No," he admitted, his voice quieter now. "We didn't think at all. We were so focused on trying to navigate this... this bond, we didn't stop to consider how it would make you feel." 1/2 Chapter Sixty Five For a moment, I didn't know what to say. The sincerity in his voice as disarming, but it wasn't enough to erase the hurt.

"What about last night?" I finally asked, my voice trembling, "Was that part of your 'game,' too? Stwisted consolation prize for whoever 'won' me?" Elijah's head snapped up, his eyes locking onto mine. "No. Absolutely not." 1 searched his face for any sign of deceit, but all I saw was a taw vulnerability that made my chest ache despite my anger.

He took a cautious step closer, his voice steady and firm. "What happened between us last night... that was real, Stormi. It wasn't about the lot drawing or any of that other nonsense. It was about us I swallowed hard, the weight of his words pressing against my chest You hurt me, Elijah," I said quietly, my voice breaking. "All of you did. Do you have any idea what that feels like? To know the people who are supposed to care about you treated you like →→ "I know," he said, cuttingoff, his voice laced with regret. "And I spend the rest of my life making it up to you if I have to." The room fell into silence, the tension between us almost suffocating. For the first time, I saw a flicker of something in his eyes-fear, maybe. Fear that he'd lost me.

"You're not just our mate, Stormi,” he said after a long pause. "You're.... everything to us. To me."

I let out a shaky breath, my resolve wavering. Part ofwanted to stay angry, to hold onto the hurt and use it as a shield. But another part of me-the part that still cared for him, despite everything-wanted to believe him.

Finally, I stepped back, opening the door wider. "Alright," I said, my tone softer now. "If you're serious about "now" making it up to me, you can start by proving it." Elijah's shoulders relaxed, relief washing over his face. A small, hopeful smile tugged at his lips as he stepped closer.

"I will," he promised, his voice firm. "I swear to you, Stormi." Before I could respond, he reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from my face. Then, leaning in, he placed a soft kiss on my forehead.

"I love you," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "And you mean the world to all of us." His words sent a pang through my chest, but I would tell.

pull away. For now, I'd let him try. Whether or not he could succeed, only t

As the door closed behind him, I leaned against the wall, my thoughts spinning. Maybe things could get better. Maybe they couldn't. But one thing was certain-I wouldn't make it easy for a any of them. They'd have to prove their worth if they wanted to mend the damage they'd caused. For now, I'd keep my guard up. After all, forgiveness wasn't something I handed out lightly.

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