Omega's Truth - Nora Phoenix Page 0,28

And for us as wolf shifters, that effect is even more profound.”

Lucan nodded. “My father always talks about this. Apparently, in the old days, the wolf shifters had to shift on a full moon. They couldn’t resist it. The only ones who didn’t shift were pregnant wolves who were close to their delivery date. And a full moon often triggered heats, so omegas would either be late a couple of days because their bodies waited for the full moon or have their heats start early.”

Maz gently shook his head. “I’ll never stop being amazed that I can be astounded by facts like that and yet not be surprised at all. There’s so much we don’t know yet about life, about nature, about our bodies.”

Sando sat up straighter. “I know! I’m hoping to find out more about this. I already started a list of topics I want to do further research on, beyond the gene.”

Of course. Maz could slap himself that he hadn’t realized it before. Sando hadn’t chosen his profession and area of expertise. It had been decided for him. “If you want to research anything else but the gene, you should.”

Sando jerked up his head and met Maz’s eyes. “What?”

“You don’t have to wait until later. If you want to work on something else than what you’ve been doing, you should.”

“But…but omegas need this research. We need to find a way to ameliorate their heats, and we’re really close.”

Maz put a soft hand on Sando’s knee. “I know, kitten, but it doesn’t have to be you. You’re super smart, and you’ve invested so much time and energy into this, but I also realize this wasn’t exactly your choice, so if you want to take a step back, you can. You’re allowed to.”

Sando was still looking bewildered when a wave of power barreled through Maz so hard and so violently his body shook, and his vision went black. When he came to, he was shaking, and the three of them were clinging to each other. “Oh god,” Maz groaned, his body hurting like he’d been thrown against a wall. “What the ever-loving fuck was that?”

“That hurt,” Lucan grumbled, sounding almost offended.

“That was the worst one so far.”

Maz had barely finished talking when another power surge slammed into him, and he was gasping and groaning at the same time, goose bumps breaking out all over his body and his heart rate tripling. Sando cried out, and he reached for him blindly, pulling him on top of him. “Hush, kitten. We’re okay.”

“What was that?” Lucan asked.

Good question. Where had that power boost come from? It suggested someone had shifted, someone of the main four, but why? How could they shift when…? “Palani,” Maz gasped. “Something happened to Palani.”

They scrambled off the couch, found shoes and shirts, and then they ran out the door. Maz’s first thought was Jawon’s House, but then the deep howl of a wolf registered with him, and he changed course. What was happening? His alpha roared, wanting to join in with the howling wolf. Vieno. Maz’s alpha recognized him, acknowledged the power that flowed from the omega wolf that was crying out in fury and anger.

Sando’s hand found his, and on his other side, Lucan sought his touch as well. As they connected, a shock went through Maz, his alpha growling in agreement at the presence of his mates. They were his. His mates, his men. His lovers.

From every direction, people came running to the same spot, the hill where Jawon and Dane lay buried. That piece of land held power. They’d seen that before at Jawon’s funeral. Was that why Vieno had been drawn to it? Why he sat on Jawon’s grave, howling at the moon? The full moon seemed to shine even brighter than usual, and how cruel was it that it would shine the most brilliant just when everything should be dark and in mourning?

“Vieno!”

They stepped aside to let Lidon pass. He sprinted toward his mate and skidded to a stop in front of him. “Sweetheart, what…?”

Vieno reacted with a growl that had Maz’s blood run cold, and then the omega raised his head at the moon again and cried out. The piercing sound crashed into Maz’s ears, his body, his soul. He felt him so loud and powerful that he shook with the force of it.

Wait. No, the shaking was something else. “An earthquake.” Lucan paled, shivering.

He was right. The ground was moving beneath their feet, trembling, making them stumble. Maz pulled his mates