much, Gareth Blackthorn.” She went to each Vampyri and touched them on the forehead. “I release you from your servitude. Your lives are yours to direct.”
When she finished, she sat down, looking pale.
“Mother, are you okay?”
“Though more wolves believe in me, I am still not quite myself. But when I say this was worth it, you can accept that as truth. Had I known, I would have released them ages ago.”
“But Mother? What shall we do now?” Zach asked.
“You could stay here with me,” Rupert answered. “Make a home in Lydon.”
“I… I don’t know.” He turned his gaze to Lyram. “What would I do here?”
Lyram grinned. “I have an idea about that. Lydon is growing daily, and with it, the need for someone with law enforcement experience to handle issues that crop up. It’s my understanding that you were a police officer in Chicago. How would you feel about being the sheriff of Lydon?”
“I….” Zach closed his eyes. “I would be honored, Alpha. But would your people be welcoming of a Vampyri?”
“Yes, I have no doubt.”
Zach still seemed dubious. “What would we do for food? Our energy came from the Omega. Without him, we have to drink blood.”
“No, not anymore,” Mother said, running a hand over her chest. “While you can still gather energy if you’re near an Omega, you will also be able to take sustenance the traditional way of eating, or by finding it with they who are part of your heart.”
Zach cocked his head. “What do you mean?”
“A mate. All my children were to have them, and that includes the Vampyri. There is someone out there—or maybe even here—who holds half of your soul. They can sustain you in the same way an Omega could.”
“We have… mates?” the raven-haired woman—Katrina, Quinn presumed—asked.
“You do. I am so sorry you’ve languished for so long. I’ll never forgive myself for that.” She peered at Quinn. “You were right. I thought my beloved creations—the Omegas and the Vampyri—had been destroyed, and I spent far too long licking my wounds and let things here go to hell.”
“No one blames you, Mother. When we lost everything, we all felt the same,” Zach assured her. “It’s why we went our separate ways. Seeing each other reminded us of our failures.”
“Thank you, Zachariah, but this blame rests on my shoulders, and I will do whatever I can to fix it. It might take me a very long time, but as long as I’m believed in, I will continue doing my best.”
“Thank you for coming, Mother. If you wouldn’t mind, could I….” Gareth rolled a hand.
“You want your mate back. Of course. Thank you for letting me know that not everything I loved was gone.” She stood. “Goodbye, my Vampyri.”
The assembled murmured their goodbyes as they stared at each other. When Sean’s eyes cleared, Quinn knew he was back.
“Everything settled?”
“For the most part. But now that the Vampyri can choose their own paths, I’d like to make them an offer.”
As one, they turned to Gareth.
“When we travel, I could use a detail to provide protection for Sean and my children. Right now I have wolves who stand guard over them, but I believe that Vampyri would be a better choice, especially given their connection to the Omegas.”
Sean opened his mouth to say something, but Gareth held up a hand.
“This would be a job, so there would be a schedule, and I would pay you. You would have free time of your own. We travel the world, visiting packs who need help. Perhaps you could even find your mates while you’re with us.”
“Do I have anything to say about this?’ Sean snapped.
“No, you don’t. When you accepted me as your mate, you knew what it would entail. While I would die to keep you safe, I can’t be there all the time, so I need help. The Vampyri are warriors who need something to do. It seems to me that it would work out for all involved.”
“I think it’s perfect,” Quinn said. “Gareth needs you safe, and the Vampyri can do that.”
Sean scowled. “Whose side are you on?”
“The side that was without my brother for more than half my life. You’re an Omega, and you have a responsibility to all wolves. If this is the price you have to pay, isn’t it worth it?”
“As I was going to say before you all jumped me… I think it’s a good idea.”
“Liar.” Gareth grinned. “But thank you for accepting.”
“No, it’s true. Like the children, I feel safe with the