The Alpha's forbidden omega mate - Chapter 302: Chapter 302

Catrina POV:
The pack’s reaction was a mixture of awe, fear, and a grudging respect.
The whispers died down, replaced by a tense silence, their gazes fixed on me, on the faint silver light that pulsed beneath my skin, a reminder of the sacrifice I’d made, the power I still carried, the destiny I was embracing.
Isabelle stepped forward, her amber eyes shining with a newfound determination, her voice a firm, unwavering command.
"We will trust you, Catrina," she declared, her gaze sweeping over the pack, her Alpha’s presence radiating outward, a beacon of strength in the uncertainty that had settled over them.
"We will fight alongside you. We will defeat Damien. Together."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the pack, their fear giving way to a flicker of hope, a spark of the courage they’d almost lost.
But even as I felt a surge of gratitude for their trust, their loyalty, a chilling premonition, a whisper of a prophecy, echoed in my mind, a reminder of the darkness that still lingered, the battle that was yet to be fought, the sacrifices that had yet to be made.
It’s not over, Catrina. Damien’s still out there. And he’s not going to give up… not without a fight.
My wolf growled softly, her silver fur bristling, her senses on high alert, ready to face the darkness, to protect the ones we loved, to reclaim the destiny that awaited us.
“Where is he?” Rowan’s voice, a low rumble, his gaze fixed on Derek, his amber eyes blazing with a mix of anger and concern..
“Where’s Lucas?”
I followed his gaze, my heart pounding, a sudden fear gripping me, a mother’s instinct to protect, to defend, to hold her pup close.
I hadn’t seen him yet, my son, the child I’d carried for nine months, the life I’d brought into this world, the love I’d almost lost.
Five years of stolen moments, of whispered lullabies, of butterfly kisses and bedtime stories, of a bond that had been severed, a connection that had been broken.
Living in the shadows of my grief, haunted by the memory of his laughter, his amber eyes, his unconditional love, a bittersweet ache in my heart, a reminder of the future I’d almost had, the family I’d almost lost.
And now… now I was back.
But would he… would he even recognize me?
“He’s… he’s with Maggie and Henri,” Isabelle said, her voice a gentle murmur, her gaze meeting mine, a shared understanding of the complexities of our situation, the tangled web of relationships, the love that had been tested, twisted, but not broken.
“They’re… they’re in the garden. He… he likes to… play there.”
“Show me,” Rowan commanded, his voice a low growl, his Alpha’s presence radiating outward, a force that even the pack’s fear, their doubt, their uncertainty, couldn’t deny.
And as I followed him, my wolf pacing restlessly beside me.
Her silver fur gleaming, her amber eyes blazing with a mix of hope and trepidation, a mother’s love, a she-wolf’s determination.
The Magnus Packhouse, once a symbol of strength and security, now a place of shadows and whispers, of a darkness that lingered, a battle that was about to begin, opened up before me, a labyrinth of memories and emotions, of love and loss, of a destiny I was determined to reclaim.
The garden was a haven, a sanctuary, a place of beauty and peace in the midst of the Magnus Packhouse’s sterile environment, a reminder of the world we were fighting for, the life we were trying to protect.
The scent of roses and jasmine, a sweet melody that mingled with the familiar aroma of pine and woodsmoke, filled the air, a comforting presence that eased the tension in my shoulders, the fear that gripped my heart.
And then, I saw him.
Lucas.
He stood by the fountain, his small back to me, his dark hair tousled, his scent, a mix of lavender and vanilla and something uniquely his, a sweet, familiar melody that made my heart ache with a love so profound, so overwhelming, it brought tears to my eyes.
He was taller now, his small body leaner. But his amber eyes, so like Rowan’s, still held the same spark of mischief, the same innocent curiosity, the same unconditional love.
He was… beautiful.
My son.
My Lucas.
“Go to him, Catrina,” Rowan whispered, his voice a gentle nudge, his hand squeezing mine, his touch a warm reassurance, a reminder of the love we shared, the bond that had been tested, twisted, but not broken.
“He… he needs you.”
I took a deep breath, my heart pounding against my ribs, a frantic rhythm that echoed the whispers of the spirit realm, the secrets of the ancient ones, and stepped forward, my gaze fixed on my son, my love for him even time itself, couldn’t extinguish.
“Lucas?”
My voice, a soft whisper, a hesitant plea, a mother’s love, echoed through the quiet garden.
He turned, his amber eyes widening, his gaze meeting mine, a flicker of… recognition? Confusion? Fear?
“Who… who are you?” he asked, his voice a small, uncertain sound, his scent, a mix of lavender and vanilla and something uniquely his, filling my senses, overwhelming me with a love so profound, so intense, it made my knees weak, my breath catch in my throat.
“Lucas, it’s… it’s me,” I whispered, my voice breaking, my heart shattering, the tears I’d been holding back for so long finally spilling over, a torrent of relief and grief, of hope and despair.
“It’s… it’s Mama.”
He stared at me, his amber eyes wide, unblinking, his small face a mask of confusion, his scent, though familiar, now tinged with a wariness.
A distance that made my wolf whimper, her claws digging into the earth, a primal instinct to protect, to defend, to reclaim the cub she’d almost lost.
“You’re… you’re not my Mama,” he said, his voice a small, defiant whisper, his gaze darting towards their grandparents, who stood a few feet away, their faces etched with a mix of joy and concern, their scents a blend of pine and woodsmoke and a love that had filled the void, that had protected him, that had become… his family.
“My Mama… she’s… she’s…”
His words trailed off, his gaze returning to me, his eyes searching mine, a question, a plea, a confusion he couldn’t articulate.
“She’s… gone.”