Buried and Shadowed (Branded Packs #3)

Oliver studied her face, in awe of the strength that lay within her. She was a submissive wolf, one who soothed and stayed in the background. For her to come out and say what she had meant that she’d truly needed to…it also meant that she was much stronger than anyone realized.

It made his bear come closer to the surface, and the man see her for who she was.

A woman he needed.

A woman he wanted.

But things weren’t as easy as that, and the others needed to know that. “I’m not long for this world, Mandy. I’m the Foreseer. You know that takes a toll.”

Mandy’s chin rose. “That’s why you need someone you can lean on. And I’m not saying we should be mates right now. It’s not as fast as that. But maybe we can see if that can be our path. I saw the way you two looked at me just now, and the way you two looked at one another. I’m not crazy.”

“It’s not as easy as leaning on someone,” he said softly, aware Gibson hadn’t said a thing. “With each vision, I lose part of myself. I’m dying, Mandy.”

Mandy’s eyes filled but she shook her head. “We all are. And I’m not going to let you die without a fight. And neither will Anya or anyone who knows you.” She turned to Gibson. “And you? You’ve been silent. If I’m just kidding myself, let me know so I can go home and hide. Okay?”

Oliver reached out and gripped her hand, hating that she looked like he’d hurt her.

“I’m new at this whole Omega thing,” Gibson said softly. “I’m trying to navigate the fact that you both have so much…hope…and fear within you. And it’s mixing with mine. So I don’t know what to think.” He paused. “You know someone tried to kill me, right? It might not be safe for the two of you to be near me.”

Oliver growled at that. “We’re all in danger, and they’re going to find out who hurt you.”

“Did you see that in a vision?” Gibson asked, curious.

“No, my visions don’t work like that.”

“Then will you tell us how they work?” Mandy asked. “Let us help?” She winced. “Let me help, at least.” She looked at Gibson. “Let me help you, too. It’s what I do. It’s what I want to do. And yes, my wolf wants you, but the woman in me wants to get to know the both of you. And I’m tired of being on the sidelines.” She swallowed hard. “What do you say? Do you think you can take a chance on a submissive wolf who tends to blurt things out at the wrong time?”

The coffee machine beeped, but Oliver ignored it. This was what he wanted, what he’d dreamt of when he was allowed to dream as a man rather than the Foreseer. If he did this, he might hurt them both in the process. But something was pushing him forward, whether it was fate or just his own will, he didn’t know.

But he could take this chance.

It was the only one he had.

Gibson was the first to speak. “I don’t know what’s coming. I just know something is.” He ran a hand through his hair. “But I can…I can take that chance.” He looked at each of them. “I want to.”

“As do I,” Oliver added. “I want to see if we can do this.”

And with that, something clicked into place within him.

He didn’t know what was next, but he knew he might not be alone when it happened. He might break himself in the process of figuring out what was going on between the three of them, but he swore to himself that he wouldn’t break the other two.

He’d always seen death. Never his own, but he’d never seen true hope either.

Maybe, just maybe, this could be it.





Chapter 4


Gibson pinched himself, wondering how the heck he’d ended up here. He’d woken up from a restless sleep because he’d felt Oliver’s vision. He wasn’t sure how being an Omega was suppose to work fully, but he would have thought the fact that Oliver was a bear would limit the way Gibson could go through the emotions and vividness of the vision.

As it was, he still wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do with these newfound powers. Others in the Pack seemed to think he would be their savior; the one who would be able to bring a new health to their people. He didn’t think of himself that way, and he was worried that he’d fail.

That’s what he did.

He failed at trying to bring a sense of ownership and pride to a brand put there by those who’d enslaved them. He failed at trying to find a way to fit in with his people. And he was failing at figuring out what to do with Mandy and Oliver.

Somehow, he’d ended up at Oliver’s table next to the two people he wanted but shouldn’t have. And yet they wanted him just as much.

He’d have pinched himself again to make sure he was awake, but from the way Mandy was looking at him, he figured he should probably say something rather than sitting here like an idiot.

They wanted to be with him. With him. The loner wolf, who grumbled more than he spoke. He’d have thought Oliver would want to be with another bear to help him with his burden, and Mandy…well, he’d thought Mandy was with Theo.

Apparently, he’d been wrong on all accounts.