Page 114 of Hunted Omega: Part Two

“Always,” I promise, pressing my forehead to hers. I breathe her in, letting her scent calm the storm of emotions raging inside me. As I hold Aria in my arms, relief washes over me like a tidal wave, but beneath it, a darker current of rage still churns. We found her, and we saved her, but the knowledge of what she’s been through, what all these omegas have endured, sits like a lead weight in my gut. This isn’t over. Not by a long shot.

The hours that follow are a whirlwind of chaos and coordination. More law enforcement arrives, alerted by our allies, and it’s a grim but necessary task to guide them through the warehouse. The air is thick with the mingled scents of fear, relief, and exhaustion. We find dozens of omegas, each one bearing their own scars.

I watch Aria reconnect with the pack, their tearful reunions a mix of joy and exhaustion. Zane pulls her into a fierce embrace, his usually stoic facade crumbling as he buries his face in her hair. Quinn fusses over her injuries, his clever hands gentle as he checks for serious damage, all while rattling off statistics about rescue operations to mask his own emotional turmoil. Dash, in a rare moment of seriousness, simply holds her hand, his thumb tracing soothing circles on her palm.

The air is filled with sobs and murmured reassurances, punctuated by the occasional bark of orders from law enforcement. In the midst of it all, I feel a swell of something I haven’t allowed myself to feel in a long time—hope. It’s tempered, however, by the knowledge that Noah was right—this isn’t over. He’s just a piece of something much larger and more insidious.

“Malachi?” A detective approaches, his expression a mixture of respect and urgency. The scent of coffee and determination clings to him. “We’re going to need statements from all of you, and you should know… this case is going to make waves. Big ones.”

I nod, the weight of the task ahead settling on my shoulders. We started a fire here, one that’s going to light up some dark corners of the world. “We’re ready,” I say, glancing back at my pack huddled close with Aria at their center. Their combined scents create a bubble of safety and love amidst the chaos.

As dawn breaks, I survey the warehouse one last time. This place, with its shadows and secrets, represents everything we’refighting against, but in the growing light of day, it seems smaller and less intimidating. We faced the darkness and emerged victorious, yet I can’t shake the feeling that this is just the beginning of a much larger battle.

The real work begins now, but we’re ready for it. Together, as a pack, we’re unstoppable. I take a deep breath, filling my lungs with the scent of my pack, my family. It’s a complex bouquet of individual notes that blend into something greater than the sum of its parts. It smells like home, like love, like the future we’re fighting for.

As we prepare to leave the warehouse, a chill runs down my spine. The hair on the back of my neck stands up, and I can’t shake the feeling that we’re being watched. I scan the area, my alpha instincts on high alert. There’s nothing visible, but…

“Malachi?” Aria’s voice pulls me back. “What is it?”

I shake my head, trying to dispel the unease. “It’s nothing. Just… stay close, okay?”

As we step out into the morning light, the feeling persists. We may have won this battle, but the war is far from over, and something tells me our enemies are already regrouping and planning their next move.

Whatever comes next, we’ll face it together as a pack, but as I usher my loved ones to safety, I can’t help but wonder what we really unleashed here. Are we truly ready for what’s to come?

The journey ahead is uncertain, fraught with danger and challenges we can’t even imagine, but our lives will never be the same again, and neither will the world we live in.

Let them come. We’ll be ready.

50

ARIA

I’m perchedon the edge of the bed in our pack house, my fingers nervously tracing the soft, plush fabric of the blanket draped over my shoulders. My scent—orange creamsicle—mingles with the comforting fragrances of my alphas—Malachi’s earthy cedarwood, Zane’s spicy leather, Quinn’s clean cotton, and Dash’s citrusy sunshine.

Their combined scents should make me feel safe, like I’m wrapped in a cocoon of familiarity, but as the pack gathers around me, their concern thick in the air, I can’t shake the sudden wave of panic clawing at my chest.

The setting sun filters through sheer curtains, bathing the room in a warm, golden glow. Dust motes dance in the beams of light, creating an ethereal atmosphere that feels at odds with the tension coiling in my gut. The worn hardwood floor creaks softly under the weight of my alphas as they shift restlessly, unsure how to approach me. In the distance, I hear the faint chirping of birds.

“I’m okay,” I insist, my voice hoarse but firm. The words taste false on my tongue, bitter and hollow. “I’ve been through hell, but I’m still standing. Don’t treat me like I’m broken.” My hands clench into fists, my nails digging into my palms.

Malachi steps forward, his eyes displaying a mix of relief and worry. The scent of his concern washes over me, warm and enveloping. “Aria, you don’t have to be fine. What you went through?—”

“I said I’m fine!” I snap, my tone sharper than I intended. The words echo in the quiet room, making me flinch. I see hurt flicker across their faces, and I instantly regret it. “I’m sorry, I just… I need a moment.” My breath comes in short, ragged gasps, and I struggle to steady it.

The room goes silent, the tension so thick it feels like it’s pressing down on me, making it hard to breathe. I squeeze my eyes shut, forcing myself to take deep, slow breaths, trying to find that calm center I know is buried somewhere under the chaos. The sound of my own heartbeat thunders in my ears, quick and erratic.

When I open my eyes, Zane is approaching slowly, his hands raised in a gesture of peace. His footsteps are deliberately soft on the floorboards, each movement careful and measured.

“Aria…” The deep timbre of Zane’s voice seems to resonate in my chest. “This pack isn’t whole without you. We’ve got your back, no matter what hell comes our way.”

As Zane’s arms encircle me, I feel the walls I built crumble. My body tenses for a moment, every instinct screaming to push him away and prove I’m strong enough to stand on my own, but then I feel the warmth of his skin against mine, and something inside me breaks. I let myself fall apart, knowing they’ll be there to help put me back together.

Tears well, hot and unstoppable, and I wrap my arms around him. The dam bursts. I sob like I haven’t allowed myself to since this all started. The taste of salt on my lips mingles with the comforting scent of Zane’s leather jacket.

One by one, the others gather around, their presence a soft, solid wall of support. Quinn places a gentle hand on my back,his long fingers tracing soothing circles between my shoulder blades. Dash murmurs soothingly, his breath warm against my ear. Malachi grounds me, his strong arms encircling all of us. Their scents swirl around me,theysurround me.

I’mhome.

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