Page 11 of Hunted Omega: Part Two

My phone buzzes with a text from Cayenne.

Cayenne: Yes! I’ll be there early to snag our booth.

A grin tugs at my lips, the first real one in days. It’s been too long since I let myself relax, let myself be more than just the scared omega hiding in the shadows. If anyone can pull me out of this funk, it’s Cayenne and Ginger. They are like human versions of thosehang in therecat posters, but with more tequila.

As I make my way to the bar, my phone buzzes again.

Cayenne: Girl, you better hurry. The tea is scalding, and I might spontaneously combust if I have to hold it in much longer.

Me: Can’t wait! I have some tea of my own.

I laugh, imagining Cayenne’s mischievous grin. Tonight, the worries can wait. Tonight, it will be just us three, a little too much alcohol, and maybe a few questionable decisions—but those are tomorrow’s problems. For now, I’m just grateful for friends who show up, who bring the tequila, and who never let me face the darkness alone, even if they do occasionally enable my bad decisions. But hey, that’s what friends are for, right?

The bar hits me like a sensory sledgehammer—a cacophony of scents, sounds, and sights that threatens to knock me off my feet. It’s a heady mix that makes my head spin, but beneath it all, I catch the familiar scents of my friends—Cayenne’s spicy cinnamon and Ginger’s earthy warmth—which anchor me in the chaos like a life preserver in a storm.

As I step inside, my phone buzzes with a new message from Willow, the fourth piece of our chaotic puzzle. She’s always juggling her own whirlwind, but she never forgets to check in.

Willow: Missing you guys! Have an extra drink for me!

Me: We miss you too! Let’s plan something soon, all four of us.

Ginger: We’ll try, but no guarantees.

Willow: Have a blast for me! And if you see any cute guys, don’t forget to send one my way. Beta boys only.

I chuckle, imagining Willow’s playful wink. Her energy is contagious, even through a screen. Even when she’s not here, she’s still woven into every laugh and moment. We’ll make sure she’s part of the night, even if it’s just through updates and inside jokes.

“Well, look who finally decided to grace us with her presence!” Cayenne teases as I slide in next to her. “I was about to send out a search party… or start drinking your share. Whichever came first.”

Ginger leans in, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she pushes the pitcher toward me. “You’re lucky, or I would have had this whole thing to myself.”

I roll my eyes but can’t hide my grin. “Yeah, yeah. So what’s this scalding tea you’re about to spill? I’m dying to know what’s got you ready to spontaneously combust.”

Cayenne and I exchange eager glances as Ginger leans back, milking the suspense for all it’s worth. “Alright, you know that new alpha who just joined the fire department? The one everyone’s been whispering about?”

We nod, leaning in closer. Ginger has our full attention, and she knows it.

“Turns out,” Ginger continues, lowering her voice conspiratorially, “that he isn’t just any alpha. My cousin, who works dispatch, says he’s from one of the old packs up north, and apparently, he left after some huge scandal.”

“Oh, juicy,” Cayenne coos, her eyes wide. “What kind of scandal are we talking about? Secret baby? Forbidden love? Tragic curse?”

Ginger shrugs, taking a slow sip of her drink, clearly enjoying the drama. “That’s the thing—no one knows for sure. Some say he challenged the pack alpha and lost. Others think he wascaught with the alpha’s mate. But the wildest rumor? That he’s actually the rightful heir to the pack and was cast out by his own family for some big secret.”

“Damn,” I murmur, momentarily forgetting my own troubles. “Have you seen him? Is he as hot as the rumors say?”

Ginger shakes her head. “Not up close, but from what I’ve heard, he’s tall, dark, and brooding—total mystery man. And his scent? Apparently, it’s to die for, like smoke and cedar with a hint of danger.”

Cayenne fans herself dramatically. “Be still my heart. When do we get to meet this mysterious stranger? I volunteer as tribute to investigate further.”

I laugh, grateful for the distraction. “Down, girl. Remember what happened last time you volunteered toinvestigatea hot alpha?”

Cayenne groans, burying her face in her hands. “Don’t remind me. That was a train wreck I’d rather forget.”

“Alright, alright,” Ginger cuts in, refilling our glasses. “Enough about mysterious alphas. Aria, you said you had some tea of your own?”

I hesitate, the weight of the Scent Synergy letter creeping back in. For a second, I consider brushing it off and pretending everything’s fine, but the tequila has loosened my tongue, and the trust in my friends’ eyes gives me the courage I need.

“I… I got a letter from Scent Synergy,” I blurt out, the words tumbling over each other. “They matched me with Pack Clarke.”

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