Page 45 of Hunted Omega: Part Two

“Aria? Is everything alright?” Willow asks, her heels clicking on the polished floor as she approaches us. Her gaze shifts between Malachi and me, assessing the situation with a mix of concern and curiosity. The scent of lavender and chamomile that always accompanies her provides a welcome counterpoint to Malachi’s more intense aroma.

The tension in the air is palpable, and the scents of alpha and omega mingle, creating a heady atmosphere that hints at the complex dynamics at play. I’m grateful for Willow’s presence, her calm, reliable energy never wavering.

“Yes, we were just… talking,” I say, trying to inject a calmness into my voice that I don’t quite feel. Part of me wishes Cayennewas here. She’d know exactly what to say to break the tension, probably something wildly inappropriate that would make even Malachi blush.

Willow studies Malachi for a moment, then nods. “Malachi was briefing me on the pack’s involvement with security. They have been proactive, setting up patrols and installing new surveillance equipment. He’s also here to meet with you if you are willing.”

“We’re doing everything we can,” Malachi adds, his gaze never leaving mine. His voice is a low rumble, filled with a determination that sends another slight shiver down my spine. “We take threats seriously, especially when it comes to protecting those who matter.”

My defenses rise instinctively. “I’m not sure how I feel about the pack being involved in my life this much,” I admit, my tone carrying a hint of the frustration and confusion I feel. “I’m not some damsel in distress, you know. I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time.”

Malachi’s expression softens, his posture shifting slightly, as if to reassure me. The sunlight catches the golden flecks in his eyes, making them warm and inviting. “I understand, Aria, truly, and you have every right to set your boundaries, but I’d like to offer to oversee your protection personally. No pressure, just… a commitment.”

I blink at him, taken aback. The idea of Malachi wanting to personally ensure my safety is almost laughable, and yet, there’s sincerity in his voice, a steady promise in his eyes that makes me hesitate. The ticking of a nearby clock seems to echo the steady beat of my heart, counting out the seconds as I consider his offer.

“I’ll think about it,” I hedge, glancing at Willow, needing her support to steady myself. Her hand is warm and firm on my shoulder, grounding me. “I want to talk it over with Willow first.”

“Of course,” Malachi says, bowing his head in a gesture that feels respectful, even deferential. It’s so unlike the domineering alpha behavior I’m used to that it throws me off balance. “Take all the time you need, and Aria…” He pauses, as if weighing his next words. The air between us seems to thicken, the scent of his pheromones wrapping around me like an invisible embrace. “I know about your… recent interaction with Zane. Whatever you decide with him, or with any of us, your comfort comes first. Always.”

A flicker of heat rushes to my cheeks. I hadn’t expected Zane to share what happened between us—or maybe it was just obvious to the rest of them.

His dark eyes dart to my neck.

My hand lands on the bite mark. Of course. The pack bond, as well as the very visible bite wound on my freaking neck, would give that away.

My thoughts swirl with embarrassment, but also a strange flutter of excitement that I can’t quite name. The taste of my earlier coffee still lingers in my mouth, bitter and sweet, much like the emotions coursing through me.

“Thank you,” I say, unsure of what else to add. “I appreciate your… understanding.”

Malachi gives me a small, reassuring smile. “Perhaps we could arrange a pack meeting soon to go over any concerns you might have and discuss our next steps.”

I nod, a little dazed, as he takes his leave. I watch his broad shoulders disappear down the hall, the sound of his footsteps echoing through the quiet building. For a moment, I stand here, rooted in place. The air still carries the faintest trace of his scent, grounding me in the surreal reality of the moment.

“Well,” Willow says, her voice cutting through my daze with a hint of amusement, “that was… interesting.”

I turn to her, the knot in my chest loosening a little. “I don’t know what to think anymore, Willow. Everything’s shifting so fast. One minute, I’m running for my life, the next, I have a pack of alphas falling over themselves to protect me. It’s like I stepped into some kind of bizarre romantic comedy, except with more death threats.”

As we make our way to Willow’s office, I can’t help but think about Quinn and Dash. Quinn would probably have some high-tech solution to all this, maybe a state-of-the-art security system with more bells and whistles than I could understand. And Dash? He’d likely try to lighten the mood with a joke or a casual guitar riff, his easygoing nature a welcome respite from all the intensity.

Willow gives my arm a gentle squeeze. Her touch is warm, her scent a soothing mix of lavender and chamomile. “It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, Aria. This is a lot to handle. Let’s go back to my office, take a breather, and talk it through. Then we can meet with Malachi later.”

I nod gratefully and follow Willow to her office, my mind still reeling from the encounter with Malachi. The walk gives me a moment to collect myself, the quiet hum of the building’s air-conditioning and the distant sound of voices providing a mundane backdrop to my tumultuous thoughts.

As we settle into the comfortable chairs in Willow’s office, I can’t help but notice how the room seems to exude her calming presence. The soft lighting casts a warm glow over the muted colors of the walls and furniture, and the faint scent of lavender in the air mingles with the earthy aroma of the potted plants scattered around the room.

Willow moves to adjust the thermostat, then she busies herself by making a cup of chamomile tea. “Here,” she says, pressing the warm mug into my hands. “This always helps me when I’m feeling overwhelmed. So…” Her voice is gentle butprobing as she leans forward in her chair. “What are your thoughts about Malachi’s offer?”

I take a deep breath, inhaling the soothing aroma of the tea. “I don’t know, Willow. Part of me wants to trust him, to trust the pack, but another part of me is screaming that this is how it always starts. The protection, the care… and then suddenly, you’re trapped with no way out, or their fluffy words about protection are just that.” I pause and meet her eyes. “Words.”

“Fear,” she murmurs, understanding shining in her eyes.

“Yes,” I admit, the word barely above a whisper. My fingers trace the warm grooves of the wooden table between us, the texture grounding me in the moment. “After everything with Noah, how can I be sure? How can I trust anyone?”

Willow leans forward, her gaze steady and reassuring. The scent of her calming pheromones wafts gently toward me, mingling with the aroma of the herbal tea. “Trust is earned, Aria, and it’s okay to take your time, but from what I’ve seen, Malachi and the pack have been nothing but sincere in their desire to protect you.”

She pauses, a distant look in her eyes. “You know, this reminds me of a situation we had a few years ago. There was an omega, much like you, who was hesitant to accept help. She’d been through… well, let’s just say she had her reasons not to trust easily, but over time, she found that opening up, even just a little, gave her the support she needed to reclaim her life.”

I nod slowly, considering her words. The ticking of the vintage clock on the wall marks the passing seconds, its steady rhythm oddly comforting. “But why? Why does he care so much? Why does the pack care? I’m nothing special, Willow, just another omega with too much baggage and not enough sense to stay out of trouble.”

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