Page 47 of Hunted Omega: Part Two

MALACHI

My new officeat Omega Guardians is a far cry from the sterile meeting rooms I’m used to. It’s all warm wood and soft leather, with floor to ceiling windows that bathe the space in natural light. I picked this room specifically for its view of the city skyline.

I drum my fingers on the polished mahogany desk, its smooth surface cool beneath my touch. The rhythmic tapping does little to calm the storm brewing inside me. Even the faint hum of the state-of-the-art air purifier can’t quite drown out the sound of my racing thoughts.

Suddenly, a scent hits me like a freight train—orange creamsicle.Aria. My body reacts instantly, every muscle coiling tight, ready to spring. I hear her footsteps echoing down the hall, each click of her heels sending a jolt through me. It’s like my whole world narrows down to that sound, that scent.

The door swings open, and there she is. Aria storms in like a force of nature, all fire and determination wrapped in a deceptively delicate package. Her eyes lock onto mine, a challenge glinting in their depths. I can’t help but admire her spirit, even as I brace for the verbal sparring match I know is coming.

“Malachi,” she says, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Let me guess, another thrilling discussion about how I need to be bubble wrapped for my own safety?”

I can’t help the small smile that tugs at my lips. Even pissed off, she’s breathtaking. “Not quite,” I reply, gesturing to the plush leather chair across from me. “I was hoping we could find a middle ground—one that keeps you safe without clipping your wings.”

Aria snorts but takes a seat anyway, her eyes darting around the room, taking in every detail. “This ought to be good. Nice digs, by the way. Trying to impress someone?”

I lean forward, clasping my hands on the desk. “Let’s start with the basics. No unannounced visits to your apartment. No tracking your phone without your knowledge.”

Aria’s eyebrows shoot up, her surprise evident. “Well, that’s a start. What about scent marking?”

“Off-limits unless you explicitly request it,” I state firmly, watching her reaction carefully.

She nods, a hint of approval in her eyes. “And pack gatherings?”

“You’re welcome to attend, but you can leave whenever you want, no questions asked.”

Aria leans back, studying me with an intensity that makes my skin tingle. “And what about my status? I’m not automaticallypackjust because you’re protecting me, right?”

I shake my head, feeling the weight of my words. “You’re your own person, Aria. This arrangement doesn’t change that.”

She chews on her lower lip as she thinks. It’s distracting as hell, and I have to force myself to focus on her words instead of her mouth. The sunlight streaming through the windows catches in her hair, creating a halo effect that’s almost ethereal.

“How do I know I can trust this?” she asks, her voice sharp. “You haven’t exactly given me many reasons to believe in you or your pack.”

Her accusation stings, but I can’t deny the truth in it. I take a deep breath, choosing my next words carefully. “Trust is like a bridge, Aria. It’s built slowly, one plank at a time. I’m asking you to let us lay down the first plank. You decide how far across that bridge you want to walk.”

Aria’s expression softens just a fraction. She leans in, and her scent envelops me, making it hard to think straight. “Why does it matter to you so much?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper. “Why am I so important to the pack?”

The air between us crackles with tension. I can hear my own heartbeat thundering in my ears. “Because you matter,” I answer, my voice rough with emotion. “To the pack, yes, but also… to me. You challenge us, Aria. You make us question our assumptions and push us to be better. That’s rare and invaluable.”

Aria’s eyes widen slightly at my words, a flicker of something passing over her face before she schools her expression. She leans back, crossing her arms.

“Fine,” she says after a long moment. “I’ll give this arrangement a try, but I have conditions of my own.”

I nod, relief and anticipation warring inside me. “Name them.”

“First, I want full transparency. No more secrets or half-truths. If there’s something I need to know about the pack, about the threats we’re facing, or about anything that concerns me, then I want to hear it.”

“Agreed,” I reply without hesitation, admiring her forthrightness.

“Second, I want combat training. If I’m going to be in danger, I want to be able to defend myself.”

I clench my jaw, not liking the idea of Aria putting herself in harm’s way, but I force myself to nod. “We can arrange that with Zane.”

A mischievous glint enters her eye that tells me that is exactly what she was looking for. “Perfect.”

The image of Aria, flushed and panting beneath me on training mats, flashes unbidden through my mind. I swallow hard, trying to banish the thought.

“And third,” Aria says, leaning forward with a gleam in her eye, “I want to be involved in pack decisions that affect me. No more treating me like a helpless damsel.”

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