Page 60 of Hunted Omega: Part Two

As we lie here, wrapped in each other’s arms, the world outside begins to intrude once more. The sound of distant traffic, the hum of the city, and the faint ticking of a clock somewhere in the room still feel distant, muted, as if we’re in our own little bubble, our own private universe.

Eventually, Aria sighs, her breath warm against my skin. “We should probably clean up,” she says, though she makes no move to get up.

“Mm-hmm,” I agree, my arms tightening around her. “In a minute.”

She laughs softly, her body shaking against mine. “Just a minute,” she says, her eyes meeting mine.

As we lie here, our minute stretches into two, then three, then five, and neither of us minds, because right now, we haveall the time in the world. We have forever, and that’s all that matters.

For the first time in a long time, I feel alive.

27

ARIA

The scentof fresh baked cookies mingles with brewing coffee, filling my cramped apartment. It’s a pathetic attempt at creating a welcoming atmosphere, as if the right combination of sugar and caffeine could somehow make this conversation easier. I snort at my own foolishness, smoothing down my shirt for the hundredth time.

It’s been a couple of days since… well, since everything changed. I now have not one, but two bond bites, and I can feel Quinn and Zane humming under my skin with the faint threads of Malachi and Dash pulsing through them.

I thought this would feel stifling, suffocating even, and yet I feel really good, which is precisely why I’ve been avoiding my besties. I can’t put this off any longer though. They need to know everything.

Late afternoon sunlight filters through the gauzy curtains, casting my living room in a warm glow that feels at odds with the knot in my stomach. My eyes catch on the small potted succulent perched on the coffee table—Quinn’s gift. I remember his crooked grin as he presented it, spouting off some obscure fact about its resilience.

“Just like you, Aria,” he said, those earnest eyes twinkling.

The memory of his fingers brushing mine as he handed over the plant sends a shiver down my spine. It’s moments like these that make me question everything I thought I knew about alphas and myself.

My throat tightens. Damn him and his thoughtful gestures. Damn all of them, really, for worming their way through my carefully constructed walls.

A sharp knock jolts me from my spiraling thoughts. I open the door to find Cayenne, Ginger, and Willow, their expressions a mix of concern and barely concealed curiosity.

“Hey, bestie,” Cayenne says, pulling me into a hug that smells of cinnamon and trouble. Her fiery hair tickles my cheek as she whispers, “You look like shit. This better be good.”

I roll my eyes but can’t help the small smile tugging at my lips. “Thanks for the vote of confidence. Come on in, I have cookies and coffee.”

We cram onto my worn leather couch and overstuffed armchair, the space suddenly feeling claustrophobic. An awkward silence stretches between us, broken only by the clink of mugs and the rustle of Ginger fidgeting with a throw pillow.

Finally, Cayenne breaks. “Alright, Aria, spill it. You’ve been acting weirder than Quinn at a hacker convention. What’s going on?”

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. “It’s… the pack.”

“What about them?” Ginger prompts gently, leaning forward. “You’ve been spending a lot of time with them lately.”

I nod, the words sticking in my throat. “Yeah, I have, and that’s kind of the problem. I think… I’m willing to give them a second chance.”

Well… That’s a stretch, because I went from hesitance to bite marks in the same damn breath.

Being an omega is hard.

Cayenne raises an eyebrow. “You mean like, all of them? Are we talking multiple second chances here?”

I take a steadying breath, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. “Yeah, all of them. I think I’m ready to try again with all of them.”

Willow’s eyes widen, but there’s no judgment, just quiet understanding. “That’s… a lot, Aria. Are you sure you’re up for this?”

Ginger, however, furrows her brow, concern etching her features. “Aria, I know they’ve been supportive lately, but remember how they reacted when they first found out about your omega status. Are you sure you can trust them not to turn on you again?”

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, dredging up memories I’ve been trying to suppress. The hurt, betrayal, and fear all comes rushing back.

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