Page 61 of Hunted Omega: Part Two

I bite my lip, dropping my gaze to my hands. “It’s not that I’m diving in headfirst. It’s more like… I’m open to it, but it’s terrifying, you know? Letting them in again after everything.”

Cayenne squeezes my hand, her grip firm and reassuring. “Hey, it’s okay to be scared, but it’s also okay to want this, especially after everything you’ve been through. If they are willing to put in the effort, why not?”

Ginger tilts her head, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “You have bond bites, don’t you? I can tell from the way you’re holding back.”

I look up, startled. The room goes silent, and I feel their eyes on me. Slowly, I pull down the collar of my shirt, revealing the faint bond marks that two of my alphas left behind. The bites are healing.

Beneath it, I can feel them simmering just beneath my skin.

Willow leans in, examining them with a mix of awe and worry. “Wow, Aria. That’s… intense, but it’s also kind of beautiful.”

Cayenne whistles quietly. “Damn, girl. You really went for it.”

I laugh softly, more due to nerves than anything. “Yeah, I did, and it scares the hell out of me, but I also feel… something I haven’t felt in a long time. Like maybe, just maybe, this could be right.”

Ginger reaches out, brushing her fingers over the edge of one of the bites. “These are yours, Aria. They chose you, and you chose them. That’s powerful. But remember, it’s okay if you need to set boundaries. They need to respect that, or it’s not worth it.”

I nod, tears pricking at my eyes. “That’s what I’m afraid of—losing myself again. What if I get so caught up in them that I forget who I am?”

Willow’s voice is soft but firm. “Aria, you’ve come so far from who you were with Noah. You’re stronger now and more aware of what you need. These alphas aren’t Noah. They are showing up for you in ways he never did.”

Cayenne leans back, crossing her arms with a smirk. “And if they ever forget that, we’ve got your back. I mean it—one wrong move, and we’ll set them straight.”

“Pack bonds aren’t just about love,” Ginger adds, her voice thoughtful. “They are about trust, respect, and a lot of communication. You don’t have to have it all figured out right now. Just be honest with them—and yourself.”

I nod, feeling a bit lighter. “Thanks, guys. I needed this. I needed to know that it’s okay to be scared and that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try.”

Willow smiles, reaching over to squeeze my knee. “Aria, you’re tougher than a cactus in a sandstorm. We’re your oasis, always.”

My phone buzzes on the coffee table, the sound jolting me back into the moment. I glance down, my heart skipping when I see Zane’s name.

Zane: Hey. Can I stop by tomorrow? I’d really like to talk. No pressure though.

I stare at the message, my thumb hovering over the keyboard. The room suddenly feels too small, the air too warm. My mind races with possibilities. What does he want to talk about? Is it about the pack? About us?

“What is it?” Cayenne asks, leaning over to peek. “Oh, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Broody himself.”

I nod, acutely aware of their eyes on me.

Ginger nudges my shoulder gently. “Aria, relationships are like cooking—you can’t rush the process. Simmer on it, taste test, and adjust as needed.”

Willow nods. “You’re in control here, Aria. You set the pace.”

I type out a response, my fingers trembling slightly.

Me: Okay. Tomorrow works. Let’s meet at the coffee shop on 5th at two. Neutral ground.

I hit send before I can second-guess myself, placing the phone down with a mix of relief and anxiety. My friends offer encouraging smiles and soft cheers.

“Listen up, bestie,” Cayenne says as they gather their things to leave, her voice uncharacteristically serious. “We’re your personal army of chaos. Whatever you choose, we’re ready to raise hell or high-five.”

“Cayenne!” Willow admonishes, but there’s a smile tugging at her lips.

“What? I’m just saying. Options are good.”

We share a tight group hug, our bodies squished together in my tiny apartment. Our combined scents mingle—cinnamon from Cayenne, Ginger’s warm spiciness, and Willow’s soothinglavender. It feels like a shield against everything outside these walls.

Cayenne pulls back first, her hands on my shoulders as she looks me dead in the eye. “Seriously, Aria. I would commit homicide for you.”

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