Page 66 of Hunted Omega: Part Two

“Yes, Zane, I’m yours, all yours,” I agree readily, twining my fingers in his hair. Zane kisses me deeply in return, pouring his devotion and ardor into it until I’m dizzy with it.

In Zane’s arms, I feel cherished and utterly possessed. Zane’s warmth envelops me like a blanket as we drift in contented limbo, our physical connection solid and unbreakable.

Despite the strangeness and unfamiliarity of this new dynamic, I’ve never felt more at peace, more complete, more… home.

We lie tangled together, my head on Zane’s chest as he traces lazy patterns on my back. The cotton sheets are cool against my flushed skin, and Zane’s steady heartbeat echoes in my ear. I feel… different, lighter somehow, as if a weight I didn’t even know I was carrying has been lifted.

“What are you thinking?” Zane asks softly, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

I consider his question for a moment before answering, wanting to be honest with both him and myself. “I’m thinking that I could get used to this… to us.”

I feel rather than hear Zane’s chuckle. “Good,” he says, his voice warm with affection. “Because I plan on sticking around for a long time, if you’ll have me.”

I prop myself up on an elbow, looking into his eyes. The sincerity I see there makes my heart swell. “I think I’d like that,” I say, surprised by how much I mean it.

As Zane drifts off to sleep, I find myself watching him, marveling at how peaceful he looks. My fingers trace the lines of his face, memorizing every detail. In sleep, the brooding intensity that usually marks his features is softened, revealing the vulnerability beneath.

My thoughts drift to the rest of the pack. For the first time, I allow myself to imagine a future with all of them. It’s scary, yes, but also… exciting. Each of them brings something unique to my life, filling spaces I didn’t even know were empty—Zane’s intensity, Quinn’s brilliance, Malachi’s stability, and Dash’s joy. Together, they make me feel whole in a way I never thought possible.

I snuggle closer to Zane, inhaling his comforting scent. As I close my eyes, I realize that for the first time in a long time, I’m looking forward to tomorrow. The future stretches out before me, no longer a source of dread but of possibility. I know there will be challenges ahead—Noah is still out there, and my own fears won’t disappear overnight—but here, in this moment, surrounded by Zane’s warmth and the promise of the pack’s support, I feel ready to face whatever will come.

With that thought, I let myself drift off to sleep, feeling safer and more at home than I have in years. And as I teeter on the edge of dreaming, I swear I can almost smell them—leather and sandalwood, lavender and bergamot, cedarwood and amber, citrus and ocean breeze—wrapping around me like a promise of what could be.

29

ARIA

Ammonia cuts through the air,sharp and clinical, mixing with the sweeter notes of shampoo and hair dye. I breathe it in, letting the familiar scents ground me as I weave between styling chairs. My fingers trail along cool metal backs, a small comfort as I approach my next client.

“How are those highlights treating you, Mrs. Johnson?” I ask, leaning in to examine my handiwork. Fine strands of silver blonde shimmer under the harsh salon lighting.

The elderly woman beams at me in the mirror, wrinkles crinkling around her eyes. “Oh, Aria, they are divine! I feel twenty years younger.”

I wink at her reflection, a genuine smile tugging at my lips. “That’s what I’m here for. Now, let’s get you under the dryer and set that color, shall we?”

As I guide Mrs. Johnson to the drying station, I catch a glimpse of myself in one of the mirrors. My smile looks real, even to me. It’s a far cry from the terrified omega I was when I first rolled into this city. I’ve built something here—a life, a career, a family. The thought sends a warm flutter through my chest, followed quickly by a pang of anxiety. When did I start feeling so… settled?

The bell above the door chimes, jolting me from my reverie. I look up, a welcoming smile already forming. It freezes when I see who just walked in.

Noah.

His scent slams into me before I can fully process what I’m seeing—pine, smoke, and something darker underneath. It’s a physical blow, dragging me back to a time and place I’ve tried so hard to forget.

Suddenly, I’m back in that dark apartment, cowering in the corner as Noah towers over me, his eyes blazing with fury.“You stupid bitch,” he snarled, his hand raised. “You think you can leave me? You’re nothing without me!”

I blink hard, forcing the memory away. The gentle buzz of the salon fades, replaced by a high-pitched ringing in my ears.

Breathe, Aria.Just breathe.

I force air into my lungs, willing my racing heart to slow.

You’re not that omega anymore. You’re stronger now.

Noah’s eyes, as sharp and cold as ever, lock onto mine. “Aria,” he says, his voice as smooth as honey but with an edge that sets my nerves on fire. “It’s been too long.”

I swallow hard, my throat suddenly dry. “Noah,” I reply, fighting to keep my voice steady. “What are you doing here?”

He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. He reminds me of a predator baring its teeth. “Can’t an old friend stop by to catch up?”

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