Page 67 of Hunted Omega: Part Two

Friend. The word tastes bitter in my mouth, like bile rising in my throat. He was never a friend. I open my mouth to respond when my phone buzzes against my hip. Grateful for the distraction, I glance down. It’s a text from Willow.

Willow: Noah’s been asking questions about you. Be careful.

My heart rate spikes, but I force myself to stay outwardly calm as years of practice hiding my true nature kicks in. “I’mworking, Noah, or should I call you Logan?” I ask, a hint of defiance creeping into my voice. “This isn’t really the best time.”

He takes a step closer, and I fight the urge to back away. The reception desk feels less like a barrier and more like a trap. “Oh, I think you can spare a few minutes for me, Aria. After all, we have so much to catch up on.”

There’s an edge to his voice now, a hint of the man I remember all too well. I glance around the salon, suddenly aware of how alone I am. Mrs. Johnson is dozing under the dryer, and my coworker is in the back room, probably oblivious to what’s happening.

“Like what?” I ask, buying time as I try to think of a way out of this situation. My mind races through possible escape routes, but they all feel flimsy against the wall of Noah’s presence.

Noah’s smile turns predatory, sending a chill down my spine. “Like how you’ve been hiding from me. Like how you’ve been playing house with that pack of yours.”

Ice floods my veins, turning my blood to slush. How does he know about the pack?

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, but my voice trembles, betraying me.Damn it, Aria. Pull it together. You’re stronger than this.

Noah laughs, a harsh sound that makes me flinch. It’s so at odds with the cheery salon atmosphere that it feels almost surreal. “Oh, Aria. You never were a good liar. Did you really think you could hide from me forever? That I wouldn’t find you?”

He takes another step closer, and this time, I do back up, my back hitting the wall behind me. The framed certifications rattle with the impact. Noah’s eyes flash with triumph, and I realize I just gave away my fear.

“You belong to me, Aria,” he growls, all pretense of friendliness gone, “and it’s time for you to come home.”

In this moment, I see him clearly for what he is—a predator, and I’m his prey—but I’m not the same omega I was when I left him. I’ve grown, I’ve changed. I have people who care about me now. The pack’s faces flash through my mind—Malachi’s steady gaze, Quinn’s crooked smile, Zane’s intense eyes, and Dash’s carefree grin. Their imagined presence gives me strength.

With shaking hands, I reach for my phone in my pocket. Noah’s eyes narrow, suspicion creeping into his voice. “What are you doing?”

I lift my chin, meeting his gaze defiantly. A small part of me marvels at my own bravery. “Texting my pack.”

Noah’s face contorts with rage, his carefully constructed mask slipping. He lunges forward, grabbing my wrist. His grip is painfully tight, and I feel the delicate bones grinding together. “You little?—”

It’s too late. I already hit send on the prearranged distress signal to the pack group chat—a simple red heart emoji. It seems innocent to anyone else, but it’s a call to arms for my alphas.

Noah’s grip tightens further on my wrist, and I bite back a whimper. “You think they can protect you?” he snarls, his breath hot against my face. “You think they can keep you from me?”

I don’t answer. Instead, I focus on keeping my breathing steady and not letting him see how terrified I am, but every second feels like an eternity as he looms over me, his body caging me against the wall.

“You don’t know what I’m capable of, Aria,” Noah continues, his voice low and menacing. “I built an empire while you’ve been playing salon. Did you know there’s a whole network of alphas out there who’d pay a fortune for an omega like you?”

My blood runs cold at his words, turning it to ice in my veins. A trafficking ring. That’s what this is about. The pieces start to fall into place—the whispers I heard and the warnings from Omega Guardians. It was all connected.

“Is that why you’re here?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. “To sell me?”

Noah’s smile is all teeth, sharp and dangerous. “Oh no, sweetheart. You’re far too valuable to me for that. You’re going to be the crown jewel of my operation.”

I feel sick to my stomach, and bile rises in my throat, but I force myself to keep talking. I need to buy time. “How did you find me?”

“You think you’re the only one with connections?” Noah scoffs, his free hand coming up to trace my jawline. I flinch away from his touch. “I have eyes everywhere, Aria. I’ve been watching you for months, waiting for the right moment.”

Each word is like a knife to my gut. All this time, I thought I was safe, I thought I was free, but I’ve been living on borrowed time.

“They’ll find me,” I say, clinging to hope like a lifeline. “My pack will come for me.”

Noah’s laugh is cruel, echoing off the salon’s tiled floors. “Let them try. By the time they figure out where you went, we’ll be long gone.”

As if on cue, the sound of screeching tires fills the air. Noah’s head whips around, his eyes widening in surprise. My heart soars, hope blooming in my chest like a flower breaking through concrete.

They are here.

---