Page 73 of Hunted Omega: Part Two

The smiles that break out on their faces are like the sun coming out after a storm. Malachi speaks for all of them, joy radiating from him like he just won the alpha lottery. “Aria, will you be our omega? Will you accept our bond and become part of our pack, not just in name, but in heart and soul?”

My heart feels like it might burst, and warmth spreads through me that has nothing to do with the fire or cocoa. “Yes,” I whisper, then louder, I add, “Yes, I will. God help me, but I will.”

In the moments that follow, it isn’t just their words that hit me—it’s everything. Malachi’s hand grazes my cheek, his thumbtracing slow, deliberate circles that leaves a warm trail in its wake. I lean into his touch, my eyes fluttering closed for a moment. Zane’s lips brush the curve of my jaw, his touch like fire against my skin, but still grounding me all the same. A small gasp escapes me, and I feel him smile. Quinn’s fingers move with reverence, threading through my hair as he murmurs soft, half formed words into my ear. His gentle touch sends shivers down my spine. Dash, ever the playful one, kisses my shoulder, lingering just long enough to make me smile between the surge of emotions. I can’t help but giggle at his antics, even as tears of joy streak down my cheeks.

Each of them touches me differently—Malachi’s steady warmth, Zane’s fiery intensity, Quinn’s gentle caresses, and Dash’s teasing yet heartfelt presence. It’s as if they are mapping out pieces of my soul, each one claiming a part of me that I didn’t even know I was ready to give.

It isn’t just about the physical touches though. With each kiss and whispered word of devotion, I feel something deeper, something elemental, begin to form between us. A golden thread, warm and alive, weaves through the air, binding us tighter with every heartbeat. I feel it wrap around me, around them, drawing us into a connection that’s stronger than anything I could have imagined. It’s like a pulse in my chest that syncs with theirs, becoming one unbreakable rhythm.

Later, when we’re tangled together, I’m not even sure where one of us ends and the other begins. Malachi’s arm rests protectively over my waist, his presence like a fortress I can always lean on. Zane’s fingers curl into mine, his grip firm and reassuring, like a promise that he’ll never let me fall. Quinn’s breath is a soft rhythm against the back of my neck, calming me in a way that only he can. Dash sprawls out beside me, his leg thrown over mine in a way that feels so natural, so us, that I can’t help but smile in the dim light.

For the first time, I feel safe. Truly safe. It isn’t just the warmth of their bodies or the way they shield me with their presence. It’s the certainty that, with them, I’m never alone, that I can face whatever comes next, no matter how terrifying.

The future is still uncertain. I know Noah is out there, a dark cloud waiting to strike. The fear lingers at the edges of my thoughts, but here, now, in this moment, it doesn’t have power over me—not while I’m wrapped in the love and strength of my pack.

As sleep begins to tug at my consciousness, the warmth of their bodies surrounding me, my mind drifts to the challenges ahead. There will be battles, moments of doubt, and the ever-present danger of Noah looming on the horizon, but bring on the chaos. We have a pack of badasses and an omega who’s done running.

Just as I begin to slip into sleep, a sudden chill snakes down my spine, cutting through the warmth like a knife. I shiver, instinctively curling into Malachi’s protective embrace. The comfort of the moment falters as my mind races with unanswered questions. How long will this perfect moment last? How long before Noah finds us again? When he does, will this bond—this beautiful, fragile thing we’ve built—be strong enough to survive the storm that’s coming?

Noah’s face flashes in my mind, his cold eyes and cruel smile burning in my mind. I remember his words at the salon and the threat in his voice when he promised this wasn’t over. He’s still out there, waiting for the right moment to strike, and he isn’t working alone. There’s an entire network behind him, a shadowy world of omega trafficking that we’ve only just begun to uncover.

The magnitude of what we’re up against settles over me like a heavy blanket. It isn’t just about me anymore, or even about our pack. There are other omegas out there who are vulnerable and alone, who need protection from Noah and his network. Can wereally make a difference? Can we fight an enemy that seems to have members everywhere?

I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. The scents of my alphas surround me. Yes, the road ahead is uncertain and fraught with danger, but we aren’t facing it alone. From now on, where you go, we go. No more solo acts in this pack.

As I finally drift off to sleep, one last thought flits through my mind. It’s time to flip the script. Noah thinks he’s the predator. Let’s show him what a real pack can do.

32

ZANE

It’s latethe following day, and my jaw cracks as I yawn. I’ve been sitting out here all day, not that Aria knows that. When Malachi said he was going to work with the Omega Guardians, he meant it. Right now, my only assignment is Aria, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I lean against my car, scanning the bustling street outside Aria’s salon. The scent of leather and sandalwood—my own pheromones—mixes with the city’s exhaust and the lingering aroma of hair products that seep out of the door every time someone leaves. My muscles are tense, and every instinct is on high alert. The cacophony of the city—car horns, chatter, the distant wail of a siren—grates on my nerves like nails on a chalkboard.

The salon door opens with a cheerful chime that’s way too peppy for my current mood, and Aria’s sweet scent of orange creamsicle wafts toward me, momentarily soothing my frayed nerves. As she steps out, her hair gleaming under the afternoon sun like spun gold, my gaze catches on a familiar figure lurking in the shadows across the street—Noah.

Fuck.

My jaw clenches, and a low growl builds in my chest. I force it down, not wanting to alarm Aria. She’s been through enough already. The urge to confront Noah, to tear him apart with my bare hands, is almost overwhelming, but I can’t—not yet. Sometimes, the best defense is a shadow you didn’t know was there.

“Hey, baby girl,” I call out, plastering a smile on my face that feels about as natural as Dash in a library. “Ready to go?”

Aria’s face lights up when she sees me, and my heart does that annoying flutter thing that makes me feel like a lovesick teenager. How did I get so lucky?

“Zane! I didn’t expect you to pick me up today,” she says, reaching up to place a quick kiss on my cheek. Her lips are soft. I resist the urge to turn my head and capture her lips with mine.

Now is not the time, Zane. Focus.

I wrap an arm around her waist, pulling her close. The warmth of her body against mine is grounding, reminding me what I’m fighting for. “Thought I’d surprise you,” I murmur, my eyes still tracking Noah’s movements. He’s pretending to be engrossed by his phone, but I can see the way his eyes flick toward us every few seconds. Amateur.

As I help Aria into the car, I make a quick decision. “How about we grab dinner before heading back to the cabin?” I suggest, buying us some time to lose Noah. The idea of leading Noah straight back to our home, our sanctuary, makes my skin crawl worse than that time Quinn tried to cook.

Aria agrees enthusiastically, and as we drive away, I catch sight of Noah slipping into a nondescript sedan. He’s following us. My grip tightens on the steering wheel, my knuckles turning white. A silent vow forms in my mind. I won’t let him get near her. I’d rather die first.

As we weave through the city traffic, my mind races faster than the car. I can feel Aria’s curious gaze on me, but I keepmy eyes fixed on the road, occasionally checking the rearview mirror. Noah’s sedan is still there, a few cars back, trying to be inconspicuous.

“You’re awfully quiet,” Aria remarks, her voice laced with concern. “Is everything okay?”

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