Page 77 of Hunted Omega: Part Two

He’s quiet for a long moment, and I can practically see the internal war raging behind his eyes. Finally, he speaks, his voice barely above a whisper.

“I got a call today. My old drinking buddy, Jake… He’s dead. Liver failure.”

The weight of his words hangs heavily in the air between us. I reach out and gently take his hand in mine. His skin is clammy, and he trembles slightly beneath my touch. “I’m so sorry, Dash. That must be really hard to hear.”

He nods, his grip tightening on my hand. “It’s not just that. It’s… God, Aria, I want a drink so badly right now. I can almost taste it.”

My heart races, fear and determination warring within me. “How long have you been feeling like this?” I ask softly, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice.

Dash lets out a bitter laugh that sounds more like a sob. “Honestly? On and off since we bonded. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happier than I’ve ever been, but the stress of everything with Noah and the intensity of our bond… It’s a lot. And my old coping mechanisms are screaming at me like a crowd at a rock concert.”

Guilt crashes over me like a wave. How didn’t I notice he was struggling? Some omega I am. “Why didn’t you say something sooner?”

He shrugs, not meeting my eyes. “I didn’t want to disappoint anyone. You all have enough to worry about without me adding to it.”

“Oh, Dash,” I murmur, wrapping my arm around his shoulders. He feels smaller somehow, more fragile. “You could never disappoint us. We’re a pack, remember? Your struggles are our struggles.”

He leans into me, his body trembling faintly. “I just… I don’t know if I can do this, Aria. Maybe just one drink, to take the edge off?—”

“No,” I state firmly, surprising myself with the strength in my voice. “That’s not the answer, and you know it. One drink will lead to another and another. You’ve worked too hard to throw it all away now.”

Dash pulls away, frustration flashing in his eyes. “You don’t understand. You can’t possibly know what this feels like!”

I take a deep breath, centering myself. “You’re right, I can’t fully understand, but I do know what it’s like to watch someone I love battle addiction. My aunt’s best friend struggled with pills for years. I’ve been to Al-Anon meetings, and I’ve seen the toll addiction takes not just on the person, but on everyone around them.”

The anger drains from Dash’s face, replaced by shame. “I’m sorry, sparkles. I didn’t know.”

“It’s okay,” I assure him, taking his hand again. “I’m not telling you this to make you feel bad. I’m telling you because I want you to know that you’re not alone. We’re all here for you, Dash. We love you, and we want to support you.”

Tears well up in Dash’s eyes, and suddenly he’s clinging to me, his body shaking with sobs. I hold him close, murmuringsoothing words and running my hand through his hair. His scent, usually so vibrant and alive, now carries the acrid tang of fear and shame.

As the night wears on, Dash and I lie side by side in bed, our voices soft in the darkness. The moonlight filtering through the curtains casts everything in a silvery glow, making the moment feel surreal.

“I can’t shake this feeling,” Dash whispers, his voice trembling, “like I’m constantly on the edge of falling apart. The guilt… It eats at me every day.”

I turn to face him, reaching out to take his hand. His skin is warm against mine. “What, exactly, are you feeling guilty about?”

He sighs heavily, the sound full of pain. “Everything. The people I couldn’t save, the mistakes I’ve made. Sometimes I wonder if I’m even cut out for this job anymore.”

“Dash,” I say gently, squeezing his hand. “You’re one of the bravest, most dedicated people I know. It’s okay to feel these things, but you can’t let them consume you.”

“How do you do it, Aria? How do you cope with all of this?”

I curl up closer to him, resting my head on his chest. His heartbeat is strong and steady beneath my ear, a comforting rhythm. “One day at a time and by remembering that we aren’t alone in this. I’m here for you, always.”

Dash wraps an arm around me, pulling me close. His scent envelops me, still tinged with distress but also an undercurrent of hope. “Will you… Will you stay with me tonight? Just until dawn?”

“Of course,” I promise, feeling his body relax against mine. “I’m not going anywhere. We’ll face the morning together.”

We sit face-to-face, our knees almost touching. The air between us feels charged, heavy with unspoken emotions. I takea deep breath and say, “Okay, Dash, let’s try some breathing exercises. Follow my lead.”

I inhale slowly through my nose, counting to four. Dash’s eyes lock onto mine, and I notice a slight flush creeping up his cheeks.

“Now hold it for four counts,” I instruct softly. “One… two… three… four.”

As we exhale together, and I can’t help but smile. The tension in Dash’s shoulders seems to ease, if only slightly. “That’s it. Let’s do it again.”

We continue the exercise, but I sense Dash becoming distracted. His gaze keeps dropping to my lips then darting away. The air around us feels electric, charged with something I can’t quite name.

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