Page 12 of The Long Lost Omega

“I can’t believe it’s you.” Her muffled voice came out from my chest. I wanted to reach down and stroke her hair, but reined myself in. I had to remember, I was just an old friend to her. Finally, she pulled back and looked up at us. “I missed you!” she said as her face flushed. “I know it’s weird, but I thought about that summer all the time.” I crouched down to look at her face to face. Eight years had passed since we last saw each other, and I couldn’t help but notice how much she had grown, not just in appearance but in the way she carried herself - with a growing confidence, yet subtly vulnerable.

“Trust me, the feeling’s mutual. We tried to find you. It was like you never existed.” I said, and her smile released any anxiety I’d been holding inside. It was like we’d never been apart. “Where were you?” I asked, eager to know what she had been up to. I could tell that she had used de-scenter and a suppressant, because right now I could talk to her like a normal person and not go crazy at her scent. Despite all that, I still never wanted to leave her side.

“I know this sounds crazy, but I’m not from here. I mean, this world.” She looked at us apprehensively, as if we would ever judge her. “After that day together, I was never able to find the diner we’d eaten at again. I searched and searched. Then just the other day, I went to the forest where we met and spent the night. I woke up, and I was here. Everything’s so…” She looked around, then up at us. “Different.”

I looked at the others. All three of us were smiling at her, completely smitten by her mere presence. It was as though her arrival seemed to electrify the air, transforming the casual reunion into something charged with unspoken anticipation.

“I don’t care what the circumstances are, I’m just glad we found you again.” Jax murmured, placing his hands on her shoulders and gazing at her as if he couldn’t quite believe she was real. The way he looked down at her, with a mixture of curiosity and longing, was something I’d never seen in him before. She bit her lip, and I felt my alpha instincts surge, demanding that we make her ours. I internally ordered myself to cool off. After all, she was a friend. But even on suppressants, with no perfume, I still wanted her more than anything.

“So you don’t think I’m crazy?” She asked, and Tony clicked his tongue, raising an eyebrow as he looked at her like they shared an inside joke.

“We’d never think that. We thoughtwewere crazy. If we didn’t have photo proof, everyone would have thought we made you up. The dream girl we met in the forest, who disappeared into thin air! Poof!” Tony’s words made her let out a giggle, and his eyes brightened at making her laugh.

“Well, tell me about what you’ve been up to! I’m sure a lot has changed since we’ve seen each other last.” she said, then looked down with a sudden shyness. “Also, I’m sure you know I’m an omega. I understand what that means conceptually, but I still don’t understand it fully.” She looked up at us again, and I wondered who made her feel so insecure. It was like her true personality would start to come out, but then she would pull it back in, afraid to be herself.

“That’s ok, Safira. You can ask anything you want. We’re here to help you, no matter what. You can rely on us.” Jax said, his alpha dominance coming through. He was already trying to protectand guide her. “In the meantime, we want to catch up with you. Maybe over some ice cream?” He suggested, then pointed at the gelato spot nearby. Safira’s eyes got big.

“I’d love to! I’m glad some things are the same in both worlds.” She said, getting excited as she stepped in between us seamlessly as we walked. It sent me straight back to when we’d all walked together as a group back when we met. She fit in so damn perfectly.

“In case you’re curious,” Tony said with a sweep of his arm, “in this world, an omega’s bill is as mythical as a unicorn. So go ahead and order everything that catches your eye—our treat!” He flashed a grin that was pure mischief, as Safira looked at him with pleasant surprise. “Seriously, we’ve got more money than sense. Don’t hold back!”

“That seems like a pattern with you three! I remember you treating me to a milkshake and fries last time we were together.” She said with a little smile. My heart fluttered at how cute she was when she smiled like that. I opened the door for her, letting her enter the gelato shop first. She turned to watch us all as we followed her inside, but her pupils dilated as she observed us.

As her gaze lingered on me, I felt a pull in my chest. The years didn’t dampen my feelings, and now I was even more aware of the unspoken connection that had always existed between the four of us. It appeared as though it had existed even between worlds. She was looking at us so intently that it took her a minute to realize that she should be ordering her treat.

“Would you like to try some of our flavors?” The beta server behind the counter asked, holding out a small spoon with a sample of green gelato. Safira’s eyes flickered from us to the server, momentarily breaking the spell we’d been under.

“Sure. I’ll try the watermelon one as well.” She said as she took the sample, lifting the spoon to her lips and licking the icy dessert off. I nearly choked as I saw her pink tongue twirl around the plastic spoon. I glanced at the others, who looked about as riled up as I felt. We had never, in the history of our courting experience, all simultaneously been so excited by such a small thing. I bit my cheek to snap myself out of it. Three alphas salivating over a brand-new omega would be too much for her. We needed to take it slow. I cleared my throat.

“Which is your favorite?” I asked, stepping up beside her as she tried another sample, this time a spoonful of chocolate. She looked down at the array of flavors behind the glass, considering.

“Hmm. Well, the green is pistachio, which is unique. The watermelon was refreshing and fun.” Her eyes drifted over to each of us, one by one. “And the chocolate was delicious. But I don’t know. It’s so hard to choose.” She licked the side of her mouth and I suppressed a groan. “I don’t know which to pick.” She finally said as she faced us.

“Why not all three?” Tony replied as he leaned his tall frame against the counter, grinning at her while a deep blush spread across her face. I scowled at him from behind her. Leave it to Tony to start flirting when we just reunited with her.

“You know, I’ve never had three at a time before.” Safira said slowly, her brown eyes gliding over all the flavors, her dark lashes lowered. “In fact, I’ve never considered more than one.” She turned to face us. “But you know, I think I might like it.” The side of her mouth curled up in a sly smile. I nearly blacked out. Was she flirting back?

“Three of whatever flavors the lady desires.” Jax said to the server as he pulled out his wallet. His eyes were dark and fixated on Safira with a hunger I’d never seen before. She squealed in delight, and suddenly I imagined all the ways I could make her react like that in the future.

We grabbed a table while the server handed Jax a bowl filled with three large scoops. Once we were seated, she eyed the gelato with excitement and stuck her spoon in. I already knew watching her lick it would be torturous, so I focused instead on her beautiful eyes.

“Please, tell us what’s happened since we saw you last. I mean, besides being from another dimension, apparently.” Tony joked as she took the first bite. She swallowed and frowned.

“Not a whole lot happened. I mean, I graduated from school. I lived with my mom’s distant cousin and her family. I was working a retail job, trying to save up money to move out.” She said nonchalantly while shrugging. I’d remembered that she alluded to having a tough time at home the first time we met her. A pang of anguish started deep inside me. I wanted to fix all the problems that she had, and give her the family and the care that she seemed to be missing. I knew my pack felt the same way, judging by the glances we sent each other.

“What about friends? Hobbies?” Jax asked gently. Safira just shook her head.

“I didn’t have too many friends in school. I couldn’t really bring anyone over to their house. I wasn’t allowed. And I also had a busy schedule, so I had to do so many chores… Well, I was just busy.” She stammered as she looked at her ice cream. I could tell she was omitting the full story, but I didn’t want to pry too hard.

“You know, since you are an omega now, you will essentially be treated like gold here.” Jax said as he watched her lick the spoon. Her gaze shifted up to us.

“What do you mean?” She asked, and Tony moved his chair a bit closer.

“You know, omegas are rare here. Did you not have any where you’re from?” Tony asked in confusion.

“No. Where I’m from, everyone is normal. I mean, everyone is basically like a beta. So this whole omega thing is new and kind of scary. I can feel my body changing.” She admitted, stirring the ice cream around in a nervous way.

“Hey, don’t worry!” Tony said with a grin, trying to ease her nerves. “We went through a major transformation too when we presented.” He struck a dramatic pose, flexing his arms like a pro bodybuilder. “Look at us now—our muscles have muscles! We’re basically living proof that presenting is the ultimate glow-up. Just imagine what you’ll look like with your own version of this!” He chuckled, adding a wink to his showy display.

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