Page 13 of The Long Lost Omega

Safira laughed and nearly spit out her ice cream. “So I take it you are all alphas then?” We all nodded. It was clear she really had no familiarity with designations at all. Anyone should be able to look at us and realize what we were. “Is that why you have to be on a registry? You are all a pack?” Her eyes grew big, and if I wasn’t mistaken, she looked hungry for more than just ice cream. But I didn’t want to read too much into it, in case I was just hoping for what I wanted to be real.

“Yes, we’re a pack. All alphas.” Jax explained. “We grew very quickly and had to deal with the hormonal change. But it’s nothing to be scared of. And being an omega means you will always be taken care of.” He added. Safira nodded slowly with what appeared to be a growing sense of security.

“Yea, I am starting to see that. I’ve noticed omegas are housed for free! But I got an upgrade to a villa. Apparently I got a charity fund or something.” She said as she finished up the last of her dessert. I looked at Jax quickly. We’d put together the anonymous fund so that she’d be in a nicer neighborhood, but we also didn’t want her to feel like a charity case. I pushed my wild hair back off of my forehead and scooted closer.

“Omegas don’t get forced to do chores all day either.” I commented as I remembered her words earlier. “And there will be plenty of time to figure out your hobbies. There are programs set up specifically for omegas to learn and expand on whatever you are interested in.” I added. She looked surprised.

“This is so strange. I feel like I’m living in some kind of dream. I always wanted to find you three, but on top of it, life here seems so much better than back home.” She quickly shut her mouth,like she was embarrassed. It was a strange comment. Life for omegas could be very good, but it came with its downsides as well. Presenting was a difficult process, and she seemed to prefer this world and her body’s sudden changes regardless.

“What was so bad about back home? If you don’t mind us asking.” Jax’s gentle question had her looking down at the table again. She took a moment, then answered as she moved her spoon around in the ice cream idly.

“I think I was so uncomfortable where I was that I never had time to really slow down and live.” she finally said. “I mean, I know how my family wasn't treating me well, but now that I’m away from them I’m starting to see how unhealthy it was. I was so busy walking on eggshells that I didn’t get time or space to be myself and justbe.” Her words broke my heart. She was so young, but it seemed that she’d been living in a bad situation for so long that she felt being lost in a new world was somehow preferable. I could feel the rest of my pack almost vibrating with the desire to simultaneously punish the people responsible for her misery and fix all of her problems. But we couldn't. We weren’t her pack, and there were some things that took time to heal. All we could do was try to support her and show her that life could be better.

She didn’t say more, so I reached out toward her, my fingers brushing her hand. “I’m so sorry, Safira. If there’s anything we can do to help, just say the word.” I murmured, looking at her as she finally made eye contact with me. She gave me a little smile.

“Just seeing you all after so long has already helped. It feels like no time has passed at all when I’m with you.” she expressed,capturing the sentiment perfectly. Time had moved on, and we were all adults now, but the way she effortlessly fit in with us remained unchanged. “You three made such an impact on me when we first met, and you didn’t even know it,” she remarked, making me realize the extent of her struggle.

“We missed you.” Jax’s words were soft but held so much weight to them. She looked around the table at us.

It was as though the air between us had become thicker, heavy with the weight of the new, uncharted emotions that were emerging. I watched her try to maintain her composure while a flush of pink crept onto her cheeks, mirroring my own growing desire. Was I imagining it? Or did our friendship hold the potential for something far more intimate? I knew what I wanted, but I also understood that Safira needed to make her own choice. And if I had to, I’d wait another eight years just to hear her say yes.

Chapter 11

Safira

It was like a dream come to life. I’d often thought of what it would be like to see them again, the boys who’d shown me so much kindness during a time in my life that I’d needed it the most. If I was honest with myself, that brief encounter kept me going more times than I could count. In my darkest moments, I knew that I was worthy of kindness and compassion, that I was interesting and fun, even if most people around me couldn’t see it. After all these years of wondering what happened to the boys I’d met, they were here in front of me.

But I’d never imagined them being quite so tall. Or quite so good looking. In my imagination, I knew they would be handsome. But nothing could prepare me for their chiseled features, their competitive athlete frames, or how absolutely delicious they smelled. As I saw the three of them emerging from the car, I recognized them immediately, despite the years that had goneby since we last met. They were, without a doubt, the most breathtaking people I’d ever seen. Tony had transformed into an impossibly handsome man, with a face straight out of a high-fashion magazine and a physique that seemed sculpted by an artist. He radiated a captivating blend of strength and ease.

Jax, on the other hand, had developed an imposing, almost statuesque quality. His height and build had only become more pronounced, giving him a commanding presence. His dark eyes, though still intense, were fixed on me with a hopeful vulnerability as he gave a reserved smile.

And then there was Kaden, who was off-the-charts hot. His floppy golden blonde hair and the way his whole body seemed to buzz with energy made him look like he was ready to hit the beach and catch some waves. How was it possible that the three carefree boys I had met so long ago had all become verifiable gods?

When I hugged them all for the first time, my head barely reached their chests. Although they were dressed up, I didn’t fail to notice how firm their bodies were. I also needed to take a minute to process everything I was smelling. Kaden crouched down first, and I got a whiff of his individual scent out of the cloud of pheromones. He smelled like fresh basil and amber. Then, Jax reached for me. He was pure oak. Finally, I smelled Tony. His scent reminded me of fresh rain and leaves. Their combined scents jogged my memory - when we had first met, I thought the forest just smelled amazing. It turns out it was them all along.

Growing up, romance had never been my main focus. There were a few people in school I found attractive, but they never matched my idea of what I wanted, and honestly, most guys didn’t even notice me. I’d occasionally daydreamed about being in a relationship, but my priority had always been to establish a stable, comfortable life. And the concept of being involved with more than one man at a time had never crossed my mind—until now, as I sat there eating my gelato, with three sets of eyes on me.

“Thank you, this is the best birthday gift I could have asked for,” I said with a smile as I finished my treat. The three of them exchanged worried glances, as though I had said something unsettling.

“Your birthday?” Jax asked, his eyes widening as he looked at the others.

“It was a few days ago, but still. Seeing all of you again is the greatest present I could have received,” I admitted, feeling a bit self-conscious as I looked down. Kaden reached over and gently placed his hand over mine.

“Safira, if we’d known, we would have planned something special for you,” he said sincerely, his blue eyes searching mine. I nervously laughed, not accustomed to this much attention.

“It’s fine. This is honestly perfect,” I insisted, gesturing towards the gelato shop. “I wasn’t expecting anything for my birthday.” I tried to sound nonchalant, but they seemed to see right through it.

“Safira, what did your family do to celebrate?” Tony asked, his gaze steady and concerned. I swallowed hard, still stinging from the recent incident where Hailey was celebrated and I was ignored.

“Well, they… didn’t do anything for me, really. I’m used to it.” I said quickly. Jax abruptly stood, pushing his chair back.

“No way. Not on our watch,” he declared, and the others followed suit, with Tony tossing my empty ice cream cup in the trash. “We’re taking you to get your birthday gifts, right now.” Jax extended his hand to me, and I felt a flush of warmth on my face as I took it.

“Really, I’m okay with just the ice cream.” I said as we walked out of the gelato shop, the guys surrounding me like bodyguards.

“No, you’re getting some real presents. We’re not letting you get overlooked,” Kaden insisted, leading me to a row of nearby clothing boutiques. I was swept up in a whirlwind as they guided me from store to store, urging me to try on everything from clothes to jewelry. Each time I emerged from the fitting room, they greeted me with applause and approving murmurs. It felt like I was the star of my own romantic film, and being around them was so effortless that it seemed like we had always been this close. Yet, there was a new intensity. Every time I was near them, inhaled their scent, or even just looked at them, I felt a strong, almost irresistible pull. My feelings were more than just friendship, but I tried to keep myself composed. I still knew little about their lives, aside from their involvement in their family businesses.

“We’ll take all of these,” Jax instructed the associate, placing every item of clothing on the counter.

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