Page 7 of The Long Lost Omega

Tony

“These are nice, but I’d like them in a shade lighter.” I said as the sales associate nodded, taking the sheets as he went to the stock room in the back. The home goods store was one of the best in Haven, and I left work early to get this errand over with. I checked my watch as I waited. Life had been feeling odd lately, like I was being taken downstream by a current, just following along my predetermined life path without giving it any resistance. I’d always imagined I’d be living a much different life by now, but that was neither here nor there. I had nothing to complain about, not really.

Life was good by all accounts. Business was going strong, and my pack was set to be even more successful soon. Our fathers were proud of our work so far, and we were getting recognized for our achievement. But I felt something nagging at me. Shouldn’t I feel more content if my life was so great? I shook off the feeling asthe associate came back with the sheets. “Is this more to your liking?” he asked. I felt the fabric, appreciating how soft it was as I ran my hands over it.

“Yes, this will do. Please package it up and I’ll be on my way.” He nodded and I followed him to the register. I took my purchase and made a mental note of what else I needed to pick up. I wanted to get everything done today so I could relax with the guys later. Keeping busy helped me not to overthink. I pushed through the doors to head to the next shop, but once my feet hit the pavement I stopped. A scent hit my nose, pulling up memories in such a vivid way that I nearly dropped my bags. It was faint, but it was there. My instincts took over and suddenly I was walking quickly down the street, following the scent as my heart raced. Could it be? I almost didn’t dare to think of what might be possible - I didn’t want to get my hopes up. I followed the scent, the intensity growing stronger as I turned down the path to where it was drifting from. Further down the street, I saw a cluster of people. That’s where I needed to be. My jog turned into a sprint as I ran closer. The scent wasn’t full or developed yet, but was clear and distinct enough for me to know one thing for certain. This was an omega. A new one, with a very recent presentation. But it was also a scent that was very familiar to me.

I slowed my pace once I reached the group and got a better idea of what was going on. People were trying to help someone who looked lost and confused. I saw her from behind, and my heart almost stopped. Thick, wild hair, dark as a raven. Short, but taller than when I’d seen her last. She turned, and although she was older now, I knew in my heart it was her.

“T-Tony?” The words coming from her mouth were the sweetest thing I’d ever heard. Her big brown eyes grew wider as she looked up at me. I knew I looked different, but I could have burned up with joy that she recognized me. “How… how is this possible?” she asked in a wavering voice.

“Safira? Is it you?” I asked quietly. This was not a dream. She was here, the mystery girl we’d met so long ago, in the flesh. I walked toward her, transfixed at how absolutely stunning she’d become. I almost didn’t feel the hands pulling me back until I was nearly face to face with her.

“Leave her be!” A few people were yelling at me now, and I had to shake myself back into reality. Safira was anomega. An unbonded one, and I was an alpha. Her scent was already making me possessive of her, even though I could tell she’d only just started to present. “The police are on their way!” A woman said sharply, blocking Safira from me. I stood still, not moving any closer, but refusing to back up.

“I mean her no harm. I know her.” I said to the group made up of betas who were eyeing me with suspicion.

“She’s only just presented, and you will stay where you are.” The woman said. Then Safira surprised everyone as she pushed through the group toward me.

“Tony! Where am I?” she cried, and I could sense the tinge of distress in her scent as well as her voice. She pummeled into me, wrapping her arms around me while everyone gasped at us. Iimmediately embraced her, burying my face into her hair. It washer. After all this time. She was real.

“You’re safe, omega.” I said softly, never wanting to let her go. She fit perfectly in my arms. The last time I felt this good was over eight years ago, when I’d spent that magical day with the girl who I later knew was surely my mate. She looked up at me.

“What?” Her eyes were filled with confusion.

“You just presented, Safira. You're an omega. It’s okay. You’re going to be okay.” I ran my hands over her back and smiled at her, and she relaxed at my words.

Our bubble of happiness was popped by the sounds of an ambulance. Several police cars pulled up next, and the EMTs and officers started clearing the crowd away from us. “Sir, we need you to step away from the woman.” One of them commanded. Even though everything in my body rebelled against letting her go, I released her and stepped back. Once I was further away, a woman approached Safira, introducing herself as an omega social worker.

“We got a call about someone presenting as an omega. We need to get you away from the public for everyone’s safety. We’ll be taking you down to the hospital to make sure you are healthy and get you some suppressants. Do you have a family member you can call to meet you?” She said to Safira, who still looked confused.

“What? No, I’m lost. My phone doesn’t work. I don’t know where I am.” The officers looked at each other, and started talking in low voices.

“In that case, we will have to get you checked out for injury as well. Don’t worry, dear. We can get you all sorted out.” She took Safira’s arm and started walking to the ambulance, while Safira looked back at me in alarm.

“Wait! Come with me!” she called out to me.

“Do you know this woman?” One of the officers asked me, blocking my path.

“Yes!” I said sharply, wanting to follow her. I just found her. I never wanted to lose her again.

“What’s her last name? Relation to you?” He asked, and I paused.

“Well, I met her before. When we were kids.” I said, and he shook his head.

“I can’t let you ride with her. With all due respect, you’re an alpha and she just presented. You understand the risk.” He held a bit of sympathy in his voice. I looked over at Safira, who was now on a stretcher.

“I’ll come find you! I promise!” I called out to her. I didn’t care if I needed to follow them and stay outside the hospital until shewas cleared to leave. I wasn’t losing her again. She just nodded, her eyes still big and filled with uncertainty.

“Step back, sir. She’ll be fine. But only immediate family are allowed to visit. And alphas are not permitted to be in the omega wing. If you’re on the registry and courting her, we can arrange monitored visitation.” The officer’s words slammed me back into reality. Safira was here, inexplicably turning up after disappearing without a trace all those years ago. And my pack wasn’t on the registry. I nodded, stepping back and pulling out my phone as they took her away in the ambulance. My body screamed at me to run after her, follow her until the ends of the earth. Already her scent was fading, and my alpha side wanted to kick through all these people who had taken her away. I kept my instincts pushed down as I made the call. Kaden answered, and when I was sure Jax was with him I told him to put me on speakerphone.

“You won’t believe this. I found her.” I said breathlessly, still watching the ambulance as it disappeared around the corner.

“Who?” Jax asked cautiously, but he already knew.

“Her. Safira. She’s back.” I answered, knowing our entire lives were going to change. Now that I knew she was real, that we weren’t crazy and that she was somehow here again, my body relaxed. I dropped my bags from earlier, my mind having completely forgotten that I’d been shopping mere minutes ago. As the bag hit the cement, I cringed. The universe had a funny way of timing things. All of my errands today were to prepare a room in our house for another omega. The onewe were promised to, our future packmate, and one who was absolutelynot our true mate.

Chapter 6

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