39. Zane

39

ZANE

It's Sunday, and I'm avoiding home like it's a battlefield, knowing she's there, waiting to shatter my resolve. She's everywhere—in my head and in my dreams.

She's under my fucking skin.

I should have come back last night. Instead, I dragged Malachi out on some bullshit mission to obtain the footage from the club, and then, I convinced him to stay with me at the office, a place we rarely ever sleep. I even canceled my Sunday morning class, which made me feel like an asshole because I am an asshole.

My leg bounces as I pull up the surveillance footage from the club Friday night, while Malachi snores on the couch not ten feet from me. I could have asked Quinn, but I can see how much he adores Aria. I'm pretty sure he would have told me to go pound sand, so it's up to me, and it's taken me days to do what he could have done in under an hour, but I trust my gut, and it's never led me astray.

My eyes begin to blur, and I rub the grit from them and stand to stretch. We are in the main office in the heart of Puritan City. The building is nothing more than offices that were once full of hope for new jobs and small businesses. Unfortunately, only half of the building is full. Somehow, Malachi scored us an executive office on the third floor…probably because no one else could afford it.

The building is old and has that old-world charm—something I'd love any other day of the week, just not today. Today, it makes my skin itch. Hell, everything is making my skin itch. It feels too tight, as though I need to peel it off my body. I shuffle over to my cheap coffeemaker. It's absolute shit, and nothing like the one we have at home.

We could have gone into Malachi's office, but I have the good couch…only because I'm the only one who will sleep in his office. Sometimes, I just need to be left alone.

I lean against the counter and look around at the expanse of gray walls without decorations, aside from my GED. I never graduated high school, but I did get that stupid piece of paper on my wall. Hell, I never even went to college, and the only reason I never enlisted in the alpha services is because Malachi came up with this harebrained idea about keeping people safe and protected.

As I stare at the surveillance footage, a memory surfaces, as vivid as if it happened yesterday. Malachi and I, teenagers then, on a sweltering day downtown… It wasn't much, just a row home in the middle, but we had a small patch of grass and a pool in the back. Summer was our favorite season, and someone had just uncapped a fire hydrant down the street. Malachi and I were playing basketball, and the heat was turning the air sour.

We just decided to join them when we heard someone scream. There wasn't any hesitation. We ran. It could have ended up as the worst mistake of our lives, because we got to the fire hydrant in time to see a young girl being held down in front of the spray. We reacted, knocking into the alphas.

We'd just revealed as alphas, so of course we thought we were hot shit. We weren't. They beat the shit out of us, but it saved the girl, and as we all sat there with the ambulance an hour later, she told us something that stuck with me for life.

Between sniffles, she gave us a lecture, and to this day, I remember it word for word, even though I never saw her again.

"You two have strength, but you're wasting it on petty fights and street brawls. This world doesn't need more broken alphas, it needs protectors—men who use their power to make a difference. You've been given a gift, and with it comes responsibility. Channel your strength and anger into something meaningful. Don't be like these other alphas.

"Use your experiences and pain to fuel a purpose. There are so many who live in fear and need the kind of protection only you can offer. Start something that stands for justice, integrity, and protection. Create a service that defends the vulnerable and upholds the principles of honor and respect.

"Build something that ensures no one else has to suffer the way you did. Your scars aren't just reminders of your past, they are a call to action. Answer it, and become the shield and sword for those who can't fight for themselves. That is where you'll find true strength and purpose."

Malachi took it to heart, and he began drafting up Puritan City Alpha Security. It took a decade to get going, and now, a handful of years later, here we are. We worked our asses off to get to this point. She wasn't the first girl we saved, and she wasn't even the only one we failed.

We failed a lot of people, but it was years later, when I almost lost Malachi, that I adjusted my position in his group.

It was one of those cold, rainy nights in Puritan City that seemed to drain the life out of everything. Malachi and I were working late, just another routine shift as security guards for a high-profile corporate building. Back then, we really took any gig we could get. The city was unusually quiet, with only the sound of raindrops tapping against the windows. We had just finished our rounds and were settling in for what we thought would be an uneventful night, then the alarm system went off.

Malachi was always the first to respond, and that night was no different. He sprinted toward the source of the disturbance while I trailed behind, trying to keep up. What we found was a group of armed robbers attempting to break into the building's secure vault. Malachi didn't hesitate. He called for backup and tried to confront the intruders head-on.

The robbers were prepared and heavily armed. A fierce struggle broke out, with Malachi using every bit of his training to hold them off, but in the chaos, one of the robbers managed to get the upper hand. I saw it happen in slow motion—the butt of a gun struck Malachi, disorienting him. As he fell to the ground, the robber shot him in the chest at close range.

The sound of the gunshot echoed through the building, and I felt cold dread grip my heart. Malachi collapsed, blood pooling around him, and the robbers, thinking they neutralized the threat, continued with their heist. I was paralyzed for a moment, watching my best friend bleed out on the cold, hard floor.

Malachi wasn't done yet. Even as his vision blurred and his strength ebbed away, he managed to grab his radio. With what little energy he had left, he called for help one last time. His voice was weak, but it was enough.

Backup arrived just in time. The police and paramedics rushed in, apprehending the robbers and providing Malachi with the medical attention he desperately needed. I stayed by his side as they rushed him to the hospital. The doctors worked frantically, and after what felt like an eternity, they told us the bullet had narrowly missed his heart. Malachi survived, but just barely.

During his long recovery, I visited him every day. We talked about a lot of things, but mostly about the incident. It had shaken him to his core, but it also brought a newfound clarity and purpose. Malachi realized that his survival was more than just a stroke of luck, it was a second chance.

He often mentioned the advice we'd gotten from that day years ago, the words about using our strength for something meaningful echoing in our minds. Malachi understood now more than ever the importance of protecting others and standing up against those who would do harm. This experience became the driving force behind his decision to co-found Puritan Alpha Security with me.

Malachi's near-death experience wasn't just a turning point for him, it was a turning point for both of us. It reminded us of the fragility of life and the importance of our mission. It was also a powerful reminder that we had to use our skills and strength to create a safer world for those who couldn't protect themselves.

As I look back on that night, I realize how close I came to losing my best friend. It was also the day I decided that if Malachi was dead set on helping the world, then it was up to me to keep our pack safe.

Grabbing my coffee, I settle back at the computer, running through the surveillance footage one last time, and this time, I see it.

I rewind the footage, my heart rate picking up with each frame. Aria enters the club, her body language screaming nervousness. Something's off, and I can feel it in my gut. As I watch, time seems to slow, each second stretching into eternity. And then I see it - the moment that changes everything. My breath catches in my throat as I lean in closer, disbelief warring with the evidence before my eyes.

I fast forward to the moment she and another woman sit on the second floor. All that time, and she was literally mere feet from us. They settle in, get drinks, and chat, then an alpha crashes into their table, causing her to freeze as the other woman stands up and faces him. She's small, curvy, and looks as though she will gut that alpha. Squinting, I realize I know the woman—Willow. She's in my women's class. They go head-to-head. My blood boils at seeing someone touch Aria and Willow, but then I catch the alpha's lips—he calls her an omega.

He is looking right at Aria, his finger pointed at her, and he mouths, "Omega."

I feel the blood drain from my face, a cold sweat breaking out on my skin as I stare at the freeze-frame of the alpha calling Aria an omega. The room seems to tilt, the air suddenly thick and hard to breathe. A war rages inside me, my pulse thundering in my ears.

The realization sends a shockwave through me, my emotions warring inside. She's been lying about her designation all this time, a betrayal that cuts deep into the fragile trust I've been trying to build. But beneath the anger, a part of me aches, understanding the fear that might have driven her to such deception. I want to comfort her, to understand, but the alpha in me roars for retribution, for protection of the pack. This internal battle leaves me reeling, unsure of how to proceed.

My mind races with the implications. No, I need to make sure I'm seeing what I think I'm seeing. I rewind and replay the moment over and over, memories of past betrayals flashing through my mind. The last time we trusted too easily, we nearly lost everything. The alpha's words are clear. Aria's an omega. Why didn't she tell us? Why is she hiding this? Fear grips me—fear of losing the pack, the business, everything we've worked so hard to build. I can't let that happen again, no matter the cost.

I replay every interaction we've had with her, searching for other lies, other deceptions. How much of what we know about her is true?

I rub the ache in my chest where her betrayal settles, mixing with a cocktail of anger and fear.

Fuck. I should be elated, but all I can do is feel a surge of anger, almost as though I can't control it. Needing a minute, I roll to our table, particularly when were drugged and can't remember what happened. I don't see anything out of the ordinary. I look at Logan's footage next, and I don't find anything suspicious about him. He goes to the bar, gets the drinks, and comes back. It couldn't have been him. I don't see any moment where he could have drugged us.

Frustration mounts. My hands clench into fists as I struggle to control the surge of emotions. It isn't just about protecting her anymore, it's about protecting us and what we have built. My anger bubbles up, threatening to overflow, but beneath it, there is a current of raw hurt. I trusted her. Despite my reservations, despite my instincts screaming at me to be cautious, I let myself start to care, and this is how she repays that trust.

No, I need another set of eyes to be absolutely sure.

I shake Malachi awake. "Malachi, get up. You need to see this."

He groans, rubbing his eyes. "Zane, what is it?"

"Just get up." I rush back to the desk and rewind the footage again. I wait impatiently for Malachi to shuffle over. "Right here, what's he saying?"

Malachi gives me a look of annoyance as he leans down and squints. I watch his reaction, not the screen. The moment his brows furrow, I know he sees what I see.

Validation.

Just as Malachi is about to respond, his phone rings. He glances at the screen and frowns. "It's the mayor," he says before answering. "Hargrove, what can I do for you?"

I nearly jump out of my skin at the call. Hargrove isn't the best guy, but he pays, and he pays well. Why the hell is he calling on a Sunday?

Malachi holds his phone out and places it on speakerphone so I can hear.

The mayor's voice crackles through the phone, sounding urgent. "Malachi, glad I caught you. I'm so excited." He sounds breathless. "It's about a new bill we just passed, and it is causing quite a stir."

"What's the bill about, sir?" Malachi asks, exchanging a glance with me.

"It's about omega courtships," the mayor explains, his voice tinged with excitement. "The new law requires all alphas to register their intent to court an omega with the government. Any unregistered courtships will be treated as a criminal offense. It's going to change everything. We have Scent Synergy working with us. We are talking background checks and ensuring the omega is documented and not under another pack's control. The penalties for noncompliance are severe—legal action, fines, the works."

I feel the blood drain from my face as I look at the freeze-frame of the alpha calling Aria an omega. A war rages inside me. Part of me wants to protect Aria, to understand why she felt the need to hide this from us, but a larger part, the part responsible for keeping our pack safe, screams that this deception puts everything at risk. We chose to bring her into our lives, knowing she was in danger, but learning she is an omega feels like a betrayal of the trust we extended to her.

The mayor continues. "I need your best team on this. The announcement is going to ruffle a lot of feathers, and we can't afford any security breaches."

"We understand, sir," Malachi responds, his voice steady, despite the tension I see in his shoulders and feel through the pack bond. "We will be there with our top team."

Us. He means us.

"Good," the mayor says. "I'll have my office send over the details. And, boys? Keep this under wraps until the announcement, all right?"

"Of course, Mr. Mayor," we both respond.

As Malachi ends the call, we stare at each other, the implications of what we just heard sinking in.

"You see it, don't you?" I show him the footage again, pointing out the alpha's words. "Aria's an omega, Malachi. She could affect our pack, our business, and everything we have worked for."

My whole body shudders with the realization.

Malachi frowns, skeptical. "Are you sure? Maybe you're misinterpreting it. He could be saying anything." He stares at the screen, his expression a mix of disbelief and growing concern.

"I'm not," I insist. I know I'm right, and his denial only makes me angrier. "Why would she keep this from us?"

Malachi sighs, clearly not convinced. "Zane," he starts, his voice low and serious, "this just got bigger than Aria lying to us. If she is truly an undocumented omega, and we've been courting her without registering…" He trails off, running a hand through his hair. I can practically see the wheels turning in his head as he considers the ramifications.

Even I begin to grasp at straws. "The bill isn't in effect yet."

"But we know." He stresses the word, shaking his head. "We could lose everything," Malachi continues, his words heavy with the realization. "The security contracts, our political connections, the business we've built from the ground up—it could all disappear if word gets out that we've been courting an unregistered omega."

I feel the ground disappear beneath my feet, and I slump into a chair. My own anger is now shadowed by how bad this situation just got.

Malachi paces the small office, his agitation palpable. "This new bill… It's not just about protecting omegas. It's about control and accountability. The government wants to know exactly who is courting whom and why. We've been operating completely outside the system."

"Fuck, I should have listened to those speeches." Nausea swirls in my stomach. I'd rather feel anger. I understand anger, and I can control it. "So what the hell do we do?" I ask, my fists clenching at my sides.

Malachi stops pacing and looks at me, his expression grim. "We need to talk to Aria immediately. We need her to open up to us. We know she's been running from something, likely her ex, but now she needs to open up to us completely. No more half-truths or omissions. Zane, we need to approach this carefully. If we push too hard, if word gets out about her status before we can address it…then the consequences could be devastating, not just for us, but for Aria too. There is no telling what the government will do to her."

"Talk to her? She's been lying to us this whole time. Who knows what else she's hiding?" My anger finally bubbles up, chasing away my nausea. I feel as though my entire purpose is falling apart.

Malachi raises his hands in a placating gesture. "Calm down, okay? Let's handle this rationally. We can't afford to make rash decisions."

I take a deep breath, trying to rein in my frustration. Malachi's right, but it's hard to stay calm when I feel like my world is being turned upside down. "Fine, but she better have a damn good explanation."

What if her ex is an alpha she is already bonded to? What if she just expects us to protect her from a good alpha? That is against the law as well.

I grab the keys and jangle them before walking out of the office without looking back. Either he follows or he doesn't, but I'm going to confront her now.

My mind races from one thing to the next as I step up to the elevator and slam my finger down. The doors open, and I step in, not waiting for Malachi, who still hasn't left the office.

From the first moment I met her, I knew something was off. She's beautiful in that way all omegas are, with their seductive eyes and curves. She's alluring, I'll give her that, but she stank…like onions.

As the elevator doors close, I realize what she's been doing—taping onions to herself so it hides her natural scent.

There's also that witchy woman. She must have sold her a scent suppressant.

That conniving bitch.

As the elevator doors open, I stomp to the car.

"Zane, wait!" Malachi runs up to me.

"No, she's been hiding her scent," I snap back and slide into the driver's seat. I'm just about to slam the door shut when Malachi catches it.

"In the back. You are far too worked up to drive." He gives me a look that damn well tells me I won't win the argument, so I slide over. It's his car anyway.

"Onions, Malachi," I snarl and buckle myself in. "She's been taping onions to herself."

The bastard smirks. "I'll give her credit, that was slick."

"Was it, Malachi? Was it really?" My leg won't stop moving.

"Zane, you have to understand that people have their reasons for not giving the whole truth." He tries to play the voice of reason as he pulls out of the garage.

I'm not here for her excuses though. "Scared? Scared of us? We're supposed to be courting her, or at least you guys are. She should have trusted us."

"And maybe she wanted to but couldn't find the right moment. We don't know her full story."

"Her full story? Malachi, it's been weeks. How much more time does she need?" I place a hand on my knee to keep it still.

Malachi sighs. "Trust isn't built overnight. We know about Noah, we just need her to open up to us, and a week doesn't make a relationship."

"I get that, but an omega? That's a huge secret. How do we protect her if she doesn't trust us?" I argue, that alpha flashing in my vision.

Malachi nods, understanding my frustration. "You're right, it's a big deal, but kicking her out isn't the answer. We need to support her, not alienate her."

I don't agree, so I keep my mouth shut.

How can he not see she is the reason we are fighting? It's her. She is dividing us.

"You will get your answers, but approach this with care, Zane. She's already scared. If we come at her aggressively, it will only make things worse." He pauses before he continues. "Zane, it isn't like she even knows our past."

I grip my knee tighter, my knuckles turning white. "Fine. I'll try to keep my cool, but she owes us an explanation." He's right, I'd never open up to a liar.

"And we'll get it. Just remember, she's part of our pack now. We need to act like it," he says.

Again, I don't agree.

As he pulls up to the house, I snap off my seatbelt. My feet are on the pavement before Malachi throws it in park. I grab the front door and swing it open, charging into the house, my mind a whirlwind of emotions. Her betrayal stings, and the more I think about it, the more frustrated I get.

"Oh no." I stumble as her scent invades my senses. "Oh fuck no." The realization hits me like a freight train. Her scent, the truth of her identity, has all been masked, and now, as it hits me full force, the fear of what else she's been hiding grips my heart.

Orange cream, like my favorite candies. She is my favorite candy—my perfect scent match.

How dare she? How could she? "Aria!" I call out, my voice tight with barely contained anger. I follow her scent up the stairs, right into Dash's room. The pheromones hit me like a freight train, confirming what I already knew.

She's an omega.

My heart pounds in my chest, a mix of rage and disappointment over the crushing weight of yet another betrayal. I let my guard down and allowed myself to care, and this is how she repays our trust.

"Oh my god." I hear Malachi enter. "She's…" He can't even get the words out. I step out into the hallway, slamming the door before I lose control.

Quinn's door opens, revealing him looking guilty and conflicted. His lack of surprise confirms my suspicion. "You knew," I accuse, the words tasting bitter in my mouth. "How long have you been hiding this from us?"

He holds his head high. "Zane, hear me out."

"How could you?" I point a finger at him. I feel my control slipping. The mayor's words echo in my mind, reminding me of the legal ramifications we'll now face.

"Why are you so fucking mad?" he yells back at me.

"Stronger together?" I scoff, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "She's been lying to us from day one. How can we trust anything she says now?" I run a hand through my hair, frustration evident in every movement. "Do you all not understand the danger she's put us in?"

"Zane, calm down."

"Don't tell me to fucking calm down, Quinn," I snap at him.

"You're being irrational, Zane. This isn't helping anyone," Quinn retorts, stepping into my path, his posture tense and defiant. This is when he chooses to grow a backbone?

"She lied to us!" I roar, my anger spilling over. "She's been lying from the moment she walked through that door."

"She was scared, Zane. Can't you see that? She didn't know how to tell us," Quinn reasons, but his words only fuel my rage.

I storm through the house, my rage building with each empty room. The fear that Aria's been manipulating us all along gnaws at me. Her deception about being an omega, about being my perfect match, it's a betrayal that cuts deep, leaving me questioning everything.

"Zane, stop!" Malachi's voice echoes behind me, but I'm too far gone to listen.

I'm about to tear another door off its hinges when I hear the front door open. Aria and Dash walk in, their laughter dying abruptly at the sight of me. Aria's eyes widen in fear, and Dash steps protectively in front of her, his expression hardening.

"What the hell is going on?" Dash demands, his voice low and dangerous as he steps protectively in front of Aria.

"You tell me," I retort. "What the fuck has she been hiding from us?"

Aria's face pales, and she clutches Dash's arm. "Zane, please, let me explain."

"Explain?" I laugh bitterly, memories of past betrayals flashing through my mind. "You've had plenty of time to explain, Aria. Instead, you've been lying to us this whole time."

"I wasn't lying, I was—" Aria begins, but I cut her off.

"Hiding the truth is the same as lying!" I yell, my voice echoing through the house. "Do you have any idea what you have done?"

"Zane, back off," Dash warns, his body tense and ready to defend her. "You are acting too aggressive."

It doesn't matter. She is the one in the wrong here, not me.

"No, he needs to hear this," Malachi interjects, stepping between us. "Zane, give her a chance to explain." There is fear in his eyes, fear that this could tear us apart, but we have to know. All of this has to come out in the open.

I won't allow us to build another relationship on a faulty foundation. Can't they see I'm doing this for them?

I glare at Aria, my fists clenched at my sides. "Fine. Explain. Why the hell have you been hiding the fact that you're an omega?"

Anger flares, hot and immediate all over again, but it's quickly tempered by confusion and hurt. Why didn't she trust us? Part of me wants to lash out, to demand answers, but another part remembers her kindness, her strength.

Dash's face cycles through a range of emotions—shock, confusion, hurt, and finally, a fierce protectiveness. "What?" he murmurs, his grip on Aria tightening. "Aria, is this true?"

"You fucked her and couldn't tell?" I ask, absolutely exasperated.

He tries to defend himself. "Betas can take knots."

"No, they fucking can't, you idiot!" I scream at him.

"Stop, just stop, okay?" Aria's eyes fill with tears, and she takes a shaky breath. "I was scared. You have no idea what I've been through. I've been trying to protect myself."

"Protect yourself? By lying to us?" I shake my head, feeling the betrayal cut deep. "We knew you were running from something bad, Aria. We took you in and protected you, even without knowing all the details, and this is how you repay our kindness?"

Malachi steps forward, his voice calm but restrained. "We've always known you were in a difficult situation, Aria. That is why we offered our protection in the first place, but this…this changes things."

Dash runs a hand through his hair, frustration clear on his face. "We chose to help you and bring you into our lives, knowing you had secrets. This is huge, Aria. This affects all of us."

"I wanted to, but I didn't know if I could," she says, her voice firm but eyes betraying her fear. "The last time I trusted someone with this, it nearly destroyed me." Her fear mirrors my own, but it doesn't lessen the impact of her deception. How can we ever feel safe again, knowing she kept something so crucial from us?

"Bullshit," I snap back. "You've been lying about being an omega this whole time. Do you have any idea what that means for us and our pack? For our business?" I'm sputtering, and I know it, but I can't stop. "Do you have any idea what you've done? We've been unknowingly courting an undocumented omega." I run a hand through my hair, frustration evident in every movement. "The legal ramifications alone could destroy everything we've worked for." My jaw clenches as I continue, "Our contracts? Gone. The mayor could shut us down in a heartbeat. And that's not even touching on the criminal charges we could face." I lock eyes with Aria, my gaze piercing. "Fines, probation, jail time, and that's just for us. What do you think they'd do to an undocumented omega?"

The thought of the potential consequences makes my blood boil. The new law flashes through my mind, reminding me of everything we stand to lose. "Our contracts, our reputation, our entire livelihood—it's all at risk, because you couldn't trust us with the truth about your designation."

I run a hand through my hair, frustration and fear evident in my voice. "And it isn't just about the legal stuff. Having an omega in our pack changes everything. Did you think about anyone other than yourself?"

Aria grows pale. "What are you talking about?"

I let out a cruel, humorless laugh. "Oh, that's right, you wouldn't know, would you? A new bill was just passed. It's illegal to court an undocumented omega. I'm guessing you aren't even legal, are you?"

Her face grows even paler, and for a moment, I want to take my words back. Her hurt floods out of her in waves, the scent of bitter oranges and fear saturating the air. It mingles with my own anger and frustration, creating a suffocating atmosphere that clings to my skin and burns in my nostrils.

"Zane, that's enough," Malachi says firmly, placing a hand on my shoulder. His touch is meant to be calming, but it only fuels my frustration. "Let her speak. We need to hear her out."

Our pack bond, usually a source of strength and unity, now feels strained and chaotic. Confusion, hurt, anger, and fear swirl through it, each of us contributing to the tumultuous mix. Malachi's attempts at reason feel like a thin thread trying to hold us all together. The realization that Aria is not only an undocumented omega but also my perfect scent match feels like a cruel joke. It's the final straw that shatters my already fragile trust.

"It's not just that you're an omega, Aria. It's that you hid it, knowing you were our scent match, and now with this new law, you've put everything we've built at risk. It's betrayal on multiple levels. Our business, our reputation, our very freedom—it's all in jeopardy now. Do you understand the legal nightmare we're in? How can we trust anything you say when you've hidden something this fundamental?"

I turn to Aria, lowering my voice dangerously. "Was any of it real, or were we just convenient protectors for an omega on the run? Did you even think about the position you were putting us in?"

"I'm sorry," Aria says, her voice quiet but steady, despite the tears in her eyes. "I never meant for any of this to happen. I was trying to protect myself…and you." She takes a shaky breath, squaring her shoulders slightly. "There's so much you don't know, and I'm afraid that once you do, everything will change."

Dash steps closer to Aria, his usual easy-going demeanor replaced with fierce protectiveness. "Back off, guys. Can't you see how hard this is for her? There's got to be more to this story, and yelling isn't going to help us hear it."

Aria nods, swallowing hard. "There is. But it's…it's worse than you can imagine. He's not just abusive, he's…" She trails off, her eyes glazing over with fear.

Malachi's expression remains calm, though his eyes betray his concern. "Aria," he says, his deep voice steady and reassuring, "we need to understand the full picture here. Whatever you're afraid of, remember that we're stronger together. Take your time, but please, help us understand."

Aria's breath hitches, and for a moment, it seems like she might not answer. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, she says, "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry."

"Sorry doesn't cut it," I snarl, fighting the instinct to comfort her. "It doesn't change the fact that we've been unknowingly breaking the law, putting everything we've built at risk. We could lose everything because of you. Our business, our reputation, our freedom—it's all on the line now. Do you understand that?"

I clench my fists, trying to control the tremor in my voice. "Your fear doesn't justify putting us all at risk like this. We took you in and protected you, and all the while, you were hiding something that could destroy us."

Quinn steps forward, his brow furrowed with concern. "Zane, I get why you're upset. We all are. But can't you see that Aria's terrified? We need to hear her out." He turns to Aria, his voice softening. "Aria, please. We want to help, but we can't if we don't know what we are up against."

"She's dividing us," I say, my voice breaking. "Can't you see that? She's tearing us apart."

"No, Zane. You're the one tearing us apart right now," Dash says quietly, his voice filled with disappointment. "Shut the fuck up and listen to her."

I stare at him incredulously. "Listen to her? After she lied about something this crucial? Do you not understand the gravity of what she's done?"

Dash steps forward, positioning himself slightly in front of Aria. His usual easy-going demeanor is gone, replaced by fierce determination. "Hold up, we can figure this out," he says, his voice firm but with an edge of his characteristic optimism. "We'll keep her designation under wraps. No one outside this room has to know." He looks around at the others, a hint of his usual grin tugging at his lips, despite the tension. "Come on, guys. We're the Clarke pack. If anyone can protect her and keep ourselves safe at the same time, it's us."

His words hit me like a physical blow. I can't believe what I'm hearing. "Are you out of your mind?" I explode. "Keep it a secret? That's not how this works! We can't just hide an undocumented omega in our pack. It's illegal, it's dangerous, and it goes against everything we stand for!"

I turn to the others, my eyes pleading for them to see reason. "Don't you get it? This isn't just about Aria anymore. If we knowingly harbor an undocumented omega, we become criminals ourselves. Is that what you want?"

No one says a thing, so I turn my rage back to Aria. "Well, talk!"

"I—" She shakes, and a whimper slips past her lips.

I push Quinn back to keep him from going to her. She is clearly dividing us.

Her versus us.

"I'm waiting for your excuse."

"He…" She begins to freeze, and I step forward and grip her neck.

"Tell us why," I bark.

"He will hurt you," she squeaks out.

I bark at her again, pushing all of my power into my words. "Tell us why."

She bites her lips, trying to fight my bark, but she can't. "He killed her," Aria says, her voice barely audible. The words hang in the air, heavy and horrifying. Then, as if a dam has broken, she repeats it, her voice rising with each repetition. "He killed her! He killed her!" Her eyes go wide, reliving a nightmare. She grips the edge of the counter, knuckles white. "Sara was… She was trying to help me. And he… Noah…" She swallows hard, forcing the words out. "I had to run. If he could do that to her, what would he do to me? To anyone who tried to help me?"

The room falls silent for a moment as the weight of her words sinks in. I feel the blood drain from my face as I process what she just said.

Malachi is the first to break the silence, his voice tight with shock and realization. "Killed? Aria, are you saying the person you're running from is a murderer?"

Quinn steps forward, his face pale. "This isn't just domestic abuse or a bad break up. We are dealing with a killer."

I feel my anger momentarily eclipsed by a wave of cold fear. "Fuck. Fuck. Fuck," I mutter. "Not only are you an undocumented omega, but now you've brought a murderer into our lives?" I run a hand through my hair, my mind racing. "Do you realize the threat you've put us in? Legal consequences on one side, a killer on the other?"

Dash moves closer to Aria, his shoulders squared and his aura lashing out. "Who did he kill, Aria, and why didn't you tell us?"

I run a hand through my hair, my mind racing. "We've been operating blind this whole time. We had no idea we were up against a murderer." I turn to Aria, my voice a mix of frustration and fear. "Do you realize how much danger you've put us in by keeping this from us?"

Aria's sobs grow louder, her body shaking. "I'm sorry," she whimpers. "I was so scared. I didn't want to drag you into this."

"But you did drag us into this," I say, my voice hard. "You brought a killer to our doorstep without giving us all the information we need to protect ourselves, and you did it while hiding your true nature as an omega."

"Zane, please?—"

For a moment, I feel myself waver. The hurt in her eyes tugs at something deep inside me, something I've been trying to ignore, but I can't afford to let my growing feelings for her cloud my judgment. We willingly stepped into her complicated life, but I never expected it to threaten everything we've built.

My voice drops to a dangerous whisper, laden with hurt and betrayal. "You need to leave, Aria. Now." I struggle to maintain control, my alpha instincts warring with the sense of betrayal. "An undocumented omega…my perfect scent match… It's too much. It's too dangerous, for all of us."

Aria's eyes widen with shock and pain, and she stumbles back into Dash. "Zane please."

"No," I cut her off. "You've put us in an impossible situation."

"What the fuck, Zane?" Dash steadies her, his eyes hardening as he looks at me. "It isn't that deep."

"Isn't that deep?" Is Dash out of his fucking head?

"No Dash, just, no." Malachi's hand is firm on my shoulder as he whispers, "We need to handle this better, Zane. We can't just throw her out without understanding everything."

I shake off his hand and glare at Aria. "You have five minutes to get your things and go. If you're still here when I come back, I'll throw you out myself."

With that, I turn on my heel and march out of the house, my heart pounding with rage and betrayal. My mind is a storm of thoughts, each one more chaotic than the last. As I stand on the porch, breathing in the cool night air, I try to calm the turmoil inside me.

Malachi joins me, his expression grave. "We need to find out who this he is, if he is connected to Noah, and why she was so afraid. She was talking about murder. This is about more than domestic abuse with an ex."

"I don't care," I snap back. "She lied to us. That's all that matters."

"You should care," Malachi says softly, "because this isn't just about her anymore. It's about us, our pack, and our safety. If we don't get to the bottom of this, we're all at risk. Remember, we're the ones who decided to protect her in the first place. We can't just abandon her now."

Malachi's words make sense, but they can't penetrate the red haze of anger clouding my judgment. My hands shake, and I clench them into fists, trying to ground myself against the tide of betrayal threatening to sweep me away.

"I need time," I mutter, a sense of foreboding settling over me. This revelation about Aria being an omega, my perfect match, and the looming threat of her past—it's all a powder keg waiting to explode. And we're all caught in the blast radius. We chose to insert ourselves into Aria's life, knowing she brought danger with her. We thought we could handle it and protect her while keeping ourselves safe. Now, faced with the reality of her deception and the true extent of the danger, I'm left questioning everything. My feelings for Aria, my duty to my pack, and the risk we've all taken is all tangled up in a knot of fear, anger, and something dangerously close to heartbreak.

"We all do," Malachi agrees, "but we're a pack, Zane. We deal with things together."

I nod, though the rage still simmers beneath the surface. "I'll give her one chance, one chance to explain, and after that, she's gone."

Malachi sighs, knowing it's the best he'll get from me right now. "All right. Let's go back in. We need to hear her out."

The problem is, I'm not sure how much longer I can bear to hear her sweet lies.