8. Aria

8

ARIA

Don't perfume.

Don't perfume.

Do not perfume.

I blink at the alpha standing before me, my mind racing at a thousand miles a second, then to the white van creeping over to us like they are about to toss me inside and race off. I saw that movie. The omega doesn't survive, and I like to think I have some survival instincts, so I use the best one I have in my arsenal as I pop in another piece of candy.

This is what I get for letting my guard down, even for a moment. No good deed goes unpunished, especially when it involves charming alphas and their misplaced desire to help.

"I have a boyfriend." I sure as hell don't have a boyfriend. Too risky. You know, with the hormone problem and all, among other reasons. Arousal equals scents, and I'm not entirely sure the duct tape over my scent glands is going to ward them off. Granted, the only visible glands are my cheeks, and I just can't get around taping those up. Too obvious.

Hell, the neck is questionable, but I wrapped a scarf around my neck so no one would notice, and they haven't.

Malachi rolls his lips inside his mouth, and his smirk turns panty melting, almost as though he views my words as a challenge. Rude. They are anything but.

"A boyfriend?" Malachi's voice is calm, yet there's a subtle challenge. He looks up and down the street. "Shouldn't he be the one helping you with your laundry?"

"Alpha Force." I cross my arms, trying to look defiant. The Alpha Force is the only military branch full of alphas.

Someone in the van scoffs.

"Hey, beautiful." Dash opens up the side door of the van, grinning widely.

"Where the heck is your shirt?" Eyes wide, I take a step back and away from them—four of them. Too much alpha. Oh my, I think my ovaries just decided that we need a heat because his abs are glistening, and that little trail…

Dash glances down at his bare chest, as if just realizing his state of undress. "Oh, this? Spilled coffee all over myself earlier. Hazards of multitasking while on a stakeout, you know?"

"Dammit, Dash!" a voice as cold as ice berates him, and then a shirt gets tossed at his head, but the damage is done.

Slick. Slick. Slick.

Panic makes me say stupid shit.

"I just peed myself." Oh no. Aria. Why are you like this?

I didn't pee myself, I slicked myself. It's totally different, but hey, I was trying to figure out how to lose an alpha in ten minutes or less, and well, I'm pretty sure my word vomit just kicked that into gear. Now I can lose four all in one swift shot.

"You peed yourself?" Malachi repeats slowly as though he isn't taking me seriously.

"Yep." I reach for my basket, which he doesn't hand over. "I'll be taking that now so I can go change my panties."

I'm in it now.

Dash laughs, and I nearly crack my neck when I turn my head to look at him. His laugh is a deep, rich sound that sends a shiver down my spine, despite my current state of mortification. The shirt he was handed is now draped casually over his shoulder, and he doesn't seem the least bit embarrassed about his state of undress.

"Relax, Aria," Malachi says, his voice a soothing balm against my frazzled nerves. "We're not here to harm you."

"I'd believe that if you weren't blocking my exit," I snap back, trying to muster up some semblance of bravado. The slick between my thighs is a traitorous reminder of my body's reaction to their overwhelming presence.

Dash's eyes twinkle with amusement as he watches me, clearly entertained by my predicament. "You're funny. I like you."

"Great, add that to my resume," I mutter, finally managing to tug the laundry basket from Malachi's grip. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go find a hole to crawl into."

As I turn to leave, Malachi steps closer, his scent enveloping me in a heady mix of spice and sunlight. I want to bathe in it. "You don't have to go," he murmurs, his voice low and persuasive. "We just want to talk."

I swallow hard, the primal part of me wanting nothing more than to lean into his warmth and let go of the constant vigilance and just…be. I can't though. Not here. Not now.

"I can't," I whisper more to myself than to him. "I can't do this."

But oh, do I want to.

Malachi's expression softens, and for a moment, I see something raw and vulnerable in his eyes. "We're not the bad guys, Aria. We're just trying to help."

His words hang in the air between us, and for a split second, I'm tempted to believe him, but then I remember the van and the way they all moved in sync like a well-oiled machine, and the reality of my situation crashes back down on me.

"I don't need your help," I say, my voice firmer this time. "I can handle myself."

Without waiting for a response, I turn on my heel and start marching toward my apartment. My heart pounds in my chest, every instinct screaming at me to run, to get as far away from them as possible, but running isn't an option, not with the scent of my slick still clinging to the air around me.

As I walk, I keep getting little whiffs of orange, and I pretty much crush my thighs together, hoping that it doesn't get worse. One would think that in the year of our savior, social media, someone would have come up with a solution to these scents.

I make a mental note to do some internet browsing while I bathe in bleach.

Halfway down the sidewalk, I cast one last glance over my shoulder. Malachi is watching me, his eyes filled with a mix of frustration and something else I can't quite place. Dash is still grinning, clearly enjoying the show, while the other two alphas remain in the background, their gazes intense and unreadable.

I overhear a snippet of their conversation as I move away.

"I'm telling you," Quinn murmurs, "there's something different about her. Did you catch that scent?"

Malachi nods, his expression thoughtful. "It's faint, but I'm not sure it's Aria."

My heart races. Did they smell something? Impossible. I've been so careful.

Thankfully, I can't see the other two, though I know one is Quinn. I don't need to know all of their names.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart as I continue down the street. The sound of their footsteps behind me is unsettling, and I quicken my pace. Are they following me?

Don't look back.

They are keeping their distance, so I have a moment to collect myself and figure out my next move or ridiculous stunt to get them off my back.

My heart's racing, and I'm pretty sure they can smell my fear. But I'll be damned if I let them see me sweat. Gotta keep it together.

The three alphas keep pace with me, and to my utter dismay, they don't seem inclined to leave. They look around the neighborhood as if inspecting it for threats, and I can't help but roll my eyes. All the while, the fourth scowls at me from the driver's seat. That is the energy the rest of them need.

"Didn't I tell you to leave?" I snap out, dropping my laundry basket and crossing my arms over my chest when I finally stop at a crosswalk and turn to face them.

"You did," Malachi replies smoothly, leaning against a streetlamp with a casual grace that belies his alertness, "but we decided to stay."

Quinn swoops in and grabs my basket. He's so close that I watch as his nostrils flare as he cocks his head. Nerves flutter in my belly as I focus on Malachi.

"Decided, huh?" I raise an eyebrow. "And what makes you think I want you here?"

Dash grins, his teeth white against his tan skin. "Call it a hunch."

"A hunch," I repeat, disbelief coloring my tone. "Well, your hunch is wrong. I don't need babysitting."

"Who said anything about babysitting?" Malachi's eyes twinkle with amusement. "Think of it as…an extended conversation."

"An extended conversation," I echo, fighting the urge to laugh. "Well, I'm not interested." Also, I have to head into the salon, and I have less than an hour to get my shit together.

Dash takes a step closer, his gaze dropping to my laundry basket that Quinn is holding against his chest like it's a prize. "You sure? We could help you carry that."

"I can manage," I snap back, my cheeks heating as I turn to Quinn, wondering how I'm going to pry it from his hands. "Besides, I'm pretty sure carrying laundry isn't high on an alpha's list of skills."

"You'd be surprised," Malachi says, his voice low and smooth. "We're quite adept at many things."

"Oh, I bet," I mutter, turning back to the sidewalk. The last thing I need is a visual of these alphas demonstrating their skills.

"You know, you're really stubborn," Dash comments, falling into step beside me. "It's kind of cute."

"Cute?" I snort. "I'm not cute. Puppies are cute. Babies are cute. I'm…"

"Adorable?" Dash suggests, his grin widening.

"Annoying," I correct, giving him a pointed look. That's what I need to do—be as annoying as possible.

"You're not annoying," Malachi says, his tone sincere. "You're…cautious, and given the circumstances, that's understandable."

I narrow my eyes at him. "What circumstances?" What does he know?

"The ones that make you avoid us like we're the plague," he says lightly, though there's an undertone of seriousness.

I swallow hard, my throat suddenly dry. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Malachi steps closer, his gaze never leaving mine. "Yes, you do, and we're here to help, whether you want it or not."

I blink, taken aback by his bluntness. "Why?"

"Because we've seen too many people fall through the cracks," Malachi answers, a shadow crossing his face. "Our pack... we've all got stories, Aria. Stories that'd make your skin crawl. Helping folks like you? It's how we make peace with our past. Besides, all we are doing is escorting you a few blocks home. It isn't that deep."

His words hit me harder than I care to admit. They assume I'm stubborn because I'm alone with no one to help, not because I'm basically living in this smelly city because I have to. It's pure survival at this point, but they are also kind of sweet.

No. Do not think like that!

A war rages inside me. Part of me yearns to accept their help, to let down the walls I've built so carefully. It would be so easy to lean into their strength, to let someone else shoulder the burden for once. But the other part, the part that's kept me alive and hidden all these years, screams danger. Trusting others has only led to pain before. Can I really risk everything I've fought for on the off chance that these alphas are different?

I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. The loneliness of my existence weighs heavily on me, but is the alternative any better? Can I trust them not to hurt me when they discover what I really am?

"I appreciate the offer," I say softly, "but I can't afford to take it."

Dash sighs dramatically, shaking his head. "You're really going to make us work for this, aren't you?"

"Work for what?" I ask, genuinely curious.

"To prove we're not bad guys," he replies, his tone serious for once.

"I never said you were," I whisper.

"Good," Malachi says, his smile returning. "Then we're making progress."

I can't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. "You're relentless, you know that?"

"We've been told," Dash says with a wink. "Now, how about that laundry?"

I shake my head, a reluctant smile tugging at my lips. "Fine, but if you even think about sniffing my underwear, I'm kicking your shins."

My scent is strongest there.

Dash raises his hands in mock surrender. "Deal. We'll stick to the boring stuff."

Don't do it, Aria. "Boring stuff?"

"Sports bras." He wiggles his brows.

"I regret asking." I shake my head as my apartment building comes into view. Relief settles like a dead weight in my stomach.

I'm so glad tomorrow's my day off. I couldn't face work after this.

Fuck it. I'm taking the rest of the afternoon to build myself a nest and masturbate until I pass out from dehydration, and then I'm going to order enough takeout to feed a small army and then live in regret for spending the money.

Actually, that sounds perfect.

Just like last night, Dash and Quinn break apart, though Quinn is still carrying my basket like a prized possession as he looks for threats. I snort. He will find plenty of threats in this little neighborhood. The old brick buildings are literally falling apart and are one storm away from complete dilapidation. I only hope it takes me with it.

"You live here?" Malachi's hand falls to his hip, his eyes scanning the block of apartment buildings.

"Yep." I inhale the scent of garbage in the hot afternoon sunlight that perfectly masks my orange Creamsicle scent. "Don't you love the smell?"

Malachi grimaces, clearly not appreciating the olfactory ambiance. "It's…unique."

Dash nudges him. "I think he means it's a dump."

"Charming," I mutter. "I wasn't aware alphas were so delicate."

"We're not," Malachi counters, his gaze sharp. "But we do have standards."

"Well, welcome to my low standards," I say, a touch of bitterness creeping into my voice. "It's not much, but it's home."

Quinn's eyes soften as he looks around. "You shouldn't have to live like this."

"It's all I can afford," I snap back, my patience wearing thin. "Not all of us can live in fancy houses or wherever it is you come from."

Dash steps in, trying to defuse the tension. "We didn't mean to insult you, Aria. We're just concerned."

"Concerned?" I let out a harsh laugh. "You've known me for less than a day. What do you have to be concerned about?"

Malachi takes a step closer, his expression earnest. "Because we see someone who deserves better."

I blink, taken aback by the sincerity in his voice. For a moment, I'm tempted to let my guard down and believe they truly want to help, but then I remember my reality and the walls come back up.

"Well, thanks for the concern, but I'm fine." I walk up to the entrance of my building, the door creaking ominously as I push it open. "You can leave the laundry there. I'll take it from here."

Quinn hesitates, clearly reluctant to let go of the basket. "Are you sure?"

"Positive," I say firmly, taking the basket from his hands. His fingers brush against mine, and a spark of something passes between us. I ignore it, focusing instead on the safety of my dingy apartment.

Dash leans against the doorframe, a mischievous grin on his face. "You know, we could help you carry it upstairs and make sure you get settled in okay."

My hormones love the sound of that.

"I think I can manage," I reply, trying to keep my voice steady, "but thanks for the offer."

Malachi's eyes narrow slightly. "We'll wait here then. Just to be sure."

I roll my eyes. "Suit yourselves, but don't expect a thank you for something I didn't ask for."

"We're not doing it for thanks," Malachi replies simply.

With that, I turn and make my way up the narrow, creaky, open-air stairs. I feel their eyes on me the entire way, but I refuse to look back. Reaching my apartment, I fumble with the keys, my hands shaking slightly. Once inside, I lean against the door, taking a moment to catch my breath.

Why are they so insistent? What do they really want from me?

My apartment is a small, cramped space, but it's mine. I set the laundry basket down and head straight to the window, peeking through the curtains. Sure enough, the alphas are still there, talking amongst themselves.

I watch as Dash punches Malachi playfully on the arm, while Quinn glances up at my window, concern etched on his face. They look so out of place here in my world.

I step back from the window, running a hand through my hair. I need to get a grip. I can't let them get under my skin. Too late.

Taking a deep breath, I move to the bathroom to wash off the grime of the day and my scent, hoping the water will help clear my mind.

A deafening knock on the door jolts me out of my thoughts, and my heart hammers against my rib cage like a caged animal desperate to escape. Every muscle in my body tenses as I wait breathlessly for whoever is on the other side to make their next move.

"Aria?" Malachi's voice is muffled through the door. "We'll be out here if you need anything. We're not leaving until we know you're safe."

I sigh, shaking my head. "Stubborn alphas," I mutter to myself.

Ignoring the knock, I strip out of my clothes and step into the shower, letting the water cascade over me. The hot water soothes my frayed nerves, and I close my eyes, allowing myself a moment of peace…or at least a moment to think of all the ridiculous things I can do to show these guys I'm feral and no one's omega.