18. Aria

18

ARIA

The world feels off-kilter, like I’m walking on shifting sand. My thoughts spin in a dizzying whirlpool of fear and disbelief. The scent of fresh paint and new beginnings that seemed so promising earlier now feels sickeningly sweet, almost mocking.

“Aria, breathe,” Quinn says softly. His eyes are full of concern, but there’s a calm steadiness there, too, that helps anchor me. “You’re safe right now. We’re going to figure this out.”

I nod, though my hands are shaking as I clutch the armrests. The cool, smooth plastic under my fingers contrasts with the warmth of Quinn’s touch. For a moment, I let myself imagine what it would be like to always have this—to always have someone to lean on. The thought is both terrifying and exhilarating.

He crouches in front of me, his expression softening. “I’m going to call the others, okay? We need their help.”

I hesitate, caught between the desire to handle this on my own and the cold reality that Noah—Logan—is here, and I’m not equipped to face him alone. I give him a small nod, allowing Quinn to step away and make the call. His voice is a low murmur in the background as I close my eyes and try to calm my racing thoughts.

The bell above the door chimes sooner than expected, the sharp sound cutting through my reverie. My eyes snap open to see Malachi striding in, his presence filling the room with an aura of authority. Zane and Dash follow closely behind, their faces grim with determination and concern.

For a moment, I’m struck by the sight of them all together. They look slightly disheveled, as if they dropped everything to come here. Malachi’s usually impeccable suit is slightly rumpled, Zane’s hair is mussed like he’s been running his hands through it, and Dash’s T-shirt looks hastily thrown on.

Their scents hit me next—a potent mixture of alpha pheromones tinged with worry and protectiveness. It’s almost overwhelming, but there’s something oddly comforting about it too, like being wrapped in a warm, familiar blanket. Each of them affects me differently—Quinn’s presence is a soothing balm, Zane’s intensity sends shivers down my spine, Dash’s energy is contagious, and Malachi makes me feel inexplicably safe.

They move with a silent coordination that speaks of their bond as a pack. Malachi naturally takes the lead, with Zane flanking him and Dash bringing up the rear. They look between me and each other, having entire conversations in glances and subtle nods.

“Aria,” Malachi says, his deep voice filled with an urgency that matches the frantic beat of my heart, “what happened?”

I swallow hard, the words stuck in my throat. The concern in their eyes and the way they all rushed to my aid is almost too much. A lump forms in my throat, and I feel tears pricking at the corners of my eyes.

“Logan… Noah. He’s here. In Puritan City,” I choke out, my voice breaking on the last word.

Suddenly, it’s all too much. Fear, stress, and the unexpected support crash over me like a wave. A sob escapes me, and I feel my knees give way, but before I can fall, strong arms are around me—Quinn from one side, Dash from the other. Zane steps forward, his hand gentle on my shoulder, while Malachi’s steady presence anchors us all.

For the first time in what feels like forever, I let myself break down, and as I cry, surrounded by the pack, I realize that maybe I’m not as alone as I thought.

Dash’s expression darkens, his usually carefree demeanor replaced by something fierce and protective. “Noah? As in—” He pauses, running a hand through his hair, his touch on my arm tightening slightly. Then, with forced lightness, he adds, “Hey, look at it this way, at least we’re all getting some quality pack bonding time, right? Silver linings and all that.”

“We didn’t put it together,” Zane interrupts, his face pale and eyes intense with a mix of anger and self-recrimination. His hand tenses then relaxes on my shoulder, as if he’s fighting the urge to pull me closer. “Logan is Noah. He’s been here all along, trying to get to you through us.”

I stare at them, my mind struggling to catch up. “What do you mean?”

Malachi’s jaw tightens, his calm exterior barely containing his frustration. He kneels in front of me, his presence both comforting and intimidating. “Logan approached us, wanting to join the pack. He was… convincing and charismatic.” He takes a deep breath, his voice becoming more measured. “We underestimated Noah once, but we won’t make that mistake again. Every challenge we face makes us stronger, Aria. This situation, as difficult as it is, will unite us in ways we never imagined.”

“But how?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. “How did he fool all of you for so long?”

Malachi exchanges a glance with Zane, who speaks up, his voice tight with anger. “He played us, used a combination of charm, half-truths, and… well, we suspect some sort of scent-masking technology. We were so focused on ourselves, we never imagined the danger was already among us.”

Dash’s eyes meet mine, and I see regret and frustration mingling there. His thumb rubs soothing circles on my arm as he speaks. “We thought he was just another alpha trying to join our pack. We didn’t realize… Aria, I’m so sorry. He played us all.”

The room spins slightly as I process their words. They’ve been surveilling him, not me, but somehow, Logan—Noah—slipped through the cracks and got closer than anyone realized. The thought makes my stomach churn.

“We should have known sooner,” Quinn says quietly, his hand squeezing my shoulder. His touch, warm and reassuring, helps ground me. “But we’re here now, and we aren’t going to let him near you.” He pauses, a hint of his usual wit returning. “You know, Aria, I could design a state-of-the-art security system for this place. It’ll be so good, even I couldn’t hack it, and that’s saying something.”

Despite everything, I feel a small smile tug at my lips. I take a shaky breath, the enormity of the situation settling over me. “What do we do now?”

Malachi doesn’t hesitate, his voice carrying the weight of a decision already made. “We get you to Omega Guardians. It’s the safest place with the highest security.”

The idea of putting myself back under their care sends a flicker of resistance through me, but the memory of Noah’s cruelty and the threat he poses looms larger.

I nod, my voice stronger now. “Okay, but on my terms. I’m not just hiding away—I’m preparing to face this head-on.”

The irony of seeking safety in a cage isn’t lost on me.

The ride to Omega Guardians is a blur of movement and low voices. I’m vaguely aware of the pack forming a protective circle around me, their presence a strange but welcome comfort. Their scents mingle in the confined space of the car, creating a cocoon of alpha pheromones that both comforts and suffocates me. Quinn sits beside me in the back seat, his hand finding mine again, and the warmth of his touch provides a steady reassurance.

As we drive through the city, the familiar landmarks take on a sinister quality. Every shadow seems to hide a threat, every passerby a potential danger. The neon signs and streetlights blur into a dizzying kaleidoscope, matching the chaotic swirl of my thoughts.

When we arrive at Omega Guardians, its windows gleam in the night. The guys pull right up to the sidewalk, and one by one, they get out with me, flanking all sides. Willow is already waiting at the entrance, her face tight with worry. She rushes forward, pulling me into a hug that’s both fierce and gentle.

The familiar scent of her perfume—lavender and vanilla—washes over me, soothing the jagged edges of my nerves. “Aria, I’m so glad you’re okay.”

I cling to her for a moment, letting her steady presence calm me. “I’m alright,” I say, even though my voice trembles.

Willow turns to the pack, her expression businesslike. “Thank you for bringing her. We’ve increased security, but we need to coordinate closely on this.” Her voice becomes firmer, more decisive. “We aren’t just protecting you, Aria. We’re creating a space where you can grow stronger and become the person you’re meant to be.”

Malachi nods, his stance widening slightly. “We’re committed to keeping her safe. Anything you need, we’re on it.”

I watch the exchange, feeling a strange mix of gratitude and unease. This collaboration between Omega Guardians and the pack is new territory, and I’m not sure how to navigate it.

As Willow leads me inside, I glance back at the pack, taking in Quinn’s encouraging smile, Malachi’s seriousness, Zane’s intense focus, and Dash’s protective stance. For the first time, I consider the possibility that maybe, just maybe, they really do have my back. As I watch the pack interact with Willow, coordinating my protection, I feel a strange ache in my chest. They were all here for me, risking everything. How could I keep holding them at arm’s length?

Maybe letting others in doesn’t always mean losing myself.

“Aria.” Zane rushes up to the door, his voice low and urgent. I admit my whole body buzzes as he calls my name. “Let’s train again.”

“As in…” I trail off, surprised by his sudden request.

“Tomorrow morning, you and me.” He releases a long breath, his intense gaze softening slightly. “Let me teach you again. Please. Training isn’t just about physical strength, Aria. It’s about understanding the shadows within yourself and learning to harness them.”

All I can do is nod, a mix of anticipation and nervousness fluttering in my stomach. The intensity in Zane’s eyes stirs something in me—a mixture of anticipation and nervousness that has nothing to do with the training itself.

“Get some rest,” Willow says as she shows me to a quiet room. The space is simple but comforting, with soft lighting and a faint scent of lavender in the air. “We’ll talk more in the morning.”

I nod, sinking onto the bed as exhaustion pulls at me. The events of the day replay in my mind, the fear still sharp but tempered now by the sense that I’m not alone. The soft sheets and the weight of the blanket provide a cocoon of safety, however temporary.

As I close my eyes, I overhear the pack talking in the hallway, their voices low but determined. Words like “round-the-clock protection” and “every resource” filter through the door, and the weight of what’s ahead settles over me.

Suddenly, I hear Dash’s voice rise, his frustration evident. “We can’t just keep her locked up here. What if there’s a breach? We need a backup plan.”

“Omega Guardians is the safest place for her right now,” Malachi responds, his tone firm but understanding.

“But is it really?” Quinn interjects, his voice uncharacteristically serious. “Noah got past us. Who’s to say he can’t infiltrate here too?”

Their words send a chill down my spine, but also ignite a spark of determination. They are right. I can’t just rely on others to keep me safe. I need to be ready for anything.

Tomorrow, I’ll have to figure out how to move forward, how to work with the pack, and how to confront the threat Noah poses, but for now, I’ll rest, holding onto the faint, flickering hope that maybe, this time, things will be different.

As sleep begins to claim me, one last thought drifts through my mind—no more escape routes for me. I’m planting my feet and facing this head-on.

The real test isn’t facing Noah, though, it’s trusting those who want to help while never forgetting that, in the end, I’m my own best defense. Come morning, I will rewrite this whole damn script.