22. Malachi

22

MALACHI

My new office at Omega Guardians is a far cry from the sterile meeting rooms I’m used to. It’s all warm wood and soft leather, with floor to ceiling windows that bathe the space in natural light. I picked this room specifically for its view of the city skyline.

I drum my fingers on the polished mahogany desk, its smooth surface cool beneath my touch. The rhythmic tapping does little to calm the storm brewing inside me. Even the faint hum of the state-of-the-art air purifier can’t quite drown out the sound of my racing thoughts.

Suddenly, a scent hits me like a freight train—orange creamsicle. Aria . My body reacts instantly, every muscle coiling tight, ready to spring. I hear her footsteps echoing down the hall, each click of her heels sending a jolt through me. It’s like my whole world narrows down to that sound, that scent.

The door swings open, and there she is. Aria storms in like a force of nature, all fire and determination wrapped in a deceptively delicate package. Her eyes lock onto mine, a challenge glinting in their depths. I can’t help but admire her spirit, even as I brace for the verbal sparring match I know is coming.

“Malachi,” she says, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Let me guess, another thrilling discussion about how I need to be bubble wrapped for my own safety?”

I can’t help the small smile that tugs at my lips. Even pissed off, she’s breathtaking. “Not quite,” I reply, gesturing to the plush leather chair across from me. “I was hoping we could find a middle ground—one that keeps you safe without clipping your wings.”

Aria snorts but takes a seat anyway, her eyes darting around the room, taking in every detail. “This ought to be good. Nice digs, by the way. Trying to impress someone?”

I lean forward, clasping my hands on the desk. “Let’s start with the basics. No unannounced visits to your apartment. No tracking your phone without your knowledge.”

Aria’s eyebrows shoot up, her surprise evident. “Well, that’s a start. What about scent marking?”

“Off-limits unless you explicitly request it,” I state firmly, watching her reaction carefully.

She nods, a hint of approval in her eyes. “And pack gatherings?”

“You’re welcome to attend, but you can leave whenever you want, no questions asked.”

Aria leans back, studying me with an intensity that makes my skin tingle. “And what about my status? I’m not automatically pack just because you’re protecting me, right?”

I shake my head, feeling the weight of my words. “You’re your own person, Aria. This arrangement doesn’t change that.”

She chews on her lower lip as she thinks. It’s distracting as hell, and I have to force myself to focus on her words instead of her mouth. The sunlight streaming through the windows catches in her hair, creating a halo effect that’s almost ethereal.

“How do I know I can trust this?” she asks, her voice sharp. “You haven’t exactly given me many reasons to believe in you or your pack.”

Her accusation stings, but I can’t deny the truth in it. I take a deep breath, choosing my next words carefully. “Trust is like a bridge, Aria. It’s built slowly, one plank at a time. I’m asking you to let us lay down the first plank. You decide how far across that bridge you want to walk.”

Aria’s expression softens just a fraction. She leans in, and her scent envelops me, making it hard to think straight. “Why does it matter to you so much?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper. “Why am I so important to the pack?”

The air between us crackles with tension. I can hear my own heartbeat thundering in my ears. “Because you matter,” I answer, my voice rough with emotion. “To the pack, yes, but also… to me. You challenge us, Aria. You make us question our assumptions and push us to be better. That’s rare and invaluable.”

Aria’s eyes widen slightly at my words, a flicker of something passing over her face before she schools her expression. She leans back, crossing her arms.

“Fine,” she says after a long moment. “I’ll give this arrangement a try, but I have conditions of my own.”

I nod, relief and anticipation warring inside me. “Name them.”

“First, I want full transparency. No more secrets or half-truths. If there’s something I need to know about the pack, about the threats we’re facing, or about anything that concerns me, then I want to hear it.”

“Agreed,” I reply without hesitation, admiring her forthrightness.

“Second, I want combat training. If I’m going to be in danger, I want to be able to defend myself.”

I clench my jaw, not liking the idea of Aria putting herself in harm’s way, but I force myself to nod. “We can arrange that with Zane.”

A mischievous glint enters her eye that tells me that is exactly what she was looking for. “Perfect.”

The image of Aria, flushed and panting beneath me on training mats, flashes unbidden through my mind. I swallow hard, trying to banish the thought.

“And third,” Aria says, leaning forward with a gleam in her eye, “I want to be involved in pack decisions that affect me. No more treating me like a helpless damsel.”

I nod, impressed by her assertiveness. “That’s fair. You’ll have a voice in any decisions concerning your safety or involvement with the pack.”

Aria extends her hand across the desk. “Then we have a deal, Alpha.”

I take her hand, savoring the warmth of her skin against mine. The touch sends a jolt of electricity up my arm, and I have to resist the urge to pull her closer.

“Deal,” I say, my voice huskier than I intended.

As we shake on our agreement, the air between us grows thick with tension. Aria’s scent intensifies, filling my nostrils with that intoxicating orange creamsicle aroma. Her pupils dilate, and I hear her heartbeat quicken.

“So,” she says, not releasing my hand, “about that combat training…”

I clear my throat, trying to regain my composure. “Right. I’ll set up a session with Zane for next week.”

Aria’s lips curve into a sly smile. “Looking forward to it.”

As she stands to leave, her hip brushes against the desk, causing her to stumble. Without thinking, I’m on my feet, wrapping my arms around her waist to steady her. The sudden proximity is overwhelming. Her body fits perfectly against mine, her soft curves melding with hard muscle. Her breath catches, and I feel her pulse quicken beneath my fingertips.

“Careful,” I murmur, my lips mere inches from her ear.

Aria turns her head, her gaze locking with mine. The air crackles between us, charged with an electric tension that threatens to consume us both. Her lips part slightly, and I catch the faintest glimpse of her tongue darting out to wet them.

“Malachi,” she murmurs, her voice husky with desire.

I know I should let her go, step back, and maintain some semblance of professional distance, but my body has other ideas. My grip tightens on her waist, pulling her flush against me.

“Tell me to stop,” I growl, giving her one last chance to end this before we cross a line we can’t uncross.

Instead of pushing me away, Aria slides her hands up my chest, resting them on my shoulders. “Don’t you dare,” she whispers, and then her lips are on mine.

The kiss is electric, a jolt of pure sensation that ignites every nerve ending. Her lips are soft yet demanding, moving against mine with a hunger that matches my own. Her taste—sweet like oranges with a hint of spice—floods my senses, drowning out everything else. My hands move of their own accord, one tangling in her hair and the other pulling her closer, eliminating any space between us.

I’m vaguely aware of the soft moan that escapes her, the sound sending a shiver down my spine. Her fingers dig into my shoulders, her nails biting through the fabric of my shirt. The pain only heightens the pleasure, and I deepen the kiss, teasing the seam of her lips with my tongue until they part for me.

As our tongues dance, I’m struck by how perfectly we fit together. It’s as if every curve of her body was made to align with mine. Heat builds between us, threatening to consume us both. I can feel her heart racing against my chest, her pulse pounding in time with mine.

Reality crashes back in all too soon. Aria pulls away, sinking into her chair, her eyes wide with a mix of surprise and something else.

“Malachi, I…” Her voice shakes.

“It’s okay,” I say softly, even as everything in me screams to pull her back into my arms. “You don’t have to explain. The ball’s in your court, Aria. No rush.”

Aria nods, smoothing her clothes with trembling hands. “We should tell the pack, right? About… this?”

“Yes,” I agree, my voice rougher than I’d like, “but only when you’re ready. This doesn’t change our commitment to your safety. If anything, it strengthens it.”

She nods again, lingering for a moment before standing. “I… I need some time to think.”

“Of course,” I say, rising as well.

As the door clicks shut behind her, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. The room still smells like her—oranges and cream and possibility.

I sink back into my chair, my mind reeling. What if this makes everything worse? What if, in trying to protect Aria, I just painted an even bigger target on her back?

The weight of leadership settles on my shoulders like a lead blanket. I’ve faced down rival packs and navigated political minefields, but this—this terrifies me in a way nothing else ever has. For the first time in my life, I have something to lose that I’m not sure I can live without.

As I finally stand to leave, Aria’s scent lingering on my skin like a promise, I can’t shake the feeling that everything is about to change. We crossed a line, and I’m not sure if I want to find my way back. The thought both exhilarates and terrifies me in equal measure.

I find myself wondering how the other pack members will react to this development. Quinn might see the strategic advantages or pitfalls. Dash’s laid-back nature might help ease any tension, or he might surprise us all with unexpected jealousy. Zane… well, Zane’s reaction is anyone’s guess.

One thing’s for certain—our pack dynamics are about to get a lot more complicated. As I recall the taste of Aria’s lips and the feeling of her body against mine, I can’t bring myself to regret it. We’re in for a wild ride, but at least we have a full tank of gas.

I turn to look out the window, the city sprawling before me. Somewhere out there, Noah is plotting his next move, but for once, I feel like we might actually be a step ahead. With Aria by our side, we might stand a chance, and that thought, more than anything else, gives me hope for the future.