31. Aria

31

ARIA

The plush couch in the pack’s secluded cabin swallows me as I sink deeper into its embrace. I wrap my hands around a steaming mug of hot cocoa, its rich aroma battling with the scent of pine from the crackling fire. Outside, the wind whispers through the trees.

Great. Even the weather’s trying to kill my vibe now.

Shadows dance across the room, thrown by the flickering flames. They mirror the chaos in my head as my gaze drifts over my alphas. They are scattered around like some kind of hot guy modern art installation, and I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry at the absurdity of it all.

Malachi’s broad shoulders are silhouetted by the fading light of the window. He’s a stoic leader, even now. Zane is by the mantel, brooding at the flames like they personally insulted his favorite leather jacket. Quinn’s sprawled on the floor, his fingers flying over his smartphone. He’s probably hacking the Pentagon or something equally dramatic. And Dash? He’s perched on a chair arm, looking like he’s ready to break into an impromptu parkour routine at any second.

Their scents hang heavily in the air—Malachi’s cedarwood and amber, Zane’s leather and sandalwood, Quinn’s lavender and bergamot, and Dash’s citrus and ocean breeze. It’s like someone released a pack of models in a perfume store.

Not that I’m complaining.

“Aria.” Malachi’s voice cuts through the silence, deep and commanding. It still makes me want to roll over and show my belly, even after everything. “We need to talk about what happened today. About us.”

I meet his gaze, surprised to see something I’ve never witnessed before in those dark eyes. Is that… vulnerability? From our unflappable alpha? Someone better call the local news, because this is headline material.

“Okay,” I murmur, setting my mug down with hands that refuse to stay steady. I clasp them tightly in my lap, as if that’ll keep the tremble at bay. “Where do we start? With how I nearly got kidnapped by my psycho ex, or how you guys are apparently all in love with me? Because honestly, I’m not sure which is more terrifying at this point.”

Malachi takes a deep breath, squaring his impressive shoulders like he’s about to face down an army instead of one very confused omega. “With the truth. When I got your message today, I’ve never been more scared. The thought of losing you…” He pauses, and I swear I see the great Malachi Clarke swallow hard. “It made me realize something. I love you, Aria—not just as pack, but as my mate. My omega.”

Holy shit. Did he just… My brain short-circuits, and I’m pretty sure I’m doing a great impression of a goldfish right now. My heart’s pounding so hard I wouldn’t be surprised if it burst right out of my chest.

“A pack is like a tapestry,” Malachi continues, his voice taking on that wise tone that always makes me feel like I’m getting advice from a sexy Yoda. “Each thread is unique but stronger together. And you? You’re the thread that ties us all together.”

Before I can even begin to process that bombshell, Zane pushes off from the mantel. His movement is predatory, and I suddenly feel like Little Red Riding Hood, except, you know, I’m in sweatpants and there are four wolves.

“He isn’t the only one,” Zane says, his intense gaze burning into me. I feel a shiver run down my spine that has nothing to do with the temperature. “I love you too, Aria. Your strength, your spirit, and the way you challenge me and make me want to be better… I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”

Zane takes a step closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. “Love’s a battlefield, Aria, and you conquered mine without firing a shot.”

Two love confessions in as many minutes.

This is fine.

Everything’s fine.

I’m not freaking out at all.

My cheeks are on fire, and I’m pretty sure the blush is spreading down my neck faster than a wildfire.

Oh, I am absolutely freaking out.

Quinn unfolds himself from the floor, coming to sit beside me. His voice is soft, like he’s trying to calm a spooked animal, which, let’s be real, isn’t far off. “I know I’m not as bold as these two,” he says with a small smile, “but my feelings are just as strong. I love you, Aria. I love your kindness, your resilience, and the way you light up a room just by being in it. You’re everything I never knew I needed.”

He pauses, and there’s a mischievous glint in his eye that always spells trouble. “You know, statistically speaking, the odds of finding a perfect match are astronomical, but then again, when did we ever play by the rules? You’re like the most improbable, beautiful algorithm, and I’m just the lucky coder who gets to run it.”

I laugh through the tears in my eyes, leaning into Quinn’s warmth. It’s so perfectly Quinn, I could almost forget the emotional roller coaster I’m on. Almost.

I turn to Dash, the last to speak. His usual carefree vibe is gone, replaced by a seriousness I’ve rarely seen. It’s like watching the class clown suddenly deliver a Shakespearean monologue.

“Sparkles,” he says, using that ridiculous nickname that I pretend to hate but secretly love. “I’m not great with words, you know that, but loving you? Heck, that’s like asking if water’s wet or if music’s awesome. It just is, you know? You’re my muse, my heart, and my home. You’re the raddest wave I’ve ever caught, and I never want to come back to shore.”

I’m overwhelmed, my emotions doing the cha-cha in my chest.

Love, fear, hope, and doubt all battle it out in the cage match of my mind. These four incredible men, these alphas, love me . Me, the omega with more baggage than an international airport.

“I…” I start, my voice shaky. My hands are trembling again, and I clench them into fists. “I don’t know what to say. I love you all too, so much it scares me sometimes, but I’m afraid. What if I’m not enough? What if I can’t be what you need? I mean, come on, I can barely decide what to have for breakfast most mornings, let alone handle four alpha mates.”

Malachi moves to kneel in front of me, taking my hands in his. His touch is warm and calloused yet infinitely gentle. “Aria, you are more than enough. You’re everything we need and more. We don’t want you to change or be anyone other than who you are.”

Zane joins him, his hand on my knee. The weight of it is comforting, grounding. “United, we’re an unbreakable force, Aria. Individually strong and collectively unstoppable.”

Quinn’s arm slides around my shoulders, pulling me close. I lean into him, drawing strength from his presence. “We aren’t asking for perfection, Aria. We’re asking for you just as you are—flaws, fears, and all. Even your inability to choose breakfast foods.”

Dash completes the circle, resting his chin on my knee. His touch is light and playful, but his eyes are serious. “Yeah, what they said. Plus, think of all the fun we’ll have figuring this out together. Life’s an adventure, sparkles, and there’s no one I’d rather ride those waves with than you—even if you wipe out sometimes.”

A laugh bubbles up through my tears. Leave it to Dash to make me laugh when I’m on the verge of an emotional breakdown.

I look at each of them in turn, these four alphas who have somehow burrowed their way into my heart. They are each so different, yet all essential.

“I love you,” I say, my voice growing stronger with each word. “All of you. You’ve shown me what it means to be truly cared for, to be protected without being stifled. You showed me that even if we argue and have a blow up, we can work through it. You’ve helped me heal, helped me grow, and I want to keep growing with you, if you’ll have me.”

The smiles that break out on their faces are like the sun coming out after a storm. Malachi speaks for all of them, joy radiating from him like he just won the alpha lottery. “Aria, will you be our omega? Will you accept our bond and become part of our pack, not just in name, but in heart and soul?”

My heart feels like it might burst, and warmth spreads through me that has nothing to do with the fire or cocoa. “Yes,” I whisper, then louder, I add, “Yes, I will. God help me, but I will.”

In the moments that follow, it isn’t just their words that hit me—it’s everything. Malachi’s hand grazes my cheek, his thumb tracing slow, deliberate circles that leaves a warm trail in its wake. I lean into his touch, my eyes fluttering closed for a moment. Zane’s lips brush the curve of my jaw, his touch like fire against my skin, but still grounding me all the same. A small gasp escapes me, and I feel him smile. Quinn’s fingers move with reverence, threading through my hair as he murmurs soft, half formed words into my ear. His gentle touch sends shivers down my spine. Dash, ever the playful one, kisses my shoulder, lingering just long enough to make me smile between the surge of emotions. I can’t help but giggle at his antics, even as tears of joy streak down my cheeks.

Each of them touches me differently—Malachi’s steady warmth, Zane’s fiery intensity, Quinn’s gentle caresses, and Dash’s teasing yet heartfelt presence. It’s as if they are mapping out pieces of my soul, each one claiming a part of me that I didn’t even know I was ready to give.

It isn’t just about the physical touches though. With each kiss and whispered word of devotion, I feel something deeper, something elemental, begin to form between us. A golden thread, warm and alive, weaves through the air, binding us tighter with every heartbeat. I feel it wrap around me, around them, drawing us into a connection that’s stronger than anything I could have imagined. It’s like a pulse in my chest that syncs with theirs, becoming one unbreakable rhythm.

Later, when we’re tangled together, I’m not even sure where one of us ends and the other begins. Malachi’s arm rests protectively over my waist, his presence like a fortress I can always lean on. Zane’s fingers curl into mine, his grip firm and reassuring, like a promise that he’ll never let me fall. Quinn’s breath is a soft rhythm against the back of my neck, calming me in a way that only he can. Dash sprawls out beside me, his leg thrown over mine in a way that feels so natural, so us, that I can’t help but smile in the dim light.

For the first time, I feel safe. Truly safe. It isn’t just the warmth of their bodies or the way they shield me with their presence. It’s the certainty that, with them, I’m never alone, that I can face whatever comes next, no matter how terrifying.

The future is still uncertain. I know Noah is out there, a dark cloud waiting to strike. The fear lingers at the edges of my thoughts, but here, now, in this moment, it doesn’t have power over me—not while I’m wrapped in the love and strength of my pack.

As sleep begins to tug at my consciousness, the warmth of their bodies surrounding me, my mind drifts to the challenges ahead. There will be battles, moments of doubt, and the ever-present danger of Noah looming on the horizon, but bring on the chaos. We have a pack of badasses and an omega who’s done running.

Just as I begin to slip into sleep, a sudden chill snakes down my spine, cutting through the warmth like a knife. I shiver, instinctively curling into Malachi’s protective embrace. The comfort of the moment falters as my mind races with unanswered questions. How long will this perfect moment last? How long before Noah finds us again? When he does, will this bond—this beautiful, fragile thing we’ve built—be strong enough to survive the storm that’s coming?

Noah’s face flashes in my mind, his cold eyes and cruel smile burning in my mind. I remember his words at the salon and the threat in his voice when he promised this wasn’t over. He’s still out there, waiting for the right moment to strike, and he isn’t working alone. There’s an entire network behind him, a shadowy world of omega trafficking that we’ve only just begun to uncover.

The magnitude of what we’re up against settles over me like a heavy blanket. It isn’t just about me anymore, or even about our pack. There are other omegas out there who are vulnerable and alone, who need protection from Noah and his network. Can we really make a difference? Can we fight an enemy that seems to have members everywhere?

I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. The scents of my alphas surround me. Yes, the road ahead is uncertain and fraught with danger, but we aren’t facing it alone. From now on, where you go, we go. No more solo acts in this pack.

As I finally drift off to sleep, one last thought flits through my mind. It’s time to flip the script. Noah thinks he’s the predator. Let’s show him what a real pack can do.