32. Zane

32

ZANE

It’s late the following day, and my jaw cracks as I yawn. I’ve been sitting out here all day, not that Aria knows that. When Malachi said he was going to work with the Omega Guardians, he meant it. Right now, my only assignment is Aria, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I lean against my car, scanning the bustling street outside Aria’s salon. The scent of leather and sandalwood—my own pheromones—mixes with the city’s exhaust and the lingering aroma of hair products that seep out of the door every time someone leaves. My muscles are tense, and every instinct is on high alert. The cacophony of the city—car horns, chatter, the distant wail of a siren—grates on my nerves like nails on a chalkboard.

The salon door opens with a cheerful chime that’s way too peppy for my current mood, and Aria’s sweet scent of orange creamsicle wafts toward me, momentarily soothing my frayed nerves. As she steps out, her hair gleaming under the afternoon sun like spun gold, my gaze catches on a familiar figure lurking in the shadows across the street—Noah.

Fuck.

My jaw clenches, and a low growl builds in my chest. I force it down, not wanting to alarm Aria. She’s been through enough already. The urge to confront Noah, to tear him apart with my bare hands, is almost overwhelming, but I can’t—not yet. Sometimes, the best defense is a shadow you didn’t know was there.

“Hey, baby girl,” I call out, plastering a smile on my face that feels about as natural as Dash in a library. “Ready to go?”

Aria’s face lights up when she sees me, and my heart does that annoying flutter thing that makes me feel like a lovesick teenager. How did I get so lucky?

“Zane! I didn’t expect you to pick me up today,” she says, reaching up to place a quick kiss on my cheek. Her lips are soft. I resist the urge to turn my head and capture her lips with mine.

Now is not the time, Zane. Focus.

I wrap an arm around her waist, pulling her close. The warmth of her body against mine is grounding, reminding me what I’m fighting for. “Thought I’d surprise you,” I murmur, my eyes still tracking Noah’s movements. He’s pretending to be engrossed by his phone, but I can see the way his eyes flick toward us every few seconds. Amateur.

As I help Aria into the car, I make a quick decision. “How about we grab dinner before heading back to the cabin?” I suggest, buying us some time to lose Noah. The idea of leading Noah straight back to our home, our sanctuary, makes my skin crawl worse than that time Quinn tried to cook.

Aria agrees enthusiastically, and as we drive away, I catch sight of Noah slipping into a nondescript sedan. He’s following us. My grip tightens on the steering wheel, my knuckles turning white. A silent vow forms in my mind. I won’t let him get near her. I’d rather die first.

As we weave through the city traffic, my mind races faster than the car. I can feel Aria’s curious gaze on me, but I keep my eyes fixed on the road, occasionally checking the rearview mirror. Noah’s sedan is still there, a few cars back, trying to be inconspicuous.

“You’re awfully quiet,” Aria remarks, her voice laced with concern. “Is everything okay?”

I force myself to relax my grip on the steering wheel, plastering on what I hope is a convincing smile. “Just hungry, baby girl. Thinking about what I want to eat.” I give her a sly smile. “Other than you.”

“Mm-hmm.” She doesn’t look entirely convinced as she hums, but she drops it, instead launching into a story about her day at the salon. I listen with half an ear, making appropriate noises of interest while most of my attention remains on our tail.

As we approach a busy intersection, an idea forms. It’s risky, but it might just work. The light turns yellow, and I gun it, sailing through just as it turns red. Behind us, I hear the blare of horns and the screech of tires.

“Zane!” Aria yelps, clutching the door handle. “What are you doing?”

“Sorry, sweetheart,” I mutter, taking a sharp right turn. “Thought I saw a shortcut.”

I navigate through a series of quick turns, my instincts honed from years of evasive driving coming into play. Finally, after several minutes of this, I’m satisfied we lost our unwanted shadow.

As we pull into the parking lot of a cozy Italian restaurant, I allow myself to relax slightly. Aria’s looking at me with a mixture of confusion and suspicion, her orange creamsicle scent tinged with a hint of anxiety.

“Okay, spill,” she demands as I kill the engine. “What’s really going on?”

I debate lying for a split second, but the determined set of her jaw tells me she won’t buy it. With a heavy sigh, I turn to face her, taking her small hands in mine.

“We had a tail,” I admit, watching her eyes widen. “Noah was outside the salon when you left.”

Aria’s breath catches, her fingers tightening around mine. The anxiety in her scent spikes, filling the car with the acrid smell of fear. I hate it. I hate that Noah can still affect her like this, even from a distance.

“He… He was there?” Her voice trembles slightly, and I have to resist the urge to hunt Noah down right now and tear him apart.

“Hey,” I murmur softly, reaching out to cup her cheek. “Look at me, baby girl. He’s gone now. I lost him. You’re safe.”

She leans into my touch, closing her eyes briefly. When she opens them again, there’s a steely determination there that makes my chest swell with pride.

“We can’t keep running, Zane,” she says, her voice stronger now. “We need to do something about this.”

I nod, my thumb stroking her cheekbone. “You’re right, and we will, but right now, let’s just enjoy our dinner, okay? I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.”

As we step out of the car, I scan the area one last time, my senses on high alert. The parking lot is quiet, filled with the usual dinner crowd. There’s no sign of Noah or any other threats. Still, I keep Aria close as we walk to the restaurant, resting my hand protectively on the small of her back.

The hostess leads us to a cozy booth in the corner, and I position myself so I can see the entire restaurant and the entrance. Old habits die hard.

As we settle in, Aria reaches across the table and intertwines her fingers with mine. “Thank you,” she says softly, “for always being there and keeping me safe.”

I bring her hand to my lips, pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles. “Always, baby girl. You’re my mate, my everything. I’d move heaven and earth to keep you safe. Let’s order food and bring it back to the cabin.”

As we wait for our takeout order, the tension in Aria’s shoulders slowly begins to ease. I keep a watchful eye on the entrance, my body coiled and ready to spring into action at the slightest hint of danger. The rich aroma of garlic and tomato sauce wafts through the air.

“Zane.” Aria’s voice pulls me from my vigilance. “What are we going to do?”

I meet her gaze, seeing the worry etched in the delicate lines around her eyes. My thumb traces soothing circles on the back of her hand. “Noah’s reign ends with us. We’ll make sure of it,” I say, my voice low and determined. “I have a plan brewing, but I need to talk to Malachi first. You’re pack, Aria, and pack means we fight as one.”

She nods, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “I know. It’s just… I’m tired of looking over my shoulder all the time. I want our life back.”

“And we’ll get it back,” I promise, bringing her hand to my lips once more. “Noah won’t know what hit him.”

The waitress arrives with our order, and I stand, positioning myself between Aria and the rest of the restaurant as we make our way to the exit. I scan the parking lot before I usher her quickly to the car.

As we drive back to the cabin, the weight of our situation settles heavily on my shoulders. I know what needs to be done, but the path ahead is fraught with danger. One wrong move, and I could lose everything. The guilt of keeping information from Aria gnaws at me. Is protecting her worth the potential breach of trust?

As I glance at Aria, her profile illuminated by the setting sun, I know it’s a risk I have to take. For her. For us. For our future.

Noah has no idea what he’s unleashed. The hunter is about to become the hunted.

The gravel crunches under my tires as I pull onto the secluded lane. Our little safe house comes into view, a rustic log cabin nestled among towering pines. The weathered exterior exudes a comforting charm, as does the wraparound porch perfect for breathing the crisp mountain air. Smoke curls from the stone chimney, promising warmth and safety within.

“I love it here.” Aria sighs, her shoulders visibly relaxing as I park.

“I love that you love it here.” I unbuckle her seatbelt and press a soft kiss to her cheek. “Come on, let’s go feed our pack.”

Aria smirks, and I make sure to climb out of the car first and check our surroundings as I stride around the side of the car. The familiar scents of pine and earth fill my nostrils, but there’s no trace of any unwanted visitors. Still, I can’t shake the feeling of unease that’s settled in my gut.

“Stay close,” I murmur, helping Aria out of the car. She nods, slipping her hand into mine as we make our way to the cabin.

The moment we step inside, the tension in my shoulders eases slightly. The warm glow of the fire and the mingled scents of our pack envelop us like a protective cocoon. Dash’s head pops up from the couch, his usual goofy grin in place.

“About time!” he calls. “We were about to send out a search party—or eat Quinn’s cooking out of desperation.”

Quinn’s indignant, “Hey!” from the kitchen makes Aria giggle, the sound like music to my ears.

As we set out the food, I catch Malachi’s eye. He nods imperceptibly, understanding passing between us. We need to talk and soon.

I set out steaming plates of hearty stew and crusty bread, the rich aroma of herbs and spices filling our cozy den. Aria’s musical laughter mingles with the clinking of cutlery as our pack settles around the table.

“Hope you’re all hungry,” I say, unable to keep the pride from my voice. “I may have gone a bit overboard.”

Dash snorts. “When don’t you, Alpha?” He reaches for a roll, earning a playful swat from Aria.

“Wait for everyone to be seated!” she chides, though her eyes dance with mirth.

As we dig in, the banter flows freely. Jokes and teasing jabs fly across the table, punctuated by appreciative groans over the food, but beneath the lighthearted atmosphere, I sense an undercurrent of tension. Malachi’s eyes keep darting to the windows, while Quinn’s fingers tap an anxious rhythm on the table. Even Dash’s jokes seem a bit forced, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.

Catching my gaze, Aria winks, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. It’s moments like these that remind me why I fell in love with her. Why we all did. Our Omega, the heart of our pack.

“You okay?” Aria asks, her brow furrowing slightly. “You seem distracted, and don’t give me that ‘everything’s fine’ bullshit. I know you better than that.”

I force a smile, reaching across the table to take her hand. “Just thinking about how lucky I am,” I say, the half-truth tasting bitter on my tongue. Every lie, even by omission, feels like a betrayal, but isn’t her safety worth more than full disclosure? God, I hope I’m making the right call here.

Aria’s eyes narrow, and for a moment, I fear she’s seen through my facade. “Zane, I know you’re hiding something. Don’t make me pry it out of you. I’m not some damsel in distress, you know. I can handle myself.”

Her assertiveness catches me off guard, and I can’t help but chuckle. “I know, baby girl. You’re the strongest person I know—scariest, too, when you want to be.”

Aria’s eyes soften at my words, but the determined set of her jaw remains. “Then trust me, Zane. Where you go, we go. That’s what being pack means.”

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. She’s right, of course. Keeping her in the dark won’t protect her, it’ll only breed distrust. “Alright,” I concede, lowering my voice so only she can hear. “After dinner, you and I need to talk. There’s… more we’ve uncovered about Noah and the trafficking ring.”

She nods, squeezing my hand. “I figured something was up. Thank you for not keeping it from me.”

The rest of the meal passes in a blur of conversation and laughter, but my mind is elsewhere, rehearsing how I’m going to break the news to Aria. As the others begin to clear the table, I catch Malachi’s eye and nod toward the porch. He understands immediately.

“Aria and I are going to get some fresh air,” I announce, standing and helping Aria to her feet. “We won’t be long.”

Outside, the cool night air nips at our skin. I lead Aria to the porch swing, settling her onto my lap as we gaze out at the darkened forest. For a moment, we sit in silence, my arms wrapped protectively around her waist.

“Alright, spill,” Aria says, turning to face me. “What have you learned?”

I take a deep breath, bracing myself for the weight of the conversation. “You already know about the trafficking ring and that Noah’s involved, but there’s more. We’ve uncovered new intel. He isn’t just a player in the network, Aria—he’s one of the key figures. He’s been using his connections to find specific omegas, the rare ones, like you.”

Aria’s eyes widen, her breath catching as the severity sinks in. “So… it isn’t just about control? It’s bigger than that?”

I nod, tightening my arms around her. “It’s way bigger. We found evidence that he’s been working with other high-ranking alphas and orchestrating these abductions for years. They are after omegas who have unique traits, omegas with abilities that can manipulate pack dynamics or calm even the most volatile alphas. You, Aria, fit the profile perfectly.”

Her scent shifts, a ripple of fear laced with determination. “So I’m a target specifically because of what I can do?”

“Yes,” I confirm, my voice low and serious. “But it isn’t just about your scent or ability. Noah’s obsessed with you. He’s been tracking you and manipulating things from the shadows, probably for longer than we even realized. The ring sees you as some sort of crown jewel, and Noah wants to deliver you to them—or worse, keep you for himself.”

Aria looks away for a moment, processing my words. The tension between us hangs heavily in the air, thickening with every second that passes.

“I should have known,” she murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper. “But how long has he been planning this? What else do we need to worry about?”

I run my thumb along her arm, trying to soothe the tremble I feel there. “We aren’t sure how far his reach goes yet, but Quinn’s digging into his networks. We’ve already managed to isolate some of his associates, and we’re setting a trap, but there’s no question now—Noah won’t stop. We need to be one step ahead.”

Aria turns to face me, her jaw clenched. “We need to stop him before he can hurt anyone else. This has to end, Zane.”

“It will,” I promise, looking deep into her eyes. “But we need to be smart about it. Malachi, Quinn, Dash, and I—we have a plan in place. We’re going to use Noah’s obsession against him. Quinn’s setting up a false trail, making it look like you’re vulnerable. Meanwhile, we’ll be ready to spring the trap when he takes the bait. We just need your trust.”

She studies me for a long moment before finally nodding. “You have it, but don’t shut me out. I’m not a pawn, and I’m not going to sit around waiting for Noah to come for me.”

I chuckle softly, kissing her forehead. “You’re not a pawn, baby girl. You’re the heart of this pack, and we’re your shield. We’re in this together.”

As we sit there, wrapped in the cool night air and the warmth of our bond, I can feel the resolve hardening in both of us. Noah may be powerful, but he’s about to find out just how strong we are when we stand together.

“So what’s my role in this plan?” Aria asks, her voice steady despite the lingering fear in her scent.

I smile, pride swelling in my chest at her courage. “You’ll be our secret weapon. We need you to act normal and go about your routine, but we’ll have eyes on you at all times. The moment Noah makes his move, we’ll be ready.”

Aria nods, her eyes gleaming with determination. “I can do that. But Zane, promise me something.”

“Anything, baby girl.”

“When the time comes, let me face him. I need to confront Noah myself and end this on my terms.”

I want to argue, to tell her it’s too dangerous, but I see the steel in her eyes and the set of her jaw. This is the Aria I fell in love with—fierce, determined, and unbreakable. “Okay,” I agree, “but we’ll be right there with you. Where you go, we go. That’s what being pack means.”

We seal the promise with a kiss. It’s soft and sweet, but it’s filled with the fire of our shared resolve. As we break apart, I see movement through the cabin window. Malachi stands there, his expression grave. It’s time to brief the rest of the pack.

Hand in hand, Aria and I head back inside. The atmosphere has shifted, the earlier levity replaced by tense anticipation. Quinn’s fingers fly over his laptop keyboard, while Dash paces restlessly. Malachi stands at the center, every inch the alpha leader.

“It’s time to turn the tables,” I announce, squeezing Aria’s hand. “Noah won’t know what hit him.”

As we gather around to finalize our plan, I can’t help but feel a surge of pride and love for my pack. We may be an unconventional group, but together, we’re unstoppable. Noah doesn’t stand a chance.

The hunt is on, and this time, we’re the predators.