37. Aria

37

ARIA

I jolt awake, my heartbeat a frantic drum in my chest. The room reeks of distressed omega—my scent, all sickly sweet orange creamsicle gone rancid with fear. Sweat clings to my skin, my nightshirt a damp, clingy prison.

You’re mine, Aria , Noah’s voice echoes in my head, dripping with that smug alpha superiority that turns my stomach. An omega like you needs a strong alpha to keep you in line.

“Fuck you,” I spit out, the words as bitter as bile. The old Aria, the one who cowered and submitted, is dead and buried. I’m stronger now.

Aren’t I?

I quickly get out of bed and open the window, letting the salty air spill in. Each gulp of breath eases my racing heart.

Moonlight paints everything in shades of silver and shadow. The pack house is quiet, save for the distant hoot of an owl and the soft creaking of old wood, but I can feel Malachi, Zane, Quinn, and Dash. Their scents linger in the air in a cocktail of cedar, leather, lavender, and citrus that should comfort me. Instead, it makes my skin crawl with conflicting urges to run and bury myself in their arms.

I press my forehead against the cool glass, the chill a sharp contrast to my feverish skin, but the memories come anyway, a tidal wave I can’t outrun.

Noah’s cruel smirk as he locked me away, and the metallic click of the lock. The sharp sting of his hand, and the coppery taste of blood flooding my mouth. His body crushing mine, and the scent of his arousal choking me as he took me while I begged him to stop.

“No,” I growl, digging my nails into my palms until the skin breaks. The pain grounds me, reminds me I’m here now. “That’s not me anymore. I’m not his. I’m?—”

What? Strong? Independent? Or just fooling myself?

A sob builds in my throat, and I choke it back, the effort making my chest ache. I won’t wake them, won’t let them see me weak, but it’s too late. My distress must have spiked my scent, because there’s a soft knock at the door, the sound like a gunshot in the quiet room.

“Aria?” Malachi’s voice, deep and steady, rumbles through the wood. “You okay in there?”

I steel myself, forcing strength into my voice. “It’s nothing I can’t handle. Just a bad dream.”

The door opens with a soft creak, and they file in one by one—my alphas, my protectors, my… what? Saviors? Jailers? The thought makes me want to scream.

Malachi enters first, his calm presence filling the room. Zane follows, his brow furrowed and jaw clenched as his eyes scan for threats. Quinn slips in next, his intelligent gaze taking in the scene. Dash brings up the rear, his usual carefree demeanor tempered by concern, but he still looks like he just rolled out of bed at a photoshoot.

“Oh, sweetheart,” Quinn murmurs, and something in me snaps.

A keening whine escapes my throat, a sound so pathetically omega it makes me hate myself, but then they surround me, their scents wrapping around me like a warm blanket, chasing away the chill of fear.

Malachi’s arms encircle me, solid and warm, and his skin radiates heat, seeping into my bones. “It’s okay,” he rumbles, all calm authority.

As he holds me, I feel the tension in his body and the way he’s holding himself back. It hits me then—he’s restraining his alpha instincts and putting my needs before his own. The realization is both comforting and terrifying.

Quinn’s fingers comb through my hair, gentle and soothing. The light tug against my scalp sends tingles down my spine. “Want to talk about it?” he asks, a hint of his usual wit creeping in. “Need me to hack the NSA? Piece of cake. Need a shoulder to cry on? I have two.”

I choke out a laugh despite myself, the sound rough and foreign to my ears. Leave it to Quinn to find humor even now.

Zane’s gaze sweeps the room like he’s expecting Noah to materialize from the shadows. The intensity in his eyes is almost palpable, a force I can feel on my skin. When his eyes meet mine, I see a storm of emotions—anger, protectiveness, and something darker. “This is our battle now, Aria,” he growls, his voice low and fierce. “You have four alphas ready to rain hell on anyone who threatens you.”

His intensity should scare me, but instead, it sends a shiver down my spine that isn’t entirely unpleasant. I find myself leaning toward him almost unconsciously, drawn to his magnetic presence.

“Yeah, what broody said,” Dash chimes in, squeezing my hand. His palm is slightly calloused and warm against my cold fingers. “You’re our badass omega warrior, sparkles. We’re your willing army.”

Just like that, the dam breaks. I collapse into their embrace, sobbing like I haven’t allowed myself to in years. They hold me, steady and strong, letting me fall apart without trying to fix me. The fabric of Malachi’s shirt grows damp under my cheek, but he doesn’t seem to mind.

As the storm passes, I become aware of how our scents have mingled. My fear fades, replaced by something warmer and safer. The air is thick with the scent of pack, of home, and it feels so right, it scares me.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, my voice hoarse from crying.

“Don’t be,” Quinn says, flashing a charming smile. His thumb brushes away a stray tear on my cheek, the touch so gentle it almost undoes me again. “What else are we here for if not middle of the night crying sessions?”

I laugh weakly, grateful for his ability to lighten the mood. Even Zane’s brooding expression softens a bit, the corners of his mouth twitching upward.

“Quinn’s right, in his own way,” Malachi adds, his voice a soothing rumble that I can feel through my whole body. “You have us at your back, Aria. Through hell or high water.”

I look up at them, these four men who have turned my world upside down. In their eyes, I don’t see pity or disappointment, just understanding and something that looks dangerously like love.

The realization hits me like a punch to the gut. They love me, all of them, and I… I think I might love them too. The thought is exhilarating and terrifying in equal measure.

“I think… I think I need help,” I admit, the words feeling like glass in my throat. “Professional help to deal with my past.”

The moment the words leave my mouth, I feel a mixture of relief and panic. What if they think I’m weak? What if this changes everything?

Malachi’s arms tighten around me, his scent wrapping me in warmth and safety. “That’s incredibly brave, Aria,” he says, his voice low and sincere. “Seeking help isn’t a weakness. It’s a strength.”

Quinn nods enthusiastically, his eyes bright with pride. “Absolutely. And hey, if you want, I can hack into the city’s database and find you the best therapist in town. You know, just a casual bit of cyber espionage for a good cause.”

I can’t help but laugh at that, the sound watery but real. “Thanks, Quinn. Maybe we can stick to legal methods for now?”

Dash grins, a spark of his usual playfulness returning. He ruffles my hair affectionately, the gesture so casual and comforting it makes my heart ache. “That’s my girl. Kicking ass and taking names, even when it comes to your own demons.”

He wraps me up in his arms, nuzzling my neck, and presses a soft kiss to his bite mark before pulling back with a sneaky smile. “You know what we need? A movie. Something to take our minds off things.”

“At this hour?” Zane grumbles, but there’s no real heat in his words.

Dash’s grin widens as he bounces off the bed. “It’s never too early for The Goonies !”

“The what now?” I ask, confused.

Four sets of eyes turn to me in disbelief. “You’ve never seen The Goonies ?” Quinn exclaims, clutching his chest dramatically. “Oh, sweetheart, we need to fix this immediately.”

There’s a flurry of activity as they set up for the movie. Malachi pulls extra pillows from the closet, arranging them on the bed with meticulous care. Zane disappears downstairs, returning with an armful of snacks. Quinn fiddles with his tablet, setting up the movie to stream to the TV in my room. Dash… well, Dash provides a running commentary on why this is the “greatest movie ever made, no exceptions.”

Before I know it, we’re all piled on the bed and the opening credits are rolling. Dash is practically vibrating with excitement, and even Zane seems to soften as the movie progresses. I find myself caught up in the adventure, laughing at the antics on screen and feeling the tension of the night melt away.

Somewhere between Chunk’s confession and the discovery of One-Eyed Willy’s ship, I realize the others have drifted off. Quinn’s head is on my shoulder, his soft snores tickling my neck. Malachi’s arm is a comforting weight around my waist, his steady heartbeat a soothing rhythm against my back. Zane’s fingers are intertwined with mine, his thumb occasionally brushing my knuckles, even in sleep. Dash is sprawled across our legs, mumbling about pirate treasure.

As the credits roll, I’m the only one still awake. The soft morning light filters through the curtains, casting a warm glow over my sleeping pack. For the first time in forever, I feel… safe and loved.

As I bask in this moment of peace, a nagging thought tugs at the edges of my mind. Is this really freedom, or have I just traded one cage for another, gilded and comfortable as it may be? The omega in me purrs contentedly, but somewhere deep inside, a part of me that’s purely Aria whispers a warning. Don’t lose yourself in them. Don’t forget who you are.

I push the thought away, but it lingers like a shadow at the edge of my consciousness. I’m walking a tightrope between independence and belonging, and I’m not sure where I’ll land when I fall, but for now, surrounded by the warmth and love of my pack, I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, I can have both.

As sleep finally begins to claim me, one last thought flits through my mind. In this delicate balance of love and freedom, how much of myself am I willing to sacrifice? When the time comes to choose, will I be strong enough to stand on my own, or will I let myself fall into the safety of the pack?

The image of Noah’s smirking face flashes behind my eyelids. He’s still out there, a looming threat on the horizon, but as I drift off to sleep, wrapped in the protective embrace of my pack, I make a silent vow—I won’t let him win. I’ll face my demons, both past and present, and I’ll do it on my own terms. With or without the pack, I’ll find a way to be both the omega they love and the independent woman I’ve fought so hard to become.

It’s a battle I’m not sure I can win, but as I finally succumb to sleep, I know one thing for certain. Let the battle begin, because I have fire in my veins and steel in my spine.