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“Zane, you have to understand that people have their reasons for not giving the whole truth.” He tries to play the voice of reason as he pulls out of the garage.
I’m not here for her excuses though. “Scared? Scared of us? We’re supposed to be courting her, or at least you guys are. She should have trusted us.”
“And maybe she wanted to but couldn’t find the right moment. We don’t know her full story.”
“Her full story? Malachi, it’s been weeks. How much more time does she need?” I place a hand on my knee to keep it still.
Malachi sighs. “Trust isn’t built overnight. We know about Noah, we just need her to open up to us, and a week doesn’t make a relationship.”
“I get that, but an omega? That’s a huge secret. How do we protect her if she doesn’t trust us?” I argue, that alpha flashing in my vision.
Malachi nods, understanding my frustration. “You’re right, it’s a big deal, but kicking her out isn’t the answer. We need to support her, not alienate her.”
I don’t agree, so I keep my mouth shut.
How can he not see she is the reason we are fighting? It’s her. She is dividing us.
“You will get your answers, but approach this with care, Zane. She’s already scared. If we come at her aggressively, it will only make things worse.” He pauses before he continues. “Zane, it isn’t like she even knows our past.”
I grip my knee tighter, my knuckles turning white. “Fine. I’ll try to keep my cool, but she owes us an explanation.” He’s right, I’d never open up to a liar.
“And we’ll get it. Just remember, she’s part of our pack now. We need to act like it,” he says.
Again, I don’t agree.
As he pulls up to the house, I snap off my seatbelt. My feet are on the pavement before Malachi throws it in park. I grab the front door and swing it open, charging into the house, my mind a whirlwind of emotions. Her betrayal stings, and the more I think about it, the more frustrated I get.
“Oh no.” I stumble as her scent invades my senses. “Oh fuck no.” The realization hits me like a freight train. Her scent, the truth of her identity, has all been masked, and now, as it hits me full force, the fear of what else she’s been hiding grips my heart.
Orange cream, like my favorite candies. She is my favorite candy—my perfect scent match.
How dare she? How could she? “Aria!” I call out, my voice tight with barely contained anger. I follow her scent up the stairs, right into Dash’s room. The pheromones hit me like a freight train, confirming what I already knew.
She’s an omega.
My heart pounds in my chest, a mix of rage and disappointment over the crushing weight of yet another betrayal. I let my guard down and allowed myself to care, and this is how she repays our trust.
“Oh my god.” I hear Malachi enter. “She’s…” He can’t even get the words out. I step out into the hallway, slamming the door before I lose control.
Quinn’s door opens, revealing him looking guilty and conflicted. His lack of surprise confirms my suspicion. “You knew,” I accuse, the words tasting bitter in my mouth. “How long have you been hiding this from us?”
He holds his head high. “Zane, hear me out.”
“How could you?” I point a finger at him. I feel my control slipping. The mayor’s words echo in my mind, reminding me of the legal ramifications we’ll now face.
“Why are you so fucking mad?” he yells back at me.
“Stronger together?” I scoff, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “She’s been lying to us from day one. How can we trust anything she says now?” I run a hand through my hair, frustration evident in every movement. “Do you all not understand the danger she’s put us in?”
“Zane, calm down.”
“Don’t tell me to fucking calm down, Quinn,” I snap at him.
“You’re being irrational, Zane. This isn’t helping anyone,” Quinn retorts, stepping into my path, his posture tense and defiant. This is when he chooses to grow a backbone?
“She lied to us!” I roar, my anger spilling over. “She’s been lying from the moment she walked through that door.”
“She was scared, Zane. Can’t you see that? She didn’t know how to tell us,” Quinn reasons, but his words only fuel my rage.
