Page 16 of Daisy (Omega Chosen #3)

I follow behind them, hyperaware of every step she takes, every shift in her scent. The others fall in around us, creating a protective barrier without making it obvious. Dante moves ahead to check the room before we enter. Cassian and Hawk bracket our sides, watching for threats.

But my focus stays on her. On the way she moves like every muscle hurts. On the careful way she breathes, like she's trying not to fall apart.

On the fact that for just a moment, she trusted me.

The room is basic but clean. Two double beds separated by a narrow nightstand, a small round table with two chairs by the window, bathroom in the back. Thick curtains that'll block out the sun. August moves immediately to close the blinds, dimming the harsh morning light to something softer.

She stands in the middle of the room looking lost, still wearing Dante's jacket like armor.

"There's a shower," August offers gently. "Clean towels. Take as long as you need."

She nods but doesn't move. I can see her processing, trying to figure out what's expected of her. What's safe.

"We'll be right outside," I find myself saying. "All of us. Nothing's going to hurt you."

Her eyes find mine across the room. Something passes between us—fragile, tentative, but real.

"Thank you," she whispers.

Two words. But they hit me harder than any punch I've ever taken.

She disappears into the bathroom, and the sound of running water fills the silence. The rest of us stand around like we don't know what to do with ourselves.

"So," Hawk says finally, his voice carefully casual. "Anyone else notice she's our scent match?"

Dante and Cassian both go still.

"What the fuck is a scent match?" Dante asks, confusion clear in his voice.

"You're joking," Cassian says flatly, but there's uncertainty in his amber eyes.

August's hand finds Cassian's arm, fingers stroking gently along his forearm in a gesture so intimate it answers any questions I might have had about their relationship. His hazel eyes are wide with amazement. "I've read about it in books, but to actually witness it... it's incredibly rare."

"What the hell are you all talking about?" Dante demands.

Hawk leans back against the wall, crossing his arms. "That pull you're both feeling toward her? The way your alpha instincts went crazy the second you scented her? That's a scent match. It means she's biologically compatible with us. All of us."

"That's..." Cassian's voice trails off as understanding dawns.

"Impossible?" August supplies softly, his thumb now tracing circles on Cassian's skin. "I thought so too. But the way you all reacted to her, the way your scents responded despite having no blockers left..."

"No blockers?" Dante asks sharply.

"Hers wore off completely from the stress," I explain. "Maybe being near her scent matches made them fail faster. That's why her scent is so strong right now."

Dante runs a hand through his hair, looking shaken. "So what does this mean?"

"It means nothing," I say firmly, "unless she wants it to.

We don't tell her. She's been through hell, and the last thing she needs is feeling pressured because of biology.

" I look around at each of them. "She gets to choose.

No expectations, no pressure. If she wants us, it has to be because she wants us.

Not because some scent match told her she's supposed to. "

The others nod agreement, though I can see the same hunger in their eyes that's clawing at my chest. The need to be close to her, to make sure she's safe, to prove we're worthy of whatever trust she might give us.

The water shuts off. A few minutes later, she emerges wearing one of the motel's terrycloth robes, clutching it tightly closed at her throat. Her hair is damp and her skin flushed from the heat. She looks younger without the dirt and fear, more fragile.

Shit. She's got nothing to wear but that torn nightgown. Need to send August out for clothes once she's settled.

"Better?" August asks.

She nods, then looks around at all of us uncertainly. Her scent spikes with anxiety again, sweet honeysuckle turning sharp with stress.

Dante steps forward slightly, his voice gentle. "Daisy, do you remember me?"

She studies his face for a moment, then nods slowly. Some of the tension in her shoulders eases.

"I'm Dante. I was your guard." He gestures to Cassian first. "This is Cassian, he helped get you out. August here is a beta, he'll help take care of you." Then Dante looks toward us. "And these are Hawk and Gunner. They came to help tonight."

I watch as she looks at each face, still clutching the robe tightly. Her gaze lingers on me for a moment, and I give her a small nod, trying to look as non-threatening as possible. Her scent settles slightly as she puts names to faces.

"Where... where will you sleep?" she asks, her voice small.

"Hawk and I will take the van," I offer, even though every instinct screams against leaving her. "Give you space."

"No." The word comes out fast, panicked. Her scent floods the room with distress, making all of us tense. Her hand reaches toward me, then drops. She takes a shaky breath, trying to calm herself.

"I mean..." Her voice is barely a whisper. "Someone will stay, right?"

"Of course," August says gently. "Me, Cassian, and Dante will all stay. Whatever you need."

Her scent immediately spikes with panic, sharp and acidic. She takes a step back, pressing against the bathroom door.

"Hey," Dante says softly, raising his hands where she can see them. "You're safe. No matter what you say, we'll respect your wishes."

"If you want us all outside, we all go," Hawk adds gently. "If you just want August, that's fine too. This is your choice."

Her breathing gets faster, shallower. The fear rolling off her in waves makes every alpha in the room tense with the need to fix it, but we all stay perfectly still.

"What..." Her voice cracks. She swallows hard, tries again. "What do you want from me?"

"Nothing," Dante says immediately. "We want nothing from you except for you to feel safe."

Her scent wavers, confusion mixing with the terror. She looks between all of us like she's trying to solve a puzzle she doesn't have all the pieces to.

"I don't understand," she whispers.

"You don't have to," Hawk says quietly. "You just have to tell us who you want to stay in here with you. Or if you want to be alone. Whatever feels right."

She's quiet for a long moment, her eyes darting between each of us. When her gaze lands on me, something in her scent settles slightly. Not calm, but less afraid.

She lifts a trembling hand and points at me. "You." The word is barely a breath. "You feel..." She stops, swallows. "Safe," she whispers so low we can barely hear it.

Safe. She thinks I feel safe.

I couldn't save Lily. But maybe I can make this omega feel safe.

"Thank you for telling us that," Hawk says warmly. "Cassian and August too? Or just Gunner? No matter what you say, no one will be upset. We only want to make you feel safe and comfortable."

She looks at August, then at Cassian, her scent still carrying threads of anxiety. After a long moment, she gives a small nod.

"Okay," she whispers. "They can stay too."

I nod toward the table and chairs. "I'll sit over there." Then I look at August and Cassian. "You two can take the other bed."

August squeezes Cassian's hand gently before they settle onto the far bed, keeping their distance but staying close enough if she needs them.

Relief washes through her scent, honeysuckle sweetening again. The others file out, leaving us alone.

She climbs into the bed, pulling the covers up to her chin like armor. I settle into one of the chairs by the table, close enough that she can see me but far enough that I'm not crowding her.

"Gunner," I say into the quiet. "My name's Gunner."

"Daisy," she whispers back.

The silence stretches between us. I can hear her breathing, still too fast, still stressed. Her scent carries exhaustion but she keeps looking over at me, like she's trying to figure something out.

"You need water? Food?" I ask softly.

She shakes her head, but her breathing doesn't slow. Her eyes keep darting to me, then away.

When she still doesn't relax after a few minutes, I shift forward slightly. "Want me to move the chair closer to the bed? Or would you prefer I move it further away?"

"Closer," she whispers, so quiet I almost miss it.

I stand and move the chair right up beside her bed. "Here?"

She nods, pulling the covers higher.

I settle back down, stretching out my legs and letting my head fall back to look at the ceiling. Don't want to watch her and make her feel more anxious than she already is.

That's when I feel it. The back of her small hand, warm and tentative, barely brushes against my leg through my jeans. So soft I almost think I imagined it.

My breath catches, but I don't move. Don't look down. Just let her have this small connection if it makes her feel safer.

Her breathing finally starts to even out. Deeper. Calmer. Her scent grows warmer, the sharp edges of fear smoothing into something softer.

When I glance over at August and Cassian, they're both watching from the other bed. August gives me a small smile and nods. Cassian's amber eyes are unguarded, something almost gentle in his expression. They settle back to sleep, giving us this moment.

Outside, dawn light filters through the curtains. Her hand stays pressed against my leg, trusting, and even though exhaustion pulls at me, I'd rather never sleep for the rest of my life than miss this.

For the first time in years, I feel like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.

Protecting what's mine.