The Omega who Killed her Alpha

The heavy church doors slammed shut behind them, cutting off Malik's voice and the pounding boots that had haunted Adira's every step. Darkness engulfed them, save for faint moonlight streaming through the cracked stained-glass windows.

Adira yanked her hand free from the stranger's grip, her heart hammering as she pressed her back against the cold stone wall. "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice low but sharp.

The man didn't answer immediately. Instead, he leaned against a pew, his arms crossed casually, as if they weren't one breath away from being discovered. His dark eyes glimmered with something unreadable—amusement, perhaps, or curiosity.

"You're welcome," he said finally, his tone infuriatingly calm.

Adira glared at him. "I didn't ask for your help."

"And yet, here you are." He gestured to the door. "Unless you'd prefer I open that and let Malik in?"

Her jaw tightened. She hated that he had a point. "I didn't catch your name."

"I didn't give it."

Adira's patience snapped. "Look, I don't have time for games. Who are you, and why were you waiting here?"

The man's smirk faded, replaced by a seriousness that made her stomach twist. "You first. What's Viktor Falcom want with you?"

Adira's lips parted, but she quickly clamped them shut. She didn't trust this man, no matter how calm he seemed. Her silence stretched, and his gaze didn't waver.

"Thought so," he said, pushing off the pew. "If you won't tell me, maybe Malik will."

He took a step toward the door, and panic surged through her. "Wait!"

He stopped, raising an eyebrow.

She exhaled sharply, forcing herself to think. She couldn't tell him the truth, but she needed to give him enough to keep him from leaving—or worse, handing her over.

"I... took something from Viktor," she said carefully. "Something he wants back."

The man studied her, his expression unreadable. "What kind of something?"

"Does it matter?"

"Depends. If you're dragging me into your mess, I'd like to know how deep it goes."

Adira bristled. "I didn't drag you into anything. You offered."

His lips twitched, the faintest hint of a smile. "Fair enough." He gestured to the note still clutched in her hand. "That what you took?"

Adira hesitated, then shook her head. "No."

"Then what's it say?"

She folded the paper quickly, tucking it into her pocket. "None of your business."

The man chuckled softly. "You're not great at this whole 'trust' thing, are you?"

"Why should I trust you?" she shot back.

He tilted his head, considering her. "Fair point. Let's call it a mutual agreement, then. You need to get out of here. I happen to be good at getting people out of places."

Adira narrowed her eyes. "And what do you want in return?"

His smile didn't reach his eyes. "That depends on how much trouble you're worth."

Before she could respond, a loud crash echoed from outside. Both of them tensed.

"Check the church!" Malik's voice boomed, sending a fresh wave of fear through Adira.

The man swore under his breath. "They're closer than I thought."

"Then help me," Adira hissed.

He gave her a long look, then nodded. "Follow me."

He led her deeper into the church, moving quickly but silently. Adira struggled to keep up, her bare feet aching with every step on the cold stone floor.

They reached a staircase spiraling down into darkness. He paused, glancing back at her. "Stay close."

"Where does this lead?"

"A crypt. Don't worry, the dead won't bite."

Adira's stomach churned, but she followed him down the stairs. The air grew colder, thicker, as they descended. The faint glow of moonlight vanished, replaced by pitch-black darkness.

"Great," she muttered. "Now I can't see anything."

"Relax." His voice was close—too close. She could feel his breath against her ear. "I can see enough for both of us."

She flinched, instinctively stepping away. His low chuckle echoed through the darkness, and she scowled. "You think this is funny?"

"No. I think it's interesting."

Before she could respond, he grabbed her arm, pulling her to the side just as a loud creak echoed above them.

"They're searching the church," he whispered. "Stay quiet."

Adira pressed herself against the damp stone wall, her pulse thundering in her ears. She could hear Malik's men moving above them, their boots heavy against the floorboards.

"Spread out!" Malik barked. "She couldn't have gotten far!"

Her chest tightened as the footsteps grew louder, heading toward the staircase.

The man beside her cursed softly. "They're coming down."

Adira's grip on the note tightened. "What do we do?"

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he reached into his jacket, pulling out a knife with a blade that glinted faintly in the darkness.

"Stay behind me," he said quietly.

Her stomach twisted. "You're going to fight them?"

"If I have to."

Adira's heart raced as she watched him step forward, his movements calm and deliberate. She didn't know whether to feel relieved or terrified.

The footsteps on the stairs grew louder, closer. Adira pressed herself further into the shadows, her breathing shallow.

And then the door above slammed open.

"Malik!" one of the men shouted. "We found something!"

The footsteps stopped.

"What is it?" Malik's voice was sharp, impatient.

"Blood. Near the north alley."

There was a long pause, and Adira held her breath.

"Search it," Malik ordered finally. "She's close. I can feel it."

The footsteps retreated, growing fainter until the crypt was silent again.

Adira exhaled shakily, her legs trembling. The man turned to her, his expression unreadable.

"Lucky you," he said. "They bought us some time."

"Where do we go now?"

"Out."

She frowned. "You said this place leads to a crypt. Crypts don't have exits."

"This one does." He smirked. "Trust me."

Adira hesitated, but she had no better option. She followed him through the dark, her footsteps soft against the stone floor.

After what felt like an eternity, they reached another staircase, this one leading up. The man climbed it without hesitation, and she followed, her chest tightening with every step.

When they reached the top, he pushed open a hidden panel, revealing a narrow alley bathed in moonlight.

"Ladies first," he said, stepping aside.

Adira shot him a glare but didn't argue. She climbed out, her bare feet hitting the cold pavement.

The man followed, pulling the panel closed behind him.

"Now what?" she asked, her voice hushed.

"Now," he said, his tone grim, "we run."

But as they turned to leave, a shadow

emerged from the alley's entrance.

Malik.

Adira's heart stopped.

"Well," Malik drawled, his lips curling into a cruel smile. "Looks like the hunt's over."