The Omega who Killed her Alpha

Adira pressed her back against the cold stone wall of the church, her breathing shallow as the voices outside drew closer. Malik's furious commands reverberated through the night, his men responding with the clatter of boots on uneven pavement. She couldn't see them, but she could feel their presence like a noose tightening around her neck.

Beside her, the stranger—still unnamed and untrusted—peered through a crack in the ancient wooden door. His movements were controlled, calm, as though he'd been in this kind of situation countless times before.

"You've got about thirty seconds before they find this place," he murmured, glancing back at her.

Adira shot him a glare. "Then why are you still standing here?"

"Because I'm not planning on dying tonight," he replied, his tone almost amused. "You?"

She ignored his question, her mind racing through the limited options. The church had been her only sanctuary, the last place Viktor's enforcers were supposed to look. Clearly, her plans had already fallen apart.

"What's the exit strategy?" the stranger pressed, his voice cutting through her thoughts.

Adira hesitated. "There's a tunnel beneath the altar. It leads to the river."

His eyebrows lifted slightly, impressed. "Not bad. How do you know about it?"

"I don't owe you an explanation," she snapped, pushing herself away from the wall.

He smirked but didn't argue. "Fair enough. Lead the way."

Adira hesitated again, weighing her options. Trusting him was a gamble, but staying here meant certain death. Malik's voice echoed closer, leaving no room for debate.

"Fine. But if you slow me down—"

"I won't," he interrupted, gesturing for her to move. "After you."

She slipped into the shadows, her steps silent as she led him to the altar. The old stone slab was heavier than she remembered, but adrenaline gave her the strength to shove it aside, revealing a narrow, dark passage beneath.

"After you," he repeated, this time with a wry grin.

Adira didn't hesitate. She climbed into the tunnel, the air immediately cooler and damp. The stranger followed, pulling the altar back into place above them. Darkness swallowed them whole, save for the faint light of a small flashlight he produced from his pocket.

"Convenient," she muttered, her tone laced with suspicion.

"I like to be prepared," he said, his voice low but steady.

The tunnel was cramped, forcing them to move single file. The walls were slick with moisture, and the air smelled of earth and decay. Adira kept her focus ahead, ignoring the sound of his footsteps close behind her.

"What's your name?" she asked abruptly, the silence too heavy to bear.

"Lucas," he replied. "Yours?"

She hesitated, then said, "Adira."

"No last name?"

"None that matters."

Lucas chuckled softly. "Fair enough."

They walked in silence for a few more minutes, the only sounds their breathing and the faint drip of water echoing in the darkness.

"Why is Viktor after you?" Lucas asked finally, his tone casual but probing.

Adira's jaw tightened. "That's none of your business."

"It is if I'm risking my life helping you," he countered.

She stopped abruptly, turning to face him. The flashlight illuminated his sharp features, his dark eyes studying her with an intensity that made her uneasy.

"Why are you helping me?" she demanded.

Lucas shrugged. "Let's just say I have my reasons."

"That's not an answer."

"It's the only one you're getting," he said, his tone final.

Adira stared at him for a moment longer before turning and continuing down the tunnel. She didn't trust him, but for now, she didn't have a choice.

The tunnel eventually opened up into a small chamber, where a rusted metal ladder led up to a hatch. Adira climbed first, pushing the hatch open with some effort. The cool night air hit her face as she emerged by the riverbank, the water glinting faintly in the moonlight.

Lucas joined her moments later, his gaze sweeping their surroundings.

"Now what?" he asked.

Adira scanned the area, her mind working quickly. She needed to get as far away from Viktor's men as possible, but without resources or a plan, she was at a disadvantage.

"There's a safe house a few miles upriver," she said finally. "I can lay low there until I figure out my next move."

"We," Lucas corrected, earning a sharp look from her.

"You're not coming with me."

"You think you can handle this alone?" he asked, his tone challenging. "Viktor's men won't stop hunting you. You need help."

"I don't need anything from you," Adira snapped.

Lucas sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "Fine. Suit yourself. But don't say I didn't warn you when they find you again."

He turned to walk away, but something about his calm demeanor unsettled her. She didn't know why, but she had a feeling he wasn't the type to give up easily.

"Wait," she said reluctantly.

Lucas paused, glancing back at her.

"If you're coming, you follow my lead. No questions, no interference."

He smirked. "Deal."

They moved along the riverbank, sticking to the shadows. The journey was tense, neither of them speaking as they remained alert for any signs of pursuit.

When they finally reached the safe house—a dilapidated cabin hidden in the woods—Adira hesitated at the door.

"Is this place secure?" Lucas asked, his voice low.

"It's off the grid. Viktor doesn't know about it," she replied, pushing the door open.

The cabin was small and sparsely furnished, but it was clean and functional. Adira lit an old oil lamp, the warm glow illuminating the space.

Lucas closed the door behind them, locking it before turning to face her.

"So," he said, leaning against the wall, "are you going to tell me what's going on, or do I have to guess?"

Adira set the lamp on the table, her shoulders tense. She didn't owe him an explanation, but if they were going to work together, he needed to know the stakes.

"Viktor wants something I have," she said finally.

Lucas raised an eyebrow. "And what's that?"

Adira hesitated, then pulled the blood-stained note from her pocket. She unfolded it carefully, revealing the faded words scrawled across the paper.

Lucas stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he read the message.

"'The truth lies within the ashes,'" he read aloud. "What does it mean?"

"I don't know," Adira admitted. "But Viktor thinks I do. And he's willing to kill me to get it."

Lucas frowned, his gaze lingering on the note. "Where did you get this?"

"It doesn't matter," she said, folding the note and slipping it back into her pocket. "What matters is staying ahead of Viktor."

Lucas studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. But if we're going to survive this, we need more than just a safe house. We need a plan."

Adira met his gaze, her expression hard. "Then start thinking."

Before he could respond, a sharp sound echoed outside—a twig snapping underfoot.

Adira's heart leapt into her throat as she extinguished the lamp, plunging the cabin int

o darkness. Lucas moved to the window, peering through a crack in the curtains.

"They've found us," he said grimly.

Adira's blood ran cold.