Page 98 of Shattered Omega: Part Three

I shook my head. “No, it’s nothing like that.”

Again, there was another silence. “Ah…” From my periphery, I saw him lean back in his seat. “I think I understand.” He held a hand out to me and I looked up at him. “Let us talk frankly.”

What did that mean?

I took it, a shiver brushing my spine as my skin touched his. He helped me to my feet, gaze curious as he watched closely.

“You’re afraid that if we fail, and you end up back there they’ll be angry that you turned on them.”

“I…” That… wasn’t what I’d meant. My mind scrambled, trying to keep up with that as I looked at him. I saw something intense in Flynn’s eyes, a kindled flame of a spark I’d seen earlier.

I nodded, heart in my throat as I prayed that I was reading into it right.

“Please save me.” My voice trembled as violently as I gripped him. “I can’t go back.”

My fear, at least, was real. It was a rising tide in my chest, and I let it in, feeling a terrified purr rising in my throat.

Flynn reacted instantly, drawing me close until I was in his arms, and I let him read it as comfort, not the sickness of being in the arms of an alpha so vile.

“Don’t worry.” One hand lingered on my hair as he held me against him. “We will protect you.” He held me close for a long time.

This was good. Of all of them, I think Flynn was my best chance. He had the most to lose and the most to prove.

“What will your commands allow for?” he asked at last.

My eyes widened and I looked up at him. We were so close our noses brushed. I held steady, though, my gaze holding his.

“You… want me?” I asked. Another purr stumbled out, and his lips curved up at the edges.

“I do understand it now, I think. Your presentation is very… hard to appreciate.” His hands tightened around my waist. “But I see the scent match now.”

My fists closed in his shirt.

“What about a kiss?” he asked.

I tensed, shutting my eyes for a long moment before forcing them open.

“I…” My breath caught at the thought of his lips on mine. Something romantic. Sweet. Something reserved for my pack. Never for him. “I think…” I swallowed. I had to commit to the plan. My pack’s lives depended on it. “If it would convince you, it would be worth a little pain.”

“No.” His smile faded. “I see you’ve had enough pain.” His eyes lingered on my jaw where I knew there was bruising from Eric. My eyes widened in real surprise as I stared at him.

Not what I had expected.

My mind raced. I’d thought he would go for the offer of physicality, but if he didn’t… What did that mean?

I was still so new to this—to the omega things I really should know, but I needed to understand. My palms brushed his cheeks, sensing that I may be able to tug on this thread with safety. As foul as he was, I think he would play the honourable one if it made him the saviour. He wanted to protect me—to be the alpha I’d painted him as.

“Are you sure?” I asked. His breath touched my lips, and his pupils were dilated. “I would pay in pain to feel your protection,” I paused, letting those words sink in. “Alpha.”

A low growl rumbled in his chest and his grip became painful at my waist. I thought, for a second, he would do it.

I braced.

But he held back. “I would be no better than those you’re running from.”

Flynn Lincoln was repainting a picture of himself in my eyes, and if that, to him, was worth more than a kiss. I found a smile, something true in it at the spark of victory. He drew me back against him, seeming content to just have me close.

I had to swallow back more bile.

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