Page 92 of Shattered Omega

I cracked, tears finally flooding my cheeks.

Stupid.

But Gareth was grinning, apparently satisfied.

Right… I took a breath, wiping my eyes. They thought I was crying at the thought of heat with the Kingsman pack?

That was the best I could hope for.

Eric had tucked his phone away, his sneer levelled at me. They were convinced, but he’d been the one who’d seen me cry over the ring. So I did the most insane thing I think I’d ever forced myself to do, and I flung my arms around him. “Th-thank you.”

He was rigid for a long moment, and then I felt his hand at my back. Not moving, but firm.

I hated him.

I hated him with more fire than I had ever hated anyone. Bile burned my throat as a thousand horrible moments all teemed in my head. So I clung to him harder and let his horrible passion fruit scent shift to something disgustingly satisfied.

“Alright. I think that’s enough.” Flynn’s voice was clipped.

“I agree.” Eric had a cold smile on his lips when I looked up at him. “If we’re done for the evening, I’m going out.”

“Where?” Gareth asked.

“Bit of fresh air. Process the corner we’ve been forced into.” I didn’t like the look in his eyes. “I won’t go far.”

“Mord,” Flynn waved dismissively. “Take her?”

I peered from Eric’s shirt to see Flynn getting to his feet, straightening his button up with an oddly cold look on his face.

“Is that everything? Are you sure we can’t—?” Gareth began.

“That’s everything.” Flynn’s voice was still stiff. Gareth opened his mouth, but Flynn cut him off. “As pack lead, I say we’re done here.”

I processed that, trying to understand the way his scent wavered, and I thought Flynn’s scent of coconut and plum might be bitter. His eyes were fixed on me.

Was he…? Could he be…?

Oh.

He was jealous. I let go of Eric and stepped back, surprised when his hand became more firm as if he didn’t want me to leave.

I took a step toward Flynn, though, determined to figure out if I was right. “You’re… really going to save me from them?”

He frowned, though I saw the spark of pleasure in his eyes. “If you don’t make any more stupid mistakes.”

Following instincts that I truly wished I wasn’t having, I fell into his arms next, finding him far faster to place his hands around me.

But I’d learned with distinct clarity over the last few weeks, exactly what it was that drove Dusk, Umbra, and Ransom crazy, and I just had to hope it would be enough for the Lincoln pack, too.

“Thank you,” I said again. “I can’t believe you still… still want me.”

“Like I said. The word mate means something to us. I expect you to take it seriously, too.”

“I swear.” I looked at him with wide eyes, the next words that came up as sour as vomit. “If you save me from Dusk, I’ll be anything for you.”

I watched his pupils blow, and his fingers dug into my waist. I tried really, really hard not to feel the arousal I’d just given him.

When I stepped away, I noticed Gareth remained seated, frame tense, eyes narrow. The last of their pack’s scent in the room, sunflower and sesame seeds, wilted with bitterness as I looked back up to Flynn, not making a move toward him.

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