Page 140 of Unhinged Omega

"Stand guard while I change first," I tell him, clutching my new clothes to my chest. "Then we'll deal with your mask."

He nods jerkily and turns his back, positioning himself to block the alley entrance. His massive frame fills the space completely, ensuring no one can peek in. I change quickly, grateful to be rid of the blood-stained raider clothes. The new outfit fits well enough. Sturdy pants, a thick sweater, and boots that actually fit my raw feet.

"Okay," I say once I'm dressed. "Your turn."

The Knight turns back to me, and I'm struck again by how imposing he is. Even hunched slightly to avoid scraping his head on the low ceiling, he towers over me.

"Here, let me help you get that off so you can wear your new mask," I say, cautiously reaching for the broken metal.

He jerks back with a warning growl that echoes off the alley walls.

"Okay, okay," I mutter, holding up my hands and taking a step back. "You do it then."

He turns away from me, reaching up with those lethal claws to tear away what's left of the iron mask. I catch glimpses of fresh blood trickling down his jaw where the metal has cut into his flesh. It clearly hurts, but he doesn't make a sound.

"Let me see," I say softly when he's done. "I can help clean?—"

Another snarl cuts me off, deeper this time. A clear warning.

"Fine," I sigh. "Stay turned around then. Just… crouch down for me. I don't have the energy to climb you like a tree."

However much I stillwantto, even though I'm not in heat anymore.

To my surprise, he drops to one knee in the alley, bowing his head. The position makes him eye-level with me, though he's still massive even kneeling. I step behind him, carefully lifting the ornate mask.

"Hold still," I murmur as I position it over his face. I take my time fastening the straps behind his head, making sure they're comfortable, then gently smooth his bone-white hair free where it's caught. It's long enough that the strands brush against his broad shoulders.

"Turn around," I say softly. "Let me see how it fits."

The Knight hesitates, his massive frame tensing up again. Even kneeling, his shoulders are nearly at my eye level. Finally, slowly, he turns to face me.

My breath catches in my throat. With this new ornate mask, the Knight looks... regal. Dangerous still, but in a different way. Less like a beast and more like some fallen warrior king.

I find myself staring longer than I should, remembering how those massive hands can be so gentle. How carefully he touched me during my heat. How he cradles me like I'm made of glass even though he could tear me apart without effort.

What is happening to me?

Unable to help myself, I press a soft kiss to his masked cheek. "There. You look nice."

His human hand comes up to touch the spot where my lips brushed the mask. A low rumbling purr vibrates through his chest.

"Well, well. If it isn't the infamous moonlight omega."

I whirl around at the voice, my heart leaping into my throat. A broad-shouldered man with a leather eyepatch and shaggy dark hair stands blocking the entrance—and exit—to the alley. His remaining eye widens slightly as the Knight straightens to his full height, looming over him.

He looks vaguely familiar. Was he the one who tackled that blond weirdo? Not that I stuck around long enough to get a good look.

The Knight's growl reverberates through the narrow tunnel, making dust fall from the walls.

"Well, shit," the stranger mutters. He holds up his palms in a placating gesture. "Easy there, big guy. I'm not here to cause trouble. Name's Geo. I run this place."

I shift closer to the Knight instinctively, my hand finding his arm in a gesture that feels oddly natural after everything that's happened between us. I smooth my fingers down his arm through the wool of his cloak like I'm stroking the fur of a massive bristling guard dog.

"What do you want?" I demand, keeping my voice cold and steady despite the way my heart pounds.

"To help," Geo says, but his eye is fixed warily on the Knight. "You've got quite the bodyguard there."

"I do," I reply icily. "And we're leaving."

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