Page 58 of Unhinged Omega

Something's missing.

And I know exactly what it is.

Or rather,who.

But Azarel isn't here.

Every hour that passes leaves me wondering if he ever will be.

The elevator dings, but I barely glance up as Nikolai strides in. His scent hits me immediately. Blood and steel. I hate how my body responds to it, how it makes the emptiness inside me throb with need.

"Did you bring what I asked for?" I ask, deliberately keeping my tone bored as I continue arranging pillows.

I hear him growl, the sound sending an unwanted shiver down my spine. "I'm working on it," he snaps. "This isn't exactly a shopping district."

Finally, I turn to look at him and see he's carrying an armful of blankets. They look softer than the ones I've been working with, at least. Without a word, he dumps them onto the edge of my nest.

"How thoughtful," I say dryly. "The warlord's version of a care package."

His jaw clenches and I catch a glimpse of sharp canines. "You're welcome, princess," he growls. "Would you prefer I throw you back in the basement?"

I blink. "Did you do those yourself?"

His smug expression drops. "Did I what?"

"The teeth," I say, pointing to my own incisors to show him what I mean. "Did you file them like that?"

His eyes narrow and I can tell he's not sure how to respond to that. "So what if I did?"

I burst out laughing before I can stop myself, which only seems to infuriate him more. At least I'm laughing too hard to focus on the dull, increasing ache of my heat. "Oh, my god. You can't be serious."

"Fuck off!" he snaps. "They look good."

Now I'm laughing so hard I collapse on the edge of my nest. "Shit," I choke, doubled over. My eyes are brimming with tears, and I can barely see the furious expression on his face. I wipe tears from my eyes as I try to catch my breath between fits of laughter. "I'm picturing you with a nail file, trying to get them even… worrying you've gone too far…"

"That's enough," Nikolai growls, but there's something different in his tone now. A dangerous edge that should probably make me stop.

But I can't help myself. "Did you practice your scary face afterwards? Give yourself a little pep talk about being the big bad alpha?"

He stalks closer to my nest, his scent growing stronger with each step. "You're playing with fire, princess."

"Am I?" I challenge, tilting my chin up defiantly. "What are you going to do about it? Flash those fangs you worked so hard on?"

That strikes a nerve. "Careful what you wish for, little psycho. You might find out exactly how sharp they are."

"Is that supposed to be a threat or a promise?" The words slip out before I can stop them, my heat making me reckless.

The air between us crackles with something I don't want to dignify by naming. Nikolai takes another step closer, close enough now that I have to tilt my head back to maintain eye contact.

"That depends entirely on you,princess."

"On me?" I echo, hating how breathless I sound.

His lips curve into a predatory smile that shows off those ridiculous filed fangs. "On whether you keep pushing me until I snap, or if you finally admit that you don't find me nearly as repulsive as you pretend to."

I bare my teeth at him in return. "I'd rather kiss the Knight."

"Would you now?" He leans down, bracing his hands on either side of me. His scent surrounds me, making it hard to think straight. "I think you're just scared."

---