Page 172 of Unhinged Omega

My face reacts in shock and irritation before I can fully mask it, judging from the gleam of amusement in Cosima's eyes.

"Not even gonna dignify that with a remark," I grumble. I eye the Knight warily. He's gone completely still again, watching our exchange in his usual silence. "Look, I'll make the call, but you need to keep him under control. Doc's twitchy enough as it is these days."

"He won't hurt anyone unless they threaten me," she says with quiet certainty.

I bark out a harsh laugh. "Yeah, because that's so much better. You realize half the alphas in this place are a threat just because you exist, right? An unmated omega..."

"I'm not unmated," she cuts in sharply. "I'm just unmarked."

Well. That's even more interesting. It's also a distinction without a difference, depending on who you ask, but I decide not to push it.

I glance between her and the Knight, noting how his massive frame seems to curl toward her protectively even while remaining perfectly still. Like a sentinel, ready to spring into violence at the slightest provocation.

"Right," I say slowly. "Well…that'sgoing to be a whole other problem."

She meets my gaze steadily, chin lifted in subtle defiance. "The only problem is people trying to control me. I make my own choices."

"Fair enough." I hold up my hands in mock surrender. "But try not to let those choices end with my base getting torn apart, yeah? I just had the place renovated."

That smirk returns, a little sharper this time. "I'll do my best."

"I'll go track down the doc," I mutter. "You two... behave." I eye the Knight meaningfully. "No maiminganyonewhile I'm gone."

He just stares at me, utterly still. But I swear that in the shadows of his mask, I catch a flicker of something almost like amusement in his eyes.

Nah. Can't be.

I'm so stressed out, I'm seeing shit now.

As I head for the door, Cosima's voice stops me. "Geo?"

I glance back. She's still perched on the edge of the bed, still touching the Knight's arm like it's the most natural thing in the world. Like she isn't petting an alpha who could tear her apart before she could blink.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you," she murmurs. "For helping."

I grunt noncommittally. "Don't get too grateful. Just trying to keep my house in one piece."

But we both know that's not entirely true. There's something about her that makes me want to help, want to protect. Even knowing she's probably the most dangerous person in this place right now.

Not because of what she can do.

But because of what others will do for her.

As I pull the door shut behind me, I catch one last glimpse of them. Beauty and beast, silver and steel, locked in some kind of screwed up orbit I can't begin to understand.

And I realize I'm completely, utterly fucked.

Because I'm starting to care.

And in this world, caring is the quickest way to get yourself killed.

Chapter

Forty-Three

AZAREL

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