Page 180 of Unhinged Omega

"This is far beyond anything I've encountered," the doctor continues, stitching up the next set of wounds. "I've heard of experiments being performed, especially in Vrissia, but this is… particularly extreme." He pauses, his gaze lifting to Knight's masked face. "I need to check for head injuries as well. Can you remove your mask for me?"

"Oh, he won't do that," I say quickly, squeezing Knight's hand as hard as I can in hopes I can convince him through my touch to not tear the room apart. "The mask stays on."

The doctor reaches for it anyway. Knight jerks away with a snarl, his hand flying up to protect his mask just as it did when I asked. Dr. Ryefield stumbles back, nearly dropping his suture kit.

"See? Told you," I add, trying to keep my voice light despite my irritation and the tense energy crackling in the air. This doctor may not be as terrible as the others I've encountered, but not even the benign ones listen to omegas.

Dr. Ryefield swallows hard, his Adam's apple bobbing in his throat. "Right. Well, I'll just... continue with the rest, then."

The examination continues in tense silence. The doctor works methodically, cleaning and stitching the wounds he can reach, applying antiseptic to the others. Knight endures it all without complaint, though I can tell by the set of his shoulders and the occasional rumble in his chest that he's far from comfortable.

I'll have to make it up to him later.

"The flesh wounds should heal well enough with proper care," Dr. Ryefield says finally, packing up his supplies. "Keep them clean, change the dressings daily, and try to limit movement for at least a week." He hesitates, glancing between us. "Though I suspect that last part might be challenging, given the circumstances."

I nod, already knowing we won't be staying here long enough for an ideal recovery. "Thank you, doctor. We appreciate your help."

Dr. Ryefield pauses at the door, his expression softening slightly. "He's been through a lot," he says quietly. "More than most could survive. Whatever they did to him... it wasn't just physical."

I swallow hard, my hand finding Knight's again without conscious thought. "I know."

The doctor nods once, then slips out the door, leaving us alone again.

Knight exhales slowly as the door closes. I turn to face him, taking in the neat stitches now adorning his scarred skin.

"Better?" I ask softly.

He nods, those blue eyes finding mine. There's something different in his gaze now. Something strangely vulnerable. It makes my heart do a strange little flip in my chest.

"Good," I murmur, reaching up to brush a strand of white hair away from his mask. This time, he doesn't flinch away from my touch. "You should rest."

Knight makes no move to lie down, though. Instead, he watches me with that intense blue gaze that seems to see right through me. It should be unnerving. Itwasunnerving, once.

But now...

Now I find myself leaning into it.Wantingit.

The realization hits me. Ilikethe way he looks at me. Like I'm the center of his universe. Like nothing else matters but me.

And I can't deny the way my pulse quickens at the thought. The way heat pools low in my belly at the memory of his massive body over mine, inside me, filling me so completely I thought I might break.

I swallow hard, suddenly aware of how thin Raven's silk robe is. How it clings to my curves, still slightly damp from my shower. Knight's gaze drops to where the fabric gaps slightly at my chest, and I hear his breathing hitch.

"You should rest," I repeat, my voice embarrassingly breathless. "Doctor's orders."

He makes no move to lie down. Instead, his massive hand reaches out, hovering just above my knee where the robe has parted. He doesn't touch me. He's waiting for permission.

My heart hammers against my ribs as I nod.

His human hand settles on my upper thigh, warm and heavy. The contrast between his rough scars and my smooth skin is beautiful in its own strange way. His thumb traces small circles over the pinkish omega mark on my hip, and I have to bite my lip to stifle a gasp.

"We shouldn't," I whisper, even as I lean into his touch. "You're injured..."

Not that it stopped him before, though.

Knight rumbles low in his chest again, the sound vibrating through me like a physical caress. His hand slides higher, pushing the silk robe up as it goes.

Gods help me, I want him again.

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