Page 222 of Unhinged Omega

I hold up my hands, backing away. "My manicure has been through enough already, thank you very much." It's a weak excuse, but the truth is, I don't want to risk touching him again. It's making me feel things I don't want to feel.

"Ignore him," Raven says, his movements surprisingly gentle as he works. "He's always obnoxious when he's sick. Alpha insecurities and all that."

"I'm familiar with them," I say dryly.

It's fascinating watching Raven tend to Nikolai. There's a practiced familiarity to his movements, as if he's done this many times before. His face is a mask of concentration, but beneath it, I catch glimpses of genuine fear.

And something much deeper.

As Nikolai's eyes close, his consciousness fading under the combined assault of pain and fever, I find myself studying Raven.

"You really care about him, don't you?" The words escape before I can stop them.

Raven's hands pause momentarily, surprise flickering across his features. Then he resumes his work, focusing intently on cleaning the stab wound.

"It doesn't matter." His voice is barely audible. "That's always been a one-way street."

I watch the gentle way his fingers work, the careful attention he pays to every detail of Nikolai's care. "I'm not so sure about that."

Raven opens his mouth to respond, but the door swings open, revealing a disheveled Dr. Ryefield. The doctor's eyes are still slightly bloodshot.

"My mind's still a bit foggy," Dr. Ryefield says flatly, rubbing his temples, "but didn't I just finish patching this one up?"

Raven's cheeks flush slightly. "About earlier… I'm sorry. It wasn't personal."

The doctor gives him a withering look. "Save it. Let me see what we're dealing with."

I step back, giving the doctor room to work. He examines Nikolai with clinical efficiency, making occasional sounds of disapproval. Finally, he administers an antibiotic shot and some fever reducers.

"He has a fairly substantial infection," Dr. Ryefield announces, packing up his supplies. "I've given him a broad-spectrum antibiotic that should help, but he needs to be monitored closely for the next few days." He glances around the room. "Preferably by someone else. Call me if the fever worsens or he dies."

With that unceremonious parting, he heads for the door.

"Will do," Geo grunts from where he's been leaning against the doorframe, watching the proceedings with a neutral expression.

As the doctor leaves, I find myself looking back at Nikolai. His face is slack in unconsciousness, the fever giving his pale skin an unhealthy flush. He looks younger like this, vulnerable in a way I never would have associated with him.

I shouldn't care. This man held me for ransom. He's arrogant, dangerous, infuriating.

But as I watch the shallow rise and fall of his chest, I can't deny the knot of worry that's formed in my stomach. The strange, unwelcome feeling that somehow, I'm connected to him. That his fate matters to me.

And that terrifies me.

Knight steps up beside me. I lean against him slightly, letting his solid presence give me a bit of warmth and comfort. This, at least, makes sense to me. He and I have an almost supernatural bond forged through dreams and mutual protection. I understand why I care about him. It makes sense.

But Nikolai?

That's a complication I never saw coming.

So is Raven, for that matter.

Another alpha is the last damn thing I need.

And yet, as I watch him tend to Nikolai, I can't deny he's not quite like any alpha I've encountered before. Not even the few Icantolerate.

I stare at Nikolai's unconscious form, my emotions a tangled mess I have no interest in unraveling. Not that it's stopping them. He looks vulnerable right now, his usually sharp features softer than usual. It's easier to hate him when he's awake and being an insufferable ass.

Like this, he's just... a man.

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