Page 224 of Unhinged Omega

He meets my eyes, and the raw sincerity there takes me aback. "I know a lot has happened since we first... encountered each other. And I know I'm probably not what you were hoping for." His voice softens. "But I meant what I said before, Cosima. You're my mate. I knew it the moment I laid eyes on you."

"But—"

"I would do anything you asked of me," he continues, his voice dropping to nearly a whisper. "Anything at all. Including helping you find another alpha, if that's what you want." His smile turns sad. "But if I told you I'm not hoping that eventually, you'll want me, too, it would be a lie. If there's one thing I've learned out here, it's patience."

I don't know what to say to that. My cheeks feel hot, and I suddenly can't meet his gaze. Something about his declaration feels too raw, too honest. It's easier to deal with alphas when they're being demanding or manipulative. This selfless devotion—real or feigned—throws me off-balance.

"I… I don't—" I stammer, uncharacteristically tongue-tied.

He holds up a hand. "You don't need to decide right now. Or explain yourself to me. Ever." His voice is gentle. "I just wanted you to know that the offer is there. No strings, no conditions."

I find my voice, though it comes out hoarser than intended. "We'll see."

Raven's smile widens, lighting up his face. "That's not a no."

"It's not a yes, either," I retort, but there's no real bite in it.

For a moment, the room falls silent except for Nikolai's labored breathing. Knight shifts behind me, his metal claws clicking softly against the wall.

This is all too much. Three new alphas in such close quarters when I usually can't stand to be around any of them. Azarel, still out there somewhere, searching for me. The possibility that he'snot.

How did I even end up here? A couple of months ago, my biggest concern was avoiding Monty's wandering hands and my father's political machinations. Now I'm sleeping and showering in an underground criminal empire.

"You should rest," Raven says, breaking the silence. "You've had quite a day."

That's the understatement of the year. And yet, I find myself reluctant to leave Nikolai's side.

"I'll stay with him," Raven adds quickly, as if sensing my hesitation. "There's another room down the hall. Two doors to the left."

I nod, trying not to think about the fact that he's picked up on the concern I don't even want to acknowledge. "Thanks."

Knight lumbers out of the room first, always checking to make sure the coast is clear. I pause at the door, glancing back at Raven.

"Earlier, you said you probably aren't what I was hoping for. Why?"

He looks surprised by the question, then gives a slight, sheepish smile. "I'm not exactly a conventional alpha. In more ways than one."

"Why?" I ask, tilting my head. "Because you fuck other alphas?"

He hesitates. "That's… part of it, yes."

I sigh. "Look, I'm not in the market for another mate. My ideal number of alphas was always zero, and I find myself with a surplus. No offense."

Raven chuckles. "None taken, I assure you."

"That said," I continue, glancing between him and Knight, "being an unconventional alpha isn't exactly a drawback."

Raven's eyes widen slightly, the light reflecting off the blue more intensely. If he had a fucking tail, it would be wagging, and the smile on those full lips is almost enough to melt what's left of the ice wall around my heart. A wall I very much need to remain intact, if I'm going to finish what I started out here.

"I appreciate that," he says quietly, nodding to me. "More than you know. Enjoy your rest, Cosima."

Something about the way he says my name, like it's a sacred prayer his tongue caresses in gentle worship, causes a realization to hit me as I slip out of the room.

Raven may not be trying to keep me here by force, but he just might be the most dangerous alpha of them all.

Chapter

Forty-Eight

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