Page 143 of Unhinged Omega

"I don't need your protection," Cosima spits. "And I certainly don't need to be kept like some prized pet foryourpet."

"Look, princess," I say, trying to keep my voice level. She curls her lip at me in clear agitation. "I get that you're not thrilled about the situation. But Raven is convinced you're his mate, and until I can figure out what the fuck is going on, you're staying put."

She laughs, the sound sharp and bitter. "Is this how all alphas court their supposed mates out here? Through kidnapping and imprisonment?"

"No one's imprisoning you," I protest, even though that's exactly what I'm doing. And the answer to her question is yes, that usually is how it goes out here. Pretty much anywhere other than Surhiira, where the favored method is an endless stream of progressively over-the-top gifts and love poems. "I'll make sure you're comfortable. You'll have everything you need."

"Everything I need?" she repeats incredulously. "Like what? Your boyfriend's dick?"

"For the last fucking time, he's not my boyfriend!" I snarl, slamming my fist on the desk. The pens rattle. So does the Knight's deepening growl. It makes my head throb. This is one hell of a migraine I've got brewing, emanating from my eye socket. "And this isn't about 'claiming' anyone," I say through my teeth. "This is about keeping everyone alive long enough to sort this mess out."

Cosima crosses her arms, looking thoroughly unimpressed. "Right. Because locking me up is clearly the best way to handle this situation. Tell me, does yournot-boyfriendoften send you to kidnap omegas for him?"

"You don't know what the fuck you're talking about," I growl, rising from my chair. The Knight immediately steps forward, but Cosima places a restraining hand on his arm. "Raven is... complicated. But he's not just some random alpha. He's family."

"Family?" She arches one perfect silver eyebrow. "Is that what they're calling it these days? Is this a Daddy-slash-boy situation?"

I bristle because her words are too damn close to comfort, considering what Raven calls me, but I remind myself there's no way she could know that.

Hopefully.

Before I can respond, a sharp beeping cuts through the tension. The security monitor on my desk flashes red and my blood runs cold as I read the alert.

SECURITY BREACH

PRISONERS ESCAPED

ALERT LEVEL: CRITICAL

"Fuck," I mutter, already reaching for my gun.

My radio crackles to life. "Boss!" One of my guards' panicked voice fills the room. "The prisoners... they're gone! Both of them!"

Of course they are.

Because nothing in my life can ever be simple when it comes to that golden-haired menace.

Or Nikolai fucking Vlakov.

And now they're together.

Again.

Chapter

Thirty-Seven

RAVEN

Itry to ignore the hollow ache in my chest as I sprint through the tunnels, focusing instead on finding my way out of this labyrinth. Geo's security system is good, but I know all its weaknesses. I helped design half of them, after all.

Not even once.

Nikolai's words echo in my head, cutting deeper than they have any right to. I grit my teeth, pushing the memory aside. It doesn't matter. None of it matters except finding Cosima.

My moonlight goddess.

My mate.

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