Page 46 of Omega's Fever

“He’d would hold you in contempt.” Kellen shakes his head, jaw tight. “Besides, it’s too late now. Cobb knows you’re my mate.”

Mate. It feels perfect and strange at the same time.

“I—” I begin, but a knock at the door cuts me off, sharp and sudden. We all freeze, then a familiar voice calls out and I relax. It’s Kao’s brothers.

Kellen moves the dresser aside just enough for Kao to slip out. But my best friend pauses at the threshold, looking back at me with genuine concern.

“You sure you’re okay here?”

I glance at Kellen, who’s already moving to shove the dresser back in place. He looks like he’d tear apart anyone who tried tohurt me, sniper or no sniper.

“Yeah,” I say softly, meaning it. “I’m okay.”

Kao doesn’t look entirely convinced, but he nods. “Call me later. Let me know you’re alright. And Milo?” He pauses, choosing his words carefully. “Be careful. Both of them are dangerous.” He doesn’t lower his voice.

Then he’s gone, and Kellen’s securing the door again. We’re alone now. No buffer. No friend to keep things professional or safe.

“Both of them,” I repeat Kao’s words to him, tasting their weight. “He thinks you’re dangerous too.”

“I am.” Kellen doesn’t try to deny it, doesn’t pretty it up with excuses. “Just not to you.”

The certainty in his voice does something devastating to my insides. I move to the kitchen, needing something to do with my hands that isn’t reaching for him. “How can you be so sure?”

“Because you’re—” He stops himself, jaw clenching.

“I’m what?”

“Mine.” The word escapes like it’s been ripped from his chest. “My omega. My match. Even if it’s just chemistry talking, even if you hate it, even if it ruins both our lives—you’re mine to protect. I can’t—” His voice cracks. “I can’t not protect you. It’s not a choice anymore.”

His words send a thrill through me. The suppressants are supposed to stop this. They’re supposed to keep me rational and in control. But standing here in my kitchen with Kellen looking at me like I’m worth dying for, they might as well be candy.

“I don’t hate it,” I whisper, the admission scraping my throat raw.

Something flares in his eyes—hope and hunger twisted together into something that makes my knees weak. “Milo...”

“I should.” I grip the counter edge hard enough to hurt, needing the anchor. “I should hate everything about this. Thematch, the situation, the danger you’ve brought to my door. But I don’t. I can’t.”

He takes a step closer, then catches himself like he’s hit an invisible wall. “The suppressants—”

“Aren’t working.” The laugh that escapes me sounds brittle. “I’ve been taking over the recommended dose and they’re still not enough. Not when you’re here. Not when you look at me like that. Not when you smell like—” I break off, heat flooding my face.

“Like what?”

“So damn good,” I admit, the words barely audible. “Like safety. Which is insane because you’re the least safe thing in my life right now.”

“I would never hurt you. Never.”

“I know.” And I do. Despite everything, despite logic and reason and a lifetime of being careful, I know he’d let Cobb kill him before he’d let anyone touch me. “That’s what terrifies me.”

The space between us crackles. I can smell him—that particular musk that makes my omega instincts sing hosannas. My skin feels too tight, like I might split apart at the seams if I don’t touch him soon.

His breath catches, and the sound breaks my heart. “Milo...”

I take a step toward him, drawn by forces stronger than gravity.

Inexplicably, he takes a step back. “Milo, you need to get away. Forget the trial. You need to get out of the city. The country, if you can. Cobb will forget about you as soon as I’m convicted.”

“No.” I refuse to believe that is our only option: me far away, torn from my life, him in prison for years.