A middle-aged beta in flowing robes greets us with a polite bow. "Welcome, travelers. We have prepared our finest suite for your party, as requested by Larin."
Raven bows in return, a gesture that looks natural coming from him. He always was good at slipping past people's defenses and fitting in wherever he went. One of the things that made him so useful. I'm not exactly known for my people skills.
"Thank you for your hospitality," Raven says. "My pack and I are grateful."
The beta's eyes drift to Cosima, and something like reverence flickers across their features. Omegas are rare enough that even here, at the edges of Surhiira, their presence commands respect bordering on worship. And from what little I understand about Surhiira, even a commoner omega lives a better life than the most privileged omega of the Reinmichian elite.
"Of course," the beta murmurs. "Please, follow me."
We're led up a sweeping staircase to the top floor, where the beta unlocks an ornate door and ushers us into a suite that's larger than most buildings I've occupied in the last decade. The main room features low couches arranged around a central hearth,plush carpets covering most of the stone floor. Doorways lead off to what must be separate bedrooms, and large windows overlook the settlement, offering a view of the mountains beyond.
"Will this be satisfactory?" the beta asks, addressing the question to Cosima rather than any of us alphas.
She nods, looking surprised. "Yes, thank you. It's beautiful."
The beta beams, clearly pleased to have pleased her. "The evening meal will be served in the dining room below, or we can bring it to your suite if you prefer privacy. There is a bathhouse connected to your rooms with hot springs." She gestures to a doorway I hadn't noticed. "Please, make yourselves comfortable."
With another bow, the beta retreats, leaving us alone in the unexpectedly luxurious space.
"Holy shit," Geo mutters, looking around with his single eye wide. "This is... not what I expected."
Cosima drifts to one of the windows, her silhouette framed against the fading light. She looks so fucking right here, surrounded by beauty and comfort and luxury.
Like she belongs.
Knight moves to stand beside her, his hulking frame making the room seem smaller. She reaches up absently to touch his arm, a gesture of reassurance that obviously comes so naturally now.
I turn away, unable to watch. A bitter taste fills my mouth as reality crashes down around me. This is what I'm up against. Not just Azarel, not just the other alphas vying for her attention. But this… this whole fuckingworldthat's so much better than anything I could ever offer her.
I stalk toward one of the bedrooms, suddenly needing to be alone before I say or do something I'll regret. The room is as lavish as the rest of the suite. A massive bed draped in silks, more windows offering breathtaking views, and a small balcony beyond carved doors.
I step out onto the balcony, gulping in the evening air. The sun has nearly set, turning half the domed surfaces below black with shadow like some ethereal chessboard. In the distance, I can see lights beginning to twinkle in other buildings in larger cities. Signs of life. Of civilization.
"What's wrong?"
Raven's voice behind me makes me stiffen. I didn't hear him approach, which is concerning in itself. I'm losing my edge around these people.
"Fuck off," I growl without turning around. The last person I want to talk to right now is him. He moves to stand beside me anyway, because of course he does. Stubborn bastard never did know when to leave well enough alone.
"Quite a view," he says conversationally, as if I hadn't just told him to fuck off. "Almost makes you forget what the rest of the world looks like."
I grunt in response, keeping my gaze fixed on the horizon. He's too close. I can smell him from here, that honey-sweet scent mixed with something else now.
Cosima.
He still smells like her, even hours later.
I want to lean closer. Want to breathe him in. Want to taste his lips just to taste her there. The thought should piss me offfor entering my head like that. It doesn't. And that makes me angrier and more frustrated with myself than anything else.
"What do you want, Raven?" I ask, needing to break the silence before my thoughts spiral any further.
"Just checking on you," he says, his tone infuriatingly casual. "You bolted out of there pretty quickly."
"I needed air," I mutter, still not looking at him.
"Bullshit."
My head snaps around at that, my eye narrowing. "Excuse me?"
