Page 79 of Eclipse Sector
Because I could use the distraction from my thoughts—which were all basically whirling with frustration.
Cillian had finally kissed me.
Then he’d apologized.
For shadowing off after kissing the hell out of me? For kissing me in general? For something else entirely?
I wanted to growl, scream, and cheer, all at the same time. It was a mingled mix of emotions that I forced to subside as I yanked on a shirt and waited for Benz’s response.
When he didn’t say anything, I met his incredulous gaze and arched a brow.
He sighed in response and shook his head. “If he hurts you…”
“Then he hurts me,” I replied, not wanting to discuss it further. “Now tell me what has Cillian jumping into Alpha mode.”
“When is he not in Alpha mode?” Benz muttered as he ran his fingers through his thick brown hair.
“Benz.”
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re demanding for an Omega?”
I narrowed my gaze. “Stop stalling and spit it out.” Because I recognized a deflection when I saw one.
The flicker in his turquoise irises told me I was spot-on, too.
As did the curse that slipped through his lips as his head fell back for him to stare up at the ceiling. By the time he looked at me again, his expression had turned somber, telling me something was really wrong. “Lorcan found Sylvia unconscious in her igloo.”
I frowned. “Did someone knock her out?”
His mouth twisted. “Sort of.”
“What do you mean,sort of?”
“She’s going into heat,” he replied. “A forced one.”
I blinked, not understanding. “Because someone knocked her out…?” That wasn’t how a heat cycle was provoked. Besides, Sylvia was a V-Clan wolf. “Our heat cycles aren’t set to begin for a few more months.”
We only went into estrus during the summer. It was one of the reasons our kind chose to thrive at night—Omegas hibernated in our nests during the sunny months.
Because of our cycles.
If Sylvia was going into heat now, then…
I swallowed.
Then someone or something forced her cycle to begin.
Which is what knocked her out.
“Oh,” I breathed. “Oh.” This was bad. Very,verybad.
And worse…This happened on Cillian’s watch. While he was with me.
I’m sorry, Vana,he’d mentally told me.But I can’t be yours.
Because he was no doubt blaming me for distracting him from his job.
He’d laid it all out for me, explaining why he felt he didn’t deserve an Omega, why he wasn’t good enough for me, why he’d devoted his life to protecting others while living alone.
