Page 26 of Eclipse Sector
Obviously, I’m not a threat,I fired back at him.So tune me out.
I wish I could.Irritation glittered in his near-black irises, the expression one I was all too familiar with.
Because Cillian always glowered at me this way—like I was a menace to his sanity.
How did I ever mistake this glare for anything other than disdain?I wondered, searching his expression now.How did I ever think there could be more between us?
A hint of something else crossed his features. An emotion that looked a hell of a lot likepity.
Ivana—
Don’t,I snapped.Get out of my head.
It was the last place I wanted him to be. He didn’t need to hear about my heartbreak or my ridiculous thoughts about what I’d hoped we would one day be. It was none of his business.
I was an Eligible Omega Mate now. Determined to find a new Alpha. Hell-bent on leaving this sector. On leavinghim.
“Can you send me the rest of the files, Quinn?” I asked, my attention returning to her. She was no longer hugging King Kieran but glancing back and forth between me and Cillian. “Or I’ll just review the ones I’ve missed with the others before the commencement dinner tomorrow?”
The suggestion was phrased as a question because I was already backing away toward the door.
“I appreciate you letting me see the profiles, but… I…” I cleared my throat. “I know you have better uses for your time.”
She frowned at me. “I really don’t mind, Ivana.”
“I know you don’t. But…” I trailed off, my gaze flitting to King Kieran before flickering over to a scowling Cillian.
I winced.
It wasn’t like me to run away from an altercation. Hell, I used to crave them with Cillian. But now… now I just… I just wanted to move on.
“I’ll email them to you,” Quinn said softly. “Let me know if any strike your fancy.”
I wouldn’t be doing that. However, I nodded anyway. Primarily because I wanted to disappear. “Thank you.” I turned, only to run into Cillian’s chest.
Because the bastard had shadowed across the room to block my exit. “I’ll walk you home.” His deep tones were underlined in authority, his words not an offer or a request but a demand.
A month ago, that order would have made me ecstatic. It would have inspired hope that Cillian finally saw me as a potential mate.
But now I knew better.
Cillian didn’t want me. He considered me to be an irritation, an Omega full ofunsavory qualitiesand completely out of his league.
And fuck if I was going to trouble him further by accepting his version of a “pity pat.” “I’ll escort myself home, thank you.” I gave him a brief curtsy—a show of formal respect—and attempted to move around him.
Except he caught my hip in his unyielding grasp. “Ivana.”
“Have a good night, Alpha Cillian,” I whispered.
Because I didn’t want to hear what he had to say. It would probably just be another placating statement. Or worse, a demand that I let him walk me home.
Soon, I’ll be part of another sector,I thought, aware he could likely hear the words.And you’ll never have to put up with me again.
With that, I blinked out of existence and shadowed myself to my apartment.
I had better things to do than worry about Cillian’s pity.
Such as figuring out how to stop comparing every candidate to the Elite in question.
