Page 30 of Eclipse Sector
Then allow me to return the favor,he drawled.You’re an equal threat, yet I’m not allowing that to ruin my evening. I suggest you do the same.
He dismissed me by returning his focus to a frowning Ivana, his lips curling into an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, love. Where were we?” He reached forward to tuck one of her stray white-blonde strands behind her ear.
I wasn’t sure what bothered me more—his choice of endearment or him touching her.
“You were telling me about your underground roads,” she said slowly, her gaze dancing from him to me and back again. “Is Cillian bothering you?”
Cael chuckled. “No. He’s just being protective.”
Her brow furrowed.Over what?she wondered.
You, I nearly answered.
But instead, I left them to their conversation and shadowed to a darker part of the room. I didn’t want to be seen or heard orfelt. I wanted to disappear and observe in silence.
Which was precisely what I did for the next two long hours until finally the commencement event was brought to an end.
I left Fritz and Benz in charge of escorting the Alphas to their guest quarters—several of them were remaining in Blood Sector for the week. Some already lived here. And a few were traveling back to their home sectors.
Thankfully, Cael was among that latter group.
He shot me a wink before shadowing off with his two Elites. I didn’t outwardly reply. But inside, my animal growled.
Something about that had felt like a challenge.
And it was a challenge I did not want to entertain.
He could keep Lunar Sector to himself. I was perfectly content here in Blood Sector.
Well, mostly content.
Ivana had left without an escort, choosing to shadow herself back to her nest. Presumably, anyway.
Ignoring the desire to chase after her, I led our visiting Omegas back to their guest suites within Kieran and Quinnlynn’s palace—which was more like an apartment building than a traditional royal residence.
Once they were secure, I mentally informed Kieran of the uneventful night and shadowed back to my den.
Except nothing felt right down here.
There were too many foreign Alphas in our sector.On our land.
And Ivana had chosen to sleep apart from the other Omegas.
“Fuck,” I muttered, running my fingers through my hair. I should have pushed harder to have her room with the others. It made the most sense from a security standpoint, especially with the thirty-one visiting Alphas.
My leash around said Alphas tightened, my mind scanning all of theirs for ill intentions out of habit.
Nothing.
Not a single bad thought.
And yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling something was wrong.
Pacing, I tried to reach for Ivana’s mind. But it was quiet. Like always. Peaceful. Not giving me a single statement to focus on.
She was safe.
Unless someone is interfering,I thought, pausing mid-stride.No. That’s impossible.
