Page 11 of Eclipse Sector

“Among other reasons, yes,” she’d admitted. “But that’s a story for another day. What I want to tell you about are the new security provisions we’re making for the Sanctuary, including renaming it to Night Sector. Everyone will believe it’s a new V-Clan territory, one ruled by Kyra and Lorcan.”

My eyebrows had jumped upward again. “Oh?” I’d been intrigued because her words had suggested that Lorcan was taking his mating seriously now.

That realization had inspired a hint of hope inside my heart.

One I’d squashed in the next moment.

Because I’d refused to entertain the strand that led directly tohim. My former love. The Alpha who’d declared himself asout of my league.

Oblivious to my inner turmoil, Quinn had continued by telling me King Kieran’s plans for announcing the new sector to those in attendance tonight.

“Due to recent events, we feel this is our best option to help safeguard the Sanctuary’s secrets,” she’d added, not elaborating on therecent events.

Instead, she’d gone on to describe some of the security in place within the Sanctuary, including a brief summary of the enchantment safeguarding the island.

“Only Omegas and Alphas mated to Omega inhabitants can enter,” she’d explained. “Which means Kieran and Lorcan can pass through the protective barrier, as well as a handful of recently relocated Omegas and their Alpha mates. But those Omegas and Alphas are too new for the others to trust them, so…”

She’d continued by saying that they’d conceptualized an idea to help bolster protection on the island.

And that idea involved creating a mating program for interested Omegas at the Sanctuary.

“It will allow us to bring in a few more Alphas, ones that should, in theory, earn the trust of the Sanctuary a little faster since they would be mating Omegas who have lived there for a while.”

“Trust by association,” I’d translated.

She’d dipped her chin in confirmation. “Exactly.”

“It’s a good idea,” I’d told her.

“I’m glad you think so,” she’d murmured. “Because I was wondering if you’d like to participate in the program.”

I’d blinked at her, dumbfounded by the offer.

“You wouldn’t necessarily have to relocate to Night Sector afterward, either,” she’d added. “I just wanted to let you know that you’re invited to join the mating pool. If you’re interested, I mean.”

I… hadn’t known what to say at first.

But after nearly a week of mulling it over, I’d thought,Why not? What better way to find an Alpha “in my league”?

Okay, maybe that was catty.

However, it wasn’t like I had a lot of options standing before me. And I needed a way to move on fromAlpha Cillian.

He didn’t want me.

He never had.

I could see that now. I’d misread the situation entirely.

I wouldn’t allow that to happen again.

So here I stood, dressed in a shimmery blue gown with slits up both my thighs—another design, courtesy of Beta Cameron—waiting for my number to be called.

Am I crazy for doing this?I wondered for the thousandth time.

“You’ll be able to walk away at any time,” Quinn had told me. “All the Omegas and Alphas will. This is simply meant as an opportunity to facilitate introductions between wolves who might be ready to take mates. That’s it.”

She’d made it sound so simple.