Page 12 of Eclipse Sector

But I knew that wouldn’t be the case.

Alphas were possessive creatures. Just as Omegas were equally possessive over their chosen Alphas.

One twitch of the nose was all it would take to identify an ideal mate.

Unfortunately, in my nearly three decades of existence, my wolf had only scented one possible match.

Yet he doesn’t want us,I reminded myself.

There had to be someone somewhere who would feel differently.

And this mating program might just help me meet him.

I ran my palms along my sequined gown as I forced myself to take a steadying breath.Forget about Cillian. He’s the past. Time to focus on the future.

As if fate was responding to my thought, I heard Quinn say, “Our thirteenth and final Omega candidate is a late addition.”

I glanced down at my card again, noting the number beneath my status as an Eligible Omega Mate.

Thirteen.

I stepped forward, positioning myself right out of sight. Then a Beta swept open the curtain and smiled encouragingly at me to join the King and Queen of Blood Sector on the balcony—a balcony that served as a platform for the entire room to see.

This is it.I squared my shoulders.No turning back now.

With my head held high, I moved out into the proverbial spotlight.

Quinn smiled, her expression encouraging.

I returned her grin before glancing around the room below. There were too many shifters in attendance for me to focus on one in particular, so I allowed my gaze to dance around the crowd for a few beats before returning my attention to Quinn.

“Ivana is a V-Clan Omega from Blood Sector,” she announced to the attendees. “Her interests are in analytics, advanced technology, and weaponry.”

My lips twitched a little at that last point.

What Quinn had meant by that was that I enjoyed playing with guns. Most wolves preferred their claws and teeth. But I was an Omega. Small.Weakerthan Alphas and Betas. A fact I’d learned at a very young age.

However, certain weapons provided me with an advantage.

Which was why I’d spent years learning how to perfect my aim.

I was one of the best shots in all of Blood Sector. Not that anyone allowed me to do anything with my talents.

Omegas were meant to be protected, not put in the line of duty.

Although, Quinn had mentioned that the Sanctuary would be different. “Your love of firing a gun will make you quite popular with Jas and the others,” she’d told me.

We’ll see,I thought now as I started down the staircase into the ballroom below.

Benz waited for me at the bottom, his full lips curved upward at the corner. He didn’t speak, just offered me his arm as my chosen escort tonight—something I’d designated ahead of time—and led me deeper into the dance floor as Quinn started laying out the rules for the Eligible Omega Mates program.

I barely heard her over the buzzing in my ears, my dry mouth instantly thankful for the flute of champagne Benz magically conjured.

Well, notmagically.

He caught a server at precisely the right moment. But it might as well have been magic.

Sometimes I suspected Benz’s charm was his hidden power and all his other abilities were just minor side effects of being a V-Clan wolf.