Page 28 of Eclipse Sector

Lettingmight be the wrong term. More like he’d been taken advantage of and used against his will.

Regardless, that hint of weakness made me wary to trust him. His assignment here was meant as a way to earn back some favor among his fellow Omegas. Or maybe he felt this was his penance. Either way, he’d volunteered to assist, and Lorcan had granted approval for the request.

Benz was the other one in the room under my command. The Beta had offered his services to Kieran—not to me—and my best friend had obliged him without my consent.

Not that he actually needed my consent. It took balls to offer oneself up to the Blood Sector King like that. But it would have been a sign of respect to also speak with me on the topic.

Of course, the last hour in his presence told me why he hadn’t bothered to speak to me. When it came to respect, that didn’t exist for him where I was concerned.

Because I’d hurt his best friend.

Ivana.

My gaze instantly returned to her just in time for her to giggle at something Ransom had just said. Ormutteredwas likely a more appropriate term because the Alpha seemed to speak in dry tones rather than smooth ones.

It marked him as quite opposite to Prince Cael, making me morbidly curious as to whom Ivana preferred. Or if she even liked either of them.

But I refused to poke inside her head.

I didn’t trust myself not to react violently.

Clearing my throat, I once again scanned the dining hall, my mind registering all the thoughts and cataloging them as required.

No threats.

No dark intentions.

Just a hum of mating potential. One that leaves me with an odd sense of longing deep inside. Because I would never experience this. I couldn’t allow it.

I forced my expression to remain neutral as I stood along the sidelines, observing, listening,secretly wanting.

Time ticked by too slowly, my wolf pacing inside with the need for a long, hard run.

This was the life I’d vowed to lead. The punishment I deserved. Even if the sins I sought penance for weren’t necessarily my own.

Anything of importance to report?Kieran drawled into my mind, pulling me from the void known as my past.

If there were, I would have reported it,I replied.

He snorted.Someone’s in a mood.

I’ve been listening to Benz assassinate my character for the last three or four hours,I growled, pulling on the first excuse I could muster.How am I supposed to rely on him for security assistance when he despises his superior?

I’m certain he’s not the first disgruntled Beta to step into your path,my oldest friend returned.Earn his respect like you have the others’.

I’m not sure that’s possible. He’s under the misconception that I’ve led his best friend on and hates me for rejecting her.

Benz is best friends with Ivana?Kieran deadpanned.Fascinating. I had no idea.

I nearly grunted out loud.Liar.

Would I lie about something so trivial?

Yes.Because Kieran loved to meddle. At least when it came to my life. Politics, he despised. Fucking with me, he adored.

Hmm, he hummed into my mind, the sound noncommittal.How is Ivana faring? Do you think she’ll find a suitable mate?

Your goading isn’t going to work.