Page 58 of Eclipse Sector

Why would he?I thought darkly.I’m not in his league.

Do you think it’s wise to be wandering a foreign land alone, Ivana?Cillian asked, a chiding tone accompanying his words.

Wise?I repeated as my wolf cocked her head to the side. She’d picked up on his tone, too. And she wasn’t sure she liked it.I’m stretching my legs, Cillian. Going for a run. Surely you understand that as a fellow shifter?

You’re a guest here, Ivana. AnunmatedOmega,he said slowly, his words grating on my nerves. Because what the fuck did that have to do with anything?

I’m fully aware of my mating status,I growled back at him.But thanks for the reminder.

You’re missing the point.

My animal huffed at his voice while I muttered,Clearly.Because why should it matter?We’re in a V-Clan sector. I’m safe here.

Are you?he countered, his animal circling mine.Out here? In the open air where anyone could drop in and snatch you away?

My wolf and I snorted at him.Who would possibly want tosnatch meaway, Cillian?

His beast paused right in front of me.Were you this confident when you ended up in that hole?

Had I been in human form, my mouth would have dropped open at the cold reminder of how we’d met.You’re going to bring that up? Now? Here?

I’m making a point.

And what point is that?I demanded.That you’re an asshole?

A low rumble of sound left his beast, one that usually would have had my own animal taking a step back. But my wolf and I had never feared Cillian.

I’m pointing out that being in V-Clan territory does not mean you’resafe, he snapped into my mind. Why do you think I had to accompany all of you here? Toprotectyou. This place is an unknown. Fuck, this entire experiment is an unknown.

My wolf gritted her teeth, her tail no longer swishing. Not only did she not appreciate his tone, but she also wasn’t a fan of his Alpha posturing.

You’re an Omega, Ivana. Vulnerable. Small. Easy to catch. And this world is dangerous,he went on.I would think you, of all Omegas, would know that.

I can take care of myself,I bit back at him, irritated by his belittling statements.

Vulnerable.

Small.

Easy to catch.

Fuck. That.

His wolf released another rumble, the growl seeming to reverberate through the telepathic link he’d established with my mind as he uttered two words—Prove it.

What?

You heard me, Vana. You think you’re safe out here? That you can take care of yourself? Then prove it. Show me what you can do. Show me how you would defend yourself against an Alpha. Fight me.

Had I been in human form, I might have laughed.

But I could hear how serious he was, could see it echoed in his wolf’s stance.

No,I told him.I’m not going to fight you.

Because you know you’ll lose.

Because that’s not what I would do if an Alpha tried to attack me, orsnatchme, as you said.My wolf released a huff of agreement. Or perhaps she was reacting to his nearness and the intimidating wave of energy swirling around him.