Page 66 of Eclipse Sector

Then I’d freed Ivana and taken her back to my lair, where I protected her through her first heat.

She’d started in the shower—curling in a ball similar to moments ago—and quietly begged me not to ground her again.

When I’d promised not to throttle her abilities, she’d begun to sob.

For hours.

And hours.

Until finally, she grew quiet. Somber.Curious. That was when she’d first tested my words.

I’d sat in the hallway near the bathroom and waited patiently as she shadowed around my lair. Remained quiet as she’d shifted into her wolf and prowled through my personal quarters. Then cooked her dinner when she’d finally returned to her human form.

“Why am I no longer burning?” she’d asked, her voice barely audible. “How did you stop my estrus?”

“I didn’t stop anything; Prince Kieran is using his healing power to shield you from your heat,” I’d informed her.

Then I’d explained that Kieran would release her at any time. He’d only been helping her through the situation because he’d wanted her to understand she was safe before her estrus hit.

“In Blood Sector, we protect our Omegas during this vulnerable time. We don’tusethem ortradethem. We cherish them. Kieran felt it necessary for you to understand that before…”

“Before losing my mind and potentially going insane,” she’d finished for me, her expression astute and her words precise. “Will he be the one knotting me?”

I’d nearly choked on the bite of steak I’d just put in my mouth.No,I’d answered into her mind.Kieran’s betrothed.

She’d blinked at me, seemingly unsurprised by my mental reply.You’re a telepath?

Yes.

And you read minds?

Yes.I’d finished my steak. “But I try not to pry.”

She’d cocked her head. “What am I thinking right now?”

I’d narrowed my eyes. “Are you doubting my abilities?”

“Yes.”

My eyebrows had lifted in surprise.

Only for my power to sweep her mind and find that she was teasing me.

Except that wasn’t the only discovery I’d made that day. I’d found Ivana’s thoughts to be soothingly peaceful.

At least until she’d started thinking about asking me if I intended to knot her during her heat.

I might not mind that,she’d decided, her blue eyes dancing over me with interest.In fact, I think I would like it.

“No,” I’d told her. “If you want an Alpha to help you through your first estrus, I can introduce you to a few. I won’t be able to do that.”

“Why not?” she’d boldly asked me, the cowering female from the shower nowhere in sight. A confident goddess had taken her place.

And she’d remained inside her until today.

Until I’d shattered her faith in me.

I shifted to lean back against the wall now, my legs tucked up so my arms could wrap around my knees. It was the same position I’d taken out in the hallway during her shower in my lair. Only this time, I was in the bathroom with her. Both of us naked and staring at one another.