Page 8 of Eclipse Sector

Not a single hint of that glittery dress—which was way too revealing tonight. My wolf had practically growled with hunger the moment she’d appeared beside me, her sultry voice demanding that Idancewith her.

No.Fuckno. I couldn’t trust myself to touch her in that sexy gown of hers.

So I’d told her to find another Alpha to pester.To tempt. To seduce.

Except I didn’t want to think about her succeeding inthatplight.

My teeth ground together, my irritation mounting.

Maybe she’d run off with one. I could find out by checking her thoughts, but I wasn’t going to invade her privacy. Besides, her mental waves were… unique. For as vocal as she could be out loud, her mind was exceptionally quiet. Peaceful, even.

She was upset,I reasoned.I should check on her.

Although, it wasn’t really any of my business, was it?

I could try to justify it as a need to protect her from harm, but she’d left of her own volition. And while her shoulders had been hunched in defeat, she hadn’t exactly been weeping or physically hurt.

I’m overreacting,I decided, shaking my head.It’s all this mating energy around me. And Ivana’s sensual invitation.

My damn canines ached to bite her. Just as my wolf wanted toruther.

It was a damning enticement, one I’d been fighting for years.

And I wasn’t going to lose that fight tonight.

Kieran and Quinnlynn had retired early. It was my job to manage the coronation and everyone in this ballroom.

Take charge as the acting Sector Alpha.

It was my responsibility every time Kieran needed a break.

I didn’t mind it.

Although, I wondered what it might be like to have the luxury of playing with a mate instead of running a sector.

I’d have to ask Kieran about it tomorrow. Goad him a bit. Perhaps he’d indulge me in a good spar.

Nowthatwould distract me from my tempting little goddess.

Clearing my throat, I refocused on the room, my gaze instantly searching for said goddess once more. However, she’d clearly left.

If she needed me, she’d call for me. She knew how.From that day, many years ago…

Swallowing, I pushed the memory from my mind and returned to where Lorcan still lurked in the shadows.

How long do we have to stand here and supervise these animals?Lorcan asked me conversationally, not bothering to follow up on Ivana. He either assumed I’d handled it, or had watched me flounder for the last however many minutes while searching futilely for the Omega.

As long as it takes, I told him, replying to his query.

Hmm. He vanished, only to return half a beat later with two glasses of mortal blood, one of which he offered me.

V-Clan shifters required the human essence to bolster our magical abilities, of which I possessed an abundance. When I was young, I used to have to imbibe blood daily, making me feel somewhat like a vampire.

Fortunately, I was far less beastly now, only requiring a drink every few days or so.

Also, fortunately, Kieran had created a home where V-Clan shifters and humans coexisted. We protected the mortals from the deadly zombielike virus that had annihilated over ninety percent of their kind, and they repaid our efforts by donating blood.

Cheers, Lorcan said, tapping his goblet against mine.