Page 86 of Eclipse Sector

Because I knew all about Ivana’s list.

And the only name she had noted there.

Mine.

“Only those Alphas are allowed near our nests during our times of need,” she added.

“But Sylvia doesn’t have a list,” Omega Brie chimed in, her dark complexion appearing somewhat pale from the low lighting above. “And she can’t make one in this state. She wouldn’t even know who to choose.”

“Not all Omegas have a list,” Ivana told her. “There are places with, um, appropriate accommodations, for those who don’t have an Alpha to help them through their heat.”

Glory frowned even more. “What kind of accommodations?”

“The kind that provides relief,” Ivana said carefully.

“Toys,” Brie inserted.

Ivana’s cheeks pinkened a little as she said, “Yes.”

And my knot instantly pulsed to life.

“I have a toy,”she’d told me.“For my heat cycles. Because… you never…”

I winced, recalling where our conversation had been headed right before Benz had interrupted us.Fuck. I owe Ivana an apology. An explanation. Something. Anything, honestly.

My throat suddenly felt tight, my ears straining as I returned my focus to Ivana and her conversation with the Omegas.

“At the Sanct…?” Glory was saying, only to trail off on a cough, the action not at all masking her intended words. “I mean, in, um, Night Sector?”

“I… I don’t know what you use there,” Ivana hedged, “but I imagine they’re similar.”

Fuck, they’re still talking about toys.I really should shift my attention to the others in the room. But my throbbing knot held me captive, my gaze glued to Ivana and her alluring mouth. Her tongue slipped out to lick the plump lower lip, almost as though she could feel my eyes on her.

Knowing Ivana, she probably did.

The little vixen always seemed to sense me. It was a miracle she hadn’t glanced my way yet.

“Is that what you’ve done, then? Used toys?” Glory asked Ivana. “Do you not have a list?”

I swallowed as Ivana murmured, “No, I… I have a list. But only one…” She pinched her lips to the side. “Just because an Omega gives an Alpha consent doesn’t mean he’ll take advantage of the permission.”

Glory and Brie gaped at Ivana.

“Alphas say no to knotting an Omega in need?” Brie sounded shocked.

“Stubborn ones do,” Ashlyn chimed in from across the table, the Z-Clan Omega having remained quiet throughout the entire exchange until now. “Ones who don’t realize the gift that’s standing right in front of them can be quite blind sometimes.”

Cael stopped behind Ashlyn, his lips quirking upward. “How right you are, sweetheart,” he murmured before setting down a tray of beverages in the middle of the table. “But most Alphas of worth fully acknowledge that gift and accept it withouthesitation.” His gaze fluttered up to Ivana as he spoke, causing my Omega to blush in response to his open appraisal.

My jaw tightened, my wolf raging once more.You must have a death wish,I told Cael. He might be able to keep me from reading his mind, but he couldn’t block my telepathic ability.I can’t see any other reason why you continue to provoke me.

Maybe I find it fun,he returned, the words loud and clear, almost as though I were reading his mind. But no, he’d just allowed the surface thought to pass through whatever magical barrier he possessed inside his head.Or maybe, I want you to find happiness. Depends on how altruistic you find me to be, hmm?

His gaze snapped up to me in the shadows just for a second before he returned to the long spread of food and beverages to grab a drink.

Kieran and I were going to have a lengthy chat aboutPrince Caelwhen he arrived. While I didn’t think the Alpha Prince was responsible for Sylvia’s condition, he’d very clearly grown in power over the last century. And that was something worth discussing.

Because Lorcan, Kieran, and I had always kept an eye on Cael and the other princes. However, we’d categorized Cael as an ally with reasonable abilities.