Page 1 of Gold Sector

CHAPTER ONE

TALIANA

Follow the rules.

Play your part.

And whatever you do, don’t look up.

My father’s words reverberate in my head as I try to heed his advice. Moons, it’s hard. There’s so much energy in this room. So much Alphahunger. My knees yearn to bend, my desire to kneel an intrinsic need that threatens my every step.

Breathe, I tell myself.

Only, that makes it worse.

There are so many competing scents here.

Ash. Pine. Peppermint. Charcoal. Copper. Earth.

I swallow, my fingers curling into fists as I fight the urge to submit more than I already am.

My fate depends on how I’m received here today. How much the Gold Sector Prince feels I’m worth. If he matches me with a Drakon Alpha, then my father will be welcome here, too.

But if the Gold Sector Prince rejects me…

My eyes nearly close at the thought. I can’t finish it.

This is my only chance for survival. The alternative is worse than death.

More scents curl around me as I move deeper into the room, and I seek out the only one that offers me some semblance of peace.The kiss of the ocean.

It clings to my father’s skin, reminding me of home.

If only I could go back there. To a previous time. A previous ruler. A previous… everything.

My limbs shake.Stop thinking, Tali, and just… walk.

The cobblestone is cool against my bare feet, my thin dress doing nothing to protect my body from the chilly throne room. Everyone is silent. But their auras are loud. Powerful.Intoxicating.

I’ve met Alphas before—my father is one, too—but I’ve never felt energy like this. Sizzling. Burning. Enchanting.

Gold Sector is in the heart of Drakon-Clan territory. An island of dragon shifters. Renowned Alpha traders. Possessing a world of secrets.

How my father managed to procure an audience with the Royal Court is beyond me.

I knew better than to ask questions.

All I can do now is try to pay him back by proving to be an Omega worthy of a Drakon Alpha mate.

“State your name and designation,” a deep voice booms as I arrive at a gold star etched into the floor. It’s exquisite. All sparkles and glamour. If I weren’t currently the center of attention in the room, I would consider kneeling to stroke the intricate edges of the design.

Instead, I focus on the words still echoing throughout the oval space.

Such a commanding tone, I marvel, nearly dizzy from it.Definitely an Alpha. Maybe even the prince himself.

Clearing my throat, I keep my gaze on the ground as I reply, “Taliana Embers, Omega.”

“Obviously,” the voice drawls. “An Omega from where? What are you?”