Page 4 of Gold Sector

I shiver. My father saved me the night before my first scheduled session, the experience one that still gives menightmares. His urgency. His fear. His command to follow.

We ran hard. Fast. In a blur of darkness.

Then he gave me my first suppressant.

A pill that became my weekly regimen for three years.

Until last month when I took the final dose.

Will the Drakonians find any lingering effects in my blood?I wonder as two Alphas flank me, their scents making me dizzy all over again.

Suppressants are typically considered illegal among Alpha kind. They don’t like Omegas masking their true natures. But it was a necessity for my father and me to survive in the nomad lands.

If I hadn’t run out of pills, we wouldn’t be here today.

“You need an Alpha who can keep you safe,” my father told me three weeks ago. Then he announced his decision to present me to the Gold Sector court.

I fought at first, determined to find another way.

However, the fight was short-lived.

Because what choice do I have? I’m an Omega. I will go into heat. My first one, too. And it will be soon.

Better here where an Alpha might claim me as a mate than in Obsidian Sector.

Or worse, in the nomad lands.

Although, those last two seem like rather similar fates in my book.

“Omega,” a deep voice says, drawing my attention to the male on my left. I nearly meet his gaze, then remember where I am and who I am and instantly drop my focus to the ground.

“Is there a problem, Omega Taliana?” Voice asks, a hint of irritation lurking in his tone.

Moons.He must have said something while I was reacting to the news regarding myevaluation.

Clearing my throat, I reply, “No problem, Alpha. Er, Your Majesty?” The formal address comes out awkward, as I’m not even sure Voice is the Gold Sector Prince. But who else could he be?

A long pause follows, one that causes the hairs along my arms to dance.

Someone clears a throat—Voice, maybe? It sounds close to me. Loud. A bit harsh.I wish I could lift my head.

“Go with Savan,” Voice demands, his words underlined with impatience.

I nod on impulse even though I have no idea who Savan is. I hope he’s one of the two Alphas flanking me because I move as they turn and follow them out of the throne room.

When Voice doesn’t call after me or shout another command, I marginally relax.

Then I remember where I’m heading, and my shoulders stiffen once more.

An evaluation.

My father warned me this would happen. It’s all part of the Omega verifying process.

“They’ll be a lot less intrusive than the Obsidian Sector Alphas,” he told me. “I wouldn’t let them take you if I didn’t think this was the best option, Tali.”

I believe him.

Or I want to, anyway.