Page 42 of Gold Sector

“Your father told me you’re genetically predisposed to attract a mate by your scent,” he informs me, causing myeyes to widen. “Or, well, it sounds like you may have inherited that trait from your mother, anyway.”

My jaw tightens. “I’m nothing like my mother.” The words come out angry. And they also remind me of how we ended up in this bed together. “My mother would have traded me for gold. She would have given me up for much less.I am not my mother.”

He gazes at me for a long moment, saying nothing. Then he nods. “I believe you.”

Three words.

So simple.

Yet they… they release tension through my entire body.

I’m not even sure why it matters or why I needed to hear him say that. But I’m thankful for it anyway. Because it’s… freeing.

“Thank you,” I whisper. “Thank you for believing me.”

He cants his head, his golden eyes glittering. “So what are we going to do, little diamond? Explore this connection between us? Or ignore it?”

My brow furrows. “Why would we ignore it? I… I came here for a mate.”

“Because you actually want one? Or because you feel like you have no other option?”

“Um, I don’t really have an option…” I reply, trailing off. Because what else is there to say?

“You do,” he counters. “You don’t have to accept a mate to stay here, Taliana.”

“I’m pretty sure the Prince of Gold Sector would disagree with you,” I inform him.

He laughs and shakes his head. “I’m actually quite certain that he would agree with everything I say, Taliana.”

I arch a brow. “Yeah? That seems pretty cocky of you.”

“Cocky?” he repeats. “Is that so?”

“Very.” Although, I don’t really mind. His confidence is refreshing. It makes him easy to trust. Easy to talk to. Easy to just… be around.

He chuckles again. “Well, I’m certain you have options, Taliana. If you don’t want a mate, don’t take one. But if you’re open to exploring this chemistry between us, then I am, too.”

I study him, noting the seriousness in his gaze. “Is it normal for a guardian to court an Omega?”

“It’s not unheard of, but I wouldn’t call it normal, either.”

“Have you ever…?” I trail off, my attention returning to my necklace as I lift the coin. “Have you ever marked one of your charges before?”

“You’re the only Omega I’ve ever volunteered to be a guardian for,” he says, reaching for the token to stroke it with his fingertip. “You’re also the first Omega I’ve ever given such a gift to.”

I look at him again. “Really?”

“You don’t believe me?”

“No, I’m just surprised,” I admit.

He smiles, but it lacks the amusement of earlier. It’s a different kind of smile. One that almost seems shy. “Trust me, none of this was intentional. But we’re here now. You’re in my bed. Naked. Wearing my gold. And all I want to do… is cover you in my scent.”

“Because we’re compatible,” I say, repeating the term he used earlier.

“Yes.”

“And you’re offering to explore what that means,” I reiterate.