Page 57 of Gold Sector

So yeah, I said some things. Things my brother overheard. Things he’s no doubt judging me for now.

But I won’t take them back.

Courting isn’t the same as claiming.

I cancourtfor as long as I desire. Days. Months. Years. Whatever it takes to establish trust between me and Taliana.

My dragon might prefer the courtship to last hours. But I’m in charge here, not him.

“Bella Chambers is my past,” I add aloud, feeling like I need to explain what Taliana just witnessed. “An Omega I saw through a few heats. I never courted her, and I never intend to court her. That’s not how things are done here.” Something she’ll understand better after our tour. “Let’s?—”

My suggestion is cut off by a buzzing on my wrist, my watch alerting me of an incoming call.

I curse when I see the name.

Taking Taliana on a tour is important, but meeting with Riordan is imperative. I can’t delegate this conversation to my brother.

I also can’t seem to bring myself to release Taliana either, though.

So instead, I tug her into me for a quick kiss and say, “I need to take this call.”

She nods and swallows, her feet already pulling her away from me.

But I catch her hand and guide her right back to me. “We’ll take it in my office.”

My brother gives me a look of disapproval but smartly keeps his mouth shut. I’ll deal with him after we talk to Rio.

Swiping my thumb over my watch, I accept the incoming message. The Prince of Jasper Sector appears infront of me on a translucent screen that moves as I walk. His dark hair is braided in a series of rows along his scalp, allowing me to see the wolf tattoo decorating the side of his head. There are several Viking runes, too.

And something new.

“Nice web,” I tell him, referring to the small spiderweb etched into the corner of his forehead.

He doesn’t immediately reply, his focus on the Omega walking beside me. “Helena?” he asks, sounding shocked.

Taliana’s gaze instantly flies upward, her eyes widening in alarm.

“Holy shit,” Rio breathes, causing my footsteps to falter.

My brother and I frown at each other, then down at the Omega, who is gaping at the screen. “Helena?” I repeat, my heart suddenly kick-starting in my throat.

But before I can worry about any lies Taliana may have given me regarding her identity, I recall my conversation with her father.

“Your mother,” I acknowledge aloud in the next moment.

“You look just like her,” Rio adds unhelpfully. “But your eyes are all Keegan. Same shape. Though, the starburst pattern is missing some of the white.”

“Stop studying my Omega,” I demand.

Rio’s eyebrow lifts as he finally shifts his gaze to me. “YourOmega?”

My jaw ticks, my hand tightening around Taliana’s as I start walking again. “How do you know my father?” she asks, her bold question almost making me stumble.

It seems the submissive Omega from moments ago has disappeared, and in her place is a woman with suspicion etched into her beautiful features.

As she holds Rio’s gaze with the intensity and confidence of a fellow Alpha.

A queen, I think, pleased.Verypleased.