Page 72 of Gold Sector

I nod. “He didn’t tell me the name but explained that they’re descendants of the Infection survivors.”

She smiles. “Yes. They have some fun tales, not of that period, but other mythology stories. You should visit again. I’m sure they would love to have you over for coffee sometime.” Her eyes widen like she can’t believe she just said that. “I mean, if you… if you want. I know you’ll be… busy.”

“You don’t have to worry about what you say to me,” I tell her, hating that she’s so nervous.

Because I know how that feels. As a wolf Omega, none of the dragons wanted to talk to me. They saw me as lower than them. Unworthy. A burden, not a being.

“I like talking to you,” I add, smiling a little. “It’s… refreshing.”

“Refreshing?” she repeats.

“Yeah. It’s different. New. Good, I think? I don’t know. But now I’m the one rambling.” I grin again. “What’s your name?” Oros called herBella, so I’ve been doing the same.But I really don’t want to use Oros’s endearment for her. Just thinking about him calling her?—

“Bella,” she says, interrupting my thoughts and making me frown.

“Bella,” I repeat, unable to hide my confusion.

“It’s short for Isabella,” she murmurs, blushing a little. “But I prefer to go by Bella. Or Bell, if you like.”

My lashes flutter. “Oh.”Ohhh. “It’s not… I mean, right. Okay. I’ve only ever heardbellaas an endearment.”

Her eyes widen. “Bellais an endearment in your homeland?”

I nod, then frown. “Well. Kind of. Yes.” I don’t really want to explain that the Alphas used it interchangeably to call for Omegas there. “Um, I’m Taliana,” I tell her instead of elaborating on Obsidian Sector practices. “But you can call me Tali.”

That last part just sort of falls off my tongue. I haven’t told Oros my nickname. But that’s because I rather like the way “Taliana” sounds when he voices it.

As well as “printesa mea.”

I shiver just thinking about it.

“Tali,” Isabella—whom I’m definitely callingBell,notBella—repeats.

“Yes.” I smile. “And I think ‘Bell’ is beautiful, by the way.”

Her lips curl as well. “Thank you.” She steps forward to place the envelope on Oros’s desk. “And thank you for not hating me. I know it’s probably hard, given my past with Oros and all that.”

I stare at her. “But that was before I met him.” Not to mention the fact that I have no right to feel anything about his former or current lovers.

Gods, he’s a prince…

He also said he only wants one Omega,another part of me whispers.He’s yours and only yours.

Except he hasn’t tried to do more than kiss me all week.

“It doesn’t matter,” Bell says, grabbing my attention once more. “You have every right to feel possessive.”

My wolf huffs with approval inside. Or maybe it’s agreement. I’m not sure.

“But you should know that the second I heard him purr, I knew he wasn’t mine,” Bell goes on. “It’s such a strange thing to say, so I’m sure you find it odd as well. But it gave me a unique sense of closure the other day when he purred for you. The sound didn’t soothe me at all.”

“You don’t like his purr?” I ask, confused because I love that sound. It’s one of my favorites despite being new.

“It’s not that I dislike it, but that purr is only for you.” She smiles. “He never purred for me. Not once. He also barely ever kissed me. But with you…” She gives a dreamy sigh. “I only saw a glimpse of you both on the balcony, but it was all I needed to witness to know that he’s yours.”

I swallow, wishing I shared her confidence.

“Well, anyway, I should go. And you…” She glances over me. “I assume you were in the middle of something important.”