Page 42 of Night Sector

Most V-Clan Omegas didn’t go into heat until the summer months, which was partly why our kind tended to hibernate during that time of year.

That, and we weren’t big fans of sunlight. Similar to vampires, but wolfish in nature. The sun didn’t really hurt either species; it was just a nuisance we tended to avoid.

It seems to be a normal cycle,Lorcan replied.Quinnlynn’s pregnant.

I know. I’d picked up on the familiar scent a few days ago.

I’ve already started making arrangements with Cillian, as we’re going to need a stealth jet.His wolf started to slow to a trot as we reached the area we’d started from.

Cillian won’t be able to fly here.And if I had to explain why one more time, I would—

I’ll be the pilot,he interjected.But I’ll need someone to give me directions. Shadowing into the Sanctuary is one thing. Navigating an aircraft here is entirely another.

Are you asking me to help?I wondered.

Yes.He paused near the place my wolf had rubbed up against him a mere hour ago. The island wasn’t that big, making it easy to circle when on four paws.Will you accompany me to Blood Sector and back? For Quinnlynn?

Maybe we should wait to see if she wants to go back?I suggested.

But I already knew she would. She was pregnant now, which meant she couldn’t shadow, and she was exceptionally vulnerable to attack. Kieran would want her in the heart of their kingdom for protection.

With Cillian and Lorcan right by their sides, too.

Never mind,I replied, suddenly feeling very tired.That’s where she’ll want to be.And there was no point in considering an alternative.

Unfortunately, that meant I would be remaining here as the Sanctuary leader. Not that I had anywhere else to be. But it felt like I’d been in this temporary position for an eternity, lingering right on the cusp of being the island leader without actually being the queen.

That role was reserved for Quinn.

However, she’d need to take on that mantle from Blood Sector, leaving me as the primary lieutenant in her absence.

I’ll go with you,I told him as my wolf leaned back into a stretch, her legs stiffening from the long run. She yawned then, showing off our collective exhaustion. It felt like forever since I’d indulged in a decent night’s rest.

Just let me know when we’re going,I added as my wolf turned toward our favorite cave.I’m going to go have a nap.

It was one of my indulgences after a run—curling up in a ball on the ice. Something about it soothed me. Perhaps because it was quiet. Secure.Reminiscent of my old cell.

Sometimes relics from the past could be healing. Mostly because it gave me a semblance of control to remain in the cave for as long or as little as I wanted to.

I’m free.

That was the heart of it all, a reminder of what I’d fought for and won.

It wasn’t until I reached the mouth of the cave that I realized Lorcan had followed me, his wolf a silent force behind me. I hadn’t really been paying attention, though. However, my wolf didn’t seem all that surprised. Actually, she seemed…welcoming.

She didn’t turn to growl at him or tell him to fuck off with her tail.

Instead, she moved into the cave to our usual spot and lay down to face the entrance.

When Lorcan entered, she shut her eyes, making me frown inside.What are you doing?I asked her.This is our place, not his.

But then his purr filled the air, right as the warmth of his larger body settled beside mine.Just relax, Omega,Lorcan murmured.Try to sleep.

With you here? No.

Tell that to your wolf,he replied softly, his purr intensifying.

Another blast of exhaustion left me momentarily speechless, my mind a little foggy as I tried to pick up the threads of our conversation. But my animal seemed to already be lulling us both to sleep.