Page 54 of Night Sector

It was coronation night in Blood Sector, marking Kieran and Quinnlynn as King and Queen of all V-Clan kind.

They’d just finished their task of greeting Alpha Princes from the various V-Clan Sectors. And now they were off to celebrate their bond, leaving everyone else to party in their wake.

I’d shadowed over to Cillian after he’d successfully chased off Ivana with a few words about finding another dance partner. She’d obliged him for now, but I fully expected her to return.

Would Kyra have wanted to dance if she were here?I wondered.

Then I smirked inside as I realized she’d sooner kick me in the balls than waltz around the floor in an elegant dress. Fighting was her form of dancing. I highly doubted she’d ever enjoy ballroom routines or fancy steps.

That was fine by me. I much preferred sparring, too.

Not that she was here to spar with. Nor would she ever be here.

Yet I couldn’t seem to stop imagining her here.

I blamed my wolf. He missed our afternoon runs.

Fucking mating link, I thought, palming the back of my neck. It was messing with my head. As was my lack of sleep. Kyra’s nightmares had gotten worse, causing me to wake up often to her mental screams.

I purred into her mind just long enough to pull her out of it, then I’d retreat and listen as she analyzed her dreams.

She blamed me and ourforcedbond. She thought that was the cause of her worsening nightmares. From what I’d gathered, her version of Alpha Fare kept demanding that she talk about her new mate. Yet, true to form, she refused every time. Which had evolved now into torture sessions, ones her mind seemed to be pulling from her past to mingle with the present.

“Have you heard a word I’ve said?” Cillian demanded suddenly, startling me.

Because no, I hadn’t even realized he was talking. Hell, I’d forgotten he was even here.

“That Omega is deep inside your head,” Cillian mused, his expression knowing. “Maybe you should just let your wolf knot her, see if that helps cure yourself of the distraction.”

I snorted. Two could play this game. “Are you projecting, Cillian? Is your wolf craving a certaindistraction?”

Because I’d seen the way he’d been looking at Ivana before I’d approached. It wasn’t with distaste. Quite the opposite, in fact.

Which was why he’d convinced her to go dance with another Alpha. He didn’t want to crave her. But he did. And he hated that he did.

I’d always found it amusing before, never quite understanding why he didn’t just knot her out of his system.

But now I understood.

One or two times wouldn’t be enough. If anything, it would only deepen the desire. And that would be an even worse distraction.

“I don’tcraveanyone or anything,” he replied flatly. “It’s just hard to ignore such a determined Omega, even if she’s playing in the wrong league.”

I snorted. Cillian meant that Ivana was too good for him, that she should be trying to find a mate more worthy of her affections. Mostly because he was married to his job first and had no intention of ever changing.

I felt the same.

Or… I used to, anyway. My devotion to Kieran and Blood Sector had always been absolute. It still was. Except, lately I found myself worrying more about Kyra and the Sanctuary.

Are they safe?

Has that weird disturbance made itself known yet?

Should I be there instead of here?

“She really needs to start looking for a more appropriate mate, someone who won’t mind her misguided penchant for telling Alphas what to do.”

My lips twitched. “I think she enjoys irritating you.”