Page 10 of Omega Sanctuary

"No," I said.

Nan poured herself some tea and sat next to me. "Listen. Your life is going to change, but you knew that. You're a woman now, and someday will have a family of your own."

I sighed. The idea of a family, a house, all of that seemed foreign.

I didn't know what it was to be an omega. I didn't switch into an omega when my first menstrual cycle came. Not after I lost my virginity, and not after my last year in braids.

Most of the markers of adulthood were past. The only thing left was childbirth. It wasn't impossible to switch this late in life, but I'd never heard of it.

I frowned at my tea cup. "It just seems so far fetched."

"They are certain. Zabir is an alpha. Bonded, but still."

"I don't know what bonded means, exactly," I said to my hands. "You always said I was better off not becoming one of those pampered princesses."

Nan chuckled. "Leave it to the gods to test me for my hubris, huh?"

I let go of the dream of switching into an omega, the stories of terrible heats and burning magic enough to convince me I was happier as a beta.

Joke was on me. Somewhere, a trickster god was laughing.

Nan huffed. "The Priestess will explain things to you, but as I understand it, the bond will be like marriage."

My cheeks flushed. "Shouldn't I get to know Jaiyen first..."

"Of course." Nan added another lump of sugar to her tea. "I won't let them rush you into anything you're not ready for."

Warmth flared up at the mere thought of seeing Jaiyen tomorrow. "I'll see him."

I looked at my cup, and debated telling Nan about the spirits.

On one hand, I should tell her I was seeing things. Had been seeing things for months.

On the other hand, I only had the word of a spirit to go by. What if I was just losing my mind?

A sobering thought.

"What?" Nan sat back in her chair. "The good news is Sabine can train you. You won't have to go far."

I bit my lip. In for a penny, in for a pound. "There's been a new...symptom."

Nan arched an eyebrow. "Oh? At least we know what's causing your episodes now."

"I've been seeing things." I took another sip of tea. "It looks like fireflies, glowing yellow lights. But sometimes I can see them well enough to know they aren't fireflies. More like small animals that are just a little bit different."

"Sounds like spirits." Nan rubbed her chin. "A village girl I grew up with had the sight. Talked about seeing small yellow birds everywhere."

"Right." Small birds. And also, sexy men in the pantry.

"Ask Sabine about it. Perhaps it's part of your shift into being an omega?"

"Right."

At least she didn't think I was losing touch with reality.

My sleep was broken that night, and the next day I couldn't fully wake up. I tried to bake, but kept getting distracted and walking away from the dough. Nan finally kicked me out for a bath since Jaiyen would arrive soon.

I took a bath and brushed my hair, only dropping my brush twice. Nan instructed me to wait in the living room and returned with Priestess Sabine, Zabir, and Jaiyen.

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