Page 11 of Omega Sanctuary

My stomach fluttered, and all coherent thought died. The zippy energy bounced around the room, until my chest tightened and I forgot how to breathe.

Sabine smiled. "This is a good start."

Jaiyen sat next to me on the couch. "So nice to see you again."

At least he remembered me from last time. The electric pulse of his energy snaked around me, making my heartbeat pick up. I smoothed my hands down my legs. If I was very lucky I wouldn't go into a trance like I had around Zabir and just start groping Jaiyen.

I blushed, some of the heat fading.

Sabine asked Jaiyen about his training with the Royal service. He spoke at great lengths about his medals and accommodations. I focused on the soothing lull of his voice. He winked at me through his stories, slowly edging closer.

Everyone excused themselves until Jaiyen and I were alone.

"I didn't know you were an omega," he said.

My stomach soured. Being in the warmth of his energy soothed me. Being reminded again that he didn't have time for me before now wasn't helping.

"Me either."

"Pretty rare to switch this late in life." Jaiyen leaned closer, breathing deeply. "But there's no mistaking it. Once you scent an omega, you don't forget it."

I looked down at my hands. My nails were clipped short. My life was going to change, but maybe I could control how much. After all, Jaiyen lived here too. He could come back to visit me.

"Do you go on patrol often?"

"I can get leave," he said. "Especially if I need to take care of you."

Images rose up at that, all the ways he could take care of me.

"You'll have to tell me what you like."

I blushed and pulled away. It was too fast, too much. Everything was changing and I couldn't get my feet under me.

"I mean flowers, of course." Jaiyan sat back. "Chocolates. All the fine things an omega deserves."

"And I didn't deserve them as a beta?" I frowned.

For once his perfect face fell. "What?"

"You didn't even know what my name was yesterday even though you visit my bakery several times a month. Now you're acting like it's destiny."

"Because it is. Zara, an alpha and an omega from the same small town?" he shook his head. "It's a sign."

I snorted. I didn't know about a sign. Cruel joke? Maybe.

He frowned at me. "This is a lot to take in."

I pinched the bridge of my nose. It wasn't Jaiyen's fault my life had completely changed. "It is."

Jaiyen brushed his hand over my shoulder. I suppressed the shiver, not wanting him to see the effect he had over me. "I'll help you."

I sighed. "It feels like I'm losing my mind. Crawling out of my skin."

Jaiyen nodded. "The switch to alpha wasn't comfortable either. It will get better, I swear."

At least he was looking at me with sympathy. Like we were in this together.

"I don't want to move too fast."

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