Page 112 of Omega Sanctuary

"We do. I get lonely sometimes, but..." He shrugged. "I didn't want to add someone else to the pack just because."

I snorted. "Tell me about it."

I cuddled against Asano. Even though he was rich and bonded, he still needed me.

And maybe that's what I was missing. All of these alphas acted like I was completely dependent on them, and weren’t interested in what I could give them aside from sex.

I wanted to be needed as much as I needed them, and I didn't show vulnerability easy.

Asano and I spent the rest of the afternoon having sex and eating. When Nikki came back to pick me up, I had to talk Asano out of staging him walking in on us having sex.

I wanted that more than anything, but I knew it would push Nikki away. I wasn't going to chase him. Either he wanted me or he didn't.

I was fine with that. My libido, less so, but we couldn't get everything we wanted.

The night of the gala was perfect, a warm breezy evening with the fresh scent of ocean on the air. I almost asked Nikki if he was going to attend, but stopped at the last minute. I wanted him to want to be there.

Besides, if he asked me to dance I would lose the bet.

The gala was in a golden ballroom, many large chandeliers hanging overhead. The food was good, and the people danced with ruthless precision.

Giddy energy built up inside me. I was going to rub it in Rayth's face for being a pompous asshole, and get baking supplies in the process.

If I asked nicely, Asano would have brought me some, but I didn't want to hear a lecture about having a "fling" with another omega when the priestess asked who the gift was from.

Nova smiled. "You're in a good mood tonight."

"Yes." I grinned, nudging her with my shoulder. "I am."

She raised an eyebrow. "Has someone caught your eye?"

I thought about Nikki and then Rayth. Idiots, the lot of them.

"Nope," I said. "Sort of the opposite."

She looked at me for a long moment. "Are you going to share?"

"Just let it play out," I said. "It's going to be better that way."

"If you're sure." Nova touched my arm. "I know the tea party didn't work out the first time, but maybe at the next one?"

I nodded, scanning the alphas prowling the corners. Rayth was nowhere to be seen.

"Who tonight?" Nova asked, playing our game.

"Sergeant Puffypants." I nodded at a soldier in the corner. "He's staring at you like you're his last meal."

Nova sighed. "Alright. I guess there's worse people to start with."

"Save Duke Buffoon for last." Among the eligible alphas was a duke that seemed to attend every gala Nova did.

"Always." She grimaced.

One by one, the alphas made their way over to us and asked Nova to dance.

As usual, most of them barely glanced at me. One of them gave me a second look, and I felt like it was a mental note to come back to annoy me later if he struck out.

I made sure to dress well tonight, to give Rayth no reason to say I won the bet under false pretenses. Hair done up in tiny braids that swept over my temples and then gathered in the back to cascade down my shoulders. Green jeweled clips held pieces of my hair up, tying the emerald green and opal of the dress I wore.

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