Page 28 of Omega Sanctuary

"That's no excuse." Nova shook her head. "Guardians aren't alphas, but they're not betas. They're supposed to be children of Apollis."

"Right. Brother to Aris, god of alphas."

"So guardians help move omegas around, especially before we're bonded. Usually there's a whole group of us in the fall when most omegas shift. Lots of omegas, but lots of guardians."

Bored of my crochet, I decided since Valens was bringing me more supplies I could go nuts with the rest. I started mixing yeast rolls. We had the time, for once, for them to rise.

Nova stopped to watch me. "Ooo, what's that?"

"Yeasty rolls. Maybe he'll bring us butter."

"Hopefully." Nova licked her lips. "Anyway. So we can't travel with an alpha because their energy is too...stimulating to ours."

My face flushed. Stimulating. I wouldn't mind Valens stimulating me, not at all. I watched his hands with the horses, how gentle he was.

I redirected my thoughts.

"Not just sexually," Nova bumped my shoulder. "Just in general. You've noticed it, I'm sure."

"Yes." My body shivered, remembering how Jaiyen's energy licked around me like a cat.

I remembered his face, red with anger, telling me it wasn't worth it.

Shame was enough to dampen my lust.

"So guardians, usually trained by the Order of the Silver Lion, take us. They also travel with the Royal Army. They have lots of innate magic, and the protective drive of an alpha without the need to dominant and fight."

"Valens is a member of the Silver Lion?" He had a bundle of swords he kept on the bench with him, and brought them nearby when we settled for the night, but he hadn't drawn them yet, more's the pity. I bet his biceps would have flexed nicely.

"He was." Nova frowned at her blanket. She was nearly done with a square, but almost out of yarn. "I don't think he is anymore."

I didn't ask why not. I didn't want Nova guessing I was crushing on him. How cliché of me, to want to throw the man protecting me into a bed and have my way with him. I was sure he was used to it by now, the wide eyed girls thanking him for his service and trying to show him just how grateful they were.

Liquid desire swamped me. I'd always thought I had a regular sex drive, but switching to being an omega was turning me into a teenager again. Time to think about my rolls. Anything else.

"There was a tragedy." Her voice went quiet. "A bunch of guardians were ambushed while transporting omegas and alphas. I don't know details, but I didn't hear his name spoken of again."

Now I just wanted to hug him. I sighed. "This world."

"Yes. This world."

Valens came back in the early afternoon. He had two packs this time, and his face didn't relax until he saw both of us.

We had just finished making lunch. "Perfect timing," I beamed. "Come eat."

"Just a minute." He scanned us, as if reassuring himself that we were unharmed, and walked around the area again. He was watchful, like he wanted to make sure people weren't sneaking up on us in the forest.

"Town was uneventful?" Nova bit into her roll. "Mmm, Zara. Where were you on my first trip?"

"Blissfully unaware I was an omega," I said, keeping my tone light. I put some of the meat and potatoes on a plate with a roll for Valens. "I'm sure you're itching to leave, but eat first. We have everything else ready to go."

He studied me for a moment. "Thank you."

Some of the earlier lust echoed through me, and I looked away. He ate wordlessly, but the small looks of pleasure on his face when he bit into his roll filled me up. I didn't realize how much I enjoyed baking, and feeding people until I was out of the bakery.

After he finished his meal, he pulled his packs over. He pulled bags out, handing them over to me. "Flour, salt, butter, sugar. Assorted spices."

I squealed, opening the pack. The flour was nice and fresh, and the spices were enough to get us to the Sanctuary.

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