Page 43 of Omega Sanctuary

Nova laughed. "You sound like we're kids pulling pranks." I gave her an innocent look.

"I mean, we've got to have some fun." Nova laughed again, and told me about her early days of training. She'd trained at the Omega Sanctuary before, and knew the Priestesses.

When it was time to go downstairs, my steps were lighter. Nova would be with me, to help me through the process.

Nova and Hashir left for the day.

"You don't have to babysit me," I told him. "I'm sure you have better things to do with your day."

He had brooding to catch up on. Maybe some tree trunks to lift to keep himself in shape.

He glanced at me. "If you need privacy I can—"

"No." I was the worst at this. Seduce him? I would be lucky if he didn't think I was tired of him. "I feel guilty you're stuck with me when the other two get to leave."

A crease appeared between his eyebrows. "I don't mind."

"Okay." I wasn't making things any less awkward, so I went into the kitchen. I had big plans for Hashir's baking supplies.

I pulled out flour, butter, sugar, all the stuff I needed to make a good pastry dough. Hashir didn't have chocolate, but he did have some fresh fruit.

"If you would like time alone." Valens hovered in the doorway. "I could busy myself elsewhere."

"I like being around you." I hefted a bag of sugar, and Valens came over to help. I had baker's arms, but I didn't tell him no. "I just wish you weren't stuck with me."

He frowned. "I am not stuck."

"You can't go do some errands or even have some fun in the city, because I can't leave yet."

"I wouldn't want to," he said quietly.

Because of me, or because he didn't enjoy people?

He was a good assistant. He handed me measuring cups and listened attentively whenever I asked him to do something. Whenever I could, I brushed against him. My hand on his forearm, leaning over him. My shoulder against his.

He didn't pull away, but he didn't invite anything more.

I was hopeless. I would die an old spinster, remembering the day I tried to seduce a guardian and failed horribly.

Cooking with Zara was punishment for all my past and current failings.

Soldiers found us on the road, and now someone was kidnapping omegas. All of my worst nightmares, a reality.

I stole a glance at Zara. She had a spot of flour on her cheek, and her face was rosy as she talked about the dough she was making.

My heart lurched. Every instinct screamed to take her and hide her away. I had numerous secrets places all over Andaria, and even in other lands. I could hide her, keep her safe.

Keep her mine.

But she needed an alpha's bond. I could protect her from the world, but I couldn't protect her from herself. Her energy swirled around me today, gentle but persistent, like the scent of rain on storm clouds.

I wasn't worried about her heat coming in before we reached the Sanctuary, but I was concerned about her alpha bond. I'd only been around two other omegas in my life whose magic came in so soft but steady. Both of them had turned out to be omegas powerful enough to become Priestesses of the Shrines.

"Hand me the baking soda." Zara touched my forearm.

Molten fire burned through me. Heat blazed from my arm down my neck to my cock. I shifted, trying to picture the last swamp monster I'd fought. Anything to push off the coming erection.

Sleeping next to her last night was more than I could have hoped for. And today, Zara kept touching me, kept looking up at me like I was some sort of hero.

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