Page 53 of Omega Sanctuary

"What are they doing here?" Valens crossed his arms over his chest. It made his shirt pull tight against his shoulders and I fantasized about yanking it off.

"No one knows." Hashir looked grim again. "None of them have a good service record. Suspicious activity, their troops failing at missions that should have been easy."

Nova handed Hashir a croissant. "You think it's connected?"

"I don't like coincidences." Hashir took it with a smile all for Nova.

"What coincidence?" I asked.

"Omegas are missing," Nova said. "I spoke to the Temple Priestess today. She wants me to get to the sanctuary as quickly as possible."

Valens froze.

"That's why you need to stay here," Hashir told me. "The soldiers won't care you're a beta. They might take you regardless."

Nova put her hand on Hashir's forearm. "That's very sweet of you."

I grinned at him. "Sadly, I'll have to tag along too."

I didn't know why it pleased me that he hadn't figured out I was an omega. Or maybe it was his concern for me was equal to Nova, and he thought I was just a beta.

"She's an omega," Nova said, grabbing herself a muffin and slathering it with jelly.

Hashir looked at me and then Valens.

Valens sighed, like the entire world was on his shoulders. "I noticed you said "we". That means you're coming?"

Hashir was still eying me. "Soldiers are out of their territory and omegas are missing and you're carrying two omegas out of season."

"Out of season, like we're fruit," I muttered, helping myself to dessert. Nova seemed to be eating her feelings so I could as well.

Hashir's face was nothing but questions, but he didn't ask any of them. Maybe that's why I explained.

"They only figured out I was an omega about three months ago."

Hashir blinked. "But you're old."

I laughed. "Thanks a lot."

"You know what I mean. An adult."

I shrugged. "Apparently, my magic is so subtle I don't scent like an omega."

Hashir stood up and took a full step back. "And you're not bonded yet."

"Nope," Nova said.

Understanding lit over his face. He looked at Valens. "You could have warned me! I wouldn't have been throwing energy around if I knew she wasn't bonded yet."

"I told you we all knew you were an alpha." Valens frowned at his muffin, like it had personally offended him. "We're going to have to travel quickly."

"We can leave at first light," Hashir said. "The Sanctuary is what? At least five days from here."

"At best."

"Why would people kidnap omegas?" I crossed my arms over my chest.

"For power," Nova said. "I'm sure the omegas that are missing have useful magic they want to use."

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