Page 74 of Omega Sanctuary

I made a face at that, and Aalina laughed. "Just you wait, my dear. Just you wait."

My face heated at her innuendo, and I pretended to drink the rest of my tea.

Aalina kept me with potions for a few days, and I took it easy in my classes. By the night of the gala, I was almost back to normal.

A small, tiny part of me was excited to wear a gorgeous dress and go to a party. I wasn't a great dancer, but maybe that wouldn't matter so much.

I took a long bath. Tilda talked me into letting her do my hair, so she came in while I was dressing. Tilda outdid herself, weaving my hair into intricate braids, before twisting it up and letting loose strands hang down.

Nova came to my door, looking radiant in a dress with short sleeves and a long skirt. It was mauve and purple and looked beautiful with her darker hair.

Her face was grim, like she was ready for battle. "You ready?"

"Hey, we get to go to a party and eat yummy food." I nudged her. "It will be great."

Nova shook her head. "I'm just tired."

I fell into step next to her. "Thanks for your help."

"Always."

Priestess Deja approached us as we arrived at the carriage.

She smiled. "You two look lovely."

I smoothed my hands over my dress. It felt like I was playing dress up, but I loved how the long skirt swished as I walked.

"Remember, dance with as many alphas as you can," Deja said. "The purpose of this event is to meet alphas from far and wide. Everyone in attendance has been vetted to ensure they have the means to provide for an omega."

I wondered if that was code for they were all rich and important people. Valens was hardly rich or important the way a duke was, but it didn't stop me from wanting him.

Still, it was a roomful of alphas. I was supposed to dance with as many as I could and get to know them.

I could do that. Butterflies rose in my stomach and it was stupid, but a fairy tale played out in my head as the carriage drove us to the gala. Senvalis was a large seaside town to the north along the coast, and it was there that the event was hosted.

The Gardens was a sprawling estate owned by Baron Moreles. Vines grew along the sides of the building, and long winding paths invited visitors to explore the botanical gardens surrounding the property.

Faint strings of music floated out into the soft night air, and I grinned at Nova. She looked ready for battle but smiled a little for me.

"You excited?"

"Sort of?" I wiggled my hand. "I'm not a good dancer, so hopefully they won't hold that against me."

"They won't," Nova said. "Too busy trying to woo you into accepting a bondmark."

I sighed. I knew the alphas here would have an agenda. No doubt a large chunk of them were pompous assholes. But maybe there were a few hoping to find a genuine connection.

We filed in behind the crush of the crowd entering The Gardens. The main ballroom was a wide open space. Couples spun and danced in the center of the floor while people stood in groups to the side.

I paused. This was not the country dances I'd attended as a teenager. People were dressed in silks and fine linens, billowing dresses swirling as the women spun and turned in the arms of their partners.

Pheromones scented the air, powerful enough to cut through the blooming honeysuckle and hibiscus.

I took a steadying breath and followed Nova into the crowd.

Dances were covered in etiquette class. Omegas hoping for a dance stood to the side of the ballroom in loose groups with some beta attendants and priestesses. Prospective alphas would approach, ask for a dance, and see where things went from there.

We were supposed to dance with as many people as possible, just to see how our pheromones worked together. We could step to the side and have private conversations, but until we had at least one alpha bonded to us, the goal was to meet as many alphas as possible.

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