Page 75 of Omega Sanctuary

I gave myself a moment to enjoy the beauty and splendor. Nova lead the way to the side of the ballroom, near one of the garden entrances.

Smart idea. I shared a look with her. It would be novel to be asked to dance like a noble lady in a book, but I suspected after the third or fourth alpha trying to make an impression I would need a breath of air.

Nova too. She smiled faintly, but there was tension around her eyes, and her shoulders were too straight.

The soft orchestral music floated around the room. I scanned the sides, watching groups of people form and break apart.

A middle aged man left a group with a cocky grin on his face and approached us.

I stiffened at the same time as Nova. He made eye contact with Nova as he drew closer, and I relaxed.

Not me this time.

"Pardon me, ladies." He gave a shallow bow. "I'm Duke Mitheui. Would you honor me with a dance?"

He held his hand out to Nova. She nodded once and gave him a fake smile. "Certainly, Your Grace."

The duke spared a nod for me, but his eyes were on Nova. I couldn't blame him. She looked like a radiant angel.

I watched them dance. More men peeled away from groups or brought their partner back to the side lines only to ask a new lady to dance.

Some men approached the omegas standing near me, but no one approached me. I caught a glimpse of Naomi on the dance floor, and then Shai.

I left the sidelines to get some food for Nova when she came back. The buffet was top notch, and I ate a plate of pastries before bringing the plate back to the little side table near where Nova and I staked our claim.

The duke brought Nova back. Nova ate some miniature fruit tarts, but before she could start on the éclair, another smiling man made his way over to us.

He asked her to dance, and so it went for the next hour.

I waited. I drank some delicious punch, and ate more mini tarts, muttering about the under baked crust, and waited. My heart in my throat, I waited. My palms began to sweat, and my mouth was dry no matter how much punch I drank.

Shai stopped by to suggest I put myself out there, but I shook my head. Etiquette said for me to wait to be approached, and I didn't want to break protocol this early.

After the fourth dance, Nova returned and frowned. "I don't understand."

I shrugged. My stomach was in my feet, and my heart in my throat. Every time an alpha drew near, I sucked in a breath.

I didn't want to feel so hopeful. It was too much like being in a country dance all over again, one of the beta girls on the sides hoping for a dance.

Another alpha approached us, his energy so strong it was like a bad cologne. Nova looked at me and laughed. "Come on, pretend we're having a great conversation."

If I was sure it was just for my benefit, I wouldn't have played along, but maybe she was tired.

I laughed. "Nova, you shouldn't have."

She shrugged. "You know me by now."

The man reached us. "Good evening ladies."

"Good evening, sir." Nova took another sip of her punch.

The alpha with the overbearing energy smiled at Nova. "Would you honor me with a dance? If you are tired, we could tour the gardens."

Nova paused and looked at me.

"Oh, if your attendant doesn't mind?" He finally looked at me, really saw me, and gave me a fake smile.

Nova frowned. "She's not—"

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