Page 95 of Omega Sanctuary

"Not from," he said. "I live here now, though."

I nodded.

"You?"

I shrugged, suddenly tired of the entire ordeal. Traveling here because I was an omega and it somehow making things worse, not better. "I came to the Sanctuary a few months ago."

"You don't sound happy about it."

I shrugged again, emotions burning in my throat. "It seems to have just made everything more complicated."

Asano frowned and led me to a stone bench. It curved around a large fountain, an angel at the center holding a pitcher of water that poured endlessly.

"Does the priestess you're training under want you here all the time?" His hand linked around my arm shifted so he patted my forearm.

"It's just hard. So many people." Tears pricked the corners of my eyes, and I wiped at them, horrified. "Sorry. I don't know why I'm so emotional."

Asano took my hand in both of his. "It's okay. I'm a good listener."

I let out a breath. He was. He just watched me, waiting for me to talk without trying to fill the space with words.

Still. I didn't love the idea of confessing all my insecurities and fears to this gorgeous man. "I just thought it would be different."

"You should ask her to let you off gala duty." He patted my hand.

"I need a break." I made a face. "But the lectures about it being good for my development would be endless."

"You could visit me in the city." He grinned like he was planning on getting away with something. "You know, in case she wants her novice to get some real world experience."

I laughed. It was on the tip of my tongue to ask what sort of experience he expected me to get. "And how is the city supposed to help me grow?"

"There's plenty of smaller social events there," he started, still grinning wide enough to show off his dimples. "I could take you to an art show."

"Art shows sound nice." It would figure the first man I wanted to spend time with at the gala would be a beta.

But maybe he was just what I needed. Someone who wanted me for me, not what I could do for him.

"Who are you apprenticing under?" Asano asked. "Hopefully not Tibelda?"

I laughed. "No, thankfully not. I spend most of my time with Priestess Aalina."

And Nikki, I thought, but didn't elaborate.

"A healer?" Asano looked surprised but pleased. "I haven't known many betas who were healers."

My chest caved in. He thought I was a beta.

On one hand, that made him even better because he was acting like I was a real person. But on the other, I wondered how different things would be once he found out.

I didn't want to lie, but I didn't want to talk about it either. I was tired of laying awake worrying about Kivai, the Shrines, my magic, the whole mess.

"I didn't mean to hit a nerve." He sat back. "We don't have to talk about it."

"It's not a secret..."

"Just a sore subject?"

I nodded.

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