Page 99 of Omega Sanctuary

"I've heard stories about you already." He looked me up and down. "The omega who thinks she's still a beta."

I cocked my head. "What?"

"Is it not true?" He kept his smile, but it grew sharper, only enhancing the pirate impression. He was older than me, even older than Valens, and something about his energy was settled. "Dancing, singing, it's all beneath you."

His words cut, an unexpected wound.

Naomi giggled. "Well, she's still getting the hang of the moves."

"So are you," Nova said, her voice sharp. "And you've been here much longer."

Sexy Pirate held up his hands. "My apologies, I meant no offense—"

"Didn't you?" I raised an eyebrow. "With an opening like that, I fear what the rest of the conversation will look like."

He gave me a rakish grin. "My deepest apologies. Allow me to make it up to you."

He gestured at a small table. I lifted my chin and took a seat.

He took the seat opposite mine, leaning on one hip. "I'm Rayth."

"You apparently know all about me, so why don't we start with you?" I took the hurt of his words and pushed them into a ball. Here was another pompous alpha.

At least this one was right in front of me, where I could take out my anger.

"I'm just a merchant." Rayth waved his hand. "Don't make it out to these Garden parties very often anymore."

"So I shouldn't worry about being ambushed next time, wonderful."

A girl filtered through the room, bringing us tea and small finger sandwiches and pastries. At least he made eye contact with the beta girl and thanked her.

"Didn't mean to hit a nerve, pet." He grinned, showing dimples. "Normally, girls love it when they come here. Just itching to learn how to dance and take their place as omegas."

"Maybe if it wasn't so obvious that the only interest in me was my designation I'd be more flattered," I snapped.

The hurt at being overlooked pushed up inside me. I tried to hold it back, play it cool, but it was impossible.

"Surely it's not that dire." Rayth looked me over, and damn it, heat followed his gaze. Here was a man used to getting what he wanted, who had years of experience backing up his claims. Bronze skin peeked out from his shirt, and I could even make out a light dusting of dark hair. "You have many more attributes than just your designation."

I raised an eyebrow. "Considering none of the alphas at the galas realize I'm an omega, and therefore not worth dancing with, I'd say I have every reason to be miffed."

"Not one?" Rayth chuckled, and it was a warm sound that followed the heat racing through my body. "Pet, I wouldn't care if you were a beta. I'd cross the room to dance with you."

I took a sip of my tea. I didn't know why, but him being so very wrong made me feel more confident. "Not a single person."

Rayth's gaze traveled over my face and then dipped lower. I wished I knew exactly what he was thinking as he kept the same self-sure grin on his face. "Your energy is subtle, but it's there. And regardless of beta or omega, you're exquisite."

I blushed, damn it. He didn't get to act like I was some rare jewel when he wouldn't have even noticed if he didn't already know I was an omega.

"You're wrong. There's another gala in a week. Why not come and see how wrong you are?" I said before I remembered I was tired of galas.

At least I would be providing my own entertainment at this one.

"Certainly." Rayth's grin was back. "Why don't we make it interesting?"

"How?" I took a bite of the pastry. It was delicious, but the butter had melted too soon during the baking so it didn't puff up as much as it could.

"What's wrong?" He looked at the mini tart in my hands.

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