Page 9 of Omega Sanctuary

The rest of us girls knew alphas weren't for us, knew that they would at best break our hearts, and the worst didn't bear repeating.

Sabine looked at Nan. "You're training someone in her stead? You don't want her out in public more than necessary. Not until after her first heat."

"I don't have heats," I snapped. Everyone in the room was too loud. This was my kitchen, and I wanted them all gone.

"I'll ask around for the local alphas. Maybe some of them are home for the Festival."

"Jaiyen," Nan grumbled. "Zara's been mooning over that boy since she was in braids."

"He's an alpha." I crossed my arms over my chest. It didn't matter how much I wanted him, he would never be mine. "He's not bonded, he needs an omega."

Sabine looked at me. Her clear blue eyes were as cold as a winter's day. "And you need an alpha."

"For what?" My body didn't feel right. I wanted to lay flat. I considered just sliding off the chair and laying down on the floor, but that would be too much in front of the Priestess. She needed to leave so I could have a total meltdown in private.

"Your body is changing," Sabine started.

"I know about the circle of life," I said, turning away. "I got the same talk everyone gets when they turn twelve."

"You were told you might change into an omega or alpha."

A loud roaring started in my head, and I could barely hear Sabine over the sound.

"Sometimes it takes a while."

"To what?" I snapped again, knowing I was being unforgivably rude to the Priestess of the Rising Sun Temple. "Change into an omega?"

I waited for the laughter. To be told I was still a naive child.

I glanced at Sabine.

She didn't look angry anymore. Maybe that's what made the truth sink in.

She just looked...sad.

"I'm sorry, Zara. The gods move in mysterious ways."

Something inside me snapped. I stood up too fast, but used the moment to propel myself forward. I pushed past everyone and left through the back door.

No one tried to stop me.

Hours later, Nan brought me tea and soup.

She didn't come into my room often. She wanted to respect my space, and I'd been a little feral as a teenager.

"You need to eat." Nan set the tray down on the little table I had in the corner of my room.

I rolled out of bed, and dropped into the chair. I started eating the soup, not tasting a single thing. On the edge of my senses, I felt the spirit creatures. I couldn't tell if Kivai was around or not.

Maybe if I ate my soup and pretended like Nan was talking to me about the bakery or boy trouble I could stop time.

"If you're up to company tomorrow, Sabine will have Jaiyen stop by."

I turned away, bitterness stealing my breath. "Is she going to tell him what my name is before she tries to get me to bond with him?"

"Was there someone else?" She shuffled her feet together.

Great, I was a jerk. Nan didn't like this business any more than I did.

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