Page 94 of Omega Sanctuary

After what happened, I hoped Nikki would be more personable during my training, but if anything he was more distant.

Maybe I could use my spirit magic as an excuse. Having an alpha interfere with my training would set me back.

But they all told me it would be easier with an alpha bond, so maybe not.

This evening's gala wasn't any different. I watched Nova dance with alpha after alpha. I wandered around the dance floor, waiting to see if someone would approach.

Each time I attended a gala I hoped would be the night. The night that someone picked me out of the crowd and asked me to dance.

Bitterness ate a hole inside my chest. It wasn't going to be tonight, and it wouldn't be any other night.

I wasn't coming to more galas. Not until my scent changed enough. I couldn't stand the idea of Deja following me around and introducing me as the new omega. Interest would light up on their faces then, but it would be too late. There had to be other ways to mingle with alphas without being put out like a piece of meat.

"Hey there, pretty thing." A man stumbled towards me. Alpha from his rank scent, and he was swaying like someone who was spiking his own punch. "Tired of seeing all these omegas dance with the men of their dreams?"

I snorted. Nova was hardly dancing with the men of her dreams. "I'm fine, thank you."

He swayed toward me, a blond with disheveled hair. "Those prissy little omegas are stuck up. Nothing like you beta women."

"Thank you," I said, moving closer to the entrance to the gardens. "But I was just about to get some night air."

"You need some company." He leered at me, and I regretted the cleavage my dress showed off. "Someone to keep you warm."

I wrinkled my nose. "I'm okay."

Another man slid over to us and linked an arm with me. "Thanks, but we're going to take a walk together."

The alpha blinked at me and then my would-be rescuer. He wasn't too much taller than me, and his long black hair was pulled into a half ponytail. He wore a jacket long enough to hit his thighs with a long rows of buttons. A red stash wrapped around his waist, and his eyes were slanted and a shocking crystal green.

"What?" The alpha blinked.

"See you around." The man led me to the garden, like we made this stroll a hundred times. "Sorry I was late. Got stuck catching up with old friends."

"No problem," I said, enjoying the soft heat of his arm. His energy was soothing and mellow. He must be a beta.

We walked far enough to be away from the crush of the gala. The flowers here were grown by an expert botanist and there were hidden surprises, a small arrangement tucked away behind a corner, or a garden so small it looked like it was made for faeries.

I sighed. "Thank you. He was quite full of himself."

"This time of night, the remaining alphas are quite insufferable." He gave me a boyish grin. "I'm Asano. Who do I have the pleasure of accompanying to the gardens?'

"I'm Zara," I said. "You're free to get back to your party."

He cocked his head. "You want company? I was about to make my escape myself."

I nodded. "Okay."

We strolled for a few more minutes, admiring the flowers and fountains.

"You go to these galas often?" I would have noticed if I'd seen him before, but there were hundreds of people at the gala and it was possible our paths never crossed.

"Not as much as I used to," he said with a sigh. "They're tedious after a while."

"That's an understatement." Emotions choked my throat, a block of ice inside my chest. It was tiring, event after event, to be reminded they only wanted an omega. Any omega would do.

He nudged me. "We can just admire the gardens out here."

"Are you from the city?"

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