Page 4 of Shrine of Fire

Valens had been bringing me and Zara to the Sanctuary when he realized we were being followed by alphas a little too interested in our scents. He called Hashir in to pretend to be my alpha.

I breathed in the spicy-sweetness of Hashir’s scent, and some of the tension in my shoulders disappeared.

“We couldn’t find you,” Zara said, pulling Valens to her other side. Rayth and Asano, the remaining two members of Zara’s pack were still making conversation inside, but I gave it about five minutes before they found their way out to the patio.

I tried to follow the light conversations between Zara, Nikki, Stefan, and Valens, but my heart was beating too heavily in my chest, and my skin felt clammy.

Hashir brushed his hand over my forearm. “Okay?” He handed me a little pastry puff, but I shook my head.

“Everyone, we will catch up with you tomorrow. Nova needs her beauty rest.” Hashir winked at me. “Don’t worry – it’s not like you could get more beautiful. It’s just an expression.”

I looked over at Stefan, my stomach churning. I’d agreed to marry him and, so far, I had barely spent any time with him. “I’m okay.”

Stefan gave me a warm smile. “Please, go and get some sleep so you are rested for the journey ahead.”

Tomorrow we were heading to Ember Island, using the Shrine to cut weeks off sailing time.

“I have to come to Ember Island to help you bond the Shrine anyway.” Zara leaned across Valens and Hashir and squeezed my hand. “Give me a couple of days to get some things settled and then I’ll be over there.”

“Alright.” They were all looking at me like I was getting ready to break, anyway.

Hashir helped me up. “Come on, darling, it’s time for bed.”

I went with the man who, in another life, might have been my alpha.

Those days were gone now. All I could hope for was meaningful existence in protecting the world.

Hashir put my hand in the crook of his arm as we walked back into the ballroom. Once we were inside, he pulled me along around the edge of the room, nodding and smiling at people who approached us, but all the while making steady progress for the door.

I was relieved when all I had to do was smile faintly, and we had almost made it to the door when a nobleman intercepted us.

He stepped right in front of me, holding his hands up. “Oh, I hope you’re not leaving, not when the night is so young.”

“Ah, my friend.” Hashir put his arm around my waist, sending a prickle of heat through me. “Omegas have many needs.”

The man smiled widely, his over-slicked hair shining in the candlelight. “I’m sure I could help with that.”

Hashir’s smile grew tighter.

Before he had to say anything, Aki intercepted.

“It’s time for Nova to rest. She must recharge after battling the Faceless One.”

Aki was a delta, like Valens. They both had all the protective instincts of an alpha, without the ability to bond omegas and betas into packs.

His face was severe and desolate, like the edge of a cliff. He was pale with dark hair and cheekbones sharp enough to cut yourself on.

The nobleman looked between Aki and Hashir and gave a short bow. “Another time, then.”

“Good save,” Hashir nodded at Aki. “Where did you come from?”

Aki didn’t bother answering. Together, we left the ballroom and headed back to my room.

Hashir’s spicy sweet scent tickled my nose while Aki’s sharp gunpowder scent went straight to my head.

Desire curled inside my core. The three of us had intense sexy a few days ago, after the worst part of the pack bonds breaking down had hit me.

Part of me wanted a repeat performance, even though Aki had told me the first time we bedded each other it was just a fling. He’d said that he didn’t want more and knew from the frayed pack bonds that I wasn’t ready for more either.

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