Eclipse Sector (V-Clan #3)

3. Ivana

CHAPTER THREE

IVANA

A Few Weeks Later

Ivana Michaels.

Eligible Omega Mate.

I stared down at the card in my hand, my throat suddenly dry.

I can do this, I told myself. Just step out onto the stage, smile, and maybe wave.

No. No waving.

Well, maybe waving?

I shook my head, the conflicting thoughts making me dizzy as Queen Quinnlynn—who preferred to be called Quinn —announced the next Omega candidate. The petite blonde Omega stepped through the curtains and disappeared from view, making it impossible for me to see her entrance.

All I could do was hear the excited male murmurs in the crowd.

Alphas , I thought, swallowing. Alphas from various V-Clan sectors.

As well as a few other regions, too.

Like X-Clan Alphas.

And even one Z-Clan Alpha.

I shivered, that last realization causing my stomach to clench. Z-Clan Alphas weren’t known for their kindness, especially where Omegas were concerned.

As a general rule, V-Clan wolves didn’t typically socialize with other shifters or supernatural beings. We actually tended to keep our existence a secret, allowing the world to believe we’d all perished during the Infected Era.

However, there were a handful of supernaturals out there whom King Kieran had befriended throughout the centuries, and many of those allies were in attendance tonight.

Fortunately, that didn’t necessarily mean they would be participating in the Eligible Omega Mates program. But they could apply to join.

A mating program, I mused, still struggling to believe it was actually happening.

When Quinn had told me about the soon-to-be established protocol, I’d been stunned. Primarily because her reveal had been accompanied by an unexpected explanation.

“For over a thousand years, my family has maintained an Omega Sanctuary out in the middle of the Arctic,” she’d told me, not bothering to dance around the truth.

My eyebrows had shot upward, surprised by the information. “An Omega Sanctuary?” I’d never heard of such a thing. Omegas were typically protected by Alphas.

At least in the V-Clan world.

The X-Clan and Z-Clan sectors were entirely different, as were a myriad of other shifters and supernatural realms throughout the globe.

Quinn had nodded, confirming I’d heard her right. “A sanctuary for all types of Omegas. My parents were killed because a sadistic Alpha was trying to seek the location of it. And I’d thought it was an Alpha Prince…”

She’d trailed off, the rest of her explanation hanging between us. “That’s why you ran from Kieran.”

“Among other reasons, yes,” she’d admitted. “But that’s a story for another day. What I want to tell you about are the new security provisions we’re making for the Sanctuary, including renaming it to Night Sector. Everyone will believe it’s a new V-Clan territory, one ruled by Kyra and Lorcan.”

My eyebrows had jumped upward again. “Oh?” I’d been intrigued because her words had suggested that Lorcan was taking his mating seriously now.

That realization had inspired a hint of hope inside my heart.

One I’d squashed in the next moment.

Because I’d refused to entertain the strand that led directly to him . My former love. The Alpha who’d declared himself as out of my league .

Oblivious to my inner turmoil, Quinn had continued by telling me King Kieran’s plans for announcing the new sector to those in attendance tonight.

“Due to recent events, we feel this is our best option to help safeguard the Sanctuary’s secrets,” she’d added, not elaborating on the recent events .

Instead, she’d gone on to describe some of the security in place within the Sanctuary, including a brief summary of the enchantment safeguarding the island.

“Only Omegas and Alphas mated to Omega inhabitants can enter,” she’d explained. “Which means Kieran and Lorcan can pass through the protective barrier, as well as a handful of recently relocated Omegas and their Alpha mates. But those Omegas and Alphas are too new for the others to trust them, so…”

She’d continued by saying that they’d conceptualized an idea to help bolster protection on the island.

And that idea involved creating a mating program for interested Omegas at the Sanctuary.

“It will allow us to bring in a few more Alphas, ones that should, in theory, earn the trust of the Sanctuary a little faster since they would be mating Omegas who have lived there for a while.”

“Trust by association,” I’d translated.

She’d dipped her chin in confirmation. “Exactly.”

“It’s a good idea,” I’d told her.

“I’m glad you think so,” she’d murmured. “Because I was wondering if you’d like to participate in the program.”

I’d blinked at her, dumbfounded by the offer.

“You wouldn’t necessarily have to relocate to Night Sector afterward, either,” she’d added. “I just wanted to let you know that you’re invited to join the mating pool. If you’re interested, I mean.”

I… hadn’t known what to say at first.

But after nearly a week of mulling it over, I’d thought, Why not? What better way to find an Alpha “in my league”?

Okay, maybe that was catty.

However, it wasn’t like I had a lot of options standing before me. And I needed a way to move on from Alpha Cillian .

He didn’t want me.

He never had.

I could see that now. I’d misread the situation entirely.

I wouldn’t allow that to happen again.

So here I stood, dressed in a shimmery blue gown with slits up both my thighs—another design, courtesy of Beta Cameron—waiting for my number to be called.

Am I crazy for doing this? I wondered for the thousandth time.

“You’ll be able to walk away at any time,” Quinn had told me. “All the Omegas and Alphas will. This is simply meant as an opportunity to facilitate introductions between wolves who might be ready to take mates. That’s it.”

She’d made it sound so simple.

But I knew that wouldn’t be the case.

Alphas were possessive creatures. Just as Omegas were equally possessive over their chosen Alphas.

One twitch of the nose was all it would take to identify an ideal mate.

Unfortunately, in my nearly three decades of existence, my wolf had only scented one possible match.

Yet he doesn’t want us, I reminded myself.

There had to be someone somewhere who would feel differently.

And this mating program might just help me meet him.

I ran my palms along my sequined gown as I forced myself to take a steadying breath. Forget about Cillian. He’s the past. Time to focus on the future.

As if fate was responding to my thought, I heard Quinn say, “Our thirteenth and final Omega candidate is a late addition.”

I glanced down at my card again, noting the number beneath my status as an Eligible Omega Mate.

Thirteen .

I stepped forward, positioning myself right out of sight. Then a Beta swept open the curtain and smiled encouragingly at me to join the King and Queen of Blood Sector on the balcony—a balcony that served as a platform for the entire room to see.

This is it. I squared my shoulders. No turning back now.

With my head held high, I moved out into the proverbial spotlight.

Quinn smiled, her expression encouraging.

I returned her grin before glancing around the room below. There were too many shifters in attendance for me to focus on one in particular, so I allowed my gaze to dance around the crowd for a few beats before returning my attention to Quinn.

“Ivana is a V-Clan Omega from Blood Sector,” she announced to the attendees. “Her interests are in analytics, advanced technology, and weaponry.”

My lips twitched a little at that last point.

What Quinn had meant by that was that I enjoyed playing with guns. Most wolves preferred their claws and teeth. But I was an Omega. Small. Weaker than Alphas and Betas. A fact I’d learned at a very young age.

However, certain weapons provided me with an advantage.

Which was why I’d spent years learning how to perfect my aim.

I was one of the best shots in all of Blood Sector. Not that anyone allowed me to do anything with my talents.

Omegas were meant to be protected, not put in the line of duty.

Although, Quinn had mentioned that the Sanctuary would be different. “Your love of firing a gun will make you quite popular with Jas and the others,” she’d told me.

We’ll see, I thought now as I started down the staircase into the ballroom below.

Benz waited for me at the bottom, his full lips curved upward at the corner. He didn’t speak, just offered me his arm as my chosen escort tonight—something I’d designated ahead of time—and led me deeper into the dance floor as Quinn started laying out the rules for the Eligible Omega Mates program.

I barely heard her over the buzzing in my ears, my dry mouth instantly thankful for the flute of champagne Benz magically conjured.

Well, not magically .

He caught a server at precisely the right moment. But it might as well have been magic.

Sometimes I suspected Benz’s charm was his hidden power and all his other abilities were just minor side effects of being a V-Clan wolf.

Taking another hefty sip, I listened as Kieran explained how the Alphas could enter the dating pool. They would be reviewed and vetted prior to being allowed to join. Then the Omega candidates— myself included —would be given files for review.

“The first official round of meet and greets will commence in a week,” King Kieran said. “Tonight is simply a celebration of the future. Behave. Enjoy. And be mindful of your actions.”

With that clear warning, he raised his hand to dismiss the crowd, then placed a palm on his mate’s lower back and escorted her down the stairs.

Murmurs broke out around the room, the scent of intrigue heavy in the air.

My arms prickled with awareness as the feeling of being studied and admired tickled my senses.

This is just the beginning , I thought, nearly finishing my drink. Just take a deep breath and enjoy the moment.

“You look beautiful,” Benz murmured against my ear.

“You clean up nicely, too,” I told him, my gaze going to his all-black tuxedo. “Thank you for escorting me tonight.”

His eyes crinkled. “It’s not a hardship, I assure you.” He glanced over my shoulder, then to the right. “Although, I do have a few Alphas taking my measure at the moment. And not in the way I’d like.”

“And what way would you prefer?” I teased him.

Except he didn’t appear to hear me because all he did was hum.

“Benz?” I prompted after an awkward moment of him ignoring me in favor of those around us.

“Well, this should be fun to watch,” Benz said suddenly, his arm leaving mine. “I’ll be right over there if you need me, darling.”

“What?” I asked.

But he was already walking away, my glass somehow going along with him.

Because he’d taken it from my hand.

It’d been nearly empty. However, I hadn’t expected him to take it. “Where are you?—”

Goose bumps pebbled down my arms, a familiar presence approaching at my back.

Oh. My teeth ground together, my gaze searching for Benz so I could glare at him. But he wasn’t right over there at all. He’d disappeared entirely. Traitor .

I’d told him not to?—

“What the hell are you doing?”

—leave me alone in case Cillian found me.

Because I did not want to talk to him, see him, or even think about him.

And now he stood right behind me.