Eclipse Sector (V-Clan #3)

7. Cillian

CHAPTER SEVEN

CILLIAN

Soon, I’ll be part of another sector. And you’ll never have to put up with me again.

Ivana’s thoughts from yesterday lingered in my mind, primarily because I hadn’t expected them to pack such a punch.

It’d taken physical restraint not to shadow after her and explain myself to her. To make her understand that I didn’t find her irritating. I found her to be far too enticing, which irritated me—an entirely different concept than I’d led her to believe.

And I also didn’t dislike her presence or feel she was beneath me. Rather, I considered her above me, and I hated how much I craved her.

The female tempted me into distraction. Constantly .

And now was no different.

How a woman could be this alluring while eating soup was beyond me. But I could hardly keep my eyes off of her. Which was a problem because I had a room full of Alphas to monitor and supervise.

I had most of them under my control already, my power curling around them like an invisible leash. My usual list of words I monitored for mentally had increased exponentially, my mind scanning the room for any hint of a threat.

So far, the only alarming thoughts were around mating .

Primarily because some of those thoughts swirled around Ivana’s name.

Alpha Ransom had taken a particular interest in her, choosing to sit beside her for the meal while Prince Cael sat across from her.

Both men were trying to engage her in conversation. Cael appeared to be winning, his charm highlighted in the tilt of his lips as he gazed fondly in my Omega’s direction.

Not my Omega , I corrected myself, my jaw clenching as I forced myself to scan the rest of the room.

Thirteen Omegas.

Thirty-one Alphas.

Technically, there should be thirty-two Alphas in attendance. However, Grey had stayed behind in Lunar Sector. Prince Cael hadn’t elaborated on why, just stated that Grey was still interested and intended to attend future events.

Hence, the thirty-one eligible Alphas seated around the massive dining hall of The MacNamara—a renovated entertainment venue that Kieran had rebuilt to honor his mate’s family. It was a suitable location for this commencement dinner, not just because of the size, but because of the layers of hidden security inside.

There were cameras everywhere.

All of which were being monitored by Lorcan right now. He’d chosen to remain hidden with Kyra, leaving me as the primary guard on duty. It was a show of power, one meant to underline my authority and the confidence both Lorcan and Kieran had in my ability to control thirty-one Alphas.

Of course, I had two lieutenants on staff, neither of whom I’d personally vetted.

One was Fritz, an Omega Sanctuary Protector. He’d recently royally fucked up by letting a Vampire Alpha manipulate his mind.

Letting might be the wrong term. More like he’d been taken advantage of and used against his will.

Regardless, that hint of weakness made me wary to trust him. His assignment here was meant as a way to earn back some favor among his fellow Omegas. Or maybe he felt this was his penance. Either way, he’d volunteered to assist, and Lorcan had granted approval for the request.

Benz was the other one in the room under my command. The Beta had offered his services to Kieran—not to me—and my best friend had obliged him without my consent.

Not that he actually needed my consent. It took balls to offer oneself up to the Blood Sector King like that. But it would have been a sign of respect to also speak with me on the topic.

Of course, the last hour in his presence told me why he hadn’t bothered to speak to me. When it came to respect, that didn’t exist for him where I was concerned.

Because I’d hurt his best friend.

Ivana .

My gaze instantly returned to her just in time for her to giggle at something Ransom had just said. Or muttered was likely a more appropriate term because the Alpha seemed to speak in dry tones rather than smooth ones.

It marked him as quite opposite to Prince Cael, making me morbidly curious as to whom Ivana preferred. Or if she even liked either of them.

But I refused to poke inside her head.

I didn’t trust myself not to react violently.

Clearing my throat, I once again scanned the dining hall, my mind registering all the thoughts and cataloging them as required.

No threats.

No dark intentions.

Just a hum of mating potential. One that leaves me with an odd sense of longing deep inside. Because I would never experience this. I couldn’t allow it.

I forced my expression to remain neutral as I stood along the sidelines, observing, listening, secretly wanting .

Time ticked by too slowly, my wolf pacing inside with the need for a long, hard run.

This was the life I’d vowed to lead. The punishment I deserved. Even if the sins I sought penance for weren’t necessarily my own.

Anything of importance to report? Kieran drawled into my mind, pulling me from the void known as my past.

If there were, I would have reported it, I replied.

He snorted. Someone’s in a mood.

I’ve been listening to Benz assassinate my character for the last three or four hours, I growled, pulling on the first excuse I could muster. How am I supposed to rely on him for security assistance when he despises his superior?

I’m certain he’s not the first disgruntled Beta to step into your path, my oldest friend returned. Earn his respect like you have the others’.

I’m not sure that’s possible. He’s under the misconception that I’ve led his best friend on and hates me for rejecting her.

Benz is best friends with Ivana? Kieran deadpanned. Fascinating. I had no idea.

I nearly grunted out loud. Liar.

Would I lie about something so trivial?

Yes. Because Kieran loved to meddle. At least when it came to my life. Politics, he despised. Fucking with me, he adored.

Hmm , he hummed into my mind, the sound noncommittal. How is Ivana faring? Do you think she’ll find a suitable mate?

Your goading isn’t going to work.

I’m not goading. I’m inquiring about a female under my protection.

All Omegas are under your protection, I immediately pointed out. You’re the fucking King.

Indeed. He sounded far too amused. Probably because he could hear my irritation. Which meant his goading was working, despite my claim to the contrary.

I need to focus, I muttered at him. Kindly fuck off, Sire .

His chuckle rolled through my mind, causing my hands to fist at my sides.

He was one of the few minds I constantly remained connected to, and I was seriously regretting that instinct right now. If his security wasn’t my primary priority in life, I’d block him.

Alas, I had to remain open to him in case he needed me.

The evening is almost over, Cillian, he murmured, ignoring my request for him to fuck off. Go for a run afterward. You clearly need it.

I didn’t bother replying. There was nothing important to say, nor was I in the mood for more bantering.

Leaning against the wall behind me, I scanned all the minds again. Most of the Omegas and Alphas were standing now, socializing around the room over dessert drinks—many of which were laced with blood.

Ivana was in the center of a group, conversing with Cael again. His two Elites were right behind him, their gazes as vigilant as my own.

Which naturally meant they kept wandering to me—I was the biggest known threat in the room. Someone who could easily challenge their Prince for his sector.

Not that I had any desire to play in the land of Alpha Princes.

But no matter how many times I proclaimed that out loud, no one believed me. Kieran included.

Maybe if I voiced it directly into Dixon’s and Granger’s minds, they’ll believe me, I thought darkly.

However, Dixon still remained blocked.

I studied the muscular male, noting his similar features to Cael’s. One could definitely tell they were related, only Dixon’s eyes were solid green, not blue-green like his brother’s.

And both men appear to possess natural barriers within their minds, I realized as I scanned the surface of Cael’s thoughts.

I could hear bits and pieces, enough to know he harbored no ill will toward Ivana. But the mental musings were mere fragments, not complete statements.

My ability ignited, the challenge tempting me to dig deeper.

Only for Cael’s voice to suddenly pierce my thoughts. I can feel that, Cillian. I believe my intentions in your sector are clear. However, if you require further vetting of said intentions, I’ll be happy to remain behind to discuss them in depth.

My gaze narrowed. You’re blocking me.

I am.

Why?

Because my thoughts are my own. His blue-green gaze lifted to meet mine, his irises flickering with mild irritation. While some Alpha Princes may be a threat, I am not one of them.

That’s an interesting take, I replied. Which Alpha Princes are threats, in your opinion?

A conversation for another day, perhaps, he returned. All you need to know right now is that I’m not a threat.

You are, I told him without missing a beat. The biggest one in the room.

He arched a brow. Do you wish to measure our knots, Cillian?

I’m not challenging you, Cael. Just stating a fact.

Then allow me to return the favor, he drawled. You’re an equal threat, yet I’m not allowing that to ruin my evening. I suggest you do the same.

He dismissed me by returning his focus to a frowning Ivana, his lips curling into an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, love. Where were we?” He reached forward to tuck one of her stray white-blonde strands behind her ear.

I wasn’t sure what bothered me more—his choice of endearment or him touching her.

“You were telling me about your underground roads,” she said slowly, her gaze dancing from him to me and back again. “Is Cillian bothering you?”

Cael chuckled. “No. He’s just being protective.”

Her brow furrowed. Over what? she wondered.

You , I nearly answered.

But instead, I left them to their conversation and shadowed to a darker part of the room. I didn’t want to be seen or heard or felt . I wanted to disappear and observe in silence.

Which was precisely what I did for the next two long hours until finally the commencement event was brought to an end.

I left Fritz and Benz in charge of escorting the Alphas to their guest quarters—several of them were remaining in Blood Sector for the week. Some already lived here. And a few were traveling back to their home sectors.

Thankfully, Cael was among that latter group.

He shot me a wink before shadowing off with his two Elites. I didn’t outwardly reply. But inside, my animal growled.

Something about that had felt like a challenge.

And it was a challenge I did not want to entertain.

He could keep Lunar Sector to himself. I was perfectly content here in Blood Sector.

Well, mostly content.

Ivana had left without an escort, choosing to shadow herself back to her nest. Presumably, anyway.

Ignoring the desire to chase after her, I led our visiting Omegas back to their guest suites within Kieran and Quinnlynn’s palace—which was more like an apartment building than a traditional royal residence.

Once they were secure, I mentally informed Kieran of the uneventful night and shadowed back to my den.

Except nothing felt right down here.

There were too many foreign Alphas in our sector. On our land .

And Ivana had chosen to sleep apart from the other Omegas.

“Fuck,” I muttered, running my fingers through my hair. I should have pushed harder to have her room with the others. It made the most sense from a security standpoint, especially with the thirty-one visiting Alphas.

My leash around said Alphas tightened, my mind scanning all of theirs for ill intentions out of habit.

Nothing.

Not a single bad thought.

And yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling something was wrong.

Pacing, I tried to reach for Ivana’s mind. But it was quiet. Like always. Peaceful. Not giving me a single statement to focus on.

She was safe.

Unless someone is interfering, I thought, pausing mid-stride. No. That’s impossible.

And yet, Cael’s and Dixon’s capabilities of thwarting my natural talents had me second-guessing my entire existence.

My jaw clenched. You’ve lost the plot, I told myself. Stop with this nonsense.

Yet that irritation in my chest wouldn’t abate. It just kept thrumming. Prickling at my instincts. Causing my hands to curl and uncurl.

I growled, my eyes slamming closed as I fought the urge coming over me to shadow.

Checking my watch, my teeth only ground harder.

It’d been nearly ninety minutes since I’d last seen Ivana.

Maybe if I just… checked on her… I’d feel better. I could rid myself of this sensation.

“Fine,” I growled, shadowing to the street outside of her building.

The sun was already inching up over the horizon, the commencement dinner having run into the early hours of the morning.

We were night creatures by nature, preferring to sleep during the day. However, the sun didn’t bother us like it did other beings in our world.

If anything, the sun merely served as an irritant for our eyes.

Sighing, I leaned against the building and tried to focus on Ivana’s mind again.

Still silent, I muttered, my gaze narrowing.

Without thinking it through, I shadowed to her floor and listened again.

When it was still too quiet, I went to her door and lifted my hand to knock.

Only to hear a soft moan from inside, one that put my enhanced senses immediately on alert. The world disappeared and reappeared around me in a blink, the hallway instantly replaced by Ivana’s inner sanctuary.

While I knew where she lived, I’d never actually visited her here before. However, my nose led me right to her nest.

And the petite Omega curled up in the sheets.

My lips parted at the stunning sight, her hair tousled in a brilliant golden halo that practically glowed despite the darkness of her room.

Fuck . I was instantly hard at the sight, my knot pulsing with a need to join her. Shadow, I commanded myself. Leave. Now.

Except another one of those delicious sounds parted her full lips, the beckoning call lighting my veins on fire.

My chest tingled with the need to purr.

And my dick…

No. Fuck no. I took a forceful step backward. Not happening.

This mating program was fucking with my head.

I needed to go for that run. To embrace my animal’s desire to shift and?—

“Cillian,” Ivana whispered, causing my eyes to widen.

Shit. I swallowed, my mouth suddenly dry. Because I didn’t know how to explain why I was here. Why I was standing next to her nest with a fucking hard-on. “Ivana, I?—”

“ Ohhh, Cillian… ” She curled into a tighter ball, the scent of her slick hitting me with the force of an avalanche, stealing the breath from my lungs.

A growl tightened my chest, overtaking the urge to purr, my instinct to rut almost overwhelming my sense of reason.

Ivana moaned again, her lips parting in a gasp as she tossed her head back, her nostrils flaring.

Yet her eyes remained closed while she whispered my name once more.

A dream , I realized through the haze of arousal clouding my thoughts. She’s dreaming of me…

Fuck, I really needed to shadow out of here before I took advantage of her mind and observed her inner fantasies.

Or worse, stayed here and made her dream come true.

With another growl, I forced myself to leave.

Except I couldn’t get farther than her living room.

I hovered by the door, incapable of teleporting through it, and inhaled her sweet scent.

Reveled in it.

Pretended for just a second that it was truly meant for me. That her sweet slick could be mine. That those fantasies of hers could become a reality.

But as her pulse escalated, I broke free from the intoxicating lust chaining me to her presence.

Shadowed to an ice field.

Ripped off my clothes.

Shifted.

And ran .