Eclipse Sector (V-Clan #3)

9. Cillian

CHAPTER NINE

CILLIAN

Ivana’s natural perfume wrapped around my neck like a fucking noose.

Every inhale reminded me of the other morning in her room.

And each morning since, I thought darkly.

Because yeah, I kept going back. Like a damn lunatic, I’d shadowed to her building every morning under the guise of checking on her.

Then I’d waited and listened for those beautiful moans of hers.

Moans that resembled my name .

Moans that I took home with me.

Moans that haunted my mind while I’d grabbed my knot and created my own fantasies of her within my mind.

It was… a problem. An addiction. Fucking. Wrong.

Ivana had always been my one temptation, and this mating program had worsened my craving for her.

My jaw tightened as I forced my mind away from the temptation walking behind me, and scanned our surroundings for threats once more.

Prince Lykos hadn’t appreciated me leashing his Alphas upon our arrival, but fuck if I cared about his comfort. I had thirteen Omegas to protect in a foreign land, one I’d only visited a handful of times before. The landscape was a bit too cold for my taste. And the magic here irritated my senses.

My wolf bristled inside as though to agree, his desire to run chilled by the frigid air clawing at my exposed skin. No amount of fur could fight this frozen climate.

Only enchantments would do.

I’d already woven one across my being, the shield thin yet functional. If I didn’t have an entire island of Alphas to monitor, I might have expended more energy in thickening the barrier. Alas, I had to keep some residual power inside me in the off chance I needed to fight.

Of course, Prince Lykos would be a fool if he tried to harm the Omegas under my care. I was here as an extended arm of the Blood Sector King. An assault against me would serve as an assault against Kieran himself.

And no sane wolf wanted to challenge Kieran O’Callaghan.

Well, a few had considered it once upon a time. Prince Tadhg, for example. He’d expressed his doubt at Kieran’s ability to rule. He hadn’t been too keen on Quinnlynn’s choice for King, either. But so far, he’d stayed in Alpha Sector—his home to rule—and hadn’t posed any true threats.

If and when he did, he’d die.

Because while he was powerful in his own right, he was no Kieran. No one compared to Kieran.

“This place reminds me of home,” one of the Omegas whispered behind me.

Sylvia , I recognized, her mind loud and filled with awe as she took in the ice-like buildings before us.

“Yeah,” another replied.

Prince Lykos glanced backward with curiosity but didn’t comment. He’d clearly overheard the comment and likely understood the compliment underlying it.

These Omegas were used to ice and snow. They loved it.

Well, almost all of them, anyway.

Ivana remained quiet, her mind giving nothing away.

I nearly looked at her, my desire to know her innermost thoughts grating against my instincts. Would those icy eyes of hers give something away? Would she tell me her thoughts if I asked?

Gritting my teeth, I forced the inane concept from my mind and focused on the task at hand—protecting the Omegas.

I barely listened to anything Prince Lykos said as he explained the sector infrastructure, talking about enchantments that kept the ice from melting while allowing the inhabitants to flourish.

Alphas, Betas, and a handful of Omegas met us in the town square—a spacious ice rink in the middle of the frost-covered town—and a welcome party ensued.

Nothing too extravagant.

Just some drinks featuring Glacier Sector’s specialty, blood-laced vodka, along with a few mystic snacks. The latter were basically appetizers kept warm with spells.

I indulged in a few bites but declined the alcohol. Not because it would impair me, but because I didn’t particularly care for vodka.

Benz and Fritz followed suit, their eyes on the crowd as our Omegas mingled with the inhabitants of Glacier Sector. Most of the Alphas from the mating program were here, but a handful were notably missing. Prince Cael being among those on the short list.

Ivana didn’t seem to mind, though. She was too busy chatting with Ransom to notice.

Although, chatting might be too loose a term. She wasn’t really talking, just standing near him and observing the crowd alongside him.

It seemed his verbal skills from dinner the other night were indeed not outshined by Prince Cael; the Alpha simply didn’t speak.

Not a good match for Ivana, I thought with an internal snort. She needed someone who enjoyed her voice, not someone who would tell her to be quiet.

I grabbed a water from a nearby tray and downed it, then forced my gaze away from her to focus on the crowd once more.

Time seemed to tick on at a snail’s pace. However, when Prince Lykos finally called an end to the celebration, only two hours had actually passed since our arrival.

This is going to be a long fucking week, I muttered to myself as Prince Lykos led us all to our accommodations.

“Don’t let the ice fool you,” he said before stepping onto a street lined with igloos. “Inside, you’ll find the living quarters to be warm and comfortable.”

Several of the Omegas expressed excitement in response.

“Each lodging accommodates two guests,” Prince Lykos went on. “I’ve already assigned your igloos for the duration of your stay, based on the information Queen Quinnlynn provided. So up first, we have Ashlyn and Sylvia.”

He gave the Z-Clan Omega a doting smile before searching for Sylvia. When the petite blonde stepped forward, he grinned at her as well and waved them off to their igloo.

“I’m going to need a copy of that accommodation list,” I told him as we continued forward.

His dark brow inched upward. “Your King and Queen didn’t provide you with a copy?”

My jaw threatened to tick at that question. It insinuated something I didn’t appreciate— distrust .

“No.” I flashed him a tight smile, one I knew he saw right through. But just in case he didn’t, I added, “Kieran focused more on security. Therefore, he provided me with interior schematics for your sector, not the Omega housing arrangements.”

Now it was Prince Lykos’s turn to mask the tic in his own jaw. Only, he didn’t hide it nearly as well as I had. “I see.”

He said nothing for a long moment, my words clearly having met their mark. I’d purposely referred to Kieran without his title because I could, something Lykos and I both knew he could not do.

Because he wasn’t best friends with the Blood Sector King.

That said, nothing I’d told Lykos had been a lie. Kieran and I had reviewed the layout for Glacier Sector, as well as outlined any and all potential threats. Temporary living assignments had been the furthest from our minds. I’d known where we would be staying in Glacier Sector, just not who would be paired with whom.

“You can have this sheet when I’m done,” Prince Lykos finally muttered before assigning the next igloo to Benz and Fritz.

I glanced at my two men. “Keep walking with us. You can return once we know where everyone is staying.”

They both nodded in agreement, trailing along as the Omegas were paired off into their accommodations. As we neared the final few igloos, however, a sense of foreboding hit me in the gut.

Because I had a feeling I knew exactly how this was going to end.

Perhaps Kieran was more in tune with the temporary living assignments than I originally thought, I realized, my teeth grinding together for an entirely different reason now.

A reason that became a reality as Prince Lykos said, “And that last igloo over there belongs to you and Omega Ivana.”

I’m going to fucking kill you, Kieran, I growled.

Not that the bastard could hear me. He was too far away for my telepathic ability to reach him. But I would absolutely be texting him soon.

“Oh, I…” Ivana trailed off, her icy gaze flitting to me and then back to Prince Lykos. “Okay.”

The Glacier Sector Alpha cocked his head. “Are you sure, little one?” he asked her softly, his tone grating on my nerves. “I’d originally questioned the pairing, but your King and Queen said you and Cillian are comfortable with each other. If that’s not the case, then?—”

“Then what?” I interjected, arching a brow. “You’ll give her a guest suite in your personal quarters?”

Irritation flashed in Prince Lykos’s gaze as he looked at me. “I was going to suggest that you go sleep on your jet.”

I snorted. “That’s not happening. I’m staying near my charges and protecting them.”

“Are you saying you can’t protect them from afar, Cillian? Because I think we both know that’s a lie.” He tugged on the mental leash I’d lassoed around his sector the moment we’d arrived, his power almost rivaling mine.

Almost being the operative word there.

Because I was stronger. Faster. And more than capable of bringing Glacier Sector to its proverbial knees.

“It’s fine,” Ivana interjected before I could reply. “I was just surprised. But I don’t mind. Truly.” She cleared her throat and stepped forward, her pretty gaze capturing mine. “Let’s go, Alpha Cillian.”

That was the second time she’d called me Alpha Cillian this week. The first time had been when she’d told me to have a good night—something I’d known was intentional.

Because I’d said that to her several weeks ago when I’d suggested she say that phrase to me and leave me alone.

Now… now I didn’t like it. At all.

However, rather than comment, I nodded and gestured for her to lead the way. “Thank you for the accommodations, Prince Lykos. I’ll be sure to pass along my praise to Kieran as well.”

With that, I left the Glacier Sector Alpha behind me and pressed my palm to Ivana’s lower back.

It was a step further than I really needed to go, but my wolf demanded that I stake my claim. This one is mine to protect, my hand placement said. Kindly fuck right off .

Trying to suggest I stay on the jet. What sort of proposal was that? And to imply Ivana might not be comfortable with me…

I swallowed the urge to growl.

If that asshole knew our history, he would never have questioned my intentions where Ivana was concerned.

Ivana entered the igloo first, her ash-blonde hair catching on the low interior lighting and providing her with a golden glow. One I admired for all of two seconds before she shadowed across the room and turned to glare at me.

A large bed stood out in the center of the tight space, the object one that sat between us like a protective shield.

And it’s the only bed in this room, I realized with a sweep of my gaze. Why the hell ? —

“Are you suddenly interested in becoming a Sector Alpha?” Ivana snapped, her question jolting me from my thoughts.

“What?” I frowned and closed the door behind me. “Why are you asking me about being a Sector Alpha?” She knew better than almost everyone that I had no desire to lead.

She pointed outside. “That’s why.”

I blinked at her. “You’ve lost me, Ivana.”

“You were basically challenging Prince Lykos,” she told me through her teeth. “So I’m asking if you’ve suddenly adopted an urge to become a Sector Alpha, because last I checked, you weren’t interested in doing anything other than worshipping King Kieran.”

My eyebrows hit my hairline, her tone catching me completely off guard, along with her accusation. “I wasn’t challenging anyone.”

She gave me a look that said, Sure you weren’t. Or maybe that was the thought traveling through her head. I couldn’t exactly focus enough to determine what she was thinking, too floored by her chastising glare. Omegas never glowered at me. Especially not Ivana.

“What the hell is your problem?” I demanded. “I’m not the one who came up with these living arrangements, so don’t take it out on me.”

She barked out a laugh that lacked humor. “ Wow .” With that profound statement, she walked over to our bags on a nearby couch—the items likely having been delivered here while we were on our tour and at the party—and ripped hers open.

I waited for her to say more.

She didn’t.

She simply yanked out a smaller bag and some clothes, then stomped off into the adjoining bathroom.

The door slammed behind her with a finality that left me gaping at the dark-colored wood separating us.

You think a door is going to stop me from talking to you? I asked into her mind, somewhat amused, and a whole hell of a lot annoyed.

No reply.

Not even a thought.

Because of course I couldn’t hear anything. Ivana lived in a perpetual state of peace, one I fought not to disturb.

Ivana.

Nothing.

I growled. You have three seconds before I shadow in there and make you talk to me, Ivana.

I’m merely complying with your desires, Alpha Cillian, she drawled back at me.

My desires? I repeated, utterly consumed by this female’s madness.

Yes. I’m refraining from irritating you with my misguided penchants for telling Alphas what to do. Wouldn’t want to bother you with my overconfidence, after all.

My head fell back on a sigh that I was sure she heard through the door. Ivana ? —

Just leave me alone, Alpha Cillian. I would like to take a shower and go to sleep.

Stop calling me Alpha Cillian, I growled back at her.

Silence. No acknowledgment. Not a single musing or even a muttered acceptance.

My fingers curled into fists, my irritation mounting with each passing second.

But rather than shadow into the bathroom like a dark part of me wanted to do, I forced myself to go outside instead.

My goal had been to inhale deeply and calm my nerves.

But I found Benz and Fritz waiting for me instead. The latter of which appeared to be holding a piece of paper, one I suspected was the accommodations list from Prince Lykos.

Fuck. I’d left my two lieutenants out here without a single order.

Because I’d forgotten they were here.

Sharing a damn igloo with Ivana was going to cost me my sanity.

And my pride.

“I’ll take the first shift,” I told Benz and Fritz. “Go get some rest.”

“What time do you want us up?” the Beta asked.

It was a simple question.

However, it had me wanting to snarl at him in reply.

Maybe because I could hear the thoughts rolling through his mind, too. All of them revolved around me lodging with Ivana and his blatant disapproval.

Well, he wasn’t the only one who disapproved of the room assignments.

But it wasn’t his fucking problem to handle. It was mine.

Still, my instinct to lash out at him was a problem. Because who the fuck cared what he thought?

I sure as hell shouldn’t.

Yet my wolf was practically pacing beneath my skin, determined to break free and make this Beta submit.

Shit. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt this close to losing control of my animal.

It’s Ivana. Her scent. Her sass. Knowing she’s probably naked in the shower right now…

I swallowed. Hard . And focused on Benz. “I’ll wake you if I need you. Until then, sleep.”

Rather than wait for his acceptance, I shadowed back to the jet and pulled up a screen from my watch. Prince Lykos had been right—I could monitor the Omegas from here.

But that didn’t mean I wanted to sleep on the damn jet.

However, I did want to have a private chat with my oldest friend. Specifically about that accommodations list —which I’d left with Fritz. Or I assumed I had, anyway. I had no idea what other paper he could’ve been holding.

Doesn’t matter. I’ll get a copy from the asshole who created said list.

Kieran picked up seconds after I selected his name on the translucent screen, his concerned expression appearing in an instant. “What’s wrong?”

“Don’t you think Benz would have been a better roommate for Ivana?” I asked him, not bothering to address his query or offer him a greeting.

Everything was fine.

Mostly.

Except for the fact that the igloo has one fucking bed, I thought, recalling the schematics of the room. I’d barely noticed it upon entry because of Ivana’s open irritation. She’d distracted me from the sleeping arrangements—arrangements I very much wanted to discuss with Kieran now.

“You also could have roomed her with Fritz, who happens to be an Omega—just like her,” I added.

“Am I to understand that you just interrupted my nesting time with Quinnlynn to bitch about some sleeping arrangements?” Kieran inquired, a hint of mild irritation coloring his tone. But it didn’t quite match the amusement dancing in his dark gaze.

“I know what you’re doing,” I informed him, ignoring both his tone and his question. “Stop fucking with my personal life, Kieran.”

“Would I do that?”

“Yes.” Absolutely no question he would. “For a moment, perhaps consider how Ivana feels about this arrangement. Forget me. Think about her and her discomfort.”

“I highly doubt Ivana is uncomfortable,” Kieran replied without missing a beat. “If she is, that’s your doing, not mine.”

My gaze narrowed. “I’ve done nothing.”

“Then I’m sure she’s fine.” He shrugged, his shoulders bare rather than clothed. “As to your questions, Fritz was recently mind-fucked by an Alpha. I doubt he would appreciate sharing a room with a renowned telepath. And you’ve expressed concerns that Benz wishes you bodily harm, so I assumed you wouldn’t want him as a roommate.”

He paused, but I sensed it wasn’t because he wanted me to reply. He seemed distracted by something—or, more likely, someone —in the distance.

Still, I felt it necessary to say, “I expressed my objections to Benz’s assignment because his violent thoughts toward me make it likely that he won’t respect me as his commander. At no point did I express fear or concern for my personal safety. That excuse is a stretch and you know it.”

“Hmm, well, if I’m wrong, then make the switch,” he replied distractedly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, my Omega is pregnant and requires my knot.”

The focus of the camera shifted away from him, the wall of his bedroom suite coming into view as Quinnlynn said something in response to Kieran’s crass commentary.

“I want an electronic copy of the room arrangements,” I interjected before he could hang up.

It would save me from having to ask Fritz about that piece of paper. I wasn’t even sure it contained the information I desired anyway. For all I knew, it’d been a random report of some kind. Or a letter.

Kieran’s face reappeared. “Seems like a waste of time, but fine. I’ll send it this evening.”

He might find it to be a waste of time, but I sure as hell didn’t. I needed to figure out a way to fix this so I could properly concentrate on my assignment.

The scene changed once more on the screen, showing the wall again before Kieran’s face returned to view.

“Oh, and, Cillian,” he went on. “If you ever needlessly bother me again while I’m in my Queen’s nest, I’ll drop you in the middle of an Infected pit.”

“I would just shadow out of it,” I pointed out.

He shrugged again. “I would do it all the same.”

“ Kieran ,” Quinnlynn chastised in the background, her tone reminding me of Ivana’s from moments ago.

He merely smiled. “Coming, darling.”

The screen went dark, leaving me shaking my head at the other man as I pulled up a keyboard to type, Matchmaking doesn’t suit you. I hit Send and closed the screen.

My wrist buzzed a second later.

I almost ignored it.

But my pride forced me to read Kieran’s reply.

And I immediately regretted the decision.

Because his words hit me right in the fucking heart.

Being a martyr doesn’t suit you, either, old friend.