Chapter 7 Taliana
CHAPTER SEVEN
TALIANA
Omega relocation program.
The concept rolls through my mind as Doctor Taylor, who told me to call her Taylor, presses a series of buttons in the elevator.
“Hope you don’t mind heights,” she says. “We’re going way up.”
I don’t reply. But I already knew we were traveling upward because of the fluttering in my belly.
I’ve longed to fly my whole life, my desire to soar in the clouds one I’ve dreamt of countless times.
Alas, my wolf can only fly across the ground on four paws.
Oh, I can run fast—a skill that has saved me more than once—but it lacks the freedom of gliding through the sky.
“We’re at the tallest point on the island up here,” she tells me as the doors open. “About nineteen hundred feet above sea level.” She steps into the foyer of a residence. “Oros owns the entire floor.”
I frown. “So he’s important, then.” Not a question, but a comment. Because a dragon with superior quarters is a dragon with power.
“Yes. He’s high-ranking.”
“Is that normal for a guardian?” I ask as I glance around the open space. A large balcony decorates my right, the windowless wall granting full access. For a dragon to enter, I realize, noting the massive size.
A look to my left shows a similar entry.
Is the entire floor open like this? I wonder, glancing up at the white ceiling way above my head. Yeah. Definitely built for a dragon.
The elevator isn’t big enough to hold one, but dragons would never want to be contained by a metal box.
“Normal? No.” Her eyes sparkle like she knows something I don’t.
Not surprising, given the circumstances.
She shared a lot with me about Gold Sector, though. Specifically about how Omegas are treated here.
“We assign a guardian to each one, always an Alpha, to help the Omega acclimate and learn to trust. The guardian’s job is to protect you, but also introduce you to our way of life here. And there are absolutely no expectations involved in terms of mating, knotting, or anything else.”
I questioned that last bit when she said it, and she went on to explain that her mate is an Omega.
Sheila, she told me.
A female Omega.
With a female Beta.
I didn’t know that was possible. The Alphas of Obsidian Sector would never allow such a thing. Not necessarily the female-female aspect, but the Beta-Omega pairing.
Omegas are meant for Alphas and Alphas only.
Or that’s what I was raised to believe.
But Taylor proved that isn’t the case here. She even showed me a photo of her with her mate, the two of them smiling happily at a nearby beach.
“I can bring her by to meet you at some point,” she offered before leading me up to Oros’s suite. “If you’re interested.”
I didn’t agree or disagree, just nodded and said I would let her know.
Because I wasn’t sure what to think. I’m still not sure.
This is all so… unexpected.
Especially Oros’s quarters. “It’s beautiful up here,” I whisper, admiring the view to my left. The ocean glitters in the distance as the sun begins to fall, the orange and red colors appealing to my inner wolf.
Above, I spy at least six dragons, all taking in the sights and stretching their wings.
Or maybe they’re patrolling.
Regardless of their reasons for flying, it’s a stunning display of power and Drakonian grace.
Is Oros among them? I wonder, my fingers finding his gold coin on instinct.
I thumb the metal, causing energy to spin around my fingertips. It’s a welcome warmth that I rather like. “How does it work?” I ask Taylor, recalling her question from what felt like hours ago. “The coin, I mean.”
She glances at my neck and then up at me. “You hold it like that and say his name out loud three times. Want to try it?”
“Oh, no,” I say, dropping my hand instantly.
A devious grin splits across her lips. “Too bad. I would have enjoyed goading him a bit more.” She glances around. “Well, make yourself at home. I’m sure Rumpel will be back soon.”
My brow furrows. “Rumpel?”
“A nickname,” she explains, smiling at me once more. “Oros is an old friend. He’ll make a good guardian. But remember what I said—if you prefer a different Alpha, or a female, just let me know and I’ll work on a match.”
The serious quality in her tone from before and now tells me she means that. “Thank you,” I reply. “I think I’ll be okay with Oros, though.” He seems nice enough.
And his scent is mouthwateringly addictive.
I can smell him everywhere here, despite the open air, and I very much want to stay.
“I think you’ll be more than okay,” she informs me softly, her eyes grinning now. “I’ll send up some of the clothes we talked about, as well as some food and water. And don’t forget what I said about shifting.”
“No shifting yet,” I echo, recalling the five times she stated those three words earlier.
“Excellent,” she murmurs. “Need anything else before I work on the clothing bit?”
I glance around again. “Um, no. I should be okay… Oros really won’t mind me waiting up here for him?”
She shrugs. “He said to escort you here.”
That’s true; I heard him say that, too. “Okay.” I guess that means… I can wander? Explore? Maybe just… look at the view?
“Make yourself at home, Taliana,” she tells me. “Take a shower or a bath. Grab some water from his en-suite kitchen. Do whatever you need to feel comfortable. Trust me, he won’t mind.”
My lips twist, but I nod and repeat, “Okay.” Taylor claimed they were friends. So… so she must know what he’ll be fine with and what he won’t like, right? “Thank you for your guidance, and, um, everything.”
For not judging me for taking suppressants.
For not judging me for having a wolf.
For not judging me for, well, everything.
I didn’t add any of those items aloud, though. Primarily because I have no way of knowing if she truly judges me or not. But she doesn’t seem to.
In fact, she said I wasn’t the only one without a dragon on the island.
But she never elaborated on what that meant or where they might be.
Maybe Oros will tell me.
“If you need anything else, just touch the screen here. It’ll call up an operator for you.” She gestures to the all-white wall, making my eyes narrow until she presses her palm to the center. Then my eyes widen as the cement-like texture transforms into a touch screen.
“Wow,” I breathe. “Does that happen on every wall?”
“No, only the ones with markings.” She flicks her wrists to cause the technology to disappear once more, then points to a raised white stone. “These, see?”
“Oh.” Yeah, I see it… sort of. It’s barely visible.
“You’ll start to notice them, but a trick is to look near elevator bays like this one.” She moves toward said elevator while speaking and clicks the button beside it—that one I can see because it’s framed by gold metal. “I’ll be back to check on you tomorrow.”
“Okay. Um, thank you again.”
“Anytime.” With another of her friendly grins, she gives me a wave and ducks into the elevator as soon as it opens, leaving me alone in Oros’s suite.
I stand there for a moment, then decide to “make myself at home” like she suggested and give myself a tour.
Thirty minutes later, a few things are clear to me.
First, this suite has no windows and barely any exterior walls.
Second, gold is the decorative metal of choice.
Third, there’s only one bed.
Oh, it’s a massive bed, one clearly designed for a dragon. Which means sharing it isn’t impossible.
Except my wolf is already begging me to nest.
I can’t remember the last time I experienced this urge. Maybe before taking my suppressants? When I nearly went into my first heat?
Regardless, it’s hitting me hard now.
Hence the reason I’m currently standing next to the giant bed, holding a pillow.
A pillow that smells like an autumn campfire. Smoky sensuality. Warmth on a cold night. A blissful—
The clearing of a throat has me whirling around and meeting the gaze of an Alpha with vibrant silver eyes.
He arches a silver-white brow as I continue to gape at him. “Erm.” I clear my throat. “Hi?”
“Hi?” he repeats, and his familiar voice sends frost through my veins.
Because it’s him. Voice.
The Prince of Gold Sector.
I fall into an awkward curtsy, my focus instantly dropping to the floor. “Your Majesty, please forgive me.”
His resulting silence sends a shiver through me.
Why is he here? Did he see my evaluation results? Is he here to punish me for taking suppressants? Ridicule me for having a wolf?
“You know, it’s quite rude to explore spaces that don’t belong to you,” he tells me.
I swallow, my heart suddenly in my throat. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty.” I don’t even try to explain that Taylor said this would be okay. Maybe she set me up. Or maybe she thought it would be fine.
Regardless, I’ll own my mistake.
Because deep down, I knew better.
This is an Alpha’s sanctuary. Not mine.
“Hmm,” Voice hums. “Why are you here, Omega?”
“Alpha Oros instructed Doctor Taylor to bring me to his suite after my evaluation,” I inform him, my gaze still on the ground as I remain in my reverent position.
Although, I’m not sure how much longer I can curtsy like this, as my legs are beginning to tremble from the effort.
“Did he?” I can’t tell, but he almost sounds amused. It must be my imagination because there’s no way he could possibly be amused by me.
“Yes,” I confirm, unsure of what else to say.
“Taliana,” he murmurs, his warmth bleeding into me as he moves to stand right in front of me. “Please stop bowing.”
I bite my cheek and slowly stand, my legs wobbly as I do. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”
“And stop…” He trails off. “Stop apologizing.”
“I…” I almost repeat myself but cease speaking.
He sighs, and the sound makes me shudder. I’ve heard that disappointing huff many times in my life, and the aftermath is never pleasant. “This is… unexpected. But I suppose we’ll see if you’re worthy soon.”
Does that mean he hasn’t seen my evaluation results yet? I wonder, unsure of what to say next. Or is there going to be another trial of some kind?
“Try to stay out of trouble, Omega,” he adds. “And remember to respect your accommodations. This isn’t a typical guest suite, but an Alpha’s quarters. All right?”
I nod. “Yes, Your Majesty. I apologize for any disrespect I’ve shown you or Alpha Oros.”
He’s quiet again, but I can still see his silver shoes. They’re a stark contrast to my bare feet. At least I changed back into my old dress before venturing up here. Standing naked before him would be too much. But I’m sure I appear dirty and cheap in this opulent suite.
No wonder he doesn’t want me to wander.
He’s probably afraid I’ll soil everything I touch.
“Hmm,” he hums again, taking a step back. “Nice necklace, Omega. Tell me, do you have any idea what it means?”
I lift my fingers to touch the gold coin. “It allows me to call for Oros.”
“Is that what he told you?”
My brow furrows. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Nothing else?”
I recall everything Oros said and shake my head. “No, Your Majesty.”
More silence.
“Gold is a coveted metal in Gold Sector,” he finally says, his tone holding a note of reverence.
“I suggest you not only wear that necklace to your next audience with the court but also bring any other gifts you’re given.
The more items you can present, the better you’ll be received. Do you understand?”
My lips nearly curl down.
Do I understand? Yes. In theory, anyway.
Oros’s gold necklace must be a symbol of protection, or maybe affection, or both. And the Gold Sector Prince is saying these symbols will help me gain favor with the court.
Perhaps even enough to overlook my flaws, to overlook my wolf.
Gingerly, I dip my chin. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Good.” He steps back, his silver shoes disappearing from my view. “Enjoy your time here, Omega. But remember what I said—respect your accommodations. You have no idea how unique or important this opportunity is for you.”
I nod again. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
He doesn’t reply, doesn’t make a sound at all.
I wait, listening for his footsteps, but hear nothing. Not even with my enhanced hearing.
Only, I can sense that he’s left because his scent—one that reminds me of a harsh spice—dissipates entirely. And all I can smell in his wake is that soothing aroma of a simmering campfire.
Oros, I think, inhaling deeply.
The urge to nest hits me hard again.
But I don’t dare ponder his bed any longer. Rather, I lift my gaze tentatively to confirm that the Gold Sector Prince has left, then force my feet to move back to the foyer.
This isn’t my space.
Which means I should wait for Oros by the elevators.
I could stroke the coin and say his name three times to call for him, but I don’t want to bother him.
Instead, I simply stand, head bowed, and strive for patience.
I can do this.
I will do this.
I have to do this.