The Lycan King's Outcast Omega (by Cara Anderson) novel Chapter 106

Sage

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I scan the gathering crowd again, my heart sinking when I still don’t see Alaric. The mate bond pulses with his pain and guilt, but when I reach for him, I hit solid walls. He’s gotten better at blocking me these past days, each barrier higher and colder than the last.

“My King will be here shortly,” I overhear Helena telling the council members, but her voice wavers slightly. She knows he won’t come, just as I do.

I hover uncertainly at the edge of the crowd, not sure where I belong. Without Alaric here, without anyone knowing what I am to him, I feel more lost than ever. Some of the noble wolves notice my discomfort, their whispers carrying clearly:

“-doesn’t even know proper protocol-” “-no place at a royal memorial–““–probably relieved the old Alpha can’t disapprove of her anymore-”

“Lady Sage.” Victoria’s honeyed voice drips false concern. “Perhaps you’d be more comfortable… elsewhere? These formal occasions can be so overwhelming for those not raised to them.”

“She’s exactly where she should be.” Iris appears like an avenging angel, linking her arm through mine. “With family.”

Garrett materializes on my other side, his presence daring anyone to object as Iris leads me to sit with them in the front row. Helena reaches for my hand when I settle beside her, and the gesture nearly breaks me.

Warriors in ceremonial armor carry Perseus’s body to the center of the gathering. The silver furs traditionally draped over fallen Alphas shimmer in the morning light. I catch Helena’s slight flinch beside me – this part must be excruciating for her. She maintains perfect composure, every inch the Queen she is, but her grip on my hand tightens almost painfully.

Ranked wolves from every territory have come to pay respects. I spot Lord Harrison among them, his usual political calculations absent from his grave expression. Even Victoria’s father stands solemn and respectful, though his daughter can’t seem to help shooting superior glances my way.

The head elder begins the ancient rites, his voice carrying clearly across the hushed gathering: “We return this warrior to the Moon’s embrace. This Alpha to her grace. This father, mate, and king to her eternal pack…”

Each word feels like a blade, knowing Alaric should be here for this. Should be leading these rites himself as the new Alpha. Through our bond, I catch fragments of his turmoil – guilt and grief so tangled I can barely distinguish them before his walls slam back into place.

Iris’s quiet sniff beside me draws my attention. Garrett’s arm wraps around her shoulders, and she leans into him slightly. They’ve both been so strong through this, supporting everyone else while dealing with their own grief. Meanwhile, their king – their brother – hides from his pain and leaves them to handle everything alone.

More wolves step forward to share memories of Perseus. Stories of his strength in battle, his dedication to duty, his unyielding protection of his pack. But none mention his fiercer side, the hardness Iris will tell me about later. They speak of him as the perfect Alpha, when the truth, like most things, must have been more complicated.

Chapter 106

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The ceremony continues with the traditional howl of mourning. The sound rises from hundreds of throats, a haunting melody of grief and respect. Even those of us in human form feel the pull to join, to add our voices to

this ancient farewell.

But there’s one voice missing. One howl that should lead all others. And its absence feels like a physical wound in the pack’s song.

As the final rites conclude, I notice Helena’s perfect posture beginning to waver slightly. Without thinking, I shift closer, letting her lean against me just a bit. She squeezes my hand in silent gratitude, and I realize that whatever Alaric’s going through, his absence hurts his family most of all.

My anger builds with each passing moment. How dare he abandon his pack when they need him most? How dare he leave his mother and sister to face this alone? How dare he-

“I need to tell you something.” Iris pulls me aside after the service, her face troubled. “Something I should have told you sooner. About my father. About how he raised Alaric.”

We find a quiet corner of the garden, and she tells me everything. About the brutal training that started when Alaric was barely more than a pup. About a father who showed love through pain, who believed breaking his son would make him stronger.

“He’d leave him in the cold for days,” Iris’s voice breaks slightly. “To ‘build character.‘ Would beat him unconscious during training, then be furious if he showed weakness by passing out. Called it preparing him to be king.”

“Moon Goddess.” The words barely escape my tight throat.

“Alaric learned early that emotions were weakness. That pain was something to be buried, not processed.” She meets my eyes. “I’m not excusing how he’s acting now. But maybe understanding why he doesn’t know how to handle this…”

Something clicks into place – why he’s pushing everyone away, why he can’t face his grief. He never learned how.

“He’s doing this because he’s hurting and he thinks that makes him weak? That he’s a failure at the one thing his entire life has revolved around because he has feelings?” I speak the words aloud but only because I;m shocked by how much they make sense, “I have to find him, make him listen. Make him see it isn’t weakness to let others in. It’s strength!”

“I was hoping you’d say that!” Iris calls after me but I’m already walking away.

I know where to find him before I even start looking. The northern ridge still bears scars from the battle, but none deeper than the wolf who kneels where his father fell.

“Go away.” His voice is cold as stone, but I hear the pain beneath it now.

“No.”

He rises, power rolling off him in waves. “That wasn’t a request.”

“I don’t care.”

Chapter 106

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