The Lycan King's Outcast Omega (by Cara Anderson) novel Chapter 115

Chapter 115

Alaric

“My King.” Eris’s voice stops me in the hallway. “Might I have a moment of your time?”

Through our bond, I feel Sage’s attention shift briefly before she returns to her work in the healing wing. These ” moments” with Eris have become more frequent lately, each one more desperate than the last.

“I have duties to attend to.” I move to pass her, but she steps deliberately into my path.

“That’s exactly what I wished to discuss.” Her smile holds calculated warmth. “Your duties to the kingdom. To our people.”

“Our people are being well served.”

“Are they?” She moves closer, her scent carrying notes of expensive perfume. “When half the pack still struggles to accept a queen with uncertain powers? When noble wolves whisper about tainted bloodlines?”

I let my power fill the space between us. “Choose your next words very carefully.”

“I mean no disrespect.” Her hand brushes my arm before I can step back. “I understand the attraction. Her power is… remarkable. And having such abilities at your command, who wouldn’t want to secure that loyalty?” 2

“You know nothing about my relationship with Sage.”

“Don’t I?” Her smile turns knowing. “I see how you watch her. How carefully you’ve positioned yourself as her protector, her champion. Making her believe you love her so she’ll be loyal to you, to your crown. It’s quite brilliant, really.”

My growl makes lesser wolves flee, but Eris stands her ground. “I can even help maintain the illusion,” she continues. “Once we’re mated, you can keep her as… companion. Let her believe what she needs to about your feelings while we rule together properly.”

“Get out of my way.” My beast rises at the mere suggestion.

“You find me attractive.” She presses closer, her body language pure seduction. “I’ve seen how you look at me in council meetings. It wouldn’t be a hardship to mate with me, to secure the alliance our kingdom needs. And Sage need never know the truth about your feelings.”

Through our bond, I feel Sage’s momentary concern at my spike of rage, but I send back reassurance. Some things she doesn’t need to hear.

“Let me be very clear.” I let my eyes bleed amber. “I find you about as attractive as a mutant wolf’s rotting corpse. The only reason you still breathe is because killing you would start a war. But if you ever suggest using Sage like that again, I’ll reconsider that position.”

Her mask slips for just a moment, showing raw calculation beneath. “You can’t possibly mean to make her queen. The nobles will never accept-”

“I don’t care what they accept.” I step closer, letting her feel exactly what she’s provoking. “Sage is my mate. My queen. My heart. Nothing you or anyone else does will change that.”

Chapter 115

+25 BONUS

But Eris isn’t done. She appears at every turn throughout the day, each encounter more calculated than the last.

In the council meeting, she makes sure to drop her papers so she can bend provocatively to retrieve them. Her supporters watch with knowing smiles, no doubt already spreading rumors about the tension between us.

During lunch, she arranges to sit directly in my line of sight, every movement designed to draw attention. I focus on border reports instead, but catch the whispers spreading among the nobles.

“-clearly attracted to her-” ”

-fighting the inevitable-” “. -proper match-”

By afternoon, she’s cornered me in the library, conveniently alone among the ancient texts.

“We could be incredible together,” she murmurs, trailing her fingers along the shelf beside me. “Think of it – your strength, my political connections. The nobles already support us. The Northern territories would fall in line. No more resistance, no more questioning your choices.” 1

“My choices are not up for debate.” I move to leave but she steps into my path.

“I’ve seen how the crown weighs on you,” she says softly. “The constant battles, the political maneuvering. I could make all that go away. Give you the support of every noble house, every ranked wolf. No more fighting your own council, your own pack.”

“You offer chains dressed as freedom.” My beast rises at her nearness. “Political alliances that would bind me to your agenda. Support that comes with strings I refuse to accept.”

“And what strings come with Sage’s power?” Her smile turns sharp. “What price do you pay for abilities that make even your closest allies nervous? At least my power is something they understand, something they trust.”

Through our bond, I feel Sage’s momentary concern at my spike of rage. She sends calming energy, trusting me to handle whatever’s provoked my anger. Her faith makes Eris’s manipulations even more repulsive.

“Trust?” I laugh without humor. “They don’t trust you, Eris. They fear you. Fear what you might do with power over this kingdom. At least Sage’s abilities heal rather than harm. What would you bring except more political games? More manipulation?”

“I would bring stability.” She steps closer, her scent overwhelming in the confined space. “Acceptance. Everything you’ve fought for since taking the crown. Just imagine-”

“I’m done imagining anything involving you.” I push past her, my control threatening to snap. “Stay away from me, Eris. This is your last warning.”

Her laughter follows me down the hall. “You can’t fight tradition forever, my King. Sooner or later, you’ll see I’m right.”

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify