The Lycan King's Outcast Omega (by Cara Anderson) novel Chapter 120

Sage

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Ancient dust tickles my nose as I lean closer to the faded text, excitement building as I translate the archaic language. Through our bond, I feel Alaric’s amusement at my complete absorption in research.

“You missed lunch again.” His voice makes me jump as he sets a tray beside me. “And dinner.”

“I found something.” I pull him down to see the text, not even tempted by the food despite having forgotten meals. “Look at this – “The Trial of True Mates.‘ It was used in ancient times to prove mate bonds beyond any doubt.”

His hand traces patterns on my back as he reads over my shoulder. Through our bond, I feel his interest sharpen at certain passages.

“A ritual to demonstrate the depth of connection?” He frowns slightly. “What’s involved?”

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out.” I gesture at the scattered texts. “The descriptions are fragmented, but it seems to involve some kind of shared trial. Something that proves the strength of the mate bond itself.”

“And these warnings?” His finger taps a particularly ominous passage.

“Apparently it’s… intense.” I bite my lip. “The bond has to be strong enough to withstand whatever challenges the ritual presents. Some pairs didn’t survive the attempt.”

Through our bond, his protective instinct flares. “Then we find another way.”

“Wait.” I turn to another text. “Look at this part – about pairs who succeeded. Their bonds became unbreakable. Undeniable. Even the most traditional councils had to acknowledge them.”

He pulls me into his lap, nuzzling my neck. “Our bond is already unbreakable.”

“But they don’t see that.” I lean into his touch even as I keep reading. “The council still thinks… wait, what’s this?”

A passage about interference catches my eye – ancient accounts of those who tried to prevent true mates from completing the ritual. My pendant pulses warmly as I read, almost like a warning.

“Some tried to break the bonds through poison,” I read aloud. “Through dark magic. Through-“I stop as my pendant grows uncomfortably hot.

“Sweetling?” Alaric feels my unease through our bond.

“Just… strange accounts.” I close the book, troubled by my pendant’s reaction. “About those who feared mate bonds they couldn’t control.”

His arms tighten around me as a messenger appears in the doorway. “My King. Reports from the borders, and correspondence from several territories.”

Alaric sorts through the messages one–handed, keeping me in his lap. His body tenses slightly at certain reports.

Chapter 120

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“Problems?” I ask.

“Strange movements near the Northern borders.” He sets those aside. “And some odd trade patterns with Blackthorn territory. Nothing clear but…”

“But something feels wrong.” I finish his thought, feeling his unease through our bond.

I turn my attention back to the ritual texts while he reviews reports. “The Trial requires both physical and spiritual preparation,“” I read aloud. “‘Mates must first purify themselves through fasting and meditation, strengthening their bond until they move as one soul in two bodies.“”

“That part’s easy.” His lips brush my neck, making me shiver. Through our bond, I feel his satisfaction at my response. “We’re already connected in ways they can’t comprehend.”

“‘Then comes the Challenge of Elements.“” I frown at the cryptic text. “‘Fire to test their passion, water to test their trust, earth to test their strength, air to test their faith…‘“‘

“Sounds intense.” His hand slides under my shirt, tracing patterns on my skin as he reads over my shoulder.” What else?”

“Here’s an account of a pair who attempted it.” I flip to another page, trying to focus despite his distracting touch. “‘They moved in perfect synchronization, their powers merging until none could tell where one ended and the other began. But when the final test came…“” I stop, troubled.

“What happened?”

“‘Their enemies had poisoned the ritual chalice.‘” My pendant grows warm against my skin as I read. “‘The mate bond shattered as the poison took hold. She died in his arms, their connection broken before it could be sealed.‘”

His arms tighten around me protectively. “That won’t happen to us.”

“There are other stories too.” I show him more passages. “‘Some feared the power of true mates so much they would stop at nothing to prevent the bonding. Especially when one mate possessed unusual abilities that others coveted or feared…“”

Through our bond, I feel his anger building at the implications. At how closely these ancient accounts mirror our current situation.

“Here’s one that succeeded though.” I turn to a more hopeful passage. “Despite all interference, despite every attempt to break them, their bond proved stronger than any poison, any manipulation. They emerged from the trial so powerfully connected that none could ever doubt their true mate status again.““‘

His kiss stops my reading. “That will be us,” he promises against my lips. “Nothing they try will break what we

have.”

I melt into his touch, research forgotten as desire spirals through our bond. But even as he pulls me closer, my pendant pulses with warning against my skin.

As if saying some threats can’t be stopped by love alone.

“My King?” Lord Harrison appears now. “The council requests an update on your… situation.”

2/4

Chapter 120

Alaric’s growl makes the elder step back. “My situation?”

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“They wonder if you’ve reconsidered certain… traditional requirements. Lady Eris sends word that she would still consider-”

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