The Lycan King's Outcast Omega (by Cara Anderson) novel Chapter 122

Chapter 122

Alaric

Her terror hits me through our bond like a physical blow. I’m moving before conscious thought, abandoning the border patrol reports as her consciousness starts to fade.

“Sage!” My roar shakes the library windows as I find her crumpled beside ancient texts. Through our bond, I feel her slipping away even as I gather her into my arms.

The book fallen beside her catches my eye – a page about poisons used to break mate bonds. My blood runs cold as I read the symptoms listed: fever, chills, weakening powers…

Everything she’s been trying to hide from me.

“I need healers!” My voice carries command that brings them running. “Now!”

The healing wing erupts in chaos as I burst in with her limp form. Her skin burns against mine even as she shivers uncontrollably.

“Her powers are fighting something.” The head healer’s hands glow as she examines Sage. “But I’ve never seen…”

Through our bond, I feel Sage’s strength ebbing. Feel how her healing abilities war with whatever poison runs through her veins.

“Save her.” The words come out more plea than command.

But traditional healing makes no difference. Her temperature spikes higher as her powers fluctuate wildly. Through our bond, I feel each failed attempt to purge the poison.

“These symptoms…” The head healer frowns at the ancient text I brought. “They match exactly. Someone has been poisoning her deliberately. Targeting not just her body but your mate bond itself.”

Ice slides down my spine as I remember her dizziness during ritual preparations. The weakness she dismissed as fasting effects. How long has this been happening while I failed to see?

“My King.” Garrett appears in the doorway. “We found these in her quarters.”

He hands me a collection of herbs – ritual components we’ve been gathering. But among the sacred plants…

“Northern territory herbs.” My voice holds deadly calm. “With traces of…”

“Poison.” The head healer confirms. “Likely absorbed through skin contact while handling them. Whoever did this knew exactly how to make it look like ritual cleansing symptoms.‘

Through our bond, I feel Sage fighting with everything she has. But the poison spreads deeper, targeting the very essence of our connection.

“The council must be informed.” An elder appears, but backs away at my snarl.

“The council?” Power rolls off me in waves. “When half of them opposed our bond? When they supported those

Chapter 122

who’d see us separated?”

“My King…” The elder starts.

“Get out.” My eyes bleed amber. “Everyone out. Now.”

+25 BONUS

Once alone with her, I gather her closer. Through our bond, I push every ounce of strength I have. Feel her powers try to sync with mine like during ritual practice.

“Fight it, sweetling.” I breathe against her hair. “Stay with me.”

Her eyes flutter briefly. “Al…Alaric?”

“I’m here.” I cradle her face. “I’ve got you.”

“The herbs…” Her voice comes barely a whisper. “Someone…”

“I know.” I kiss her forehead. “Save your strength. I’ll find who did this.”

She tries to heal herself, but her powers sputter weakly. Through our bond, I feel how much effort even that small attempt costs.

“Rest.” I stroke her hair as she slips under again. “I’ll handle everything.”

I pace the room restlessly but her fever spikes again, drawing me back to her side. Through our bond, I feel her delirium – fragments of memories mixing with fever dreams. She relives our first meeting, our claiming night, our dawn ritual practice, but the memories twist with darkness at the edges.

“Don’t let go,” she murmurs, her hand finding mine weakly. “The bond… can’t feel you clearly…”

My heart breaks at the fear in her voice. The mate bond that’s been our strength, our certainty, now feels fragile as spider silk.

“I’m right here.” I pour everything I feel for her into our connection, trying to strengthen it through sheer force of will. “Feel me, sweetling. I’m not letting you go.‘

Her powers flare weakly, trying to reach for mine again, like it has a will of its own. But instead of the perfect synchronization we’d achieved, everything feels wrong – discordant, fractured.

“Should have known,” she whispers, violet eyes glazed with fever. “The symptoms… was so stupid…”

“No.” I cradle her closer, my beast howling at her pain. “You trusted them. Trusted the ritual requirements. This is on them, not you.”

Through our bond, I feel her regret, her fear not for herself but for us. For the future we’ve fought so hard to build.

“If the bond breaks…” Tears slip from her eyes. “If I can’t…”

“Don’t.” My voice breaks on the word. “Don’t you dare give up. You’re my mate, my queen, my heart. No poison can change that.”

Her hand trembles as she touches my face. “Love you… so much…”

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+25 BONUS

“Then fight.” I press my forehead to hers, letting her feel everything in my soul. “Fight the poison. Fight for us. Because I can’t do this without you, sweetling. Can’t be king, can’t even breathe without you beside me.”

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