The Lycan King's Outcast Omega (by Cara Anderson) novel Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Sage

It’s the fragments that catch my attention first – hushed voices drifting from Alaric’s study as I pass.

“-becoming a liability-” ” omega-”

can’t protect the pack if we’re constantly-” “—have to make a decision about the

I freeze, pressing against the wall beside the partially open door. Alaric’s voice cuts through the others, tight with

tension.

“She stays. That’s not up for discussion.”

“But my King, after what happened at the gathering-

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“I said no.”

The finality in his tone should be reassuring. Instead, it reminds me of all the times Cassius defended keeping me around at Blackthorn – right up until I became inconvenient.

I slip away before they can discover me eavesdropping. The word “liability” echoes in my head as I make my way to the dining hall, hoping food might settle my churning stomach.

The moment I enter, I know it’s a mistake. Eris sits at a table with three other high–ranking she–wolves, their voices carrying just enough to seem unintentional.

“-always had a soft spot for strays,” Eris sighs. “Remember that omega from River Pack?”

“The one he sent to the Southern territories?” Another wolf asks. “Whatever happened to her?”

“Same thing that always happens. Alaric felt guilty about something, took her in, then realized he couldn’t actually keep every broken wolf he finds.”

My hands shake as I set down my untouched plate. This isn’t about me, I tell myself. But Eris’s next words freeze me mid–step.

“At least that one had a wolf. Imagine trying to integrate a wolfless omega permanently. It would undermine everything the pack stands for.”

I flee to the library, my one sanctuary in this gilded cage. The ancient books usually calm me, but today my eyes catch on a volume of pack laws I’ve never noticed before.

The section on omegas makes my blood run cold: “In matters of pack security, the Alpha holds complete authority over the residence and movement of unmated omegas within their territory…”

The words blur as memories surface – Cassius dictating where I could go, who I could talk to. Always for my protection.” Always for my “own good.” I thought it was because he cared about me. I was stupid.

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“Child.” Ms. Winters appears beside me, making me jump. “There are things you should know about your-” “Ma’am!” A young wolf bursts into the library. “The king needs you immediately.”

1 carefully return the law book to its shelf, Ms. Winters’s unfinished warning forgotten as I head for the garden.

But I never make it there.

one

Through the window overlooking the front courtyard, I see them Alaric stands close to a stunning she wolf of the visiting dignitaries from the gathering. Her hand rests on his arm as she leans in, speaking intently. From

Chapter 30

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this angle, it looks intimate, secret.

“Ah.” Eris’s voice behind me drips with false sympathy. “I was wondering when you’d find out.”

“Find out what?” My voice sounds hollow to my own ears.

“About Alessandra.” She moves to stand beside me. “They have history. She’s actually why he was in Blackthorn territory that day he found you. She’d rejected his offer of courtship, and well… you know how Alphas hate wounded pride.”

My chest feels too tight. “You’re lying.”

“Am I? Ask him yourself. Ask him why he really saved you that day. You were just a project to help him feel better about himself. But now that he has an alliance with my father’s pack and me as his future Luna, he can let both of you go.”

I mean to wait, to think it through rationally. But when I see Alaric heading for his study, my feet carry me there before I can stop them.

“Why were you really in Blackthorn territory that day?” I demand.

He stiffens at my question, turning slowly to face me. “Sage-”

“Was it because of her? Alessandra?”

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