The Lycan King's Outcast Omega (by Cara Anderson) novel Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Alaric

She feels impossibly small in my arms, her silver–blonde hair spilling over my jacket wrapped around her shoulders. My wolf paces beneath my skin, torn between rage at those who hurt her and the desperate need to protect.

I carry her to my private quarters – the most secure rooms in the packhouse. No one enters here without my explicit permission, and right now, I don’t trust anyone else to keep her safe.

“Brother?” Iris appears in the doorway as I lay Sage on my bed. Her eyes widen at the sight of the chains‘ marks on Sage’s wrists. “I’ll kill her.”

“Not if I get to her first.” The words come out more growl than speech. “Stay with her?”

Iris nods, already moving to check Sage’s injuries. “What are you going to do?”

“What I should have done weeks ago.”

I find Eris in her quarters, guards posted outside. She’s clearly been expecting me, perched elegantly on a settee like this is a social call.

“My King,” she smiles. “I trust you’ve secured the thief?”

“Interesting choice,” I say quietly, “planting evidence in her belongings.”

Her smile doesn’t waver. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”

“The candlestick belonged to your family. Did you think I wouldn’t recognize the crest?”

A flicker of uncertainty crosses her face, quickly masked. “Are you suggesting I would frame an innocent omega? What possible motive would I have?”

“Because she threatens you.”

She laughs, but it sounds hollow. “A wolfless nobody? Threatening me?”

“She makes me smile.”

The words hang between us. Her mask cracks just slightly, showing the calculation beneath.

“You can’t prove anything,” she says finally. “And even if you could, think of the political ramifications. My father’s pack, the Northern Alliance…”

“I don’t need proof.” Power rolls off me in waves. “I am the Lycan King. My word is law.”

*Then why am I still breathing?”

The question catches me off guard. She’s right- by pack law, I could execute her for this betrayal. She knows it. I know it. But she’s also right about the political consequences,

“Because,” I say carefully, “you’re going to publicly apologize for a ‘misunderstanding‘ about the theft. You’re going to withdraw gracefully to your family’s estate for a cooling–off period. And you’re going to do it all with a

smile

“O1?”

Chapter 35

+25 BONUS

“Or I tell everyone exactly why my grandmother rejected you as my mate five years ago.”

She goes very still. “You wouldn’t.”

“Try me.”

For a moment, I see the real Eris – cold, calculating, dangerous. Then her mask slides back into place.

“As you wish, my King.” She rises gracefully. “I’ll make the announcement at dinner. Though I wonder…”

“What?”

“How long can you protect her? A king’s duty is to his pack first. Eventually, you’ll have to choose.”

My wolf snarls, but before I can respond, my father’s scent reaches me. Perfect.

Perseus fills the doorway, taking in the scene with cold eyes. “I assume you’re here about the unfortunate incident with the omega.”

“Her name is Sage.” The words come out sharper than intended.

“The alliance-” he begins.

“Is not worth the cost.”

His power crashes against mine. “Everything has a cost, son. I taught you that.”

“You taught me to be strong.” I meet his gaze steadily. “To protect what’s mine. Or did you mean only when it’s politically convenient?”

“Alaric.” My mother’s voice surprises us all. She steps around Perseus, her presence somehow softening the charged air. “Do what you must.”

Father stares at her. “Helena?”

“Our son has made his choice.” She looks at me with something like pride. “As we all must.”

The moment stretches, heavy with unspoken things. Then Perseus inclines his head slightly. “The political fallout will be… significant.”

“I’ll handle it.”

“Yes,” he says thoughtfully. “Perhaps you will.”

I leave them to navigate the complexities of pack politics, my lycan driving me back to Sage, She’s awake when I return, sitting on the edge of my bed looking small and uncertain in my too–large jacket. The sight of her there, in my personal space, does something to my inner animal that I’m not ready to examine too closely.

“You’re still here,” she whispers, like she expected me to disappear.

“Always” I kneel before her, taking her marked wrists gently in my hands. The bruises are already darkening, each one feeding the rage of my beast. “Sage, about what happened-”

A howl splits the air–the border warning Multiple howls follow, signaling a major breach.

“Go,” slu says before I can finish. “Your pack needs you.”

1 cup her face in my hands, my lycan nature demanding I stay, protect, explain. “You’re not going anywhere this time?” It comes out more question than command.

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