The Lycan King's Outcast Omega (by Cara Anderson) novel Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Sage

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The healing wing feels different lately. Warmer somehow. Other healers have started asking my advice about herbs, and even some of the noble wolves bring their pups to me for minor scrapes. It’s a small change, but it feels like finally finding solid ground after months of shifting sand.

“The silver–leaf poultice you suggested worked wonders,” the head healer tells me, actually smiling. “Perhaps you could show me-”

She stops mid–sentence, tension suddenly filling the air. In the hallway, wolves gather, whispers spreading like wildfire:

“She’s back-” “Her father insisted—” “The Alpha had no choice—”

Then I catch a familiar floral scent, too sweet, too perfect, and my stomach drops.

Eris glides through the healing wing like she never left, elegant even in supposed exile. Her father, Lord Alexander, follows with an entourage of nobles.

“My King,” he addresses Alaric, who’s appeared in the doorway. “I come seeking sanctuary for my daughter while I travel to handle urgent territorial matters. Surely you wouldn’t leave her unprotected? I can assure you she’s learned her lesson and will be no further trouble to you. Isn’t that right, daughter?”

“Yes, of course father. I promise to be on my best behavior.” Her face remains penitent but I don’t miss the glimmer of triumph in her eyes.

It’s perfectly crafted political theatre. Everyone knows refusing protection to a noble daughter would be political suicide, especially with growing threats to all territories.

I watch Alaric’s face carefully, see the muscle tick in his jaw as he’s maneuvered into a corner.

“Of course,” he says finally. “Lady Eris is welcome to stay.”

Her smile could cut diamonds. “How generous, my King. I only hope I can prove myself worthy of such forgiveness.”

Victoria and her circle immediately flock to Eris, like moths to a particularly poisonous flame. I try to make myself invisible, but her eyes find me anyway.

“Oh, Sage dear,” she trills. “Still helping in the healing wing? How… sweet.”

The way she says ‘sweet‘ makes it sound like a disease.

The pack dinner that evening is an exercise in elegant torture. Eris reclaims her old seat near Alaric,

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Chapter 45

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every movement calculated to remind everyone of her history here. Of all the pack gatherings she’s attended at his side, all the political connections she represents.

“Remember that border dispute last spring?” she asks him, touching his arm lightly. “How well we handled it together?”

I focus on my plate, trying not to notice how natural they look side by side. She knows exactly how to move in his world, which lords to charm, which alliances to strengthen. Everything I’m not.

“You’re thinking too loud,” Iris whispers beside me.

“I’m fine.”

“Sure you are.” She rolls her eyes. “And Garrett isn’t making heart eyes at me from across the room.”

I glance over to find the Beta indeed watching Iris with poorly concealed adoration, making her grin.

“That’s different,” I mutter.

“Is it?” She bumps my shoulder. “Some things are meant to be, no matter what gets in their way.‘

After dinner, I escape to the garden, needing air that doesn’t smell like Eris’s perfection. The moon is rising, turning everything silver–washed and strange.

“I thought I’d find you here.”

Alaric’s voice sends shivers down my spine, but I don’t turn. “Shouldn’t you be entertaining your guest?”

I didn’t intend for that to come out so laden with sarcasm but I can’t bring myself to apologize for it.

He moves closer, his warmth at my back making me ache. “Sweetling-”

“My King!” Eris appears like a summoned spirit. “There you are. Lord Marcus needs your immediate attention. Something about those border negotiations we handled last year?”

I feel Alaric hesitate, his hand hovering near my shoulder. I wait expectantly but I already know what decision he’ll make.

“Just go,” I say quietly, when he doesn’t move.

He goes, but not before his fingers brush my hair so lightly I might have imagined it.

I stay in the garden until my legs grow tired, then head inside. But voices from Alaric’s study make me freeze.

“We’ve always worked so well together,” Eris’s voice carries through the partially open door. “The pack needs that stability now more than ever.”

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Chapter 45

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“Eris-”

“I know you feel it too. This pull between us, this… connection. Why fight what’s meant to be?”

I peek through the gap before I can stop myself. Eris stands too close to Alaric, her hand on his chest. The moonlight through his window casts them in silver, making them look like something from a painting – the powerful Alpha and his perfect match.

“The past is past,” he says, stepping back.

“Is it?” She moves with him gracefully. “Everything I did, I did for the good of the pack. For you. And now, with all these threats… don’t we deserve another chance?”

I flee before I can hear his answer, my heart thundering in my chest. Because she’s right, isn’t she? They make sense together. She knows his world, knows how to be what he needs.

Everything I’m not.

In my room, I touch my pendant, remembering how safe I felt in his arms just days ago. But maybe that’s the problem. Maybe I’ve been fooling myself, thinking I could belong in his world.

A knock at my door makes me jump. It’s Iris, her usual smile replaced with concern.

“Don’t,” I say before she can speak. “Please.”

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