The Lycan King's Outcast Omega (by Cara Anderson) novel Chapter 48

Chapter 48

Alaric

She moves through the healing wing with quiet confidence now, her silver–blonde hair caught up in a simple braid as she instructs younger healers. My beast purrs at the sight of our mate so naturally embedded in pack life, teaching others with gentle authority that grows stronger each day.

“The moonflower essence needs to be harvested at exactly the right phase,” she explains, her voice carrying clearly to where I watch from the doorway. “Too early and it loses potency, too late and-”

“My King.” Eris appears at my elbow, her voice pitched to carry. “Lord Marcus requests your presence in council. Something about… pack security.”

The way her eyes flick to Sage makes my beast snarl, but she’s already gliding away, the picture of reformed nobility.

The council chamber buzzes with tension when I enter. Lord Marcus stands as I take my seat, his aged face

grave.

“My King, concerns have been raised about… uncertain elements within the pack.”

I keep my face neutral, though my beast recognizes the trap being laid. “Explain.”

“Recent events have made some question our adherence to traditional pack values.” He glances at Victoria’s father, who nods in clear support. “The inclusion of… outsiders without proper vetting or defined status.”

“You mean our healers who save your warriors‘ lives?” The temperature in the room drops with my words.

“We appreciate certain… contributions,” Victoria’s father speaks up smoothly. “But tradition exists for a reason. Undefined loyalty presents risks.”

My beast catches Eris’s scent threading through the chamber – she’s been here recently, probably planting these very concerns in their minds.

“Perhaps,” Lord Marcus continues, “it’s time to formalize positions within the pack. Ensure everyone knows their proper place.”

The threat is clear: either remove Sage or declare her official status. Either way, they think they have me cornered. Time to remind them I’m the predator, not the prey.

“Your concerns are noted.” I rise from my chair, planting my hands firmly on the table as I tower over all of them. “Now you will hear mine. As your king, I will decide who holds what status within this pack. You’d do well to remember that before you summon me only to waste my time with your petty complaints.

“If it’s a witch hunt you’re after, let me remind you I am the predator, not the prey. And I won’t hesitate to start a hunt of my own. One that will end only when every last foe is eliminated.”

With that, I storm from the room, leaving their mouths gaping open behind me.

Later, patrolling the grounds, I catch fragments of whispered conversations: “-living in the royal wing without formal position–““–strange healing methods–““—who knows where her true loyalties lie—” And I know

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Chapter 48

exactly who put those ideas in their heads.

+15 BONUS

Garrett finds me in my study, his face grim. “The whispers are spreading. Someone’s orchestrating this.”

“Eris.” I state flatly. “Sage has endeared herself to the members of this pack and she can’t stand it.”

“Hmm. Working through others this time. Harder to counter.” He muses.

“Watch her,” I command. “But quietly. She’s more dangerous playing innocent than she ever was as an open enemy.”

I find Sage in the library as the moon rises, her familiar scent of honeysuckle and rain calming my beast slightly. She’s reading the book I gave her, violet eyes intent on ancient pages.

“Heavy reading?” I keep my voice soft, not wanting to startle her.

She looks up with a small smile that makes my heart stutter. “Just… learning.”

I move closer, drawn by some gravity I can’t resist. “Any particular reason?”

Her fingers trace the page describing pack inclusion rites. “I’ve been thinking…” She takes a deep breath.” About belonging. About… choosing where to put down roots.”

My beast roars with hope, with need to claim what’s ours. The mate bond pulses between us, and for a moment I almost tell her everything.

“Sweetling=”

“Yes?” She looks at me with those wide, innocent eyes that hold such eagerness, like she’s hanging on my every word.

It makes my heart stutter. But it also makes me second guess myself. I can’t risk shattering that innocence the way Cassius did. What if she’s not ready and telling her only makes her run the other way?

“Nothing. Just… I’m glad you’re thinking about those things. You deserve a real home.”

“Thank you.” She smiles at me but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

Almost like she was hoping I’d ask her to stay. And the fact that I didn’t only created more distance between us. Always this distance I can’t quite bridge.

Later, dealing with border reports, I hear servants gossiping: “-probably spying for Blackthorn—” “—using healing to gain trust–““–already betrayed one Alpha, why not another—”

The rumors are spreading too fast, too coordinated. I can smell Eris’s influence, see Victoria’s hand in their spread, but proving it is another matter.

My beast paces restlessly, rage building at threats to our mate. But moving too quickly, too forcefully, would only prove their accusations about her influence over me.

And Sage… if she’s truly considering formally joining the pack, I won’t let them poison that choice.

I find Garrett doing final night rounds. “Double the guard on her quarters. Quietly.”

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Chapter 48

+15 BONUS

He nods, then hesitates. “Alaric… the nobles are watching. Waiting for you to show weakness through her.”

“Let them watch.” My beast bleeds into my voice. “They’ll learn the difference between weakness and worth.”

A soft sound from the garden draws my attention. Sage stands among her moonflowers, face tilted up to the rising moon. The sight makes my beast whine – she looks so right here, so perfectly at home.

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