The Lycan King's Outcast Omega (by Cara Anderson) novel Chapter 53

Sage

My hands shake as I try to memorize the ancient words. Three days seemed like plenty of time until now, hours before the ceremony.

“Again,” Iris instructs, pacing our practice room. “And remember to keep your chin up this time.”

“I pledge my loyalty to this pack,” I recite, “to honor its lands and protect its members. Under moon’s witness, I choose this home, these wolves as mine-” My voice cracks on the last word.

“You’ve got this.” Iris squeezes my hands. “Just like we practiced.”

But nothing feels practiced about the way my heart races, about the significance of what I’m about to do. For the first time in my life, I’m choosing where I belong.

A knock interrupts us. Queen Helena enters, carrying something wrapped in silvery fabric.

“Every new pack member needs proper ceremony clothes,” she says softly, unveiling a dress that steals my breath. Silver–white fabric shimmers like moonlight, delicate embroidery depicting healing herbs along the

hem.

“I can’t—” I start, but she shakes her head.

“You can. You will.” Her fingers brush my pendant. “Some things are meant to be.”

Hours later, I stand before my mirror barely recognizing myself. The dress makes my violet eyes seem to glow, my silver–blonde hair braided with moonflowers from my rebuilt garden.

“Ready?” Iris asks.

I touch my pendant for courage. “Ready.” (1)

The great hall falls silent as I enter. Hundreds of wolves watch as I approach the ceremonial circle, where Alaric waits in formal Alpha regalia. The sight of him steals my breath – power and authority wrapped around him like a cloak, but his eyes hold such gentleness when they meet mine.

I take my place before him, moonlight streaming through high windows. His voice carries clearly as he addresses the pack:

“Many of you wonder why I choose to accept a wolfless healer into our ranks.” Murmurs ripple through the crowd. “Let me tell you a story.”

My heart stops as I realize what he’s about to do.

“Months ago, I was gravely injured investigating threats to our territories. A nearly deadly attack forced me to seek shelter in a small cottage near Blackthorn’s borders. There, I found something unexpected – an omega with violet eyes who didn’t hesitate to help an injured stranger.”

The hall is absolutely silent now.

1/3

Chapter 53

+15 BONUS

“She tended my wounds for days, despite the risk of harboring an unknown wolf. She shared her food of which she had barely enough to survive on herself, her medicines, her kindness – expecting nothing in return. She showed more pack loyalty in those days than some who were born to it.”

His eyes hold mine as he continues: “When I learned Blackthorn planned to execute her, I didn’t save her out of pity or politics. I saved her because she had already proven herself pack in every way that matters.”

Tears blur my vision but I blink them back, remembering Iris’s lessons about dignity.

“Since coming here, she has healed our warriors, taught our healers, strengthened our pack – despite those who would tear her down. She has shown more courage, more loyalty, more pack spirit than any wolf I’ve ever known.

11

He extends his hand to me. “Sage, you have already earned your place here. The ceremony merely confirms what we already know – you are pack. You are home.”

My fingers tremble as I place my hand in his. The ancient words flow naturally now, straight from my heart:

“I pledge my loyalty to this pack, to honor its lands and protect its members. Under moon’s witness, I choose this home, these wolves as mine. My strength for their protection, my knowledge for their healing, my heart for their keeping.”

“Do you accept the responsibilities and privileges of pack membership?” he asks formally. “Do you bind yourself to this territory and its wolves of your own free will?”

“I do.” My voice carries clear and strong.

His power wraps around me as he speaks the acceptance: “Then by my authority as Alpha and Lycan King, I name you pack. Your battles are our battles, your strength our strength, your heart our heart.”

He pulls me closer, pressing his lips to my forehead in the traditional blessing. But this feels different from the formal gesture it’s supposed to be – more intimate, more real.

When he releases me, something has changed. I feel it in the air, in the way the pack looks at me. No longer an outsider but one of them.

Iris is the first to approach, wrapping me in a fierce hug. “Sister,” she whispers, and the word feels right.

Others follow – young healers I’ve taught, warriors I’ve tended, even some noble wolves who seem thoughtful after Alaric’s words.

But through it all, I’m aware of his eyes on me, of the pride and something deeper in his gaze.

Later, at the celebration feast, he finds me in a quiet moment on the balcony. The moonlight catches the silver embroidery of my dress, making it shimmer.

“You take my breath away,” he murmurs, coming to stand behind me. “When you walked into that hall… I almost forgot the ceremony words I’ve known my whole life.”

I turn to face him, my heart skipping at the heat in his steel–gray eyes. “Your mother’s dress is beautiful.”

“The dress is nothing.” His fingers trace the moonflowers in my hair, trail down to brush my cheek. “It’s you,

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify