The Lycan King's Outcast Omega (by Cara Anderson) novel Chapter 56

Chapter 56

Sage

“Just a little more yarrow,” I instruct the River Pack healer, showing her how to mix the poultice. Her wounds from the attack still make her movements stiff, but her eyes are eager as she learns.

More refugees arrived during the night – three families who barely escaped with their lives. Their injuries show the same strange patterns I’ve been noticing: wounds that resist traditional healing, marks that seem almost deliberate in their placement. Something about it tickles my memory, but I can’t quite grasp what.

“The silver–leaf mixture you showed us yesterday helped,” another healer tells me. “The burns finally started closing.”

Pride warms my chest as I watch them work. Not so long ago, I was afraid to show my healing knowledge. Now other packs seek it out.

“You’ve given them hope,” Alaric’s voice makes me turn. He stands in the healing wing doorway, power wrapped around him like a cloak but his eyes soften when they find mine. “Walk with me?”

The moon rides high as we stroll through the gardens, his hand warm against my lower back. These moments feel precious – when he’s not the Lycan King and I’m not the former outsider, when we can just be us.

“You’re different with them,” he observes, watching me check the evening blooms. “More confident. Sure of your place.”

“I have somewhere to belong now.” I touch a moonflower petal. “Someone to belong to.”

His sharp intake of breath makes me look up. The heat in his steel–gray eyes sends shivers down my spine.

“Say that again,” he murmurs, drawing me closer.

“I belong to you.” The words feel right, true in a way I can’t explain. “To this pack. This place.”

He takes my lips in a desperate kiss, like he can’t get close enough, deep enough, and I’m starting to understand how he feels. His touch awakens parts of me I’m only beginning to understand, sensations I’ve never experienced before making me yearn for his touch in places I’ve never been touched before. When we finally part, he keeps me close, breathing me in like he’s memorizing my scent.

“You have no idea what you do to me, sweetling.”

“Show me,” I whisper, too shy to speak the words louder but knowing I want him to all the same.

“Sage-” He growls my name and something warm and slick leaks from my core at the sound. “I want to. You have no idea how much I want to. But not here. Not now.”

“Later then?” I press, feeling like I’m on the edge of something I can never come back from, something I can’t

live without.

“We’ll see, sweetling.” He winks at me, but the heat in his gaze tells me just how much it pains him to deny me and that gives me hope.

1/3

Chapter 56

+25 BONUS

We walk a while longer, talking about small things, enjoying this rare peace. But reality intrudes as we pass the healing wing again sounds of pain from new arrivals, whispers of more attacks.

“They’re getting worse,” I say quietly. “The mutations, the coordinated strikes. And the wounds…” I hesitate, something nagging at my mind.

“What about them?”

“They’re familiar somehow. Like I’ve seen something similar, but I can’t remember where.”

A messenger approaches with a letter bearing Blackthorn’s seal. My heart stutters, and Alaric tenses beside me.

“It’s addressed to you,” he says, voice tight.

My hands shake slightly as I open it. “They… they’re requesting my presence at Blackthorn. Their healers can’t manage the wounds from recent attacks. They’ve heard about my methods and want me to come teach them.”

A growl builds in Alaric’s chest. “Absolutely not. After what they did to you? After Cassius-” He cuts off, power rolling off him in waves. “You don’t owe them anything.”

“But if wolves are dying…” I touch his arm gently. “I know what they did to me was awful, but should others suffer for it?”

His expression softens slightly as he looks at me. “Your heart is too good, sweetling.” Then something shifts in his eyes. “What if… what if instead of sending you there, we invited them here? All the packs affected by these attacks.”

I consider this, but anxiety creeps in. “What if… what if Cassius comes?”

“Hey.” He cups my face, thumbs stroking my cheeks. “This kind of gathering – healers sharing knowledge, working together – it’s beneath Cassius and his father. They’ll likely send their healing staff only.”

“And if they don’t?” I hate how small my voice sounds.

“Then he’ll never get within ten feet of you.” Steel enters his tone. “You’re mine to protect now, sweetling. And I protect what’s mine.”

“A gathering of packs?” The idea takes root. “Not just Blackthorn, but everyone affected?”

“More than that.” His eyes light with purpose. “A chance for cooperation instead of isolation. Each pack could send representatives healers, warriors, scholars. Share what they know about fighting these creatures, healing their wounds.”

“You wouldn’t be ordering them,” I realize. “Just offering a chance to work together.”

“Exactly.” He pulls me close again. “You inspired this, you know. Watching you share your knowledge so freely, help anyone who needs it regardless of pack politics.”

“We could have a celebration,” I suggest. “A ball to welcome them, show that we’re stronger together than apart.”

“Look at you,” he murmurs proudly. “Already thinking like a royal.”

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