The Lycan King's Outcast Omega (by Cara Anderson) novel Chapter 68

Chapter 68

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Chapter 68

Alaric

“The practice is unnatural,” Elder Marcus declares, his face twisted with revulsion. “We honor our dead, not mutilate them.”

“Two warriors are dead,” I growl, barely containing my beast’s rage. “Dead under suspicious circumstances that some are using to condemn an innocent wolf. You’d deny us the chance to prove her innocence because of tradition?”

The council chamber fills with uneasy murmurs. No Alpha has ever suggested examining our dead this way before. But no Alpha has ever had their mate falsely accused of murder either.

“My King,” Lord Harrison speaks carefully. “While we understand your… personal interest in clearing the omega’s name, there are centuries of custom to consider.”

Phantom snarls at their inability to say Sage’s name, to acknowledge her as pack. But I force my voice to remain steady. “And what of justice? What of truth?”

“There are other ways to investigate,” Victoria’s father suggests smoothly. “Ways that don’t desecrate our fallen warriors.”

Before I can respond, Garrett enters with a stack of reports. His expression tells me everything I need to know about the council’s likely decision.

Hours later in my study, I review what little progress we’ve made. The scouts I sent north report strange findings – entire villages that claim no memory of a pack where a child supposedly executed her parents. News like that would travel. Records that should exist, but don’t.

“The timing’s wrong too,” Garrett points out, examining Daphne’s evidence. “These documents she provided? The paper’s too new for records supposedly twenty years old.”

“She’s lying.” I grip the edge of my desk, wood creaking under my hands. “But we need proof. Real proof.” “The scouts found something else.” He hesitates. “In one village, an old wolf remembered stories about healing packs in the mountains. Said they were hunted down by those who feared their power.”

My beast stirs at this, remembering the strange effectiveness of Sage’s remedies. The way wounds heal faster under her care.

“There’s more.” Garrett spreads out a map. “The attacks that brought James to the healing wing? They happened here, here, and here.” He points to locations forming a pattern. “Forming the same symbol as-

“As the one on Sage’s pendant.” Ice slides down my spine as pieces start connecting.

A knock interrupts us. The head healer enters, face grave. “My King, I’ve been examining the herbs in our stores. The ones used to treat James and the other warrior who died…”

“And?”

“They’ve been tampered with. Someone added something to them after they left Sage’s care.”

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Chapter 68

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Finally. Real evidence that someone else caused these deaths. But before I can demand details, another giard

bursts in.

“Alpha! Three more warriors just collapsed. Same symptoms as the others.”

A commotion in the hallway draws my attention. Three more warriors convulsing, their symptoms worse than James’s were. The council members rush to the scene, someone having notified them as well. They aren’t going

to like what I say next.

“Get Sage,” I command, ignoring the council’s immediate protests.

She enters minutes later, trying to appear strong despite the hostile stares. But I smell her anxiety, see how it costs her to face her accusers.

“The herbs have been tampered with,” the head healer explains, showing her the medicines. “Can you identify….

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