The Lycan King's Outcast Omega (by Cara Anderson) novel Chapter 85

Chapter 85

Chapter 85

Alaric

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The royal seal hardens in red wax as I press it into the last summons. Not invitations – I can’t leave this to choice. Every pack in my territories will send representatives, whether they like it or not. If we’re to defeat these aberrations, these vile, warped insults to the name of wolf, we’ll have to find a way to work together.

Besides, something tells me these malicious creatures are merely puppets while someone with power and wealth is pulling the strings. Having them all in one place will give me the chance to learn more about who that might be. But I keep that suspicion to myself for now.

“The Northern Alliance won’t take kindly to being commanded,” Garrett observes, watching me work.

“They’ll take even less kindly to being destroyed piece by piece.” I hand him the stack of sealed documents.” Send our fastest messengers. I want these delivered personally to every Alpha.”

Through the mate bond, I feel Sage’s approval from where she sits nearby, pretending to be engrossed in some dusty old text. She understands better than most the urgency of our situation after seeing Pine Valley’s struggles.

“Blackthorn won’t ignore a royal summons,” Garrett says carefully. “They’ll have to send someone.”

My beast snarls at the thought of anyone from that pack near my mate. But we can’t exclude them without raising questions.

“Post extra guards on Sage’s quarters when they arrive,” I tell him. “Quietly.”

“We’ll need to reorganize the entire packhouse,” Iris declares, spreading floor plans across my desk. “The East Wing can house higher–ranking visitors, but we’ll need additional accommodations built for their entourages.‘

“And security?” I study the plans. “We can’t have ranked wolves from different packs too close together. Old rivalries…”

“Already handled.” She points to carefully arranged quarters. “Buffer zones between traditional enemies, neutral territories for meetings, escape routes if needed.”

The mate bond carries Sage’s amusement at my sister’s efficient planning. She’s right – Iris might act carefree, but she understands pack politics better than most.

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Reports flood in as preparations begin – lists of which wolves each pack will send, security arrangements needed, political alliances already forming. Some smaller packs band together, seeking strength in numbers. Others vie for premium accommodations, trying to prove their importance.

“The nobles are restless,” Iris reports during our strategy meeting. “Some suggest this gathering undermines individual pack autonomy.”

“They can suggest all they want.” I spread territory maps across my desk. “The attacks grow worse. Pine Valley isn’t the only small pack struggling.”

“And Blackthorn?” she asks. “What if they send…”

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Chapter 85

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“They won’t.” I study the attack patterns forming across territories. “Cassius thinks himself above such gatherings. He’ll send representatives, but won’t come himself.”

Not if he’s smart. And Cassius Sloane may be a lot of things, but stupid doesn’t seem to be one of them. I pray I’m right. Because I already have my hands full with threats within my own pack.

Victoria’s father wastes no time gathering allies. I catch fragments of conversations as nobles cluster in halls: ” -unprecedented, demanding attendance-” “-who does he think he is–““–Lycan King or not, some traditions shouldn’t be broken-”

But others see opportunity in the gathering. Lord Harrison approaches me privately:

“My King, perhaps this crisis presents a chance to modernize some of our more… restrictive traditions.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning some of us have watched Lady Sage prove herself. Have seen what can happen when we look beyond old prejudices.”

The support surprises me, though I maintain a neutral expression. Through the bond, I feel Sage’s quiet pleasure as more and more wolves profess similar sentiments.

Later, I find Sage in the library, surrounded by texts about pack histories. The mate bond hums with her focused concentration. 1

“Looking for precedent?” I ask, dropping a kiss on her head now that we’re alone.

“Looking for patterns.” She shows me ancient records. “Previous times packs united against common threats. The politics involved, the alliances formed…”

Pride surges through me. My clever mate, always thinking ahead.

“The nobles are already choosing sides,” she continues. “Iris says Victoria’s father is gathering support against excessive sharing of pack secrets.‘ Others worry about maintaining hierarchy with so many ranked wolves in one place.”

“Let them worry.” I pull her into my arms, needing her close after a day of maintaining public distance. “We have bigger concerns.”

“Like who’s really behind these attacks?” She settles against my chest. “The coordination, the inside knowledge…”

“Someone wants us divided,” I agree. “Wants packs too suspicious of each other to unite properly.”

–

A messenger interrupts with more reports three more small packs attacked just today. The patterns grow clearer, more deliberate.

“They’re testing defenses,” Sage observes, studying the maps. “Learning each pack’s weaknesses.”

“Building toward something bigger.” I trace attack sites that form an unsettling pattern. “But what?”

Through our bond, I feel her concern, her determination to help. But also a flicker of unease about the gathering.

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Chapter 85

+25 BONUS

“What is it, sweetling?”

“Just… memories.” She touches her pendant. “The last time so many ranked wolves gathered in one place…”

I pull her closer, understanding. The last time was at Blackthorn, when Cassius rejected their mate bond publicly.

“This is different,” I promise. “You’re different. Stronger.‘

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