The Lycan King's Outcast Omega (by Cara Anderson) novel Chapter 87

“Hello again, my little mate.”

The audacity of those words, combined with the smug look on his face, is enough to send fire through my veins, burning through the ice that’s held me frozen. I feel the sting of my hand on his face before I even realize I’ve moved. A collective gasp fills the silence that descended as the gathered dignitaries watched our exchange with

baited breath.

His head snaps to the side from the force of my blow, but when he turns back, his eyes glitter with something that makes my stomach turn. Not anger – appreciation. Like I’ve done exactly what he hoped I would.

“Such spirit,” he purrs, touching his reddening cheek almost lovingly. “I always knew it was there, buried beneath all that… submission.” His tongue darts out to wet his lips. “How delightful to see it finally surface.”

My skin crawls at the way he looks at me – like I’m a prize that’s only become more valuable. Like my newfound strength just makes the game more interesting.

“You dare strike a ranked wolf?” Lord Marcus steps forward, outrage coloring his tone.

But I’m done being afraid. Done being prey.

“I dare strike anyone who presumes to claim what isn’t theirs.” My voice carries clearly through the hall. “Or have you forgotten how you rejected that claim, Cassius? How you tortured me before trying to have me executed?”

His perfect mask slips for just a moment, showing something ugly beneath. “Ancient history, dear one. I’ve come to make amends.”

“The only amends you’ll make,” Alaric’s voice could freeze flame, “is leaving. Now.”

Through our bond, I feel his beast raging to tear Cassius apart. But we both know he can’t – not with every ranked wolf in the territories watching,

“My King,” Cassius bows with practiced grace. “Surely you wouldn’t turn away Blackthorn’s heir? Especially when we have so much to discuss about these… attacks.”

Politics. Always politics.

But I’m not the same omega who cowered before him. Aura rises in my mind, lending me her strength as I step forward.

“You rejected our mate bond,” I declare loudly enough for everyone to hear. “You tortured me. Tried to have me killed. Any claim you thought you had died that day.”

Whispers erupt among the gathered wolves. Rejecting a mate bond is rare enough – trying to kill one’s mate is

unthinkable.

“Perhaps,”

he

says smoothly, “I was hasty in my judgment. Seeing you now, so… evolved…” His eyes rake over me in a way that makes my skin crawl. “Maybe we should discuss second chances?”

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Chapter 87

The mate bond floods with Alaric’s fury, but I handle this myself.

+25 BONUS

“The only second chance here,” I tell Cassius clearly, “is the one I got when your father’s conscience made him let me leave with Alaric. Don’t mistake it for forgiveness.”

“Such fire,” Cassius practically purrs, unaffected by my words. “You’ve grown into quite the force, haven’t you? So different from the timid little healer I remember.”

“Back. Away.” Alaric’s power fills the hall, making lesser wolves bare their throats.

But Cassius merely smiles. “Of course, my King. Far be it from me to cause… discord during such an important gathering.” His eyes never leave my face. “We’ll have plenty of time to… reacquaint ourselves in the days to come.”

The threat in his words is clear, but I refuse to show fear. “The only reacquainting that will happen is you learning I’m not yours to torment anymore.‘

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“We’ll see.” He steps back with elegant grace, but something predatory lurks in his expression. “People change, dear one. Perhaps we both have.”

Through our bond, I feel Alaric’s beast demanding blood, demanding we end this threat now. But with every ranked wolf watching, politics stay his hand.

“Lord Charles,” Alaric addresses Blackthorn’s elder instead. “Show your heir to his quarters. Far from the healing wing.”

The implied threat makes some wolves shift uncomfortably, but Cassius’s smile never wavers.

“Until later,” he murmurs, eyes promising future encounters as he follows Lord Marcus away.

Only when he’s gone does my hand start shaking. Alaric’s fingers twitch with the need to comfort me, but we maintain careful distance before our audience.

“He cannot hurt us now,” Aura growls in my mind. “We are stronger.”

But watching Cassius disappear down the hall, the calculating look in his eyes haunts me. Because some predators don’t give up just because their prey grows teeth.

They just change their hunting strategy,

“Well,” Victoria drawls into the tense silence. “How interesting that Blackthorn’s heir still considers you his mate.”

“He considers me his property,” I correct coldly. “A distinction you’d do well to remember.”

Other noble wolves whisper among themselves; “-rejected mate bond but still claims-” “—dangerous having them both here–““–could destabilize the entire gathering-

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Iris appears at my side, her presence a silent support. Through our bond, I feel Alaric coordinating with Garrett, arranging extra guards, planning how to keep Cassius away from me without seeming politically motivated.

“Lady Sage?” One of the visiting healers approaches tentatively. “We still have wounded waiting…”

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Chapter 87

+25 BONUS

Work. Yes. Something useful to focus on besides the lingering feel of Cassius’s lips on my hand.

But as I turn to leave, I catch his scent again – he’s circled back, watching from a shadowed alcove. His smile when our eyes meet sends chills down my spine.

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