The Lycan King's Outcast Omega (by Cara Anderson) novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Alaric

“What the fuck, Garrett?” I hiss as soon as Sage and Iris are gone. But the fucker just chuckles and grins like my irritation amuses him.

“What’s the matter Ric? Our great and powerful king can’t handle one little car ride with his ex–girlfriend and his new mate?” He taunts me. “How are we supposed to trust you with a whole kingdom when you can’t handle two harmless women?”

I roll my eyes at his childish behavior. “I have yet to understand what my baby sister sees in you. And that’s the last time I tell you my secrets. I can’t believe you told Iris about her. She’ll never let it go now.”

“You know I tell Iris everything. Shouldn’t have told me if you didn’t want her to know.” He shrugs and I have to resist the urge to punch my Beta. “And don’t pretend you didn’t love me long before your sister did. But seriously, Sage is gorgeous and seems really sweet. Have you thought anymore about telling her what she is to you?”

I shake my head, wishing it was that simple. “I can’t. Her last mate nearly destroyed her. She’s still healing from the wounds he gave her, both physical and emotional. If I told her now she’d run for the hills, and maybe she should.

“I’m not sure I’m mate material, especially for someone like Sage. She’s soft and sweet, and I’m… not. She needs someone to tell her how amazing she is, lavish her with attention and help her heal. Even if I wasn’t emotionally unavailable, I don’t have the time. This kingdom isn’t going to run itself.”

“Maybe all you need is the love of a good woman. It worked for me.” He slings his arm over my shoulder in a show of support. “Don’t sell yourself short, Ric, or her. She’s survived a lot in her life. She might surprise you. Maybe she’s not as needy as you expect her to be.”

I sigh, scrubbing a hand over my face. “Can we change the subject please? I assume you really were too busy to come pick me up. Because if you sent Eris merely for the purpose of fucking with me, there will be payback. “Tell me about the disappearances. How many more are missing and do we have confirmation these mutant rogues were involved in every case?” 1

“Mutant? Is that what we’re calling them now?” He raises an eyebrow at me.

“What would you call it?” I challenge. “I’ve never seen anything like them. If I didn’t know better, I’d think they had lycan blood. When I was attacked, I almost didn’t win, Garrett.

“They’re stronger and faster than a normal wolf. And there must be a lot of them if these attacks are happening all over the country. You’re not really suggesting a new race of wolves just sprung up out of nowhere, are you?”

“I suppose not. You didn’t find anything on your scouting trip?” He asks and I grunt out a no. “You had to be getting close though. Your attack sounded like an ambush, like somebody knew you were coming and didn’t want you poking around anymore.”

“My thoughts exactly.” I agree with him. “It’s certainly suspicious that it happened so close to Blackthorn Pack. But everything went to shit before I could find out. After what happened to Sage, there was no way I could stay there and ‘poke around‘ as you say. I had to get her away from Cassius. The man’s a psychopath. 1

“Can you believe, after everything he did to her, he tried to keep Sage in Blackthorn? I thought I was going to have to teach the welp his place when he argued with me, but his father did it for me.”

“Alpha Stoane seems to be a reasonable man.” Garrett observes. “He’s always been loyal to the crown. Maybe a bit

Chapter 16

+25 BONUS

elitist but otherwise harmless.”

“I’m not sure Sage would agree with you. The way he allowed his pack to treat her is unacceptable. And his son seems to have inherited all his worst qualities and amplified them by ten.” I growl, lost in thought for a moment.

“What are you plotting, Alaric?” Garrett pushes, but I don’t have an answer… . yet.

“I’ll let you know when I decide.” I tell him.

It’s then that Eris descends the stairs, her ridiculously high heels clacking on the stone floor. I bite the inside of my cheek, stifling the impulse to tell her she’s not invited to dinner and to go the fuck home. But her father is a good friend and an important ally so I hold my tongue.

She’s determined to worm her way back into my life but there’s a reason we didn’t work in the first place and nothing’s changed. Not that it matters. I may not see things working out between Sage and I but now that I’ve met her, I can’t look at anyone else.

She’s my mate and my lycan wants her desperately. He’d never settle for Eris now. Or anyone who’s not Sage for that matter.

“Look at what she’s wearing!” I hear Eris scoff turning to follow her line of sight. “Didn’t your sister tell her how to dress for dinner at a King’s table?”

“Fuck. Me.” I mutter under my breath, ignoring Eris completely.

Sage is walking toward me in a pale pink cocktail dress that suits her porcelain skin perfectly. It’s demure, with a boatneck and capped sleeves, probably chosen to hide her wounds. But fuck if the satiny material doesn’t cling to her in all the right places.

Sure, I’ve seen her naked out of necessity. But something about seeing her like this, her silver blonde hair glossy and as it flows in waves down her back, the slightest bit of makeup to give her an extra glow, it’s sexy as fuck and I can’t look away. It’s like she was always meant for this life.

“Oh, I didn’t realize it was formal.” she glances nervously at Eris in her ostentatious evening gown. “Iris said this would be okay. I can go change.”

She turns away but I catch her with an arm around her waist, pulling her back to me. “You’re perfect. I mean, uh, the dress is perfect. No need to change.” Fuck, how does she do this to me. I’m a king, damn it. I don’t trip over my

words.

“Alaric’s right. You look stunning.” Garrett kisses her hand and I have to cough to cover the growl that slips out.

“I, uh, I’ll just go wash and change quickly. I’ll join you for dinner shortly.” I say, making my escape before I embarrass myself any further.

I need a cold shower, I think to myself. And maybe, just maybe, I need to mate the little wolfless omega after all.

Cara Anderson author

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