The Lycan King's Outcast Omega (by Cara Anderson) novel Chapter 163

Alaric

No further protest emerges as guards begin their methodical search, examining communications, personal items, even scent markers that might indicate recent contact with unauthorized territories. Through the still-strained bond, I focus completely on Sage's presence – faint but persistent, life force strong despite circumstances.

"My King," a guard approaches, his expression grave as he presents a scroll discovered among one council member's possessions. "This contains detailed security protocols for royal healing visits. Specifically, eastern village procedures."

Lord Kincaid – elderly wolf who opposed integration of healing abilities from the beginning – maintains his dignified posture despite damning evidence. "Standard security briefing," he claims, though pallor beneath silver fur betrays awareness of position's weakness.

"With delivery route information?" The guard indicates specific notation on scroll. "Arrival times? Guard rotation details?"

Silence confirms what evidence suggests – not necessarily direct conspiracy with Cassius, but deliberate undermining of security protocols protecting his pregnant queen. Through the remains of our bond, my rage transmits with renewed intensity, reaching for my mate who remains frustratingly beyond clear connection.

"I merely believed traditional succession should be maintained," Lord Kincaid finally admits, political calculation replacing any pretense of innocence. "The prophecy represents a dangerous deviation from established order. I provided information to those concerned about the healing bloodline's influence, not knowing they'd resort to direct action."

"Provided information to whom?" I demand, Phantom pushing dangerously close to complete shift as his confession confirms suspicions of betrayal.

"Northern territory representatives," he admits, gaze dropping from direct confrontation with Alpha rage. "Former supporters of Eris who shared concerns about prophecy fulfillment."

The connection to Cassius forms with crystal clarity – former allies providing intelligence to an exiled enemy, traditional prejudice creating a pipeline that led directly to my mate's abduction. Though damaged, determination replaces the helpless rage I send through our bond– a strategic king reasserting control over his primal beast, calculation replacing blind fury.

"You will provide every contact," I inform Lord Kincaid with deadly calm. "Every meeting location. Every communication method. Every detail that might lead to those who took your Queen. Then and only then, I may reconsider taking your life as payment for your treason."

Guards remove the elder council member for detailed interrogation, others continue a search that yields additional evidence of a communication network extending beyond kingdom borders. I maintain constant awareness of Sage's distant presence – the thread connecting us growing incrementally stronger with each passing hour, suggesting whatever compound dampens our bond gradually loses effectiveness against a connection stronger than Cassius anticipated.

Intelligence reports arrive continuously – territorial searches underway, border patrols monitoring all passage points, allied packs alerted to the kidnapping with descriptions and scent markers distributed throughout neighboring kingdoms. Through our gradually strengthening bond, determination builds to find a concrete location, specific direction, any detail that might guide the physical search toward my mate whose mental presence grows slowly clearer.

As the command center transforms into a war room, maps covering every wall with search patterns meticulously tracked, my mother approaches with a fresh discovery.

"The eastern village tunnel system," she indicates architectural plans recovered from ancient archives. "They connect to cave networks that extend beyond our borders. Beyond normal patrol routes."

The revelation provides the first tangible lead – not just confirmation of the abduction method, but potential tracking routes through systems difficult to monitor through conventional means. Through our clarifying bond, I push renewed determination toward Sage – confirmation that our search narrows, that her absence has not broken our connection, that king and beast alike focus every resource on recovery.

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