The Lycan King's Outcast Omega (by Cara Anderson) novel Chapter 175

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Through our fragmented bond, I feel Alaric's strategic assessment shifting to accommodate this new variable – the partner Cassius mentioned, the female whose scent still clings to him, the 'chosen mate' now confronting an unexpected complication.

I can read his certainty, matching my own, that this new development is not one Cassius bargained for in his arrangement with her to steal my child. And certainly not one Daphne ever agreed to.

"A temporary medical necessity," Cassius explains with smoothness that doesn't quite hide his discomfort at being caught between competing interests. "The establishment phase requires certain protocols we didn't anticipate."

"So I gathered from your hasty explanation." Daphne's perfect composure remains intact as she approaches my bed, her movement graceful despite obvious tension. "How unfortunate that your plans have become so... complicated."

Though addressing Cassius, her focus remains entirely on me – calculating, measuring, assessing with cold precision that makes her next actions impossible to predict. Next to me, I feel Alaric's protective instinct rising despite the ongoing standoff with Cassius.

Without warning, Daphne leans closer, her voice dropping to whisper meant for me alone. "Understand this clearly," she murmurs, words carrying absolute certainty despite their soft delivery. "I will kill you and your unborn abomination before I allow Cassius to claim either of you permanently.

“I worked for years to keep you apart, to make him mine and mine alone. I wouldn’t let you have him then and I certainly won’t now. Touch him and you die.”

The threat flows with such casual certainty that no one else in the room appears to register its delivery – the perfect performance of a concerned visitor hiding her lethal promise beneath a civilized exterior. I feel Alaric's alarm as he notes my spike of fear without understanding its specific cause.

"Perhaps we should continue this discussion elsewhere," Cassius suggests, noting the monitors registering my increased stress. "The patient requires calm during stabilization. I think it’s safe for me to go. For now."

"Of course." Daphne straightens, perfect composure never slipping despite the threat just delivered. Her smile contains nothing of warmth as she addresses the room generally. "We wouldn't want anything to interfere with everyone's careful plans."