The Lycan King's Outcast Omega (by Cara Anderson) novel Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Alaric

She feels impossibly small in my arms, her silver–blonde hair spilling over my jacket wrapped around her shoulders. My wolf paces beneath my skin, torn between rage at those who hurt her and the desperate need to protect.

I carry her to my private quarters – the most secure rooms in the packhouse. No one enters here without my explicit permission, and right now, I don’t trust anyone else to keep her safe.

“Brother?” Iris appears in the doorway as I lay Sage on my bed. Her eyes widen at the sight of the chains‘ marks on Sage’s wrists. “I’ll kill her.”

“Not if I get to her first.” The words come out more growl than speech. “Stay with her?”

Iris nods, already moving to check Sage’s injuries. “What are you going to do?”

“What I should have done weeks ago.”

I find Eris in her quarters, guards posted outside. She’s clearly been expecting me, perched elegantly on a settee like this is a social call.

“My King,” she smiles. “I trust you’ve secured the thief?”

“Interesting choice,” I say quietly, “planting evidence in her belongings.”

Her smile doesn’t waver. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”

“The candlestick belonged to your family. Did you think I wouldn’t recognize the crest?”

A flicker of uncertainty crosses her face, quickly masked. “Are you suggesting I would frame an innocent omega? What possible motive would I have?”

“Because she threatens you.”

She laughs, but it sounds hollow. “A wolfless nobody? Threatening me?”

“She makes me smile.”

The words hang between us. Her mask cracks just slightly, showing the calculation beneath.

“You can’t prove anything,” she says finally. “And even if you could, think of the political ramifications. My father’s pack, the Northern Alliance…”

“I don’t need proof.” Power rolls off me in waves. “I am the Lycan King. My word is law.”

*Then why am I still breathing?”

The question catches me off guard. She’s right- by pack law, I could execute her for this betrayal. She knows it. I know it. But she’s also right about the political consequences,

“Because,” I say carefully, “you’re going to publicly apologize for a ‘misunderstanding‘ about the theft. You’re going to withdraw gracefully to your family’s estate for a cooling–off period. And you’re going to do it all with a

smile

“O1?”

Chapter 35

+25 BONUS

“Or I tell everyone exactly why my grandmother rejected you as my mate five years ago.”

She goes very still. “You wouldn’t.”

“Try me.”

For a moment, I see the real Eris – cold, calculating, dangerous. Then her mask slides back into place.

“As you wish, my King.” She rises gracefully. “I’ll make the announcement at dinner. Though I wonder…”

“What?”

“How long can you protect her? A king’s duty is to his pack first. Eventually, you’ll have to choose.”

My wolf snarls, but before I can respond, my father’s scent reaches me. Perfect.

Perseus fills the doorway, taking in the scene with cold eyes. “I assume you’re here about the unfortunate incident with the omega.”

“Her name is Sage.” The words come out sharper than intended.

“The alliance-” he begins.

“Is not worth the cost.”

His power crashes against mine. “Everything has a cost, son. I taught you that.”

“You taught me to be strong.” I meet his gaze steadily. “To protect what’s mine. Or did you mean only when it’s politically convenient?”

“Alaric.” My mother’s voice surprises us all. She steps around Perseus, her presence somehow softening the charged air. “Do what you must.”

Father stares at her. “Helena?”

“Our son has made his choice.” She looks at me with something like pride. “As we all must.”

The moment stretches, heavy with unspoken things. Then Perseus inclines his head slightly. “The political fallout will be… significant.”

“I’ll handle it.”

“Yes,” he says thoughtfully. “Perhaps you will.”

I leave them to navigate the complexities of pack politics, my lycan driving me back to Sage, She’s awake when I return, sitting on the edge of my bed looking small and uncertain in my too–large jacket. The sight of her there, in my personal space, does something to my inner animal that I’m not ready to examine too closely.

“You’re still here,” she whispers, like she expected me to disappear.

“Always” I kneel before her, taking her marked wrists gently in my hands. The bruises are already darkening, each one feeding the rage of my beast. “Sage, about what happened-”

A howl splits the air–the border warning Multiple howls follow, signaling a major breach.

“Go,” slu says before I can finish. “Your pack needs you.”

1 cup her face in my hands, my lycan nature demanding I stay, protect, explain. “You’re not going anywhere this time?” It comes out more question than command.

Chapter 35

+25 BONUS

“I…” She hesitates, then touches my wrist lightly. “I’ll stay. For now. But Alaric…” Her violet eyes meet mine. “I don’t understand any of this. Why you saved me, why you keep protecting me. I need the truth.”

The word ‘mate‘ burns in my throat, but it’s too soon. She’s been through too much today. Instead, I say, “There are things I want to tell you. Things you deserve to know. But right now—”

“Your pack needs you,” she finishes. “I understand duty, Alaric.”

My beast snarls at the resignation in her voice, but she’s right. More howls echo from the borders.

“Rest,” I murmur, pressing my lips to her bandaged wrist before I can stop myself. Her breath catches, and something wild and possessive surges through me. “You’re safe here. My rooms – no one enters without my permission.”

“But Eris-”

“Is handled. For now.” I stand reluctantly. “Iris will stay with you.”

My sister materializes in the doorway as if summoned. “Try to keep him from doing anything stupidly heroic?” Sage asks her.

Iris grins. “Have you met my brother? Stupidly heroic is his default setting.”

The joke draws a small smile from Sage, and my beast settles slightly at the sight. But more howls pierce the night, and time runs short.

“Wait for me?” I ask, memorizing every detail of her face.

She nods, fingers finding that crescent moon pendant she always wears. Something about the gesture stirs a memory – my grandmother’s stories about moon–blessed wolves – but before I can grasp it, Garrett appears with news of the breach.

Outside, the moon rises over pack lands under attack. But my mind stays in that room, with violet eyes and silver- blonde hair and secrets I’m not ready to share.

This time, I won’t fail her.

First, though, I have monsters to kill.