The Sacrifice

They were going to kill him for something he never asked for.

Kai Voss hit the muddy ground hard as his own pack mates shoved him forward. The ropes around his wrists burned like fire. Rain mixed with sweat ran down his face while the misty forest seemed to close in around him.

"Why are you doing this to me?" Kai begged, his voice shaking. He looked up at Marcus, the man who had once called him brother. "I grew up with you. I fought beside you. I never hurt a single person in our pack."

Marcus yanked the rope harder, forcing Kai to stumble after him. "Shut your mouth, freak. We all smelled it last night when you got careless. A male Omega? One who can actually get pregnant and have pups? You are not natural. Packs like ours cannot have that kind of weakness living among us."

Jonas, the other guard, laughed in a mean way. "You hid it well for years, Kai. Quiet little Kai who never caused trouble. Turns out you were hiding the biggest secret of all. Too bad for you. The King needs a sacrifice for the blood moon ritual tonight. You are going to be useful for once in your life."

Kai pulled against the ropes even though it hurt. "Please, Marcus. Just let me go. I will run far away. You will never see me again. I swear on everything. No one has to know about me."

Marcus stopped for a second and turned around. His face looked cold in the moonlight. "You think we can risk that? If the King finds out we had a male Omega and let you live, he will destroy our entire village. This way we look loyal. We bring him a special offering and maybe he gives us better land or more protection."

"I am not special," Kai said desperately. "I am broken. A mistake. Just kill me yourselves if you have to. Do not hand me over to the Lycan King like this."

Jonas kicked some dirt at him. "Stop talking. The ritual ground is just ahead. The blood moon is already high. You should feel honored. Not many people get to die for the King."

They kept dragging him. Kai's bare feet were cut and bleeding from the sharp rocks and branches. Every step hurt, but the fear in his chest hurt worse. The trees finally opened up into a big clearing lit by dozens of torches. The red blood moon hung huge and bright in the sky, making everything look bloody.

Dozens of werewolves stood in a circle. At the center was a tall stone platform. And on that platform stood the most terrifying man Kai had ever seen.

King Darius Blackthorn.

He was massive. Tall, wide shoulders, muscles covered in old scars. His golden eyes seemed to shine even from far away. He wore only black pants, his chest bare to the cold night air. A silver blade rested in his right hand.

The pack mates threw Kai forward. He fell onto his knees right in front of the King. The rough stone scraped his skin badly.

Darius looked down at him slowly. His voice came out deep and powerful. "What is this? I asked for a strong sacrifice to please the moon and strengthen my rule. You bring me this dirty, beaten boy?"

Marcus stepped forward fast and bowed low. "Your Majesty, this is no normal boy. We discovered he is a male Omega. He can carry children. We thought such a rare creature would be a worthy gift for the blood moon."

Whispers spread through the crowd like wildfire. Many Alphas leaned forward, trying to catch Kai's scent.

Kai lifted his head. Tears burned in his eyes but he refused to let them fall. "Your Majesty, they are telling the truth about what I am, but please listen. I am worthless. I have no power. I have no strength. Just kill me and be done with it. Make it fast. I beg you."

Darius stared at him for a long moment. "You beg for death so quickly. Most men on their knees offer me riches or their women. Yet you ask for my blade. Explain yourself."

Kai swallowed hard. His throat felt tight. "Because I know what I am. A male who can get pregnant. My own pack turned on me the second they found out. They hate me for it. What kind of life can I have? Better to die here under the moon than keep running and hiding forever."

An old elder near the platform raised his hands. "The moon is at its highest point, Your Majesty. The time for the sacrifice is now. Spill the blood and let the ritual bring strength to the throne."

Darius picked up the silver blade. The metal caught the red moonlight and flashed. He raised it high above Kai's neck. The whole clearing went completely silent.

Kai closed his eyes. "Do it," he whispered. "Please just end this."

The blade did not fall.

Suddenly, a wave of heat slammed into Kai like nothing he had ever felt. It started deep in his stomach and spread everywhere. His skin grew burning hot. Slick poured down his thighs, soaking his ragged clothes. A strong, sweet Omega scent burst out of him and filled the entire clearing.

Gasps and shocked growls came from every direction.

"By the moon, what is that smell?" someone shouted.

Marcus laughed nervously. "See? I told you he was special!"

Kai opened his eyes in horror. "No. Not now. Please, not right now."

Darius stood frozen with the blade still raised. His golden eyes locked on Kai and slowly turned darker. His chest moved faster as he breathed in the scent. The King looked like a man who had just found something he had been searching for his whole life.

"Lower the blade," the elder said quickly. "The sacrifice must be completed."

"Be quiet," Darius ordered. His voice was low but it carried across the whole clearing like thunder. He dropped the silver blade. It clanged loudly on the stone.

He reached down and grabbed Kai by the arm, pulling him up easily. Kai's legs shook so badly he could barely stand.

"What are you doing?" Kai asked, voice cracking. "You have to kill me. You saw what I am. I am not right. I can get pregnant. I am a monster."

Darius leaned close. His breath was hot against Kai's ear. "You think I will throw away a gift from the moon? You are no monster. You are mine now."

He turned to face the crowd, still holding Kai tight. "Listen well, all of you. This offering is no longer a sacrifice. This Omega belongs to me. He is Mine. If any man here thinks he can take him from me, step forward and die."

The clearing went dead silent. No one moved. No one spoke.

Kai tried to pull away but Darius's grip was too strong. "Your Majesty, please think about this. People will talk. They will say the great Lycan King claimed a male freak who can bear children. You will lose respect."

Darius gave a short, dangerous laugh. "Let them talk. I will remove the tongue of anyone who speaks against my mate. The moon has chosen. I will not refuse her gift."

Marcus stepped forward again, eyes shining with hope. "Does this mean our pack has earned your favor, Your Majesty? We brought him to you."

Darius looked at him with pure disgust. "You betrayed your own pack member to save your skins. That kind of cowardice disgusts me. Take your men and leave my lands before I decide to kill you all."

Marcus and Jonas turned pale. They bowed quickly and backed away into the crowd without another word.

Kai kept shaking. "You do not know anything about me. I am nobody. I have no family, no power, nothing to offer a king."

Darius pulled him closer until their bodies almost touched. "I know enough. Your scent calls to me like nothing else ever has. You are my fated mate. And you are going to give me the strongest heir this kingdom has ever seen."

He bent down suddenly and threw Kai over his broad shoulder. Kai gasped as the world turned upside down. His stomach pressed against hard muscle.

"Put me down!" Kai protested, hitting Darius's back with his bound hands. "This is embarrassing. Everyone is staring."

"Let them stare," Darius answered calmly as he started walking toward the dark castle at the edge of the clearing. "They need to learn that what belongs to the Lycan King stays with him."

Kai twisted his head, trying to see behind them. "What are you going to do with me? Are you going to lock me away? Use me until I give you a child then throw me aside?"

Darius rested one big hand high on Kai's thigh to hold him steady. "You ask too many questions for someone who begged for death a few minutes ago. For now, you will stay with me. The rest we will figure out later."

They reached the castle gates. Servants and guards bowed low as Darius walked past with Kai over his shoulder. Torches lit the stone halls. The place felt cold and powerful, just like its owner.

Kai tried one last time as they approached a set of huge wooden doors. "Please, Your Majesty. You can still change your mind. I will only bring problems."

Darius pushed the doors open with one powerful kick. He stepped inside the grand royal chambers and finally set Kai down on his feet. The Omega stumbled back, breathing fast.

The King filled the doorway, blocking any escape. His golden eyes still burned with that dark hunger.

"Welcome to your new life, Kai Voss," he said quietly.

Before Kai could say anything else, the heavy doors slammed shut with a loud final sound. The noise echoed through the room like the closing of a cage.