“The next time you try to run from me, I will chase you. And make no mistake, I will catch you. Do you Understand?” “Y-, yes, sir.” I stutter, suddenly feeling hot all over. “Alpha!” He corrects me. “I may be a Lycan and a King, but I’m still your Alpha, sweetling.” Sage is nothing more than an outcast omega, living as a slave in the Blackthorn Pack. Cassius Sloane, the Alpha heir, is the only one there she can trust. Or so she thought. When a handsome stranger stumbles into her path, bloody and dying, Sage’s kind heart won’t allow her to turn her back on him, despite the consequences for harboring a rogue. But as soon as he’s well, he leaves her too. Sage has all but given up when her handsome stranger returns, saving her in her darkest hour. But in the midst of her salvation, truths come to light that leave her feeling even more distrustful and betrayed. She may have been given a second chance at life and a new home, but she quickly finds the Royal pack is no place for an lowly omega. And the ever-growing pull she feels to a certain king she can never have is the last thing she needs. In a kingdom plagued by mutant rogues and political perils, will she rise above her station and find true happiness, or will she forever remain the outcast omega? Other works: Fate Trilogy An Unwanted Fate A Tangled Fate: Bound By Her Betas A Cruel Fate: Her Gammas Regret Legend Of Glass Lake Series The Alpha’s Abandoned Luna And The twin Flames Tryst Of Fate Not Their Luna: A Female Alpha Story-Coming Soon Stand Alone Resisting The Alpha Triplets
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“Sage! Sage! Where is that wolfless little urchin?” I hear Daphne, the Beta’s daughter and so-called future Luna, at least that’s how she regards herself, calling out to me as I rush inside the packhouse.
“I’m here!” I answer, a little too breathlessly.
“You’re late!” She chides, the promise of swift and severe punishment lurking in her eyes.
Daphne grabs my wrists, twisting them painfully as she drags me closer. “You lazy little gutterpup! How dare you take advantage of your Alpha’s kindness!” I feel the sting on my cheek before I even register her hand flying out to slap me.
My eyes prick with tears that I refuse to let fall. I rub at the tender flesh while ignoring the snickers from the other omegas who’ve gathered to enjoy the show. They wouldn’t find it so funny if it was happening to them. But of course it never will. Not when they have a poor wolfless outcast like me to abuse instead.
“You will climb up that ladder and polish the crystal chandelier until it shines so bright it hurts your eyes! We have important guests coming to dinner and I will not have our Alpha entertaining in anything less than a spotless home!” She orders.
“B-, but I-, I c-, can’t.” My voice trembles, my fear spilling into my tone. “I’m sc-, scared of heights.”
“You can and you will!” She demands unsympathetically. “Now, get up that ladder before I give you something to really be scared of!”
I stuff the polish and a few rags in my apron pockets, the worn thread stretching at the seams from the heavy load. Just do it, Sage. You’ll be fine. Lots of people climb ladders and live to tell about it. I scramble up the ladder without looking down before I can chicken out.
I’m almost to the top when my foot slips. Suddenly, I’m falling backwards, my arms flailing and my eyes shut tight. I expect to feel the crack of my skull against the hardwood floor at any second, killed by my own lack of coordination.
But the crushing pain I’m bracing for never comes. Instead, a pair of strong arms catches me, pulling me against a warm chest and cradling me there. It feels so nice, I want to snuggle up there and never leave.
“Whoa there, little bird.” His voice is deep and soothing, and slightly amused. “I don’t think you’re quite ready to fly yet.”
“Cassius.” I breathe out, looking up into the handsome face and striking emerald eyes of the Alpha’s son. “I-, I’m so sorry! I don’t know why I’m so clumsy. Thank you for catching me!”
I scramble to get out of his arms and he sets me gently on my feet but doesn’t let me go. My hands feel so small in his, his large palms enveloping mine, his thumbs rubbing softly over my wrists. He’s grinning at me but not exactly in a friendly way, more like the big bad wolf showing his big shiny teeth.
“No need to thank me, little bird. I’m just glad I was here. I’m sure we can find something for you to do that keeps both your feet planted safely on the floor.” He chucks me under the chin and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.
“Yes, Alpha.” I agree, gasping when his smile turns feral, like he wants to eat me. I pull out of his grasp, a shiver running down my spine.
“Good girl!” The words rumble up from deep in his chest. He flashes me a sexy smirk and then he’s gone.
“How dare you inconvenience Cassius!” Daphne pops up out of nowhere, startling me out of my dreamy thoughts. “He has far more important things to worry about than rescuing pathetic wolfless omegas!”
She grabs my upper arm, digging her nails into my skin and drags me into the kitchen. Once we’re out of sight, she tosses me onto the ground and stands over me with a glower.
“Since you can’t manage the one simple task I gave you, now you can get down on your hands and knees and scrub the entire floor. Make sure it’s pristine, so clean our guests can see their reflection in it!” She shoots me an evil smirk then tosses her long black hair over shoulder and leaves.
A few hours later, I stand back and look at my handiwork, proud of what I’ve accomplished. The floor is polished to a high shine and the whole room smells like pine. I hope Cassius will be proud of me when he sees it.
Exhausted, I head down the hall for a much needed bathroom break. Daphne and some of her friends are huddled together, whispering conspiratorially but they all go quiet when I pass by. I wonder what the she-devil is up to now.
When I exit the bathroom, they’re all waiting for me. One of them grabs me by my hair and throws me to the ground in the center of their circle. They each take turns kicking and punching me until I can barely breathe.
I curl into a ball and try to protect myself from their blows as much as possible. I used to fight back, but that only made it worse so I learned to lie still and take it, doing my best not to cry. When they’ve all had a turn, Daphne spits on me, a murderous look on her face.
“Stay away from Cassius, you little slut! You think I didn’t notice the little stunt you pulled today? Try and seduce him again and I’ll slit your throat, you piece of scum!”
They leave me lying there on the floor, bleeding and bruised. I take a few minutes to catch my breath then slowly pull myself up to my feet. When I make it back to the dining room, the beautiful floor I worked so hard on is completely destroyed. Dirty, greasy footprints are tracked across the room and it looks like someone dumped the kitchen trash right in the middle.
I sigh, swallowing back the urge to hunt Daphne down and murder her. But I’d only end up in jail for the crime. I work late into the evening to repair the damage, managing to make it sparkle again just before the guests arrive. It’s not as nice as my previous work, but it will have to do.
Starving, I head to the kitchen to wrap up some scraps of food, my pay for all my hard work. Then I start the long trek back to my little shack out by the pack border.
I’m bone-weary and everything hurts from the beating I took. Any other day, I’d take my time walking home. But tonight, I push through the pain, in a hurry to get back. Because tonight, I have someone waiting on me, counting on me to take care of him, and I can’t let him down!
LyraThe bond with Alexander pulses with his awareness of my return, anticipation and relief flowing through our connection as I spot him and Kieran waiting near the central well."She's willing to meet you both," I announce as I join them. "After sunset, at her cottage."Alexander's expression lightens with cautious hope. "Not immediate rejection, then.""Not agreement either," I caution. "And she warned me about Vega's spells having layers of contingencies we might not have discovered yet."Kieran frowns. "That matches what Elder Thalia said about Vega's methods. Her magic often contains delayed reactions or secondary triggers."This unsettling possibility dampens our tentative optimism as Elder Thorn approaches to show us to a small guesthouse at the settlement's edge. After he leaves, Alexander secures the space with habitual thoroughness while Kieran unpacks healing supplies that might need refreshing after our journey. The domestic scene strikes me suddenly with its surprising n
Lyra"Remember, we're here to request help, not demand it," I remind Alexander quietly. "Royal authority may not carry much weight here."He nods, visibly shifting from crown prince to diplomatic visitor in subtle ways—sitting less formally in his saddle, keeping his hands visible and relaxed, his expression open rather than commanding.A small “welcoming committee” awaits us at the settlement's edge—three people positioned deliberately to assess newcomers before they fully enter the community. The central figure steps forward as we dismount—a gray-haired man with the weathered face of someone accustomed to harsh conditions and hard decisions."What brings the Lycan crown to Blackstone Ridge?" he asks without preamble, confirming they've somehow recognized Alexander despite our lack of royal insignia."We seek Healer Karina," Alexander replies with careful respect. "On a matter of mutual concern regarding her aunt."The man's expression doesn't change, but tension ripples through the s
LyraTwo days on horseback through increasingly rugged terrain has taught me several things: palace saddles are surprisingly comfortable, Alexander knows every hidden trail in his kingdom, and watching two grown men try to out-stubborn each other about the best route is both frustrating and oddly entertaining."The eastern path follows the riverbed," Kieran argues, pointing to the fork ahead. "Easier terrain for the horses.""The western route is more direct," Alexander counters, "and less exposed if Vega's agents are watching main thoroughfares."I sigh loudly enough for both to hear. "Maybe I should just flip a coin while you two continue this fascinating debate?"They turn to me with identical expressions of mild offense that make me bite back a laugh. For all their differences, they share a remarkable stubborn streak neither seems willing to acknowledge."The western route is faster," Alexander reiterates, "which means less time exposed to potential—""I get it," I interrupt. "Secu
KieranRather than engaging with the royal physician’s attitude, I turn my attention to Elise. "May I?" I ask, gesturing toward her rounded belly.She nods, and I kneel before her, placing my hands gently on her abdomen.Closing my eyes, I extend my senses to assess the baby's position and Elise's overall condition. The child is indeed awkwardly turned, pressing against her spine in a way that causes significant discomfort without presenting any real danger."The baby's healthy," I assure her, opening my eyes. "Just a bit stubborn about positioning, like its mother."This earns a small laugh from Elise, some tension leaving her shoulders. "Can you help?""A specific stretching routine twice daily and some herbal tea to relax the muscles should encourage proper positioning," I explain. "Plus a firmer sleeping surface—this bed is like trying to rest on a cloud."The palace physician clears his throat. "I recommended complete bed rest to avoid complications.""Which would actually increas
Kieran"Hold still or I'll accidentally stab you with this pin."I glance down at the tailor kneeling by my legs, his mouth full of pins as he adjusts the formal tunic that supposedly makes me look like a respectable court representative instead of a forest healer way out of his depth."How much longer is this torture going to last?" I ask, resisting the urge to scratch where the stiff fabric chafes against my neck."Beauty requires suffering," the tailor mumbles around his pins."I'm aiming for 'not embarrassing' rather than beauty," I correct him, which earns me a dismissive snort."The prince was most specific about the quality of your attire," he replies, expertly pinning a seam. "Royal blue with silver accents to complement Lady Lyra's ensemble while marking you as an official representative of the healing community."The thought of Alexander personally selecting my outfit for tonight's dinner is equal parts amusing and unsettling. Twenty-four hours ago, I'd have bet good money th
Alexander A knock at the door interrupts my thoughts. "Enter," I call, expecting another messenger or council member.Instead, Kieran stands in the doorway, hesitating at the threshold as if unsure of his welcome. "Your Highness," he greets formally. "I was told you wanted to see me?"I blink in surprise. "I hadn't sent for you yet, but your timing is perfect. Please, come in."He enters cautiously, his posture suggesting he's bracing for confrontation. I realize with sudden clarity how rarely we've interacted without Lyra present, how much tension still exists beneath our carefully maintained civility."The moonflower essence is secure in the reliquary," he says, clearly assuming this is about the ritual. "Queen Sage confirmed the potency exceeds expectations.""Good," I nod, "but that's not why I wanted to speak with you." I gesture to the chair Dominic recently vacated. "I have a proposition that requires your particular expertise."Curiosity overcomes wariness as he takes the offe
Alexander"They found her, but she's not exactly rolling out the welcome mat."Dominic drops a report on my desk, interrupting my third attempt to write a diplomatic response to the Northern territories. I've been staring at the same paragraph for twenty minutes, my mind constantly drifting back to last night with Lyra."Vega's niece?" I ask, pushing aside the draft to read the new report."Karina," he confirms, dropping into the chair across from me. "Lives in a tiny settlement called Blackstone Ridge at the edge of the Northern territories. Our messengers found her, but she told them—and I'm quoting directly here—'to go fuck themselves and the royal horses they rode in on.'"I can't help but laugh. "Sounds like she inherited her aunt's charming personality, if not her politics.""She's a healer," Dominic continues, "which makes her refusal more complicated. She's not just rejecting royal authority; she's rejecting what she sees as interference in healer business."I lean back in my c
Lyra "I'm glad," I tell Kieran, meaning it despite the complex emotions churning beneath. "That you have someone to talk to."He looks surprised, then grateful for my response. "It helps," he admits. "Figuring out my place here, now that everything's..." he gestures vaguely, "different."The word encompasses so much—our relationship, our community's situation, our very identities shifting in this new context. I reach across the table to touch his hand briefly."Some things aren't different," I tell him. "You're still important to me, Kieran. That hasn't changed."His eyes meet mine, conflict evident in their green depths. "Just important in a different way now."I can't deny the truth of this observation. Before I can respond, a palace page appears in the doorway, bowing slightly when he spots me."Healer Lyra, Prince Alexander requests your presence in the royal study. He says it's regarding tonight's ritual."Kieran withdraws his hand from beneath mine, the moment broken. "You shoul
Lyra The royal sanctuary glows with morning light filtering through its glass walls, illuminating Queen Sage as she tends to rare plants with her own hands rather than delegating the task to servants. She looks up as I enter, a knowing smile touching her lips."Lyra," she greets warmly. "You look well this morning."Something in her tone tells me she's perfectly aware of why I might look "well," and I feel heat rise to my cheeks again. "Thank you for inviting me, Your Majesty.""Sage, please," she corrects, setting aside her gardening tools. "At least when we're alone. We're family now, after all."The casual acknowledgment of my place in her son's life—in the royal family—leaves me momentarily speechless. I've been so focused on the complications of court politics that I hadn't fully considered the simpler truth: I've gained not just a mate but a family connection.I kneel beside the spiral pattern of silver-blue blooms she’s tending, assessing their condition with a healer's eye. "T
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