The Lycan King's Outcast Omega (by Cara Anderson) novel Chapter 238

Chapter 238

“Barely,” I admit. “The bond remains, but it’s… fragmented now. Like trying to hold smoke in my hands.”

Dominic studies a map he’s unfolded on a flat rock. “According to ancient texts in the royal library, the Cave of Whispers lies somewhere in these mountains.” He indicates a rugged range that forms the natural border

between Alexander’s kingdom and the Northern territories. “But its exact location has been lost for generations.

”

“Not lost,” Elara corrects, her gaze unfocused in the way I’ve come to recognize precedes her visions.” Protected. Hidden from those who would misuse its knowledge.”

“Do your visions show you where to find it?” I ask hopefully.

She shakes her head, frustration evident. “Only impressions. Stone walls carved with glowing symbols. A passage that seems to shift and change. Water flowing upward instead of down.” She rubs her temples. “It’s like trying to remember a dream that keeps changing every time I recall it.”

We continue our journey as the sun rises fully, taking lesser–known paths through forests and valleys to avoid detection. The amulet at my throat occasionally pulses with warmth before cooling again, as if responding to unseen energies as we travel.

By midday, we reach the foothills of the mountain range. The terrain grows steeper, forcing us to slow our pace. Dominic leads us confidently despite the lack of clear trails, his familiarity with the kingdom’s geography proving invaluable.

“How do you know these paths so well?” I ask him during a brief rest.

“Alexander and I explored these lands extensively when we were younger,” he explains, a shadow of grief crossing his features. “Before the weight of the crown settled so heavily on his shoulders. He always felt drawn to these mountains, though we never ventured as far as the borders with the Northern territories.”

“Because he sensed something here,” Elara suggests. “Some connection to the prophecy, perhaps, or to the Cave itself.”

As we prepare to continue, the amulet suddenly flares hot against my skin. I pull it from beneath my tunic, startled to find it glowing with inner light, the spiral pattern pulsing like a heartbeat.

“It’s never done that before,” I say, holding it up for the others to see.

Elara’s eyes widen. “Look at the pattern it’s creating.”

The silver light emanating from the amulet projects a subtle pattern on the ground before us—a spiral that extends and transforms into what appears to be a map, with flowing lines indicating paths through the

mountains.

“It’s responding to our location,” Dominic realizes. “Showing us the way forward.”

Hope flickers to life within me for the first time since the ritual chamber. “Elder Thalia said this amulet has been passed through my bloodline for generations. If the Silverspiral healers were connected to the original prophecies…”

“Then the amulet might be a key to finding the Cave,” Elara finishes excitedly.

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We follow the projected pattern, allowing the amulet to guide us deeper into the mountains as the afternoon progresses. The terrain becomes increasingly difficult, forcing us to continue on foot, leading our horses carefully along narrow ridges and through dense forests that seem untouched by human presence for centuries.

The sun begins its descent toward the western horizon when the amulet’s glow intensifies dramatically. We’ve reached a box canyon that appears to dead–end at a sheer cliff face covered in ancient, weathered carvings barely visible beneath years of moss and lichen.

“This is it,” Elara whispers, her eyes wide. “I’ve seen this wall in my visions.”

I approach the cliff, drawn by the amulet’s increasing warmth. Up close, I can make out faint spiral patterns among the carvings, similar to the mark on my shoulder blade. When I place my palm against one such spiral, a shock of recognition travels through me–like greeting a relative I’ve never met but instantly know as blood.

“These were made by my ancestors,” I realize aloud. “The original Silverspiral healers.”

“But where’s the entrance?” Dominic asks practically, examining the seemingly solid rock face. “There’s no obvious opening.”

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