The Lycan King's Outcast Omega (by Cara Anderson) novel Chapter 263

Chapter 263

Kieran shakes his head. “It requires direct bloodline. Vega herself would be ideal, but any close relative

would suffice.”

“I know nothing of Vega’s family,” Alexander admits with frustration.

“I might,” Dominic interjects, speaking for the first time since the ritual began. “Royal intelligence has files on all high–ranking members of neighboring territories. If Vega has blood relatives, we can find them.”

Hope rises cautiously within me. We have the beginnings of a plan–gather the moonflower essence during the alignment, locate a blood relative of Vega’s, and then… the final requirement brings heat to my cheeks again.

Alexander seems to read my thoughts, his expression softening as he looks down at me. “We have time, “he says quietly, meant for me alone. “Two weeks to know each other properly before any decisions about mating need to be made.”

His consideration touches me deeply. Despite the Alpha possessiveness I’ve witnessed, despite the intensity of our connection, he respects boundaries and the need for our relationship to develop naturally rather than being forced by necessity.

“What now?” Elara asks practically.

11

“We return to the palace,” Alexander decides. “We need resources for the permanent healing ritual, and I have royal duties that cannot be neglected indefinitely.” His expression hardens slightly. Additionally, Vega remains at large. She must be found before she can cause further harm.”

The journey back to the palace will take most of a day, even pushing the horses to their limits. As we prepare to leave the Cave, Alexander pulls me aside, creating a moment of privacy while the others gather supplies.

“Are you ready for this?” he asks, his voice low and concerned. “Returning to the palace means facing court politics, suspicious nobles, and all the complications of royal life. It won’t be easy for you.”

The question reveals his awareness of the challenges ahead–not just the magical threats we face, but the social and political obstacles to our relationship. An Alpha heir and a healer from a hidden community, brought together by fate but separated by generations of prejudice and tradition.

“I won’t pretend I’m not nervous,” I admit, appreciating his directness. “But my place is with you, wherever that leads.”

His expression softens, a smile touching his lips as he brushes a strand of hair from my face with unexpected tenderness. “When this is over, when our bond is fully restored and secure, I want to court you properly,” he says. “Not because prophecy demands it or because fate decreed our match, but because I choose you, Lyra. I want to know every part of you–your past, your hopes, your fears, everything.”

The declaration steals my breath, more intimate somehow than our physical connection during the ritual. Before I can respond, he leans down and presses a brief, gentle kiss to my lips–different from

1/2

Chapter 263

+25 Bonus

our previous encounters, a promise rather than a claim.

“We should join the others,” he murmurs against my mouth, though he makes no immediate move to step away.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify