The Lycan King's Outcast Omega (by Cara Anderson) novel Chapter 273

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**TITLE: Never Love 273**

“I’m urging you to make a choice that benefits everyone involved,” he clarifies, his voice steady and resolute. “This includes you as well. The strain on our bond will only intensify with prolonged separation, and let’s not forget, Vega’s agents seem to have an unsettling knack for tracking this area with relentless determination.”

His pragmatic approach strikes a chord within me, overshadowing my emotional longing to stay with my people. The reality is stark: if Vega’s agents managed to locate us once, it’s only a matter of time before they do so again, unless we take significant action. The royal protection we could access offers a level of security that our dispersed community simply cannot provide on its own.

“I will go,” I declare, my voice firm despite the turmoil inside me, “but I won’t go alone. Anyone who wishes to seek the safety of the palace should join me.”

As my words resonate through the air, the news travels swiftly. Five members of our community—those who are most vulnerable or have small children—step forward, choosing to accompany me while the others scatter in different directions, adhering to the evacuation plan we discussed earlier.

While I gather the last of our supplies to secure them to my horse, Kieran strides toward me, his expression a mixture of determination and urgency. “I’m coming with you,” he states, his tone leaving no room for dissent. “The group needs at least two trained healers, and I know alternative routes that will help us avoid the main roads where Vega’s agents might be lying in wait for palace travelers.”

A wave of relief washes over me, even as I grapple with the complex feelings his presence stirs within me. Kieran’s skills in tracking and his knowledge of the hidden paths that weave through the royal lands will be essential for our safe return. More selfishly, I find comfort in his company; it means I won’t have to face the challenges of the court alone, but rather alongside someone who understands my past completely.

“We need to leave in ten minutes,” I respond, checking my horse’s girth strap one last time, ensuring everything is secure.

From a nearby ridge, a scout signals an urgent warning, and my heart races as I realize the strangers are closing in much faster than we anticipated. They are clearly following a specific trail rather than conducting a general search. Somehow, they have pinpointed our exact location, despite our careful efforts to conceal ourselves.

“They’re tracking you specifically,” Kieran deduces, a sudden understanding illuminating his features. “It must be something about your energy signature, your connection to the prince—they can follow it as if it were a physical trail.”

A chill runs down my spine as the implications of his words sink in. If Vega possesses the means to trace our bond’s energy, then nowhere is truly safe except perhaps the palace itself, with its ancient protections. We cannot afford to delay our departure for even a moment longer.