Chapter Thirteen

Cartan

She had not moved since we boarded the ship, left the harbor, and started our journey back to the Mainlands. The princess remained in her spot, gazing at the castle. I watched her the entire time. Even as I gave orders to the men, ensuring everything proceeded smoothly, I positioned myself so I could still see her. I knew she wanted to keep her eyes on her home for as long as possible. Even after it disappeared, she continued to look back in its direction. It was fascinating how focused she could remain, unwilling to shift her attention.

However, as Tyros came to stand beside me, my own focus shifted, and I turned to him. I could see the concern etched on his face, a concern that had been present earlier. I shared that same feeling, but I also felt a twinge of frustration at him almost catching a glimpse of my Omega in her most vulnerable state. No one else should witness her in such a way. Luckily, her dress was long and slightly puffy at the end, providing adequate coverage.

"You haven't taken your eyes off her once, and you let her distract you," Tyros pointed out.

I groaned, rubbing my eyes, feeling annoyed with myself. "I didn't expect it to be like this," I murmured.

"I thought you had selected the queen as your own. Wasn't she the one you intended to request from the other clan leaders? You were confident in your choice," he reminded me.

"She was my initial choice," I confirmed.

"What happened then?"

"I wish I knew. The moment that Omega knelt before me, something stirred within me."

"Stirred?"

"Dormant and potent instincts. Whenever I'm near her, all I can think about is being between her thighs and making her come," I groaned.

"Then she shouldn't be the Omega you choose. She makes you lose focus. She was able to assist the other princesses," he pointed out.

"Trust me, I understand what we've lost, but I'll find them again and bring them to the clan leaders. However, it's too late for me to make a choice now. The Omega chose first, and it's well within her right," I snapped.

Tyros glanced at the mark on my shoulder. Whenever I looked at or touched it, I felt immense pride. It wasn't that I didn't desire the Omega's mark. It was a sacred gesture to be chosen by one. But the Omega had claimed me too soon. It would be seen as an insult, a selfish act by the other clan leaders, and it would create significant problems for me.

"Why did she choose to mark you so early?" Tyros inquired.

"Do you not believe I am a capable Alpha, deserving of such a mark?" I snapped, straightening my posture to stand tall, even towering over Tyros, who was no small Alpha.

He quickly shook his head. "Of course not, High Alpha, but based on what I know about Omegas, a marking only happens when an Omega feels safe and comfortable enough with the Alpha."

Yes, I was aware of what led an Omega to choose their Alpha. But I understood her tactics. I could almost respect her clever move if it weren't for the complications it would now create. I could already hear the other Alphas' complaints and how they believed I had completely disregarded all my promises to them.

"I'm well aware of what triggers an Omega's choice," I snapped.

"Still, I'm sure the others would be eager to know how you managed to make the Omega feel so comfortable with you so quickly," he pointed out.

I was certain they wanted answers, and if I had a straightforward response, I would have provided it. However, I couldn't reveal the true intentions of the young Omega. So, instead of addressing Tyros's question, I walked past him, descended the small staircase leading to the deck, and approached my Omega, who still had her gaze fixed on the horizon. She sensed my presence drawing near, turning her head slightly, only to avert her gaze from me again. Her long hair danced in the wind, a tempting invitation for me to run my fingers through it once more and feel the soft strands, but she caught me off guard with her words as she continued to focus on the land she had left behind, "You weren't surprised when you found me."

"You are correct," I replied.

"How did you know?" she inquired.

"I never embark on unknown territory without acquiring knowledge of its history," I explained.

"I'm supposed to be dead," she stated before turning her head to look at me.

"You are," I affirmed.

"Many believe I am."

"Indeed, many do," I acknowledged.

"Yet somehow you knew."

"All reports of born Omega children are sent to the High Citadel in the King's Land. However, your report was never official. It lacked the required stamp," I disclosed.

"But you don't reside in the King's Land."

"No, I do not," I admitted.

"Yet you go there to study your enemies?" she questioned.

I nodded. "I have a connection to the king, and when you promise him the chance of an Omega, he becomes very accommodating."

"It will be difficult now that you have no Omegas except me, and I've marked you," she countered with a smug smile.

I moved swiftly, catching her by surprise as I approached from behind, my hand entwining in her hair and pulling her head back. She gasped, and the sound sent a shiver down my spine, causing my cock to grow hard. This little Omega had an extraordinary power over me. A mere whimper from her lips was enough to drive me wild.

"I know exactly how this appears," I growled into her ear. "But I left some of my fighters behind. They will meticulously search every corner of that island. Should your sisters have ventured to the Mainlands or anywhere in Verocca, I will track them down and present them to the other leaders and the king."

"Will there be enough of us, or are we to be shared?" she taunted, provoking me further. My grip tightened on her hair, and she whimpered again under the intense pressure. If she dared to disrespect her Alpha, she would face the consequences.

"That decision is mine to make," I asserted.

"Yours?"

"I found you, claimed your land, and took you. I have the authority to determine what comes next," I snarled.

"And me?" Her voice trembled, revealing her apprehension and fear of being mated by multiple Alphas. However, the mere thought of other Alphas touching her sent me into a primal frenzy.

"You already know what will happen to you. You didn't choose me for nothing," I whispered darkly, burying my nose in her neck to capture any lingering hints of her Omega scent. However, unless I aroused her, there wasn't much to detect. If I wanted to lose myself in her scent, I would have to do so with my face buried between her thighs—something I didn't mind in the slightest.

"I don't know what your bestial nature may compel you to do, even with my mark on you," she countered, her fear apparent despite her attempt to sound strong.

"How were you able to hide with such a defiant mouth?" I whispered.

"Answer me first," she retorted.

I bit her neck as punishment for attempting to give me orders, and she whimpered again.

"Never forget that I am the Alpha here," I growled.

"Yes, Alpha," she replied, making me groan as she uttered the words in the sweetest tone. However, as I pulled away to gaze at her, a smug smile played on her lips once again. She was well aware of the power of her words, skilled in taunting and pleasing me simultaneously. What a cunning Omega, I thought, though my desire to be enveloped between her thighs remained undiminished. I yearned to make her writhe with pleasure and replace that smirk with tears of ecstasy.

Focus, I told myself.

"Will I share you?" I mused tauntingly, observing the fire ignite in her eyes, the smile faltering slightly. "Hmm … that depends."

"D-Depends?" she stammered.

"On how well you please me," I informed her.

I had no intention of sharing the little Omega. She was mine now, but if she believed she could play games with me, she had another thing coming. I felt her shudder, attempting to turn slightly, but I wrapped my arm around her waist, keeping her securely against me.

"H-How do I please you?" she inquired, causing me to growl in satisfaction.

God, I loved hearing her ask that question. In my mind's eye, I could only see her naked, on her knees before me, her tongue and lips lavishing attention on my throbbing cock until I spilled everything I had over her chest once more. Would it be so wrong to relinquish control to Tyros for a moment?

However, my rational side reminded me that it wouldn't be just a moment. Once I was buried within Kiandra once more, I would be a lost Alpha, consumed by the need to mate with her. If the intensity outside of her heat was this overwhelming, I could only imagine what it would be like to serve her through it. It piqued my curiosity about the little Omega.

"When is your heat?" I asked, dismissing her question about pleasing me.

"W-What?" she stammered.

"When is it?" I repeated, searching her eyes for an answer. She blinked rapidly, struggling to comprehend why I was inquiring about her heat. "I am your Alpha. I should be aware. Or do you plan to spend it with someone else?"

I knew that wasn't going to happen, but I couldn't resist taunting her a bit.

"Only if you plan to share me," she retorted, swiftly coming up with a response.

I smiled, seeing through her playful ruse before slowly releasing her hair. She turned to face me, and I kept my arm around her, my hand resting on her round ass. I knew I had left a few marks there, attempting to satisfy the need to claim her by leaving temporary imprints. Once I had resolved the conflict with the other Alphas, my Omega would be ready for my next step. There wouldn't be a shred of doubt about her belonging to me. Even now, with her so close to my body, the need surged within me. She felt incredibly soft, perfect beneath my touch. It was challenging to pull away from her, and I didn't do so immediately. I rested my hands on the railing, caging her in but no longer touching her.

"When?" I pressed.

"Sometime within the next month," she replied.

"Perfect."

I stepped away, and she gazed at me with puzzled eyes.

"So, will you?" she inquired as I turned to leave.

"What?"

"Share me?"

Instead of responding, I smiled, keeping her in suspense. I noticed frustration rising within her as she crossed her arms. The little Omega despised being left in the dark, and her irritation was evident as she called after me.

"Well?" she demanded.

I offered no reply and returned to my position beside Tyros, who was shaking his head slightly, recognizing the complexity of the situation. There wasn't much I could do now except prepare for what lay ahead.