Chapter Twenty-Two

Kiandra

The port to the Mainlands dwarfed the one on the Rocky Island, bustling with numerous ships navigating the far side of the land. I leaned further over the railing, straining to see where it ended, drawing a growl from Cartan behind me as our ship began to slow down upon approaching a long bridge.

Cartan grabbed me, pulling me closer to him, ensconcing me in his firm embrace as we slowly came to a halt. A smaller drawbridge was lowered to provide us with a means of disembarking. I couldn't help but anticipate some kind of welcoming party, but there was none. The soldiers worked swiftly and gather by the bustling harbor, occupying a considerable space. Cartan never released me, instead instructing the Alphas to proceed toward the far end of the city connected to the harbor.

In the distance, I could make out the castle where the king resided, but we veered down different roads, distancing ourselves from the castle and heading for the exit. I noticed many of the Alphas carrying satchels, clearly prepared for a journey. According to the maps I had studied, the trip should take no more than three days on horseback to reach the clans, but when we reached the end of the bustling city without any horses in sight, it became clear that we would be traveling on foot.

As I gazed down the busy road ahead, I noticed that in the far distance, a desert stretched out, its dark sand a stark contrast to the lighter-colored ground. Cartan lifted me into his arms, taking me by surprise as he began walking while carrying me. It was a sweet gesture, but I was no fragile Omega.

"I can walk," I informed him.

"You're not accustomed to the long distance we'll be traveling," he replied.

"Long?"

"We won't rest until nightfall."

I stared at him in disbelief, knowing it would take at least a day just to reach the edge of the desert, and who knew how far we had to go to reach the clans. Therefore, I decided against complaining and simply allowed Cartan to carry me. I noticed many people stopping to watch, but as we left the city behind, our encounters with others became infrequent.

The army marched without complaint, and when I glanced over Cartan's shoulder, I could see the extensive line of soldiers. It was fascinating to witness, as my father had been the city's sole true warrior. He had trained a few Alphas and kept them close, but after his death, they had vanished, not staying to serve the Omegas. It was an Alpha's honor that had bound them to our father, so we bore them no ill will for disappearing. We had wanted no wars, but one had come to us, and now I found myself in the arms of our conqueror.

Therefore, being carried felt peculiar, but it afforded me ample time to take in my surroundings. I could still see the city, home to one of Verocca's grandest libraries. Unfortunately, I had been given no opportunity to explore the place. Cartan was determined to return me to his territory as swiftly as possible, and given that he had not yet secured my sisters, I surmised he needed to strategize how to keep the other clan leaders patient and waiting.

I was unsure whether I wanted my sisters to be found. I knew they didn't desire to be owned either, and it was clear from what Cartan had told me that we wouldn't have much choice in who we belonged to. But I worried about them, and I began to doubt if I had made the right choice in helping them escape. I just hoped they stayed together and found a way to manage on their own.

Cartan didn't say much either. Sometimes I noticed him talking quietly to another Alpha beside him, one who had seen me getting knotted by Cartan in the hallway of my home. It made me unable to look at the other Alpha for long, and as the day grew late, fatigue set in. I sought my Alpha more and buried my face in his neck. This seemed to please him immensely as he kept me close to his warm body.

The heat of the sun beat down on my delicate skin, and I knew I would need better protection. I wasn't accustomed to such intense sun, and in the desert, it was supposed to be even hotter. How did all those Alphas survive out there? I wondered. I knew their tanned skin offered a slight shield, but what about water? Where did they find that source and food? They had cut off our canals and entrances to weaken us, but I wondered where they had access to these vital resources. My curiosity was piqued, and I couldn't wait to explore the dark sandy landscape.

As expected, we reached the first small dune of dark sand in the evening, where the army quickly set up camp, creating fires and preparing food. I stood in the midst of it all, uncertain about what to do. While I had studied survival skills, their methods were different from what I had read. Their tents were unique, bound together with thick leather straps and cone-shaped rather than rectangular. They seemed smaller, and I couldn't help but observe how quickly Cartan set up his. A smile played on his lips when he noticed me scrutinizing the details.

"Omega," he called.

"Done with calling me Princess?" I taunted.

"You aren't one anymore after stepping foot on this land. Now come here."

I followed his order, knowing he could easily lift me and carry me to his spot. As I stood in front of him, he grabbed me and positioned me so my back was against his front.

"Have you ever set up a tent before?" he questioned.

I shook my head. "I've only read about survival skills, but yours are different from what I've learned. The tents my father had were larger."

"That's because these are primarily traveling tents, smaller and easier to transport. You'll see larger ones when we arrive at my clan, and even grander ones in the central meeting areas. There, we all work together to ensure everyone stays alive and well."

I nodded, listening intently to his instructions. He showed me how to fasten the side of the tent to the sandy ground, stretching it out securely to prevent it from collapsing. Cartan arranged his belongings inside, and even though I had to crouch down to enter the small space, there was just enough room for sleeping.

However, as soon as Cartan began laying out furs for sleeping, my Omega instincts kicked in. I reached out and snatched one from his hand, and he chuckled, handing me the rest. I gathered them all in a big pile in my arms before I started tidying up the space. Cartan ran a hand through my hair, almost petting me, before leaving the tent to allow me to create a temporary nest for us.

I didn't even think, I just worked on it, but I wasn't satisfied because I didn't have enough to work with. I ended up sitting back on my legs, looking at the small, inadequate nest. It was all wrong, with barely enough room for my Alpha, and it brought my mood down. However, I quickly snapped out of my sulking and slapped my cheeks.

"No, no, no, this safe place is just for you," I murmured to myself, then heard Cartan calling out to me.

I looked at the nest, feeling nervous and ashamed that it wasn't better. My instincts told me it needed to be perfect, but Cartan's voice made it impossible for me to stay. I slid out of the tent, and Cartan was standing by a fire, waving me over. I walked to him, and he picked me up before carrying me to the fire where the other Alphas were sitting.

He settled down with me on his lap, and food was quickly served. I had eaten a few dinners with my family, but this was different. I had never sat with so many people, never so many Alphas, and I hardly knew any of them. It made me seek comfort in my Alpha's body, which Cartan didn't seem to mind as he conversed with his men. It was clear they all shared a tight bond. Some even moved from fire to fire to talk to others, and I watched in awe.

Cartan noticed me observing and turned his gaze to me, a small smile on his lips.

"What?" I asked.

"I see your curious mind at work," he replied before reaching out to stroke my cheek. His fingers trailed lower, and his thumb slid over my lips. My tongue darted out, gliding over his thumb and tasting the saltiness of the cooked meat that still clung to his skin. His growl deepened, his body reacting, and then he hoisted me over his shoulder, carrying me away to his "lair."

"Cartan!" I exclaimed. I was pounding my hands against his back in embarrassment, but his hand came down on my ass, delivering a sharp spank that silenced me. I squirmed a little, finding a strange liking for the sting that followed, and I knew he could sense my reaction.

He carried me into the tent, and I grew more nervous as we entered because it reminded me of the poorly made and incomplete nest. As he lowered me to the ground, I placed my hand over his eyes, which confused him, but a mischievous smile played on his lips.

"What are you doing, little Omega?" he asked, amusement in his voice.

I bit down hard on my lower lip, unsure of how to explain to him that I didn't want him to see the temporary nest I had created. However, as Cartan gently took my hand, I allowed him to lower it. He watched me with intrigue, noticing how I nervously chewed on my lower lip.

"What is it?" he inquired.

"I-I don't like the nest," I admitted, glancing down at the imperfect arrangement of furs. "I can't make it the way I want to."

I curled up, bringing my legs closer to my chest, but Cartan lifted my chin and pressed his lips to mine in the softest kiss he had ever given me.

"It's all right, little Omega," he whispered. "When we get home, you will create the most beautiful nest, and I will ensure you have everything you need for it."

His words sent shivers of delight through my entire body, making me feel hotter and needier than ever before. I knew I shouldn't react this way. I needed to maintain some control. But I had been so nervous about the nest, and the Alpha before me had dispelled all that worry with just a few sentences.

I quickly reached for the straps of my thin dress, wriggling out of it as fast as I could. Cartan watched me with hungry eyes as I got naked and pushed the dress aside before I reclined, resting on my arms. I spread my legs open for him, offering an unmistakable invitation, and he growled darkly before his mouth descended on my eager pussy. I couldn't hold back, screaming in ecstasy as his warm mouth feasted on my sensitive skin. He showed no restraint, relentlessly sucking on my clit until I came apart, calling out his name and rocking my hips against his face.

He swiftly shed his own clothes and then took me, thrusting into me with perfect timing, and I cried out again, feeling every sensation heightened to an almost overwhelming degree. It was incredible how in sync our bodies were, delivering pleasure beyond imagination. I barely registered the cheering from outside, as my own cries grew louder, forgetting we were no longer confined to a cabin.

I couldn't focus on anything but the intense pleasure as I climaxed, feeling a fire spread through my veins. Then, Cartan had me on all fours, pounding into me even more vigorously, his growls turning into triumphant howls as he knotted us together. That's when I realized the echoes of appreciation reverberating through the night, and my cheeks burned with embarrassment. I covered my face with my hand, shaking my head slightly, while Cartan trailed his lips down my neck and shoulders.

"They heard me," I murmured.

"Good. It means they know your Alpha is taking good care of you," he whispered before gently nipping my skin.

"I can never leave this tent." I sighed, hearing him chuckle.

Cartan leaned over me, purring again, and the vibrations calmed me. Once I was a bit more relaxed, he turned my head and kissed my lips.

"Our union is cause for celebration," he explained.

"How so?" I inquired.

"Because it signifies the potential start of the next generation of Alphas and Omegas. It's a sacred event, a reminder of the connection between us," he continued. "To us, that is something worth celebrating."

I understood the reasoning behind it, but it didn't alleviate my concerns about facing all those Alphas tomorrow. Yet Cartan distracted me from my thoughts as he began mating with me again.