Chapter Twenty-Five

Cartan

As we approached the camp, an obvious excitement coursed through the army. My Omega seemed to notice the Alphas growing tense around her, interpreting their behavior as a potential threat, and she nuzzled closer to me. Although the presence of other Alphas still unnerved her, I welcomed her proximity eagerly. I longed to keep her near me at all times, and thus far, she had adhered to my command of not leaving the tent without me. However, I shared in the Alphas' excitement as the first tents of the camp began to come into view, and news of our return rapidly spread. People rushed to greet us, families reuniting after weeks of separation.

I eventually set my Omega down, drawing the attention of those present who recognized her for what she was. However, I knew that the other clan leaders would soon realize that only one Omega had returned with me. I would search for the others later, but for now, I had a single, thoroughly claimed Omega by my side. With my arm around her waist, I guided her through the main parts of the camp.

"Where are we headed?" she inquired, her gaze wandering as she observed the people and structures around her. "Do any of these tents belong to you?"

"This is the main gathering point. Do you see the large tent over there?" I asked, and she nodded. "That's where meetings between the High Alphas are held, with all the clan leaders. However, each section of the camp belongs to one of them. Do you notice the different colors on the tents?"

She nodded again.

"Each color represents the pack to which they belong. In the old days, we each had our own territory, and conflicts would erupt if one crossed into another's territory. These are new times, where we are all united, but we still value having our own space, which is why there are designated sections with space between each camp," I explained. Her eyes grew even wider, and I could see her mind racing with questions.

Many eyes were fixed on us as we strolled through the camps, though my Omega seemed oblivious to the attention.

"Which color is yours?" she asked, and I appreciated that she inquired about mine first.

"The red one," I replied, watching her swivel her head in every direction, searching for it.

"I don't see it," she remarked.

"That's because our section is all the way over there," I explained, pointing it out.

My Omega was too small to see it from this distance, and I could sense her frustration as the other tents obstructed her view. However, we were nearing our destination, and when she finally spotted the first tent with a red line encircling the top, her excitement grew.

"Is this your part?" she inquired, casting a glance behind her. "But we've almost left the others behind."

I nodded but refrained from explaining why my section seemed more isolated. I felt her gaze on me, yet she didn't press me for further information. Instead, more people approached, blocking our path as they welcomed their High Alpha back. When they spotted Kiandra beside me, their excitement escalated, as they were eager to get acquainted with her. My little Omega wasn't accustomed to such attention, having been confined to a library for years.

Nevertheless, she endeavored to appear open and kind, a gesture I truly appreciated. After allowing my clan to bask in my Omega's presence for a while, I guided her through the crowd, allowing them to reunite with their Alphas.

Kiandra and I proceeded toward the largest tent at the far end when she turned her head to scrutinize another rather large one nearby.

"Why does that one have two colors?" she inquired.

Beneath the red line, there was also a black one, and I smiled, leaning in closer to her ear. "Those are pleasure tents."

She turned her head, gazing up at me in shock. "Like … brothels?"

"Oh, so you do know what that is?" I teased her, noticing her cheeks flush.

"We have those in the city," she murmured, looking away.

"Well, these she-wolves don't get paid. They simply enjoy intimacy," I clarified.

Kiandra's eyes widened, and she quickly focused on something else, making me chuckle.

"Is that one yours?" she asked, pointing at the large leather tent, and I nodded. "It's much larger than the traveling tent. But then again, all of these are, but yours is so much bigger."

My Omega began to ramble excitedly, filling me with warmth. She was so full of enthusiasm that I nudged her forward, allowing her to run ahead. There were no immediate dangers on the way to the tent, and when she sensed the signal, she sprinted off. However, my Omega couldn't help but scrutinize every detail, starting right at the front of the tent. She stopped, grasping the fabric that covered the entrance and studying how it was fastened before moving around the side of it. I chuckled softly as she began to talk to herself, her fingers tapping nervously against her thigh. It became evident that something was bothering her.

"Do you take a lot of notes?" I inquired.

"Loads!" she exclaimed, completing a full circuit around the tent. When she returned, I had gone inside, placing our belongings down, and then I emerged with a pen and paper for her. She gasped in excitement, taking both items from me and laying a hand on the back of the paper before she began scribbling. I watched her with amusement, seeing the excitement on her face.

Soon, she ventured inside, discovering that the place was divided into different sections, with long leather curtains used to create separate rooms. She started with the main room, which had a small iron fireplace in the center and an opening at the top for the smoke to escape. Then she ventured deeper, noticing it was circular in design, allowing one to move in a full circle to access each room without turning around. She eventually stumbled upon my desk, standing in one of the rooms that had been transformed into a private library of sorts. She began picking up book after book, studying them intently.

"I've never seen any of these before. The words are completely unfamiliar to me!" she exclaimed.

"It's the Old Language of the Wild Wolves, the clans that used to live here in isolation. This place used to be considered cursed, and no one dared approach it. However, the language is nearly extinct now, spoken only during ceremonies," I explained.

"I must learn it!"

I was fluent in the language, and I was delighted that she wanted to explore it as well. However, Kiandra took the book as she continued her exploration. Her enthusiasm brought a smile to my face, and I was more than willing to let her keep the edition. She ventured on without the pen and paper, entering another section, which was designated for relaxation.

Next was a place for my weapons, and finally, she arrived at the room where I expected to find her most often: our bedroom. She noticed the numerous furs and pillows spread across the floor, creating a plush sleeping area. I sensed the moment her focus shifted away from exploration. Her instincts had been triggered, and she dropped the book to the ground. I realized that if she had been in her right mind, she would never have treated the work that way.

However, her nesting instincts had been delayed, and it had clearly frustrated her. When her instincts sensed a suitable opportunity to prepare not just for her heat but for both of us, she set to work. It was incredible to watch how she meticulously arranged everything. She was an Omega in her element, and I felt privileged to witness it.

Yet I quickly learned that I needed to maintain a considerable distance from her and the furs, as she hissed at me when I came too close to her unfinished work. It only increased my desire for her, but I forced myself to remain still, observing her until she gave me the signal that she was finished.

She had created her own little sanctuary inside our tent, a comforting and secure space for her to rest, seek refuge when I was not around, and eventually give birth to our pups. I even noticed her sniffing some of the furs that still carried traces of my scent. However, it wasn't quite enough, and after Kiandra had removed her dress to add to the nest, ensuring it carried her scent as well, she literally crawled toward me.

I could smell her powerful scent, and I knew we were just days away from her entering her heat, if it hadn't already arrived. She was sweating, panting, and trembling, leaving a trail of her juices on the ground. When she reached me, she began tugging at my pants. It became apparent that she wanted the garment to contribute to the nest's scent, and after I removed them, she quickly snatched them away before sliding into the furs to enhance their aroma with mine.

I let out a dark growl, my eyes fixated on the inviting sight of her round, upturned ass as she disappeared into the nest. My cock throbbed and leaked, craving her, and I knew she needed to complete her task quickly because I was desperate to mate with her.

However, a sharp whistle interrupted my desires, and my growl grew even darker. I wasn't in the right state of mind to leave my mate right now. The whistling grew louder, demanding my attention. I felt torn between two needs: one urging me to prioritize the clans, and the other insisting I stay with my Omega. If she was on the verge of entering her heat, I needed to be there, ready to claim her. I also wanted to mark our little nest with both our releases.

Yet, the whistling became more insistent, and I noticed that my Omega had fallen silent, hiding in the nest. She understood that an intruder was too close, and she remained in the darkness, showing her understanding that her Alpha needed to assess the situation first. This pleased me greatly, as it demonstrated her trust in my ability to protect her.

I quickly found some clothes from a chest, wrapping a long piece of dark linen around me. I left the tent with only that covering me, and a relentless erection that yearned for my Omega's touch. However, when I stepped outside, I saw Tyros waiting at a respectful distance from the tent, giving me and my Omega the privacy we needed.

"You'd better have a good reason for calling me," I growled, my voice filled with a primal intensity I couldn't hide.

"The other High Alphas have already called for a meeting," Tyros replied.

That sobered me up a bit. Now that I was out in the fresh air, away from my Omega's influence, my mind began to clear.

"I've just returned," I pointed out.

"They were eager for those princesses. They doubted you could accomplish it, and the fact that you've returned with all Alphas alive speaks of your triumph. They want to assess the goods you've brought back."

"But we both know I haven't brought anything back for them," I snarled.

"Yes, rumors have spread regarding that as well, which is why they are even more insistent. They want to know why only you have obtained one Omega," he reminded me.

I groaned and ran my hand through my hair. I could sense my Omega calling to me, longing for my presence, and I had to suppress the connection. There was a reason I hadn't fully embraced it, and I knew that the sooner I could appease the other clan leaders, the faster I could mark Kiandra as mine and fully connect with her.

"Did you send messages to the Rocky Island to search for the princesses?" I inquired.

"I did, and to the other places they might go. But you know if the king finds them first—"

I shook my head, interrupting him. I was aware of the king's pursuit, but the clans took precedence, as they always did. Nevertheless, I owed the young king a debt of gratitude. I would never have been able to leave this land without him.

"All right, let's go talk to them," I conceded.

"You need to bring her," Tyros insisted.

"No!" I growled in response.

"Cartan, you have to," he told me, using my name, a privilege he rarely exercised and only in complete privacy, like now.

I groaned, disliking the idea of any Alphas being so close to my Omega when she was clearly on the brink of her heat. However, I knew I still had some time before she fully entered it.

"Fine, I'll bring her. But this meeting better be over quickly," I growled.

"Don't count on it."