Chapter Thirty-Six

Cartan

I was consumed by anger, even as I looked down at my mate, who lay peacefully asleep after our passionate mating. Despite my desire to remain in the nest with her, keeping her satisfied, I knew I had other responsibilities that demanded my attention. However, before leaving, I tenderly kissed her stomach, where our precious treasure was growing.

"Watch over her for me," I whispered, gently enveloping my mate in a fur to preserve my scent around her.

After leaving the nest, I dressed once more and stormed outside. Tyros approached me, clearly displeased that I hadn't appeared sooner, especially as the sun was setting, signaling the end of the day's training.

"Cartan, what's going on?" he snarled.

I brushed past him, aware of his concerned gaze. He quickly caught up with me, his curiosity apparent.

"Where are you heading?" he inquired. "You missed training. You've been slacking off this past week. You were supposed to demonstrate your commitment to the clans."

"I am!" I growled at him before coming to a sudden halt and seizing the leather strap that held his knives across his chest. I gripped it tightly, pulling him toward me, and he stared up at me in astonishment. "But when someone makes my own mate fear me, they deserve to face the consequences."

"What?" he questioned, clearly baffled.

"My own mate was afraid of my presence today."

"I don't understand. You weren't even with her," he pointed out.

"Exactly. Someone manipulated her fragile mind today, and the only one who has the right to play with her is me," I sneered before pushing him back slightly.

Now, Tyros was intrigued, and he followed me as I made my way through the clans. The people sensed my anger and quickly cleared a path for me, but they were not my focus. When I finally located Peros with Seran and another group of Alphas, who appeared prepared for a hunt, I let out a deafening roar before launching myself at Peros. We both tumbled to the ground, and I swiftly delivered a few punches before seizing his throat. Peros growled up at me, attempting to pry my hands away. We grappled for a moment, with him landing a few punches before I pushed him off. At that moment, Seran intervened, seizing Peros, while Tyros stepped closer to me and placed his hand on my chest after I stood up.

"What the fuck is going on?" Seran demanded to know.

Peros spat out blood, and I licked a wound on my lip.

"Stay away from my mate!" I snarled at him, observing him narrow his eyes.

Seran slowly turned to Peros. "Did you touch her?"

"Of course not," Peros quickly replied. "It seems my words upset her, and soft Alpha Cartan here has rushed to defend his mate's delicate feelings."

I growled menacingly, surging forward, and Tyros had to plant his feet firmly in the ground to prevent me from doing something regrettable. There was a fundamental rule we upheld for the sake of peace: no killings within our territory. Fighting for sport or training purposes was allowed, but any intent to cause harm was strictly prohibited. Tyros understood the real source of my fury and made every effort to restrain me.

"So Peros said a few foolish things, is that really a surprise?" Seran inquired, causing Peros to huff.

"He didn't just say a few foolish things. My own mate feared me when I returned today," I snarled, watching as Seran turned his attention to Peros.

"What did you say?" Seran pressed.

Peros shrugged dismissively. "I merely mentioned that Cartan is weak."

"You implied that I would harm her."

"It's your responsibility as her Alpha to keep her in check."

"My mate is pregnant. The moment she saw me, she submitted to me, falling to her knees in acknowledgment of me as her Alpha. She has never strayed from her path, but you made her doubt that."

"She manipulated you. She tricked you. Your Omega controls you," Peros retorted.

My growl grew even darker, and this time, Tyros couldn't hold me back. He stumbled, and I slipped past him, but Seran positioned himself in my way.

"He does have a point," Seran stated, drawing my ire.

"Do you doubt my ability to keep my Omega in check? Has she done anything to endanger this pack?" I challenged.

"She did set her sisters free."

"But she did it out of love. She is gentle, as Omegas are meant to be," I reminded them. "Our Omegas are not like the Alphas we train or the Beta women who serve us. They are different, and you would understand that better if you were bonded to one."

"But you messed that up, didn't you?" Peros spat. "Because you allowed an Omega to deceive you."

"And yet she chose me. She wants nothing to do with any of you," I retorted with a smile. "That's what truly irks you, isn't it? But in case you doubt my ability to manage my Omega, I can assure you I've already dealt with her. Her cheeks are still wet with tears. Are you satisfied? Because you will never come close enough to even look at her again."

The group fell silent, and I turned to Seran. "The Omega is mine. We are the first true pair in decades. I don't care about your jealousy. None of you will speak to her again, and it's a pity, considering the unique power she possesses. The serenity she imparts to anyone in her presence is unlike anything else. That's the essence of an Omega—harmony, and none of you will get to experience it. Perhaps I'll even arrange for the other princesses to be claimed by Alphas from my clan."

Both Seran and Peros growled in response, and I took a step back to observe them both. "Are you going to challenge me again over my Omega? Are you going to suggest that I can't control her? Are you going to upset her once more?"

Both remained silent, and my words seemed to instill a measure of fear in them. They had been promised Omegas, and while they could search for them on their own, only I and a select few from my pack knew their possible whereabouts. It was entirely up to me whether they would have an Omega to call their own. Consequently, they dared not challenge me. Satisfied with their subdued response, I left them to their own devices.

Tyros followed me, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Did you really punish her?" he asked in a low voice.

"Of course I did," I replied, though the smile I gave him caused him to chuckle softly and shake his head. "Just in my own way."