Chapter Thirty-Eight

Kiandra

I sat among the other Beta women, weaving a basket and shielded from the scorching sun. However, an inexplicable feeling of being watched had me turning my head repeatedly in search of the source. Despite my intuition, whenever I looked in the direction of the gaze, no one appeared to be observing me. It left me deeply perplexed, and I began to slow down in my weaving, eventually directing my attention to Mara.

"Mara, do I have something on me?" I inquired, gesturing to my clothes, which were akin to those I had worn the previous day.

"No," she replied.

"Is there something on my face?"

She shook her head. "No, you look fine."

Mara's son, nestled in a sling on her body, began to stir, and she lowered her leather top to nurse him.

"Then why do I feel like people are staring at me?" I pondered.

"Oh, that could be because High Alpha was so furious with High Alpha Peros yesterday and even confronted him," Lura explained beside me, and I turned my head.

"He confronted Peros?"

"Yes, he did, High Omega," she responded, offering me a small smile. "And he told them that due to High Alpha Peros's behavior, none of them were allowed near you again."

My mouth fell open in disbelief at this unexpected revelation, and I blinked rapidly before shaking my head. "But the others didn't do anything wrong. It was just Peros."

"He upset you, High Omega," Mara chimed in. "High Alpha Cartan had every right to defend you. He wouldn't be a good Alpha if he didn't. Perhaps with time, he will permit the others to approach you again."

"Shouldn't that be my decision?" I inquired, gesturing to myself. However, the others erupted in laughter, as if I had made a joke. "I'm serious!"

But their laughter persisted as they resumed their work. This left me feeling somewhat frustrated. I understood Cartan's possessiveness, and I was perfectly fine with not speaking to Peros again. However, what about Kylos? He had even helped Cartan when I went into heat. It seemed absurd that I couldn't communicate with any of them due to Peros's aggressive behavior. All I wanted was to find Cartan and inform him that he couldn't control me in this manner.

The women around me noticed my silence and stopped working, turning their puzzled gazes toward me.

"Is everything all right, High Omega?" Mara inquired. "Are you feeling unwell?"

"Unwell?"

"Because of the baby."

She gestured toward my stomach, but I shook my head. I hadn't begun experiencing any sickness yet, but my anger appeared to intensify with each passing moment. It was baffling. Why was I so furious? I understood that my Alpha's behavior might be somewhat vexing, but the longer I stewed in this frustration, the more powerful my anger grew. Could it be that the little life inside me was reacting to my emotions? Suddenly, a realization dawned on me, and I placed my hand over my stomach.

"High Omega, what's wrong?" Mara inquired, but I wasn't ready to share my thoughts just yet.

"Perhaps I am feeling a bit unwell. Does anyone have any water?" I asked, diverting the conversation from Mara's question.

A waterskin was swiftly brought to me, and I drank eagerly before handing it back, focusing once more on my weaving. I had a few matters I wished to discuss with Cartan when he returned, but for the time being, I was rather delighted with the discovery I had made.

****

My Alpha found me later in the evening, returning from the training grounds, and discovered me dining with some of the other Beta women. He approached where I was seated, encircling me with his arms and effortlessly lifting me off the ground. Laughter rippled through the group, but I pounded my hands on his back in protest.

"Cartan!" I exclaimed, and he responded by smacking my ass playfully before whisking me away to the tent.

He set me down just inside the tent's entrance, and the instant my feet touched the ground, he noticed what I was wearing. His eyes roamed over my attire twice before locking onto mine, and they were nothing but pools of inky black.

"What?" I inquired.

"Why aren't you wearing your stolas?" he snarled, circling me like a predator.

He tugged at my skirt ever so slightly, causing a little squeal to escape my lips as I instinctively moved away. His fingers then moved gracefully to toy with the delicate string securing my top. The knot came undone, and I hastily pressed my arm over my chest, desperately trying to maintain the modesty of my attire.

"Cartan!"

I turned to face him, but he leaned closer and growled.

"I could bend you over so fast and have my way with you," he uttered. His words ignited a spark of desire within me at the thought of my Alpha unexpectedly claiming me out of sheer need. But I shook my head, reminding myself of my irritation with him.

"These are traditional clothes. Am I not supposed to blend in with the rest?" I countered.

He shook his head vigorously. "No."

"Why not?"

"You're not like everyone else," he snapped, causing me to roll my eyes. This prompted him to seize my jaw and draw me closer.

"Did you just roll your eyes at me?"

I gave him a sly smile, the little growing being inside me granting me the strength to challenge Cartan. He growled deeper, but my inner resolve held firm, and I maintained eye contact.

"Do not toy with me. These clothes are too revealing, and they offer easy access!" he asserted.

"Well, you've made sure no one dares to look at me, so I don't think there's a problem," I retorted.

"What?"

"Your orders about the High Alphas not being able to approach me have made everyone too afraid to get near me," I explained.

"Good," he replied. "You're mine."

"I'm yours, yes, but I won't be locked away in a castle again, left with nothing but books and you!" I exclaimed, causing Cartan to pull back, looking stunned. My own words surprised me. I hadn't realized I had been holding these feelings inside until I uttered them.

"Do you feel lonely, little Omega?" he inquired.

"I didn't realize I did until you brought me here," I whispered. "I would gladly submit to you on my knees and please you right now, but I won't tolerate you isolating me."

Cartan regarded me intensely before his thumb began to stroke lightly over my jaw, and he nodded.

"I won't isolate you. I am protecting you," he explained.

"The clan is afraid to approach me. I only have Mara and a few others. I don't want that. Can you take back your orders?" I asked.

Cartan released me, crossing his arms, still appearing somewhat displeased.

"How about just allowing Kylos to speak to me?" I proposed.

Cartan seemed more amenable to this idea and nodded. "Only Kylos, but you don't go to his section unaccompanied."

I nodded, and Cartan smiled before reaching out and removing my top, tossing it aside. Then, he pointed to the ground. A small smile graced my lips as I obediently knelt before him and began to undo the string on his pants. He tightened his grip on my hair, holding me close.

"And you will wear the dresses," he growled.

I shook my head, prompting him to grip me tighter, but I believed we could find a compromise.

"I'll cover up more. I see they have longer tops," I told him, pushing down his pants to free his hard cock.

"Agreed," he replied as he pulled me closer.

I licked along his hard shaft, teasing the tip, and he growled darkly.

"Besides, don't you appreciate easy access?" I teased, and he pushed into my mouth, eliciting a slight gag from me. However, I was prepared for his rough handling. I knew the effect I had on him, so I relaxed my throat and began moving up and down on him, driving him wild with desire. Yet he didn't allow me to bring him to completion with my mouth.

Instead, he withdrew and stroked himself until he came all over my chest and breasts. He then turned me around, tearing my skirt from my body. His tongue glided over my wet skin, and I moaned in response, eagerly pressing back to receive more. He delved deeper, caressing my clit with the tip of his tongue before thrusting it inside me. I groaned as my inner walls clenched around him, and he returned to sucking on my clit until I cried out in ecstasy, drenching both of us in my juices. Cartan pulled away, seizing my hips, and then entered me.

Right there in the tent's entrance, a mere piece of fabric separating us from the outside world, he claimed me. I couldn't remain silent. I knew they all heard me, and they celebrated their Alpha pleasuring his Omega. In this newfound realm, I had come to relish these moments.