Chapter Forty-Three

Cartan

One thing I despised more than anything was leaving the warm embrace of my Omega early in the morning. Tyros often roused me, either with a long whistle or by calling my name to signal the beginning of the day. This time, he had chosen to wake me even earlier for a hunt, and I groaned in displeasure. My cock was hard, my body yearning for another round with Kiandra, but I knew one round would inevitably lead to three more, and I'd never leave her side.

I buried my nose into her soft skin, savoring her scent. Reluctantly, I withdrew from her, my growl low and frustrated as I began dressing. Leaving her side was always a painful experience. Kiandra was the missing piece of my soul, and parting from her tore at my very core. But as the High Alpha of our clan, I had responsibilities to uphold.

Emerging from the tent, I seethed with anger, my hard cock replaced by an intense desire to kill something. Tyros chuckled but kept a safe distance as we made our way through the camp to meet the other Alphas joining us on the hunt. Among our group, two women matched the aggression and energy of the male Alphas.

We discussed our hunting strategy before embarking on our journey into the unforgiving expanse of the Black Desert. We trekked for quite some time until we reached a series of small stone cliffs housing a tiny cave. I knew it harbored a boar, and we encircled the area, waiting for the creature to emerge. The sun began its ascent as we patiently bided our time.

I started hearing the grunting sounds of the boar within, and soon enough, a rather large male appeared to forage for a late snack. Without hesitation, we hurled our spears at the unsuspecting beast. The first missed, landing in the sand, and causing the boar to panic. But my throw hit home, piercing its neck, while the others found their marks in its back. The boar's life was extinguished in an instant.

Joyous sounds filled the air as we secured our bounty and checked the remaining caves. Soon, we began the journey back to camp, with three boars in tow. We left the caves inhabited by mothers and their young undisturbed to ensure the species' survival and maintain a stable meat supply.

As we returned to camp, the sun had risen higher in the sky, and the camp had sprung to life. People greeted us warmly, and we distributed the meat that would be shared among the clans. Though we had our own territories, resources, and working power, we believed in the importance of collective sharing. This approach ensured balance and the survival of all clans.

With the hunt concluded and no longer distracted, my thoughts turned to my Omega once more. She occupied my every waking moment, and while it was slightly disconcerting, I wouldn't trade her for anything in this world. Having an Omega was the greatest blessing an Alpha could receive, and I couldn't help but cast a glance toward my tent. But once again, Tyros appeared at my side, slapping my shoulder, and reminding me that we had tents to prepare and build.

I nodded and was about to follow him to our task when a peculiar sensation seized my heart. It was a sharp feeling, distinct and powerful, pulsing alongside the steady rhythm of my heartbeat. I recognized this feeling. I had tried it once before when Peros frightened my mate, but this sensation was even sharper. It cut through me with such intensity that I almost fell to my knees.

"Alpha?" Tyros called out, his voice an echoing murmur. I whipped my head toward my tent. My instincts roared with fury, and without saying a word, I sprinted toward my sanctuary. Others followed, sensing my distress, but I couldn't divulge the cause. Upon entering my tent, I rushed to our bedroom, but the faint scent of Kiandra indicated she hadn't been there for a while. Yet that wasn't what filled me with dread. What elicited a dark growl and a torrent of anger was the scent of a stranger in our sacred and intimate space.

I searched our nest in vain for any sign of her, but I knew she wasn't there. My nose twitched, detecting the smell of the invader as I made my way to the entrance of the tent, but it vanished amidst the familiar scents of the clans. I couldn't track him.

"High Alpha?" Tyros called.

"Someone … took her!" I roared, my voice nothing but a primal growl.

"Who would be so foolish?" Tyros snarled, echoing the sentiments of the other Alphas who shared my fury. An idea sparked in my mind as Tyros asked the question that had just crossed my thoughts.

With long, furious strides, I stormed through the camp, leaving my territory and entering Peros's. I found him emerging from one of the pleasure tents, still fastening his pants. He barely had a chance to turn his head before I grabbed him, propelling him backward into the tent. We tumbled inside, landing beside another couple engaged in their own passions. I pinned him to the ground, my hands closing around his throat, and he growled back in defiance before I delivered a punishing blow. He retaliated, pushing me out of the tent.

A crowd began to gather as we lunged at each other, neither willing to yield. Blood flowed from both of us, and it was evident this confrontation would end in tragedy if allowed to continue. Yet neither of us showed any inclination to stop. It took the combined efforts of the other High Alphas, Recor and Kylos, to pull us apart. Peros sported a swollen left eye, a broken nose, and long, bloody scratches across his chest and stomach. I knew I looked just as battered, but I felt no pain. All I could sense was a seething, dark rage that consumed me.

"What is the meaning of this?" Recor demanded.

"Ask Cartan, he attacked me," Peros growled.

"Cartan?" Recor turned to me, but I couldn't form words. All that escaped my lips were guttural growls. I yearned to explain the situation, to clarify my actions so I could tear Peros apart and then go in search of my Omega, still covered in his blood. But my vocalizations remained unintelligible.

"Cartan?" Recor pressed, but Tyros stepped forward.

"Our High Omega is missing. Someone entered our High Alpha's tent and took her."

Peros wiped away blood from his face. "And your first assumption was that I had taken her?"

A deafening growl erupted from me, stunning everyone. I couldn't think clearly. Peros seemed less enraged by my outburst and deep in thought as he contemplated the situation.

"I did not touch your Omega," he said solemnly. "I haven't been near her since you ordered us to stay away. However, we did have visitors at the border."

"Why didn't you inform us of this?" Recor inquired.

"Why should I? The matter was resolved swiftly. If I had allowed them into the camp, it wouldn't have happened without your knowledge."

"Who?" I snarled.

"Soldiers from the king's realm arrived, demanding to see your Omega. I informed them of your directive, that you would not permit it," he explained. "Perhaps I made some comments to your Omega that she found displeasing, but I would never jeopardize her safety, nor that of your child. She is a member of our clans now, and I would never put her life at risk."

Hearing the sincerity in his voice calmed me somewhat, and Recor and Kylos gradually released their grips. I took a deep breath, piecing together the situation. It was evident who had taken her, but the question that nagged at me was how he had infiltrated the camp without our knowledge. Then it dawned on me.

"It's trading day," I muttered, my voice slipping back into a growl. I scanned the group of wolves that had gathered. "We fucking allowed him inside."

My voice became a series of growls once more, and the other High Alphas cursed softly.

"At least we know where she is," Recor pointed out.

"I want as many Alphas as possible. I am getting my Omega back!" I declared.

"We will help. Kylos and I will accompany you," Peros offered. I nodded, not caring who joined the rescue mission. All that mattered was reclaiming her and our child, safe and sound. If anyone had harmed her in any way, I would tear them limb from limb.