O1uwapelumi

Synopsis:
In a world where Alphas rule with absolute power, Alpha Caidren Thorne stands above them all—a warlord feared for his cruelty, a ruler whose hands are stained with the blood of both enemies and kin. His lands are harsh, his rule even harsher, and his name alone is enough to strike terror into the hearts of those who hear it.

But there is a darker truth hidden beneath his legend.

Every Omega sent to him has perished.

No one knows why. No one dares to ask. Some whisper that his presence alone is enough to snuff out their fragile lives, that no Omega can withstand his brutality. Others say that he is cursed, doomed to be alone forever. But Caidren does not care. He has never let anyone close—not a mate, not a lover, not even his own people. His heart is stone, and his hands are weapons.

When the noble House Velmire is forced to offer him an Omega, they do not send their treasured daughter. Instead, they send Elias—an adopted outcast, a boy without a place in their world. Elias has spent his life alone, unwanted, and now, he is being sent to a fate worse than death.

And when he arrives at the Bloodfang Stronghold, he is welcomed by a scene of horror.

A man clothed in black can be seen writhing in agony. Blood soaking the ground. And standing above it all, delivering judgment with cold precision, is Alpha Caidren.

Elias’ fear takes root instantly. This man is no savior. He is death itself.

Caidren barely acknowledges him, dismissing him with a single glance. Another Omega. Another life that will soon disappear.

But Elias does not die.

Days pass. Then weeks. And for the first time, an Omega survives.

Elias is not weak. He is not fragile. He is not like the others. And against every instinct, every warning, Caidren begins to take notice.

What starts as indifference turns to fascination. What was once just another burden soon becomes something the Alpha refuses to let go of.

For the first time in his life, Caidren is afraid—not of war, not of death, but of the one thing he never thought he could have.

And when enemies rise and threaten to take Elias away, Caidren will burn the world to keep his Omega safe.

scarred by the Alpher, claimed by his touch.

The door shut with a finality that should have settled things.

Caidren walked away, his steps even, his expression impassive. He moved through the stronghold like a man with purpose—overseeing the patrols, evaluating the armory, issuing orders with the same cold efficiency he always had.

But the weight of that quiet room clung to him.

Elias' voice. That measured stillness in his eyes.

Caidren had expected something else. Bitterness, maybe. Resentment. Some sharp-edged reminder of what had been done to him.

But Elias had only looked at him. As if he had already known the answer.

Caidren ground his teeth and shoved the thought aside.

He had done what was necessary. That was the only thing that should concern him.

That night, long after the halls had emptied and the fires burned low, he found himself standing in front of the war table, staring down at a map he had no interest in reading.

The stronghold was secure. His soldiers were prepared. The enemy was regrouping, but they would not move again so soon.

No reason to think of a boy in an empty room, sitting quietly as though he had already been forgotten.

Caidren exhaled sharply and pressed a hand to his temple. This was a distraction.

He had learned, over time, to make his body still. To quiet his breath. To let exhaustion settle into his bones without allowing it to claim him.

But sleep was dangerous. Sleep left room for weakness.

The door had barely finished closing before he had forced himself to his feet, crossing the small space with slow, careful steps. His body ached, his wounds still stiff with healing, but he had endured worse.

The chamber was cold, the air damp. A small meal had been left on the table, untouched.

He wasn't sure how long he had been unconscious. Long enough for the wounds to stop bleeding. Long enough for Caidren to decide his presence no longer mattered.

And yet, when the door had opened, when Caidren had finally come to him, Elias had felt—

He cut the thought off before it could take shape.

Caidren had left, and that was that.

Elias turned back to the cot, lowering himself onto it carefully. He rested his head against the cold stone wall, gaze trained on the ceiling.

His body was still. His breath was quiet.

chapter 33: silence speaks