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.

stood at the window of his chambers, staring out over the stronghold. The world beyond the walls was cloaked in ice and shadow, the remnants of battle still lingering in the air. Snow stretched endlessly into the distance, untouched and indifferent.

Inside, the fire burned low, its warmth barely reaching him.

The thought had lodged itself in his mind like a blade, persistent and unrelenting. It was not a matter of necessity—Elias was not a priority, not a concern. And yet, Caidren's mind kept returning to the lower chambers, to the cold stone walls and the silence that clung to them.

A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts.

He did not need to ask who it was.

The door opened smoothly, and Aedric stepped inside, his posture straight, his expression composed as always. He did not bow—he never did in private. There was no need for such formalities between them.

Aedric studied him carefully, then said, "He should not stay there."

Caidren exhaled slowly. He did not turn away from the window. "You've been thinking about this."

Caidren's grip tightened behind his back. He should have expected this. Aedric knew him too well—knew when to hold his tongue and when to speak.

"His current quarters are not fit for recovery," Aedric continued. "He's not shackled, but he may as well be. The lower chambers are meant for prisoners. That is not what he is anymore."

Caidren finally turned. His expression was unreadable. "And what do you think he is?"

Aedric did not hesitate. "An omega in your stronghold, my lord. One who was once the enemy but is no longer treated as such." A pause. "And yet, he remains in a place meant to break men."

Caidren let the words settle. He did not deny them.

Aedric was careful with his next words. "The soldiers have already stopped seeing him as entertainment. If he remains in the lower chambers much longer, they will forget him entirely."

Aedric studied him for a long moment, then inclined his head. "It is your decision, my lord."

He turned to leave, his steps measured and steady.

Aedric halted at the door, waiting.

Caidren exhaled, slow and deliberate. Then—

Aedric did not turn. But after a brief pause, he nodded. "Understood."

Caidren remained where he was, staring at the dying embers of the fire.

But the decision was already there, waiting to be spoken.

chapter 34: not yet