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.

Elias kept his head down, carefully tearing small pieces of bread between his fingers. He chewed slowly, his expression one of quiet exhaustion, as if the events of the night had drained him beyond recovery. Around him, the kitchen buzzed with morning activity—cooks shouting orders, servants rushing about, the scent of roasted meat and fresh bread thick in the air.

But despite the warmth of the kitchen fires and the clatter of pots, the whispers hadn't stopped.

"The assassin was killed in his room."

"They say the body vanished before anyone could see it."

Elias kept his shoulders hunched, his posture slightly withdrawn, letting the words slip past him like mist. Reacting would only draw attention.

Elias forced himself to look up slowly, blinking as if dazed.

The Alpha stood before him, broad-shouldered and immovable, his presence drawing the attention of the entire room without a single word. His dark uniform was pristine, as always, the crisp lines mirroring the rigid control he held over himself and his surroundings. His sharp gaze locked onto Elias, scrutinizing, measuring.

Elias swallowed, allowing uncertainty to flicker in his expression. Then, he dropped his gaze quickly, as if intimidated.

"…Alpha." His voice came out soft, careful.

Caidren didn't sit. He simply studied Elias, as if he were a puzzle with a missing piece.

"You look well," Caidren finally said, his voice even.

Elias hesitated, then forced a weak nod. "I… I tried to rest," he murmured. "But everything feels different now."

He let his fingers tremble slightly as he picked at his bread again, giving the illusion of fragility. Let Caidren believe he was shaken. Let him believe the fragile mask he wore.

Caidren's gaze didn't waver. "I imagine it would. Surviving an assassination attempt is no small thing."

Elias lowered his eyes. "I was… lucky," he murmured. "I think he must have tripped. In the struggle, I—I don't even know what happened. I just reacted."

Then, to Elias's discomfort, Caidren let out a quiet chuckle.

"Tripped," the Alpha repeated, his tone unreadable.

Caidren tilted his head slightly, his gaze sharp. "You were asleep. In the dark. And yet, when an assassin with years of training came for you, he was the one who made a mistake?"

Elias swallowed, tightening his grip on his sleeve. "I don't know what else to say. I… I don't understand how I survived."

Instead, he leaned down slightly, placing his hands on the table, his imposing frame casting a shadow over Elias.

The kitchen, once loud with morning activity, suddenly felt too quiet.

Elias forced himself to shrink back slightly, just enough to sell the illusion of intimidation.

Caidren studied him for another long moment, then exhaled and straightened. "Luck, then," he mused, as if finally accepting the answer. "It seems you have plenty of it."

Elias nodded quickly, eager to reinforce the idea. "I—I think so too, Alpha."

Caidren gave him one last lingering look, then turned to leave.

As soon as his presence withdrew, the room exhaled, tension dissipating. Conversations slowly resumed, the kitchen staff returning to their work.

Elias allowed himself a small breath of relief.

But something in the Alpha's expression told him this wouldn't be the last time he would be tested.

chapter 41: sighted in relief