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 Alpha shifted a few of the maps on the table, his fingers tracing over battle lines and supply routes as if Elias's presence had already been dismissed. But Elias knew better. The Alpha wasn't done with him. This was only the beginning.

"Tell me," the Alpha said, still not looking at him, "what do you think of last night's attack?"

Elias hesitated just long enough to make it seem like he was uncertain, then lowered his gaze. "I… I don't know, Alpha."

The Alpha finally looked up, and Elias could feel his scrutiny like a blade against his skin.

"Try again," the Alpha said, amusement laced beneath the words. "You were awake, weren't you? Listening. Thinking."

Elias kept his shoulders hunched slightly, his hands curling into his sleeves as if seeking comfort. "It felt different from the others," he admitted. "They didn't strike immediately. They waited."

The Alpha hummed in approval. "So, they were either assessing you or hesitating. And tell me, why would an assassin hesitate?"

Elias bit his lip. The Alpha was enjoying this too much, pushing him into a conversation he didn't want to have. But he couldn't refuse to answer. That would be suspicious.

"Either they were unsure of their orders…" Elias murmured, letting a little nervousness slip into his voice, "…or they weren't assassins at all."

Elias chanced a glance up and found the Alpha watching him intently.

"Interesting," the Alpha said. He leaned forward slightly, resting a hand on the table. "And what do you think they were?"

Elias shook his head quickly. "I-I don't know. I only—"

"You suspect," the Alpha cut him off, voice dropping slightly. "And I'd rather have a suspecting Omega than a useless one."

Elias let his breath stutter just a little, lowering his gaze. "I only noticed because I couldn't sleep," he murmured, voice barely above a whisper.

The Alpha's smirk didn't waver. "Of course."

He turned back to the table, fingers tapping idly against the wood. Elias knew he was being toyed with. The Alpha had already decided something about him—something Elias wasn't sure he could control.

"Very well," the Alpha finally said. "You'll stay close from now on."

Elias stiffened, but he didn't dare let it show fully. "Alpha?"

The Alpha waved a hand dismissively. "I can't have you dying just yet. Not when things are finally getting interesting."

Elias swallowed hard. He had been trying to remain invisible, to let the Alpha dismiss him as just another fragile Omega. But now, the Alpha was pulling him closer.

And yet… Elias lowered his gaze again, forcing his voice to stay quiet, unassuming. "As you command, Alpha."

Elias had the sinking feeling that he had just stepped into a trap he couldn't escape.

chapter 51: a trap