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 didn't stop walking until he was well out of sight.

His hands were steady. His breath even. His face an unreadable mask.

Because the Alpha had ignored him.

Not teased. Not smirked. Not so much as given him a second glance.

And that shouldn't have bothered him.

Shouldn't have gotten to him the way it did.

Instead, his skin prickled, his body still too aware, his mind stuck replaying every moment of last night.

He wasn't going to let himself spiral over this.

A cruel, calculated game to see how far Elias would bend before he broke.

Forcing his thoughts into order, Elias headed toward the training grounds.

A physical distraction. That's what he needed.

Something to burn away the heat still coiling in his stomach, something to silence the memory of phantom touches and whispered words.

But as he stepped outside, stepping into the crisp morning air—

Elias stiffened before he could stop himself.

He schooled his expression into neutrality before turning.

The Alpha leaned casually against a post, arms crossed, his piercing gaze sweeping over Elias like he was looking for something.

Something Elias didn't want him to see.

Forcing himself to relax, Elias met his gaze evenly.

"I wasn't aware I needed permission to be up."

The Alpha huffed a quiet laugh. "Of course not."

Didn't trust the way his own body still remembered the feel of his touch.

Didn't give the Alpha what he wanted.

As if he could see through Elias's every attempt to pretend.

A slow smirk curled on the Alpha's lips.

"You can keep running, Elias." His voice dipped lower, softer, a thread of something dangerous curling between his words. "But your body already gave you away."

His breath hitched—just barely, just for a fraction of a second—

He turned, fixing the Alpha with a sharp glare. "You must be mistaken."

The Alpha tilted his head, eyes gleaming with something unreadable.

His voice was all amusement, all quiet certainty.

The Alpha watched him. Studied him.

And then, in a voice that was nearly a whisper—

Heat slammed through his chest, his pulse hammering wildly in his ears—

Without a word, without giving the Alpha another second of satisfaction—

Elias turned sharply and walked away.

Felt the Alpha's gaze trailing after him.

Felt the weight of the words still lingering in the air between them.

Felt his own body's traitorous response.

chapter 122: A game