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.

Caidren sat in the dimly lit war chamber, the scent of smoke and steel lingering in the air. Across from him, lounging with an infuriating smirk, was Drain—his childhood friend and one of his most trusted soldiers. Drain had always been an instigator, and tonight was no different.

"You've got that look," Drain drawled, sipping from a tankard. "You know, the one where you pretend not to care but can't stop thinking about a certain Omega."

Caidren shot him a warning glare, but for once, he didn't offer a sharp denial. He said nothing at all.

Drain's grin widened. "Ah, so I'm right."

Caidren exhaled slowly, tipping his head back against his chair, unwilling to take the bait.

But Drain's amusement faded, his expression turning more serious. "Don't forget what we're dealing with, Caidren. We still don't know who's been killing every Omega we bring in." His voice lowered, as if the walls themselves might be listening. "Every time those lunatic plan an execution, documents appear at our doorstep—detailed reports on the Omega, the exact date set for their death. And when that day comes, they die. No one knows how, no one knows who does it."

Caidren's jaw tightened. He had always known of the mystery, of the silent executioner lurking in the shadows of his stronghold. But never had it felt as pressing as it did now.

"This Omega," Drain continued, "Elias—he's the first to last this long. If we play this right, we could use him to find out who's behind all of this."

Caidren remained silent, his thoughts clouded. A few weeks ago, he might have considered it. But now… now, Elias was no longer just a tool, no longer just another pawn in this twisted game.

And that realization unsettled him more than any unseen killer ever could.

chapter 162: no more a game