Page 11 of Own To Obsess

“These Isles are part of the mythology of our heritage,” he explained. “We are proud to be able to survive here when most societies cannot. But it has been more difficult lately by the absence of the most important dynamic in our society.”

Shaya took a breath in. “Omegas.”

The high chief nodded. “Many deaths have occurred here since Omegas began disappearing from the Lands.”

“How can that be true? What can Omegas do here that can protect against blizzards? I’m sure you have the best warriors and potion masters in the Lands. What can an Omega do that they can’t?”

The high chief smiled. “I don’t have time to give you a history lesson right now, Katashaya, but I assure you it is a proven fact.” He leaned forward slightly. “The main thing I want to let you know is that as the first Omega to return to our lands, the expectations on you are incredibly high.”

Shaya’s heart sank and she nodded miserably. It seemed they all had unrealistic expectations.

“The fact you have bonded to Kardos….” He leaned back. “It is not good.”

“So… my freedom… my choice—it doesn’t matter?” she asked quietly.

The high chief frowned. “Did you not choose to travel here?”

“Yes…”

“Did you not choose to bite Kardos?”

“Yes, but—”

“Then you have made your choices and exercised your freedom,” the high chief said. “Those choices matter a great deal to this entire Land and no one forced them on you. You must accept there will be consequences, even if you didn’t know what they would be.”

Shaya sat quietly, staring down at her entwined fingers in her lap as he continued to sip his tea. She did understand that to some degree. She hadn’t been thinking about the consequences when she bit Kardos; the desire to do it had been a blend of instinctual emotions coupled by the despair of her situation, but she didn’t expect the high chief to accept or understand that. “I only came so my sister wouldn’t be forced to,” she whispered, blinking rapidly so the tears threatening wouldn’t fill her eyes.

“Youwere supposed to come, Katashaya,” the high chief said gently. “Specifically you.”

Shaya glanced up at him, frowning. “Why do you say that?”

The high chief placed his empty tea cup down, a smile playing on his lips. “There are plenty of signs. But the main one is, Kardos adores you.”

Shaya’s stomach fluttered but she ignored it. Her eyes dropped back down and she shook her head. “He doesn’t.”

The high chief’s deep chuckle filled the room again. “I assure you, my son is very taken with you.”

“He doesn’t even know me, high chief,” Shaya said. “He didn’t… court me. He trained me to learn all about your culture. He trained me to…” Shaya couldn’t find the words to describe just how deeply Kardos had tricked her, used her. And she wasn’t sure it was wise to say. This man clearly loved his son, regardless of the little display he put on in the main temple area, and she wasn’t sure of the ramifications of telling the high chief about his son’s actions toward her.

“He was training you for himself, Katashaya,” the high chief said gently.

Shaya shook her head adamantly. “That is not true.”

“I believe it is.”

“He came to collect me—to give me away. If I hadn’t bitten him—”

“He stood in front of the other shinnos in my temple and told them they were not worthy of you,” the high chief interrupted. “He boasted that you were highly suitable for the Isles, that you had learned much in a short amount of time, but at the same time he did not accept that any of the current cohort of Alphas in their prime and ready for bonding were worthy of you.”

“That doesn’t mean he wanted me for himself, high chief.”

The high chief leaned forward. “If none of the other Alphas are worth of you, then who do you think is, if not him? He was very proud of you and convinced you were right for our Lands. And I have never heard him praise anyone before.” His serious expression relaxed into another chuckle. “Except maybe himself.”

Shaya stared at him, unsure how to respond.

“And never,” he said, his serious expression returning, “neverhas he spoken to me or threatened me the way he did earlier. He felt I was a threat and reacted accordingly, which is necessary at this time… and I admire him for it.” He smiled at Shaya and his voice became firm. “You are meant to be here, Katashaya. The signs are clear that this is your true home, but we are a society that value retribution, and you will need to accept that. So find the strength to face what will come—”

The door burst open and Shaya almost screamed in shock as Kardos marched into the room, his face contorted as he breathed heavily.

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