Page 13 of Own To Obsess

Kardos was silent for a moment. “You are setting the Isles against us before—”

The chief held up his hand. “I have done nothing, Shinno Kardos. This is an Omega, and her bond was not yours to take. You will have to earn my blessing.”

Shaya stared at the high chief hardly able to believe that he was blaming Kardos for her actions. She opened her mouth to explain to him again that her bite had been her choice, but the high chief rose from his cushion.

“I must prepare for this afternoon’s prayer,” he said as he reached his full height. “I trust you will both be in a better place when I next meet you together for the second request.”

With that, he turned and left the room.

Shaya held her breath in the silence that followed. In her chest, the bond twisted, sending a scraping jagged pang along her chest bone indicating Kardos’ anger. She couldn't understand the high chief. He seemed to be in support of her and Kardos, and yet when asked to bless their union, he wouldn't do it. Why did everything seem so confusing with Alphas? Why they give such mixed signals? It seemed that they said one thing and then did another all the time. The one thing that did seem encouraging was that Kardos was trying to get the high chief on their side. Even though that didn't mean that he was happy with what she had done, he was at least accepting that it had happened. She didn't doubt that he would also make her pay for doing it.

When he finally moved from behind her, he headed toward the door and opened it, turning to look at her as he held it open. Shaya quickly scrambled to her feet.

“The high chief has not blessed our union,” he said, his voice rough as the bond in her chest twisted and scraped. “Which means I cannot touch you until we leave this island.” The intensity of his eyes made her stand completely still, listening to every word and watching his every move. He was on edge, and it made her feel uncomfortable.

“As soon as we exit the temple,” he continued, “the people will realize that. They will know that the high chief is not in favor of us. I don't know how they will react.”

She searched his eyes for any worry or fear but there was just annoyance and anger. “They won't attack us, will they?” she asked nervously. “They looked… angry when we were coming in.”

“Of course they're angry,” Kardos barked, causing her to jump in shock. “And they will feel their anger is justified now that the high chief has not blessed us,” he said, his words becoming sharp, then closed as his jaw became tight. “So I don't know how they will react. I don't recall this ever happening before, and of course you are an Omega, so it makes things different and unpredictable.”

Shaya nodded, deciding to keep her mouth firmly closed. He was still angry and it wasn't worth upsetting him to find out more information. She would have to ask Rozalia about the significance of the high chief’s decision.

“When we leave the temple,” Kardos said, a warning ringing in his tone, “walk in front of me and keep walking straight ahead until you get to the carriage. I don’t think anything serious will happen, but I want you in the carriage first.”

Shaya nodded again, her nerves twisting. He didn't seem scared or worried, but the fact he had to say it frightened her.

He gestured for her to walk through the door, but as she passed his scent made her pause, and the desire that had been building flared over her body.

Kardos took in a deep breath and release a low growl. “Shaya….” The sound of his voice so gritty and low, hardened her nipples and when she looked up at him, the fierce look in his eyes and the clawing fury within the bond made her tingle between her legs. She ached for him to touch her, but he just said it wasn’t allowed. The rules in this society were so confusing. Forcing herself past him, Shaya tried not to breathe in any more of his scent.

Kardos led her back to the main temple area and when they reached the other side of the hall where they had entered, the young man greeted them again and led them back through the initial corridors.

When they reached the entrance doors, Shaya tried to brace herself. The people were clearly annoyed, shouting and raising their fists. She didn't know enough about their culture to know if their anger would descend into violence.

When the doors opened, Shaya’s stomach dropped. The crowd outside had doubled in size. From the distance it was clear to see the varying patterns of the clans’ tribal wear and the tribes who stood together in clusters within the crowd.

As Kardos and Shaya stepped out onto the stairs, the entire crowd looked at them, and immediately there was some shuffling movement. Trying not to shiver in the icy wind that swept around them, Shaya noticed that those wearing white, gold, and gray—Tribe Nyek colors—had all come to the front to create a row along the stairs, making a human barrier between the stairs and the rest of the crowd. She took a deep breath and exhaled in relief but was dismayed to see the disappointment and confusion on their faces as they watched her and Kardos make their way down the stairs.

The voices rose quickly this time. They weren’t even halfway down before the crowd was bellowing. It was impossible to pick out any one word or phrase because the noise was too loud. Shaya kept her head down, concentrating on keeping her feet moving one after the other, but the claw became sharp again in her chest, especially when the chants began. She could barely make out what they were saying, but it infuriated Kardos. The anger in the bond was incredible; she didn't think it could become any worse but the heights of the intensity of it left her breathless.

When she heard a strange swish, she spun around to see Kardos pulling his sword from its sheath. He looked incredible with a sword in his hand, and the swoop in her stomach made her almost stumble down the stairs. At the sight of his sword, the crowd quietened, but mutterings continued as they reached the bottom of the stairs.

“Get into the carriage,” Kardos ordered, as the guard opened the door for her.

But as she scrambled in, he entered behind her and pushed her down onto the bench, turning her onto her back, and looming over her, his eyes dark with desire. A sharp thrill went through her that he was finally close and touching her again. She’d been trying to ignore it, but at this proximity, it was impossible. She needed him—she couldn’t wait, and when she looked into his eyes, pupils dilated, it was clear he couldn’t either.

Kardos yanked up her tunic and ripped off her panties with a growl, but he was too slow. Shaya whined, grabbing his thick arms and opening her legs, showing him where he should be.

Growling, Kardos released himself from his pants, and within moments that beautiful cock of his was sliding into her, splitting her open.

Shaya arched her back, relishing the raw sting that shot into her at the feel of him pushing into her wet core and the pleasure that rushed over her whole body at the same time.

Before she could even truly relish the feeling of being stretched just the way she needed, he was jolting her against the hard bench as his slams rocked the entire carriage.

Shaya moaned in delight as that raw, carnal pleasure came over her. This was what she needed all along, and finally she had it. Her whole body shuddered every time Kardos’ cock reached deep inside her, her hard nipples rubbing against her tunic. She gripped onto him, trying to pull him down, to feel his weight pressing down on her but he was bracing himself against the carriage wall, leaning against his elbow while his other large hand pinned her down. She whined as she tried to stretch up to scent him, eager to run her tongue on the bite she’d left on his neck. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw that the crowd surrounded the carriage looking in on them.

Something in the back of her mind told her she should be embarrassed or attempt to hide herself, but she wasn’t compelled to concern herself with that right now. The most important thing was that her Alpha was dominating her the way she needed him to.

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