Page 17 of Own To Obsess

“Because she did it without permission!” he bellowed, his voice vibrating off the walls of the room. “I have been trying to teach her obedience all this time. I have been trying to get her to understand that there are consequences for not following instructions. I’ve repeatedly expressed very clearly that rules are to be followed and that she must conduct herself appropriately in accordance with our culture and laws. And she bit mewithout permissionand without a way for me to ensure my seat beforehand.”

“So you weren’t actually going to give her away?” Rozalia said, frowning as though she didn’t believe her own words. “After everything you have done for the Isles? After knowing what bringing an Omega back would mean? When did you make that decision, Kardos, because you were adamant on the ship that she was to be given up!”

“I never said she was to be given up. I said the high chief would decide.”

Rozalia shot him a look and he turned away from her growling. “I don’t know when I knew,” he admitted. “Because I didn’t accept it until after she told me she hated me and I realized that she would hate me forever if she went to another Alpha. And the idea of any of that happening…” He clenched his jaw as another rush of ugliness embraced him, fueled by the peppery fevermalt still coating his throat. “Just before she bit me, I knew I couldn’t let her go. I just didn’t have a chance to figure out what that meant or what I could do to keep both her and the seat. And I am angry that she took that choice from me, Rozalia, that she moved against me when I was trying to be honorable to my people.”

Rozalia took a shaky breath and nodded. “But still…” She looked up at Kardos, her brows furrowed. “I could tell that your behavior with her was… usual. But I have never known you to be so… selfish, Kardos.”

“Am I?” Kardos’ rage blazed. “Am I being selfish by claiming the Omega that belongs to me? She is my Omega, Rozalia. I am more sure of that now than ever before.”

“Your Omega?” Rozalia watched him carefully, her eyes wide. “You mean, your true mate?”

Hearing the words clicked everything in the place. Of course. That was exactly what he’d been feeling. “Yes,” he said, suddenly calm. “She is my true mate. She couldn’t have been paired with any other.”

Rozalia pursed her lips and lowered her head as she thought. “Then you should have been prepared to give up the seat,” she said finally. “It shouldn’t be a surprise to you how the shinnos and the high chief and your people have reacted. You should have given up the seat to gain back some of your honor.”

Kardos strode to her, coming to stop by her feet and looking down to search her eyes. “You have known me since I was born, Roza,” he said quietly. “Tell me honestly. Would it have been honorable to give up the seat knowing that I am still the best Alpha for the position? Knowing that I would be allowing the other, more dishonest and less capable shinnos to gain control over the Southern Lands and be responsible for the outcome on every tribe and every clan? Would that prove my loyalty and honor my people or to you or my father or mother?”

An understanding entered Rozalia’s eyes and tears filled them until they were glassy. “No.”

Kardos exhaled a soft grunt and moved away.

The room was quiet for a long while as he unlocked the cabinet in the corner that held more aged fevermalt.

“But I don’t see how you can survive this, Kardos,” Rozalia said, her voice thick. “Especially with what happened today. The chief’s rejection and the lack of respect outside the temple alone is enough to destroy any hope.”

Kardos scowled. “Zolt told you.”

“Of course,” Rozalia said indignantly as she sniffed. “I made him.”

Kardos grunted again, pouring another glass of fevermalt and lifting it to swirl the dark orange liquid. “I don’t need anyone else’s hope, Rozalia. Only my own. And I will succeed. I have made it this far on my own hope and I will continue on with it.”

Rozalia sighed and rose from her seat slowly. “I suppose you only need your own hope and Az Eshra.”

Kardos tried not to flinch at the mention of their name.

“But you should know that you have mine, and Zolt’s, and all who were on the ship with you, from my understanding,” she continued, walking toward him.

Kardos inclined his head. “You know I appreciate that.”

“So what do you need? You know I cannot live here, but Shaya needs care. She’s….” Rozalia struggled to answer for a moment. “She doesn’t understand what’s happening—she needs you.”

“She is distracting,” Kardos growled. “The situation was made worse today because she….” His words died on his lips, unsure how to finish the sentence. He doubted anything that happened today was Shaya’s fault, or that she did it purposefully, but she was still the cause. “I need to fix things before I can deal with her.”

“You cannot leave her to suffer without you, Kardos,” Rozalia warned. “You are her mate now.”

“I won’t leave her alone,” Kardos said sharply. “I cannot even if I wanted to. But there are times I need to think. Like the next couple of nights. I have the hearing soon with the shinnos. I need to prepare.”

Rozalia sighed, but Kardos raised his hand, refusing to hear any more.

“She caused this, Rozalia, and these consequences affect everyone, not just her.”

Rozalia nodded as she stepped toward the door. “But she is the only one who doesn’t understand, Kardos. She is still new to our Lands and needs your attention as her mate. When the time comes for the second blessing request, you don’t want your connection with her to be worse. The high chief will detect it.”

Kardos took a large gulp of the fevermalt and then dropped his glass on the table. “That won’t happen,” he said firmly, “because there won’t be a second request. I will take what I am owed without anyone’s blessing. And my Omega owes me her obedience. That’s what she should be concerned with right now.”

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