Page 3 of Own To Obsess

”Are you aware of the consequences of bonding with the Omega?” The high chief stepped forward heavily, his expression contorted. “While you have been enjoying the depths of her pussy, the other shinnos have requested your disqualification.”

Kardos bristled and a raw agitation worked its way around his chest. “Can they do that?”

“They can request what they fucking want!” the high chief bellowed. “You did not uphold your end of the agreement you made over a week ago… when you said you wouldbring her to the temple.”

Kardos tried to keep hold of his temper, even though it threatened to have him rage again. “Surely my reputation can afford me some leeway.”

“Not when they find out the rumors of you bonding her are true,” the high chief warned. “They will have even more of a case to request you are removed from consideration, so you can concentrate on breeding the Omega in the interests of the Lands.” His nostrils flared and his voice deepened. “And then you will be nothing more than a breeder, Kardos. Mysonwill be nothing more than a fucking breeder!”

The fury that burned in Kardos’ chest couldn’t compete with the surprise of hearing his father directly referring to him as his son. He hadn’t done so since he gained the seat of the high chief.

“Don’t look so shocked,” the high chief snapped, as he turned to pace the room. “Granted, I am not to show any favoritism to you or award you any special privileges, but do you think I haven’t been closely watching your progress? Do you think I haven’t been immensely proud of every action you have taken since you were a boy who has shown how much he loves the Isles? Do you think I wasn’t overjoyed when you became tribe leader and shinno to Nyek?” He shot Kardos a look. “You are my son, Kardos, and this seat is your birthright. The other shinnos’ prejudices allow them to underestimate you, even though you have proved yourself over and over, but that is their mistake—I have no sympathy for them.” He turned to face Kardos again. “But this mistake is yours, and it gives them cause to destroy everything you have already gained, everything you strove to achieve. If you are disqualified, it will be the first time in eighty-four years that a different tribe gains the seat.”

Kardos exhaled as his father’s word sunk in, the violent, angry, dark emotions and thoughts within him almost drowning him with their potency.

His father looked over him from head to foot, his eyes wild with distaste. “Where is yourhonor?” he spat. “Where is the man who lives and breathes the traditions of the Isles? I do not see him anymore. Did the Western Lands corrupt you so much that—”

“No!” Kardos bellowed, his fury reaching its peak.

His father jerked backward, shocked at his outburst. Kardos had never raised his voice at his father before, but he couldn’t allow him to say or think such things.

“No,” he repeated, forcing his voice to lower. “I am still that man.” He locked his father’s hard glare with his own. “I assure you.”

The high chief’s jaw clenched, and he turned away exhaling harshly, silence filling the room for a short moment. “I have set a hearing to address the shinnos’ request two weeks from today. They are currently arguing that I am delaying to give you more time to find a solution.” He turned back to Kardos, his eyes still fiery but his voice quieter. “They are right. So I hope you have a plan to explain what the fuck you were thinking.” He headed to the door. “And a way to maintain your position so you still have a chance at the seat.” He turned to Kardos. “Because you are no son of mine if you have thrown away the Nyek name in this selfish act to claim this Omega for yourself.”

“I didn’t bond with her, Father,” Kardos muttered, annoyed that this was the circumstance in which he was once again calling him Father. It should have been when he claimed the seat. “She bonded with me without my consent.”

The high chief looked upon him with disdain and shook his head. “I hope you do not plan to argue that at temple.” He turned for the door, throwing his words back at Kardos as he exited. “Because if she is that willful and disobedient, she was never suitable for our Lands.”

***

Two hours later, Kardos was still in the grip of a blinding fury, pacing the room the high chief had left him in and battling the many thoughts that crowded his mind. His father had given him a chance to retain his position for the seat, but how? He could barely think past his anger at the shinnos or how difficult things would be now. And he also had to consider Shaya.

He slowed to a stop in the middle of the room. He needed Az Eshra. They were the only way to find a solution.

Turning on his heel, he headed back to his bedroom, but neither Rozalia nor Shaya were there. Several servants were fixing his room, righting furniture, cleaning, and taking out the moldy food and broken items.

He questioned the servants about the whereabouts of the women and then headed to the Shaya’s guest bedroom on the same floor.

When he entered, Rozalia was sitting on the edge of the bed stroking Shaya’s forehead as she lay sleeping. Kardos stood for a moment staring at Shaya, unable to decipher the conflicting emotions rising in him.

As soon as Rozalia saw Kardos, she straightened. “We need to talk, Kardos,” she said solemnly.

“I need no more scolding, Rozalia,” Kardos growled.

Shaya whimpered and rolled over in the bed, curling into a tight ball on her side. Kardos resisted the powerful urge that rose in him to climb into the bed with her and pull her into his arms. She needed his arms, his purr, his chest. And he needed her scent, her soft skin, her… With great effort, he dragged his eyes away.

Rozalia beckoned him to follow her and led him out of the room and down to one of the meeting rooms on the east side of the house.

“What did you do to her?” she said, rounding on Kardos as he entered the room behind her. “She was hysterical when I went in there. I had to give her a sedation potion.”

“Quiet!” Kardos barked. He was in no mood for Rozalia’s mouth right now. There were times he needed her as an adviser, a friend, or even a mother, but that time was not now. “I’m going to my temple. Make sure she is looked after until I return.”

The look in Rozalia’s eyes changed as she lowered hers, then nodded.

Kardos turned to go, but a niggling feeling in his chest stopped him. “Why isn’t she pregnant?” he asked Rozalia with a scowl. “She was in her full Haze and yet she is not with child. Why?”

Rozalia’s eyes widened. “Youwanther pregnant?”

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