Page 64 of Own To Obsess

“I know my Omega,” Kardos shot back. “She’s smart and highly considerate of everything around her. It wouldn’t have been difficult for her to decipher the izak-rock—she watched us rotating it on the ship and asked me questions about it. She knows how to make fevvoli, and she is a skilled gardener. There was nothing too difficult for her.”

“Except that she is physically unable to withstand this environment as well as an Alpha,” the high chief said sharply. “It is a known fact. Omegas should be with their Alpha while traveling in dire conditions. Of all of your studies, that seems to be something you’ve overlooked!”

“High chief, I am soul-bonded to her. I know her. She is strong, I knew she was going to be—”

“Was she not attacked on Nyek soil while you were bonded?” the high chief interrupted, his dark eyes a fiery blaze. Kardos snarled but didn’t answer and the high chief made a face of disgust. “She sat in my temple and told the other shinnos they were idiots!” he stressed. “That you were the perfect Alpha and she needed no other options.”

A powerful elation slammed into Kardos. She thoughthewas perfect? His mind couldn’t comprehend it quickly enough before the high chief spoke again.

“I don’t want her put in any more dangerous situations, Kardos,” he scolded.

Kardos tensed slightly at his tone. “You cannot tell me how to treat my mate.”

The high chief inclined his head. “I cannot. But while I am still in charge, Katashaya will remain safe.” His voice lowered to a growling mutter. “I assure you, I want my little Alpha and Omega grandbabies more than you want this seat.”

Kardos glared at him. “You seem to think that I am wanting to constantly put her at risk for no reason!”

“Did you hear how I said she defended you?” the high chief snapped. He turned, heading toward the door. “There are some risks you simply don’t take, Kardos.”

Kardos took a breath and followed him through the main temple where the shinnos were gathering. When the high chief had said he wanted to speak to Kardos in advance, he thought it would be to congratulate him not to berate him like everyone else about Shaya. What the fuck was wrong with everyone? Why couldn’t they see her strength and resilience like he could? Shaya wasn’t like any other Omega. She may be humble and small, but she was not weak. No Omega of his could be weak. And the fact she had defended him to the other shinnos heightened his pride of her, and deepened his love for her.

Still, he quietly seethed at the high chief’s attitude as all the shinnos positioned themselves in their usual semicircle; this time the tribe-leaders weren’t in attendance.

“Thank for attending this summoning,” the high chief began once he settled himself in his seat. “This summons to announce that the Year of Selection has been made null and void by recent events.”

Silence smothered the hall.

“We have a soul-bonded Alpha and Omega couple who have both completed their discovery journeys, and therefore are the automatic ruling couple of the Lands. I will be giving up my seat in the few months as Kardos begins the role. Announcements will be made tomorrow to each of the tribes.”

“My apologies, my chief,” called Gergo. “I don’t understand the significance of the discovery journey.”

“Nor I,” Rhaad added.

The high chief leaned forward slowly. “Back when Omegas were abundant, the discovery journey was the method in which tribe leaders were selected. Do you remember the preference for what kind of Alphas were most suitable for tribe leaders?”

Kardos almost laughed. The high chief was speaking as though they were children still learning about the Land they lived in.

“True Alphas,” Rhaad said, confusion still on his face.

The high chief nodded. “True Alphas, yes. Alphas born to an Omega mother and an Alpha father. Why?”

“Because they’re the only ones who could ensure that their tribe survived the harsh conditions of our Lands,” Sethol answered.

“Good. These Alphas were the only ones who could be selected as tribe leaders, but to pick the best among them, the discovery journey was used. The discovery journey is based on…” He looked pointed around the temple, waiting or an answer.

“The survival of Az Eshra in their first blizzard,” Gergo answered, but his voice had dropped. He’d finally figured it out.

“Yes, Az Eshra who were a soul-bonded Alpha and Omega couple. When Omegas began disappearing, a law was made that if any couple met these conditions they were to take control of the ruling seat of the Isles to restore the Land to what it was.”

“But she is not a true Omega and he is not a true Alpha!” Rhaad exclaimed.

“The discovery journey completed by both in such short time periods suggests otherwise,” the high chief said. “That is the only requirement, not actual parentage.” He paused, leaning back up as he thought carefully. “And I must add, this Omega did exceptionally well to find her way out of the discovery mountains in two weeks. The mountain attendant confirmed that she didn’t know what she was going in to do. It’s the quickest anyone has completed it and she isn’t even from our Lands. I must say, if I didn’t know the state the current state of Omegas in the Lands, I would believe she was a true Omega.”

The hall returned to silence, and Kardos could not contain his smugness. Shaya was fucking perfect, just as he always said.

Sethol grounded his teeth and glared at Kardos; Gergo stared blankly at the stairs that held the high chief’s throne, and Rhaad muttered under his breath, his fists opening and closing.

“Kardos,” the high chief said. “Please approach the platform.”

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