Page 8 of Own To Obsess

His expression changed to one of warmth, and his eyes remained on hers as the sternness seeped out of them. He seemed sincere and welcoming, and Shaya found herself exhaling a breath she didn’t realize she was holding.

She searched the high chief’s deep-brown eyes for any hint of cruelty or at least the hardness she had seen in Kardos’ eyes at times, but there was none.

As she continued to examine him, he smiled at her and there was Kardos again—a friendly Kardos. Shaya smiled back, but the claw within her began to twist and harden, until it was as though the sharp edge of it was scraping her rib bone.

Taking a shallow breath at the pain, she turned to Kardos, only to see him glaring, almost murderously, at his father. If the high chief noticed it, it didn’t bother him because he stepped closer still to Shaya and raised his hand.

“Father!” Kardos barked, stepping aggressively forward. At the same time, the claw dug into Shaya’s bone and she winced, clutching her chest.

The high chief’s face changed as he shot Kardos a dangerous look. “Yes?”

“You are not permitted to touch her!” Kardos bellowed, every inch of his body almost vibrating in agitation and the bond convulsed in response.

“Permitted?” the high chief shot back. “Youdo not permitmeto touch the beautiful woman I had first refusal of when you brought her here?” The high chief’s gaze turned harder as he continued to speak, his hand lowered as he turned to confront Kardos. “Is that what you’re saying?”

Kardos glanced at Shaya and a blast of rage raced through the bond. Shaya’s heart twisted in dismay that he was still so angry at her, but annoyingly, her arousal deepened. “Yes,” he responded tightly. “We are mated. It is inappropriate.”

The high chief strode to stand opposite Kardos and both men glared at each other, their chests pushed out, their bodies tense. Shaya’s eyes flicked between them, trying to swallow the knot of dread that was gathering in her throat while also unable to ignore the beauty of the wild look in Kardos’ eyes. While she marveled at the likeness between him and his father, it was that difference that always set him apart from any other she had seen. And it was that raw nature of him that attracted something unbidden within her she couldn’t control.

“What is inappropriate, is that you bring this unapproved union for my blessing,” the high chief said, his voice deep. “And as such, I may assess your mate anyway I like.”

Kardos growled, his face contorting as his fists uncurled. “Then we may battle, my chief. No one touches her, not even you.”

The high chief was still for a long moment and Shaya fought the urge to inch backward as the scent of aggression between them heightened, but to her surprise, the high chief’s body and expression suddenly relaxed. “Good,” he murmured, his dark eyes searching Kardos’.

He turned to Shaya, exhaling smoothly, before looking back at Kardos and speaking in a lighter tone. “In order to bless your union, I need to spend some time with her alone. You are aware of the procedure, I’m sure.”

Kardos’ harsh expression didn’t change, but he also did not respond.

“You may wait outside,” the high chief said, gesturing to the door. “I won’t keep her long.” When Kardos still didn’t move or respond to him, the high chief’s sternness returned. “This is necessary, Kardos, especially as she is an Omega. The quicker you go, the quicker you can return.”

Kardos’ beautiful, but fierce, turquoise eyes slid to Shaya for a moment and a rush of warmth swirled in Shaya’s stomach. He had finally looked her properly, but then his gaze returned to the chief, a muscle in his jaw twitching.

“I assure you, I will not touch her,” the high chief added.

“Or smile with her,” Kardos ordered.

Irritation flashed across the high chief's face. “You will be called back in due course,” he said, with a tone of finality. “Your gracious respect of my request shall be noted.”

Kardos shot another look at Shaya before turning and heading back to the door that they came through. Shaya pushed down the panic rising in her chest that he was about to leave her alone with the one man who could have claimed her for himself. Regardless of everything that had happened, she felt more secure and comfortable around Kardos, more so than with anyone else, because as much as he might be cruel, he was familiar.

As the door closed behind him, the high chief turned to her, his brown eyes burning into hers with a sudden intensity. “Do you truly love him?”

Shaya took a tiny step back in surprise, her body rigid. “Err…” She closed and opened her mouth a few times but couldn’t find an answer to give him. Did she love the man that used her? The man who prepared her sexually for another? Who tortured her for every mistake she made? How could she love a man like that? And yet… Her mind jumped from thought to thought as she tried to find an answer for her feelings. She couldn’t deny that she had experienced things with him she knew she would never find with anyone else—beautiful, consuming things she needed, things she was now sure she couldn’t do without. But that didn’t mean she loved him… did it?

The high chief suddenly stilled, shock deepening on his face. “He has not won you over and yet you bit him?”

Shaya pressed her lips together, a hopelessness building as her situation twisted into sharp focus. She was tied to a man she didn’t know whether she loved, and it was by her own choice.

The high chief’s breathed out a heavy growl and turned away from her. “This is worse than I thought,” he muttered, shaking his head. For a long moment, he stood with his hand on his bowed forehead, one hand resting on his lower back.

Finally, the high chief turned to her, his stance and expression relaxing as he looked her over again. Confused, Shaya decided to remain silent and alert. The high chief was behaving in a strange and confusing manner, even by the standards of what she’d witnessed in the Southern Lands.

“I sincerely welcome you, Katashaya,” the high chief began, his voice warm and friendly. “You don't need to worry, I'm not going to be inappropriate with you. I just had to be sure.”

Shaya’s fingers fidgeted as her thoughts raced. Sure about what? She wasn't sure if she was allowed to speak so she didn’t respond. Something niggled in the back of her mind that there was some kind of behavior rule or expectation when in front of the high chief that she’d read about with Treska—something about not speaking unless asked a direct question—but she couldn’t remember it exactly or the context in which the rule applied.

“I’m sure he will barge back in here soon regardless of what I say,” the high chief said, the corner of his mouth quirking up. “So I think we should head to a blessing room.”

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