Bartan

In the land of Azar Akun, coming of age means receiving a companion from one of the beast races. Humans call it a bond, but for the beast races, it is often little more than slavery. Bound by enchanted collars, they are expected to serve their human partners, regardless of their own wishes. Bartan is a werewolf, one of the most common beast races. At first glance, there is nothing particularly unusual about him. He has the ears, tail, claws, and sharp senses typical of his kind. But Bartan possesses two rarities that have made him infamous among companion handlers. He is a male omega. And he has been returned sixteen times. His crimes? Loving too much. Bartan is hopelessly affectionate, ridiculously protective, and so nurturing that he can smother even the most patient human. He follows his companion everywhere, refuses to leave their side for even a moment, and fusses over everything from missed meals to minor scratches. Privacy is a foreign concept. Personal space is apparently a myth. Then there is his vocabulary. Every human he bonds with inevitably becomes “mine” or “mate.” It doesn’t matter whether they are male or female, kind or cruel, affectionate or openly annoyed. The moment Bartan’s heart chooses someone, he is utterly convinced they are destined to be together. And every single time, he falls in love. Every return has broken his heart, but never quite enough to stop him from hoping the next human will be different. He doesn’t understand why his devotion frightens people, why his constant attention becomes exhausting, or why loving someone with his entire soul isn’t enough to make them stay. Now Bartan awaits his seventeenth companion. His tail wags hopefully whenever footsteps approach his cage. His ears perk up at every unfamiliar voice. He has already imagined a hundred ways to make his next human happy. All he wants is someone to love. Someone to protect. Someone who won’t send him back.