Chapter 4

The collar snapped shut with a sound that echoed through Eyrix’s bones. It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t violent. It was soft and final, like a lock sliding home.

Cold metal circled his throat, etched with runes that glowed faintly silver before sinking into the surface and disappearing.

For a single terrifying moment, Eyrix felt as if something deep inside him had been wrapped in iron. His wolf cried out.

He gasped, hands flying to his neck. The collar wasn’t tight enough to choke him—but it was tight enough to be felt, always, a constant reminder of restraint.

Ryder stood in front of him, expression unreadable. Now everyone will understand, Ryder said calmly, that you belong to me.

Eyrix’s pulse thundered. I’m not a thing.

Ryder tilted his head. You broke my restraints, challenged my dominance, and made my wolf hesitate. That makes you dangerous.

So you chain me instead? Eyrix whispered.

Ryder’s fingers brushed the collar lightly, and Eyrix shuddered as a wave of pressure washed through him. Not pain—something worse. A dampening. Like being wrapped in fog.

Temporary, Ryder said. Until I decide what to do with you.

Eyrix swallowed. You don’t get to decide.

Ryder’s gaze sharpened. I already did.

The collar hummed softly.

Eyrix felt it suppressing something inside him—the strange, deep presence he had felt when he stood against Ryder earlier. Whatever that force was, it curled inward now, muffled and restrained.

Can you feel it? Ryder asked quietly.

Yes, Eyrix admitted. You’re locking something away.

Good, Ryder replied. Because I don’t know what happens if I let it breathe.

He turned sharply and walked out of the room.

The door slammed.

Eyrix was left alone, heart racing, fingers trembling against the metal at his throat. Whatever Ryder had just put on him wasn’t just a symbol. It was a cage.

Words spread fast in the Blackfang pack.

Eyrix felt it in the way the air changed when he was escorted through the compound later that day. He had been given clothes—simple black pants and a thin shirt—and marched down the main corridor with two guards flanking him.

Wolves stopped what they were doing as he passed. Some stared. Some growled under their breath. Some looked afraid.

That’s him? one whispered.

The Omega? another murmured.

No, a third corrected. Ryder’s Omega.

The words made Eyrix’s skin crawl.

He could feel their eyes on the collar around his neck, the faint glow of its runes barely visible beneath his hair.

A low ranking Alpha crossed their path, stiffening when Eyrix came near. His nostrils flared. His pupils widened.

Captain, the Alpha said to one of the guards, voice tight, I… I think I need to leave.

The guard frowned. Why?

The Alpha swallowed. He smells wrong.

Eyrix’s heart skipped. Wrong how?

The Alpha’s gaze flicked to Eyrix, then away, looking hurt like something that makes my wolf want to either kneel… or tear him open.

The guards went still.

But Eyrix’s mind raced.

Ryder wasn’t the only one reacting to him.

They brought him into a wide common hall where several high-ranking Blackfang Alphas were gathered around a long metal table. Ryder stood at the head, arms crossed, expression dark.

The room went quiet as Eyrix entered.

Ryder’s eyes locked onto him—and for just a flicker of a second, something wild burned there.

Eyrix felt it, too, a tug, a pull.

The collar tightened faintly, dampening it.

Ryder clenched his jaw.

You will address him as mine, Ryder said coldly. This Omega is under my protection and my ownership.

A murmur rippled through the room.

One of the Alphas, a broad-shouldered man with scarred knuckles, frowned. Ryder, with respect… he’s not bonded.

I didn’t say bonded, Ryder replied. I said I owned him.

Eyrix stiffened. You don’t own me.

Ryder’s gaze snapped to him. You are wearing my collar.

That doesn’t mean……..

It means exactly what it looks like, Ryder cut in. Anyone who touches him without my permission will lose their hands.

Silence fell.

The scarred Alpha Kyle hesitated. Why?

Ryder didn’t answer because he didn’t know.

Eyrix could see it on his face—the tension, the barely restrained agitation. Ryder’s wolf was restless, pacing just under his skin whenever Eyrix was near. Something about Eyrix unsettled him.

You’re acting unhinged, Alpha Kael said cautiously. This Omega… he’s not normal.

I’m aware, Ryder replied.

Eyrix lifted his chin. Then maybe you should let me go.

Ryder laughed once, short and sharp. That would be the stupidest thing I could do.

Why? Eyrix demanded.

Ryder stepped closer, until Eyrix could feel the heat of his presence. Because wherever you go, he said quietly, you’ll cause chaos. And I don’t let things that are dangerous roam free.

Eyrix’s throat tightened. You’re afraid of me.

Ryder’s eyes darkened. No.

Yes, Eyrix pressed. You are. And so are they.

He looked around the room. Several Alphas were staring at him with barely concealed unease.

Whatever I am, Eyrix continued, it makes your wolves react. That’s not my fault.

Ryder’s hand twitched. That’s exactly why it is, you don’t understand what you do to us, he said.

Eyrix felt the collar hum again, pushing down on that strange inner force. Let me breathe, he whispered. Let me feel it.

Ryder stiffened. No.

Why not?

Because if I do, Ryder said, voice low and dangerous, I don’t know if I’ll be able to stop myself.

A chill ran through Eyrix.

Ryder turned away abruptly. Get him out of my sight.

The guards grabbed Eyrix again, pulling him back toward the corridor.

As they dragged him away, Eyrix glanced back.

Ryder was staring after him. Not like a man watching his property but like a predator watching something he didn’t know how to hunt.