Chapter Eleven

HOLLY

There was a crack in the wall. Not big enough for Holly to squeeze through and escape from the dungeon, but big enough for a cold wind to come whistling through the opening and chill Holly's bones.

Holly had never been in the dungeon before. She'd been in plenty of trouble over her life but the Alpha tended towards flash point punishments that happened immediately. There had never been any reason for her to be detained longer than an hour.

And now here she was, awaiting her execution.

Holly slumped back against the cold stones. Her shackles jangled as she adjusted to try to get more comfortable. It didn't work. The little cell they'd shoved her in was cold and damp and about the size of a pantry. There was no bed or cot, only a pile of unfortunate smelling blankets in the corner she refused to touch. She was going to catch a chill at this rate.

Holly scoffed. She'd catch a chill just in time for her execution.

She drew her knees up to her chest and laid her chin on them. Wrapped her arms around them in a loose embrace. She thought she must look very sorry and pathetic but she couldn't bring herself to care. There was no one to witness her pity party down here.

She didn't want to die.

Sure, she had said she'd weather any consequences thrown at her. But that was assuming she'd actually manage to accomplish her task.

Those bratty princes were still alive and so was the King.

Holly groaned and thumped her head against the wall behind her. This was not how it was supposed to go.

Maybe she'd been a little overzealous. A little impulsive even. But she had really truly believed that she would be able to pull it off.

She could see it in her mind's eye now. The princes turning blue, choking as the poison swept through their system. That golden prince falling, foaming at the mouth. How it should have been.

A door opened down the hall and shattered her day dream. Holly leaned forward, straining to hear the murmured words. She was the only one in the dungeon so they were most definitely here for her. But was this it? Was this the final walk? Or were they just bringing her more moldy bread to pick at?

A set of footsteps, no, two sets, approached her cell. She squinted against the light of their lantern. Her eyes had long ago adjusted to the dark. Two tall figures stood in front of her cell door. The thick oak gave away nothing but she could see both of their dark forms through the barred window at the top of the door.

They didn't open it, instead just watched her. She couldn't see their faces, but she had an inkling of who they might be.

“What do you want?” she growled at the princes.

A smokey laugh came from the one on the left. Cyrus then.

“We want you, little omega,” he said.

She didn't like how he said that. She didn't like how he said anything, but especially that. It sounded like he had something planned, something up his sleeve that was going to make her angry.

“What?” she asked deadpan. She had limited time left. She didn't want to play games with filthy rich boys.

“Oh, you didn't hear,” he hummed, “we own you now.”

“What?!”

“Yep. You're ours, little killer. We bargained for your life. In exchange for you not being killed you'll be our pet. You're welcome, by the way.”

“I will not,” she scoffed.

“Yes, you will,” he said with unerring certainty. “And you're going to want to listen to what we have in store for you.”

She was silent for a long moment as she juggled the idea of playing with them or just shutting them out. Eventually she decided there wasn't much else she could do. If she wanted any answers he could provide she would have to lower herself to playing games with Cyrus.

“Fine,” she snapped, “What do you have in store for me?”

“You're coming with us to the capital tomorrow. Once we are out of this godforsaken pack we'll give you more details but suffice to say we'll be putting your unique skill set to use.”

She really didn't like the sound of that.

“And if I refuse?” she asked

“Simple. We'll kill you. Like I should have out in those woods.”

She froze. He sounded so casual about it but the way he spoke about it was with a hundred percent surety. They would kill her if she didn't do whatever it was they wanted

“I see I've given you something to chew on. We'll talk later,” he paused and then “how about another kiss for the road?” He said, the gloating in his voice clear.

“I'd rather die,” Holly hissed.

“Say that after the lashing you'll get in the morning.” Cyrus snapped, and strode away. The other shadow hovered for a moment before leaving as well.