Chapter Seven

Kia

“Ryder!” I shouted hitting the door with my palm. 

My breathing got faster. 

“Please… please don’t do this.”

The silence on the other side was worse than anything.

I stood there for a few seconds, my hand still pressed against the wood like maybe if I stayed there long enough, it would open. It didn’t.

Slowly, my hand dropped.

I dragged my hands through my hair, pacing once, then twice, then stopping because I didn’t even know what I was doing. My thoughts were everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

“I can’t stay here,” I whispered to myself. “I can’t… I can’t do this.”

But I didn’t have a choice.

Time passed, I didn’t know how much, it could have been minutes or hours then the door opened again that I stood up so fast I almost tripped over myself.

“Ryder…” I started, but the words died the second I saw Anastasia walk in.

My blood went cold instantly as she stepped inside slowly and I knew this was worse.

Two guards followed her in and stayed by the door, silent and unmoving. The door shut behind them with a quiet click.

“Kia,” she said, like she was greeting me over breakfast instead of… whatever this was. Her eyes moved over me slowly, taking everything in. “You’ve made quite a mess.”

She took another step forward. “Running away from the manor. Disobeying direct orders. Involving outsiders.” Her lips curved slightly, but it wasn’t a smile. “It’s almost impressive, in a reckless sort of way.”

“I didn’t involve anyone,” I said quickly, my voice low. “It was my decision.”

Her gaze snapped to mine, sharp and cold. “Do not lie to me.”

I swallowed hard but held her gaze anyway because I wasn’t going to drag Pam into this. No I shouldn't.

She studied me for a second longer, then let out a soft hum like she’d already decided something.

“It doesn’t matter,” she said. “The outcome is the same.”

My chest tightened. “What outcome?”

She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she turned slightly toward the guards. “Prepare it.”

Prepare what?

A cold feeling spread through my stomach as one of the guards stepped forward carrying something I hadn’t noticed before.

“No,” I said immediately, taking a step back. “What is that?”

Anastasia looked at me again, calm as ever. “A correction.”

My back hit the wall before I even realized I was moving. “No, I didn’t… I said I won’t run again, I won’t…”

“And I believe you,” she cut in smoothly. “But obedience isn’t built on promises, Kia. It’s built on consequences.”

The guard moved closer.

I shook my head quickly, panic rising fast now. “No, wait…please!!”

“Hold her.”

Everything happened too fast after that as hands grabbed my arms before I could react, forcing them behind my back. I struggled immediately, my heart slamming against my ribs. “Let go of me! No… stop!”

My voice echoed in the room but no one listened.

“Stay still,” one of the guards muttered, tightening his grip.

“I won’t run again!” I shouted, twisting, trying to pull free. “I said I won’t!”

Anastasia stepped closer, her gaze steady on mine. “This isn’t about running anymore.”

The metal came into view again and this time I saw it properly.

My breath caught.

“No…” I whispered, my voice shaking. “No, you can’t…”

“You belong to this pack,” she said calmly, like she was explaining something simple. “It’s time that is properly understood.”

It tore through me so fast and so sharp that my scream came out before I could stop it. My entire body jerked against the hold, but it didn’t matter, they didn’t let go, they didn’t even flinch.

It felt like my skin was on fire, like something was burning straight through me, and I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t think, I couldn’t do anything except feel it.

“Stop!” I choked out, my voice breaking completely. “Please!”

The pressure released and my knees gave out instantly. I barely caught myself on the floor, my hands shaking so badly I couldn’t even hold myself up properly.

My shoulder burned. It burned so badly I felt sick, for a second, all I could hear was my own breathing, loud and uneven.

No one spoke then I forced myself to look up and saw Ryder was standing by the door, I hadn’t even noticed when he came in.

Our eyes met, and his expression didn’t change and that hurt more than anything else.

Liam stood a little behind him, his jaw tight, his gaze not quite meeting mine. Kratavak leaned against the wall, watching me like this was… interesting.

I swallowed hard, my throat raw.

I didn’t beg.

I didn’t say anything else.

Anastasia looked down at me, satisfied in a quiet, controlled way. “That,” she said softly, “is what happens when you forget your place.”

My hands clenched against the floor.

“You will not run again,” she continued. “You will not disobey. And you will not mistake kindness for weakness.”

Kindness huh… I almost laughed, but nothing came out.

She turned toward the door. “Tomorrow, you are moved. And from that moment forward, you will fulfill your purpose without resistance.”

The guards stepped back.

No one helped me up, No one said anything they just left.

The door closed again with that same quiet, final sound. I stayed where I was, my body shaking, my shoulder burning, my chest rising and falling too fast.

I pressed my hand carefully against the floor, forcing myself to sit up, even though everything hurt, even though my head felt light.

“I’m not breaking,” I whispered, barely loud enough to hear myself.

And for the first time since all of this started, I meant it.