Chapter 9

HANNAH POV

I woke up startled by the knock on the door. This one rattled the door in its frame, sharp and deliberate, like whoever stood on the other side wanted me to feel it. It wasn’t Tianna, it had to be the alphas.

“Hannah.” My body tensed instantly. I stood up from my bed and went to stay behind the door. I didn’t answer. I had come to the realization that silence was the only thing that still belonged to me.

“Hannah,” Kael said again. His voice was calm, but still sound very cold. “Open the door.”

I shut my eyes tightly. My stomach grumbled in hunger. I had barely eaten anything in days. My limbs felt weak, dizziness taking over my body. But I didn’t move.

“I’m not coming out,” I said hoarsely.

A pause followed. I imagined them standing there, tall and powerful, knowing they could force their way in if they wanted to. Knowing they didn’t need to.

Lucien spoke next. “You can’t keep doing this.”

“I can,” I replied, my voice shaking despite my effort to sound firm. “And I will.”

“You’re not hurting us,” Riven said quietly. “You’re hurting yourself.” I laughed weakly, the sound breaking before it could fully form. “That’s my choice.”

The air felt heavy. My heart pounded painfully in my chest as I waited for what would come next. I pressed my palm flat against the door, as if I could feel their presence through the wood.

Then Kael spoke again. “If you do not come downstairs for dinner tonight,” he said slowly, each word measured, “your mother will not be brought to the palace.”

The world spinned. Was my mind now playing tricks or me or was it the hunger that made me mishear him.

“What?” I said. My body Shaking with fear and anger.

“She stays where she is,” Kael continued, his tone unchanged. “No palace healers, No special treatment, No protection.”

My heart felt like it had been ripped out of my chest. Images of my mother flooded my mind. Her weak smile, The way she struggled to breathe, The way her hands trembled when she tried to hold mine.

“You can’t do that,” I said, my voice cracking. “You promised.”

“And we will keep our promise,” Lucien said. “If you cooperate.”

Tears blurred my vision instantly. I slid down the door until I was sitting on the floor, my knees giving out beneath me.

“You’re using her against me,” I whispered.

“Yes,” Riven said sharply. Not hiding the irritation in his voice.

I pressed my forehead against the door, shaking. I hadn’t prepared for this type of manipulation. They were just being cruel and evil to me. They knew how much my mother means to me. .

“She’s sick,” I said, my voice barely audible. “She could die.”

Another pause.

“That depends on you, her life is in your hands.” Kael replied.

My sob escaped before I could stop it. I covered my mouth with my hand, my body trembling violently. This wasn’t a choice anymore. They’re manipulating me with my greatest weakness.

I had sworn I wouldn’t give in, That I would fight, even if it broke me. But the thought of my mother suffering because of me tore something open inside my chest.

“You’re monsters,” I screamed. “Blackmailing me with my greatest weakness? She’s an old woman, she needs help. So you’re not going to help her because I refused to eat? I hate all of you so much. You guys lack compassion.” I screamed at the top of my lungs, I couldn’t hold the pain anymore. The tears came out without control.

The silence stretched again, thick and suffocating. I stayed there on the floor, crying quietly, my thoughts spiraling. Freedom or my mother. My dignity or her life.

“We’ve never pretended otherwise, you knew what you were getting into when you signed up for the ritual .” Riven said, breaking the silence.

He wasn’t wrong. No one forced me to come here. I came here willingly. But that doesn’t mean they’ll strip me off my rights. I wanted to argue but I couldn’t. My mum's life was on the line. She needed me.

“I’ll come down,” I said finally, my voice hollow. “Just give me time to freshen up .”

Footsteps shifted on the other side of the door.

“You have 20 minutes,” Kael said. “Do not test our patience again.”

Their presence faded, leaving behind a crushing emptiness.

I stayed on the floor for about 5 minutes after they left, my tears soaking into the fabric of my dress. I felt weak. Defeated. Angry at myself for breaking so easily, even though I knew I had no real choice.

Slowly, I forced myself to stand. My legs shook beneath me as I crossed the room. I barely recognized my reflection in the mirror. My face looked thinner. My eyes were dull and sunken. I looked like a ghost.

I went to the bathroom to take a quick shower. I didn’t want to know what they would do to me if I came late. Once I was done, I wore an oversized sweatshirt and sweatpants. I didn’t feel the urge to dress girly. Taking a deep breath that didn’t steady me at all, I unlocked the door.

The corridor outside felt too bright. Servants paused as I stepped out, their eyes flicking toward me before quickly looking away. Shame burned through me as I followed the path I already knew too well. Each step down the staircase felt heavier than the last.

The dining hall doors were open when I reached them. They were already seated, and waiting for me. The moment I stepped inside, the room went quiet. Their gazes locked onto me instantly, sharp and assessing. I felt exposed, like every weakness I carried was visible to them.

I walked slowly toward the table, my head lowered. My body felt fragile, like one wrong move would make me collapse.

Kael’s eyes lingered on my face. “Sit.”

I didn’t refuse his order and sat down. The chair felt too large beneath me. The table stretched endlessly, filled with food. My stomach twisted painfully, hunger mixing with nausea.

“You made the right choice,” Lucien said.

“But not the right choice of clothing. You look like a rat wearing a robe.” Riven said laughing at y oversized choice of clothes and from the corner of my eyes, I saw Lucien smile.

I said nothing. His jokes meant nothing to me.

Kael leaned back slightly in his chair, studying me. “Did you think we wouldn’t notice you wasting away in that room?”

“I don’t care,” I replied quietly.

Kael’s jaw tightened. “You should.”

The doors at the far end of the hall opened, and Selene stepped inside.

Her gaze swept the room casually at first, until it landed on me.

She froze. For a split second, the calm mask she always wore cracked. Her eyes narrowed, dark fury flashing across her face before she could hide it. I felt it instantly, sharp and hostile, like a blade pressing against my skin.

She hadn’t expected me to be here.

Her lips curved into a tight smile as she approached the table, but her eyes never left me. “Well,” she said smoothly, though her voice carried an edge. “This is unexpected.”

No one replied. The tension in the room thickened, heavy and unmistakable. Selene took her seat slowly, her movements stiff. She didn’t look at the food, nor did she look at the alphas. Her attention was fixed solely on me.

Something ugly twisted in her expression. She rose suddenly. “I’ve lost my appetite,” she said coldly. “Enjoy your breakfast.”

Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked out, her footsteps sharp against the marble floor.

The doors slammed shut behind her.

The silence that followed was deafening.

I sat there, hands clenched in my lap, my heart pounding painfully. I didn’t know what I had just stepped into, but one thing was clear.

Selene wasn’t going to make my life easy from now on.