CHAPTER FIVE: THREAT IN SILK

She walked into the room slowly. She wore ivory silk, her blonde hair braided intricately over one shoulder. She dressed very expensively in a way that would turn heads in any room she steps in. 

She looked amused to see me but at the same time there was this evil smirk at the corner of her lips. I couldn't understand what she was up to, but it did look like she was up to no good at all. 

She stepped in, handmaidens following behind her, both carrying garment boxes of different sizes, they stood behind her. 

She circled slowly, heels clicking against marble. “It must be overwhelming for someone of your… background.”

Her eyes dropped pointedly to the collar hooked around my throat. One of the handmaidens snickered.

I folded my hands behind my back, putting on a tough front while carefully trying to contain my rage.

Lia stopped in front of me, studying my face. “You may not know this, but do you know what’s being said in the Council chambers this morning?”

I remained silent wondering if she had found out that the three brothers were all mated to me. 

“Do you know?” She asked again in a taunting voice. 

I shrugged my shoulders. “No.” I replied. 

“It was said that you are a mistake and  an Omega who crawled too high and got lucky.” Her lips curved. “Luck fades you know right?”

She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “You’re not special. When Rider is done with you, he will dispose you like the fucking thrash that you are. 

You're an Omega, Bailey. Don’t ever forget that. And Omega’s like you are inconvenient.” She patted my shoulders and whisked slowly. “And in this pack, inconvenient things don’t last.”

She gave a wicked grin and her eyes went down to the collar on my neck. “What a pity.” She let out a mocking chuckle.

I forced myself to meet her eyes calmly. “If that were true, I wouldn’t still be here.” I stated smoothly, hiding the fear and panic I felt within. 

Hearing that, her expression tightened for a split second.

There! There was a crack in her haughty expression and then her face darkened.

She recovered quickly, stepping back. “You’re here because they’re deciding how to use you. Not whether to keep you.” She scoffed as she snapped her fingers. 

One of the handmaidens opened a garment box and pulled out a deep crimson dress.

“For tonight,” Lia said lightly. “Rider has requested you wear this. We don't need you looking all shabby here even if you're an Omega.” She taunted. 

The handmaids stepped forward and placed the clothes on the bed. There were about five very beautiful sets of clothes. 

Lia crossed her arms. “Also you're expected to always follow orders here. You’ll stand when spoken to. You’ll kneel if commanded and you will not speak unless one of the Alphas directly addresses you.”

“I’m not a pet,” I said sharply.

Lia laughed sharp and cold. “No. Pets are cared for, you're not worthy of that. You're just a breeder and disposable trash!”

She stepped closer again, so near I could smell her perfume. “Let me make something very clear, Bailey. Do you truly believe they will risk their authority for an Omega dragged in on a contract?”

If I’m trash “Why are you so pained?” I snickered, her face darkened.

I could see her jaws clenched slightly in anger. 

“Ohh touched a sore spot? So you're pained?” I said in a mocking tone. 

Lia grinned, “When everything wears off and he is done using you…” She smiled slowly. “You will be easily discarded.”

Discarded. 

The word echoed in my head but I didn't reply. I let her talk while I watched.

I noticed the slight tension on her shoulders  and the way her hand curled into a tight fist. She was indeed jealous and bitter

 that Rider was still keeping me around. She seemed so worried that I would take her place. 

“You’re worried, ain’t you? ”I asked softly, a knowing grin spread across my face.

The room went still.

Lia’s eyes sharpened. “Excuse me?”

“If I’m nothing,” I continued evenly, squaring my shoulders to look confident,“ then I should not be a threat. Yet you’re here wasting your time on a worthless Omega. 

But what about you? Are you scared of your own position?” 

The room fell into a deep silence; you could hear a pin drop.

I chuckled and one of the handmaidens shifted nervously.

Lia’s smile returned, but this time, it no longer reached her eyes. “You mistake curiosity for concern.”

“Do I?”

She stepped so close, I could feel her breath on my face. Her voice dropped to a whisper meant only for me.

“You’re messing with the wrong person Bailey,” Her lips formed into an evil grin. 

She straightened abruptly. “Dress her properly,” she instructed the handmaidens. “She should at least look valuable.”

They moved toward me with forced politeness, but I just waved my hands. 

“Thank you, I'll handle it myself.” I said with a forced smile. 

Lia paused at the door, glancing back over her shoulder.

“Enjoy the room while you have it,” she said lightly.

Then she was gone. 

The handmaidens avoided my eyes as they laid the dress across the bed and left without another word. They shut the door, and then there was silence.

I stood alone in the center of the room, letting out a deep sigh.

I walked slowly back to the window, looking down at the courtyard below. Guards rotated shifts every hour and servants went about their daily tasks. 

Lia thought her words would break me. She is so wrong. If they intend to use me as a piece on their board, then I would learn their rules and become the player instead.

My hand moved subconsciously, to touch the mark on the spot just between my neck and my collar bone, rubbing it slowly. 

I had always imagined finding a mate. Never three at once. My heart raced, my mind spun, and I didn’t know how to feel, what to think, or how to even begin facing this.

But one thing was clear: I had to prepare– and survive.