Chapter 5

Leofric turned his head, his hands still on Aedric's neck, his voice low and thunderous. "You dare bring him here?"

   "I.... I came of my own right.... I came to speak with Morwenna." Aedric managed to say.

  Leofric's laugh was sharp, as he finally removed his hands form Aedric's neck. "Your right? You trespassed on royal grounds, Alpha."

  He moved closer, closing the space between them.

 Before Aedric could react, but Leofric moved quickly, he grabbed Aedric's shoulder tightly, as he pinned him against the stone wall.

 I watched, as my heart pounded in my chest

 Aedric’s chest trembled, he didn’t fight back, he knew he didn't stand a chance.

 His only response was a promise, low  and hollow: “I’ll be back. I'd be back for you Marowenna

And just like that, Leofric released him.

Aedric straightened, and left without another word, his promise echoed as he left.

I stood there, my heart pounding in my chest unable to look at Leofric.

"You still want him," he growled, as he stepped closer 

"I don't," I said.

"You're lying."

"Follow me now," he commanded 

He tuned, his cloak following behind him.

The banquet Hall was filled with noise as we entered, but silence followed the moment we stepped in. Every head turned, Alphas, Nobles, warrior, Councilmen, they all stared.

My heart kept pounding, knowing that gossip has already begun.

Leofric climbed the podium at the center of the room. 

When I paused , he reached back, grabbed my wrist and pulled me forward to stand before the court.

I tried to  stay still. But my heart wouldn't let that happen.

Leofric faced the crowd, his voice rising.

"You've all been watching. Whispering even. Wondering if she belongs to me."

No one spoke. No one dared.

His hand moved gently  along the back of my neck.

"I'll end your doubts."

Before I could blink, he dig his claws into the skin beneath my ear, carving his sigil**** into my flesh.

I choked back a cry.

The hot sting moved across my skin, the message sinking into my heart : Property Of The King.

He released me, stepping back so the world could see. "I mark her as my breeder, she is mine. Anyone who dares touch her would have me to deal with." He proclaimed.     

 "By this band, the entire pack and the Council, will know that she is mine alone. Let anyone who dare lay claim on her life regret it." He continued. 

 Whispers rippled through the hall. 

Some were too stunned to speak, others turned away, uncomfortable at the sight. 

While I stood there, trembling, humiliated yet again, my skirt was damp with sweat, my hand touching the raw skin at my collar bone.

Leofric gave me a final look,  a look filled with challenge and pride in equal measure, then turned on his heel , and strode away, leaving me there on the podium 

The guards he’d summoned swept in. One seized my arm; two others guarded me  , silent as statues.

I was led out of the banquet, through the corridors, as my  heart pounding so loudly.

The corridors grew  colder and daker with each step.  Finally, they arrived at a heavy iron door carved with the Frost Bane crest. One knock, and we were inside.

**********

The Breeding Chambers.

         The breeding chambers were nothing like the halls outside. Here, the air was tense. 

    My guard pushed  me into the center of the room.

 I stumbled, then straightened back up , trying to hide my panic. 

All around, other Omega women watched.

A tall woman with ash-blonde hair sat next to me. 

When she spoke, her voice was low “New one.”

“Who are you?” I whispered 

She gave me a long look before answering. “I was once called Sabine. Now, I'm just another breeder.”

Bitter humor curled her cracked lips. “They gave me luxury, you know, the best linens, the richest silks. All so I’d forget. But forget what? That I was ever free?”

I swallowed. “What do they do to you here?”

Her eyes raked over me, cold but not unkind.

 “They feed us, clothe us, and fuck us whenever the King wills.” She paused. “Then they take away every shred of will we had left.” She spat on the floor. “Some of us break fast. Others just… drift.”

My stomach dropped.

Another voice joined from a darker corner

 A small woman with silver hair rose to her feet.

“Don’t trust the King’s kindness,” she said,  leaning on a cane. “He’ll gift you jewels and velvet, then steal your heart. Better a swift death than a slow one under his reign.”

I looked quickly at her, unsure of what she menat.

 Was she warning me… or offering solace?

“Don’t fall for his lies, child,” she repeated, and her eyes locked on mine. “It’s worse than death.”

I wanted to argue. 

To say I wasn’t like the others. 

But the old Omega’s gaze felt like it was piercing into  my soul.

A sudden knock shook  the iron door. 

The guards looked to each other, then one nodded. “Your Majesty summons his breeder.”

My breath hitched. 

Those  two words, his breeder, made my heart drop as  I stumbled forward. 

The old woman gave me a pitying look.

“Go,” she whispered. “Let them strip you of everything but your skin. And make sure you guard your heart child."

I braced myself as the guard pushed  me to my feet. 

The other breeders watched, silent, as I was led back through the hallways, every step I took  marking the end of one life and the beginning of another.

*********

Before we reached the chamber doors, a different guard, stepped into my path. 

He wore the King’s sigil on his breast and carried himself with  formality.

He cleared his throat. 

“The King requests your presence in his private chambers. Immediately.”

My heart pounded again. I managed to say with a  trembling voice.  “Yes, sir.”

He signaled me to follow

 Behind us, the heavy iron door shut with a final sound that echoed through the corridor.

The guard paused before another massive door.

He turned to me. 

“Your Majesty awaits,” he said.

My heart dropped.

 I drew a breath.

And stepped forward.