Chapter Nineteen

Raine POV

It has been two days since I married Kai, and he hasn’t let me leave the pack house once.

I cook. I clean. Then I’m dragged back to the cell and locked inside. He promised I could still work at my shop, but now I’m starting to believe it was just another lie to keep me compliant.

I haven’t dared ask him about it. If I push, he’ll only make me wait longer. So I behave. I stay quiet. I avoid Serena as much as possible. The two times she caught me alone, she beat me badly enough that I could barely stand afterward.

The rest of the pack is just as cruel. Their stares, their whispers, the way they spit the word “witch” like it’s poison… I don’t understand any of it.

My father would never treat a witch this way. Our pack doesn’t do this. So why does this pack despise them so much? I thought the only ones I had to fear were the vampire hybrids. I was wrong. Apparently I have to fear wolves too.

All I want is to draw. To let my hands move and my mind escape this nightmare, even for a little while. But I’m not even allowed that.

“Put these on. You’re going to work.”

Kai’s voice makes me flinch. He throws clothes at me. “Wash at the sink.”

“Work?” I whisper, barely believing him.

“Your brothers keep asking questions. I told them you were ill, but they won’t stop. So you can go. But don’t even think about trying to escape.”

I stay silent, but the thought flickers through my mind anyway. If I ran and hid...

“You think the spell only triggers if you speak?” He leans in close, eyes cold. “Try to run from me, Raine. See what happens.”

My stomach drops. He would do it. This isn’t the Kai I grew up with. That Kai is gone. This one is something evil wearing his face.

I stand and wash quickly at the small sink while he watches. Once I’m dressed, he grips my chin hard and forces me to look at him.

“I have things to handle. If your brothers leave, you come straight back here after. Understand?”

He can’t actually force me… can he? As long as I’m not actively running, maybe I can stay away longer. Maybe I can find Brax.

Kai pulls a small vial from his pocket. Dark liquid swirls inside it.

“What is that?”

“Your medicine.” He smiles coldly. “You need at least one dose a day.” He yanks my arm forward, showing faint marks on my skin I hadn’t noticed before. “I had help from another witch. If you go longer than twenty-four hours without this, the baby dies.”

I reach for the vial but he pulls it back.

“Tonight, when you return, you can have it.”

My hope shatters. I had planned to go to the shop, find Brax, and hide in the hotel with him. It wouldn’t have been running, just… waiting. Now even that small plan is impossible.

“I’ll drive you to the shop, say hello to your brothers, then leave.” He grabs my arm and starts pulling me out. “How can you do this?” The words slip out before I can stop them. “How can you treat me like this when you’ve been my brothers’ friend for years?”

Kai doesn’t even pause. “They’ll get over it.”

He doesn’t care about them. Not really. Not anymore.

When we pull up to the shop, a wave of relief washes over me at the sight of my brothers waiting inside. I get out of the car and start rushing toward the door, but Kai’s hand clamps down on my arm, stopping me.

“Remember what I said,” he warns quietly.

I nod and walk in with him close behind me.

“Venom!” Cain rushes forward and pulls me into a tight hug. “Are you okay? Kai said you were ill.”

“Think I was just homesick,” I lie, forcing a small smile.

Vane moves in next, wrapping his arms around me. “We updated everyone who had appointments. They were all rebooked for next week.”

“Thanks,” I whisper.

Kai stands by the door, watching us. “I’ve got things to handle. She good here?”

“Yeah, just get a car to collect her later,” Axel says.

Kai looks at me. “What time are you finishing?”

I quickly check the diary. My last appointment is at one, but I’m desperate to find Brax, even if it’s only for an hour. “Ten,” I lie.

He sighs, clearly annoyed. “I’m not sure I can get a car here for that time.”

“If we’re still around, we’ll take her home,” Vane offers. “If not, message me when you’re done and I’ll send one.”

Kai nods stiffly and leaves without another word.

I throw myself into work. After finishing my first client’s tattoo, my brothers come back and sit with me while I clean up.

“Father’s thinking of having you and Kai over for a family meal soon,” Cain says. “Kai’s been pretty absent since the wedding. We get it, he’s probably just trying to be there for you.”

I scoff under my breath. “Yeah… that’s it.”

The moment the words leave my mouth, a strange numbness spreads through my stomach. I swallow hard and drop my hand to my belly, trying to breathe through it.

“What was that?” Vane asks, eyes narrowing.

“Nothing. I’m just tired. That’s all.”

“Then take some time off work,” Axel suggests.

I shake my head. “No. Work is all I have left. It’s what I enjoy. I’ll be fine.” I force another smile. “You should head out. My next customer will be here soon.”

“If it’s a guy—” Vane starts.

“I know. Boundaries. Space. I’ll make sure there’s space.” I won’t be climbing onto anyone’s lap. That was only ever with Brax. Something about him had pulled me in like nothing else.

They eventually leave, and I lose myself in the next tattoo. An hour later my brothers return.

“Father called. We need to head back,” Cain says. “Message when you need a ride, okay?”

I smile, even though it hurts. “Sure. It was nice seeing you all.” For a little while, I had almost forgotten the nightmare I was living in. “You know how I’m… part something,” I say carefully.

Vane stops and looks at me. “Yeah?” He glances at the client, then back at me.

“Do you know if—”

Pain sears through my stomach like fire. I tense, gripping the edge of the table. Shit. I wasn’t even saying it outright. It was just a question.

“Will Mother ever accept me?” I gasp instead.

Vane’s face softens. “No. But you still have us.” He smiles and they leave.

I lean forward, breathing through the pain. I hadn’t even asked the real question, just hinted at it, and the curse still burned me. This is worse than I thought.