Chapter 7

Celine

Two warriors showed up in the afternoon. The same ones from days ago, I think. My body was still aching, my head pounding from the restless night and that damn bite still burning on my neck. It was like a brand, a fucking reminder that no matter how much I fought, I was already marked. His. Even if I never accepted it.

I heard them coming before I saw them—heavy footsteps in the hall, sharp voices echoing off the stone walls. The sound grated on my nerves, each step getting louder, closer, until my stomach twisted in knots. My heart pounded, my body tense. Then the door creaked open and there they were, standing in the doorway like fucking vultures. Eyes cold, grips ready.

I didn’t even get a chance to move before they grabbed me, one on each arm. Their hands rough and bruising against my skin.

“Let me go,” I snapped, struggling as they dragged me out of the room. My feet barely touched the floor. The hallway blurred around me as they moved fast, uncaring.

“Save your strength, Omega,” one of them sneered. His grip was like iron, fingers digging in harder. “You’re not going anywhere.”

I twisted, rage boiling in my chest. I kicked back with my heel, catching one of them hard in the shin. He cursed loudly, stumbling. Good. I wasn’t done. I slammed my elbow back into his ribs as hard as I could.

“Fucking bitch!” he roared. His hand shot up fast, about to strike me across the face.

But before the hit could land, the other one grabbed his wrist. “What the fuck are you doing? You wanna die? You lay a hand on her and the Alpha will have your head.”

“She’s just a breeder,” the first one spat, seething. “A weak, useless Omega. Why the hell is he treating her like she’s some fucking queen?”

I let out a short, bitter laugh, even though my heart was racing. Queen? Is this how a queen is treated in this damn pack? “Because if I don’t bear your Alpha an heir, all of you will be fucking doomed. That’s why.” My voice was sharp, every word laced with anger. I wanted him to hear it. I wanted it to sink in, to remind them how much power I held... even trapped like this.

The words hit him. I saw it. His jaw clenched, and he hissed under his breath. But he didn’t say another word. Coward. The other one shot me a look—half warning, half something else I couldn’t place—before yanking me forward again.

They dragged me down a long corridor. The air grew warmer the deeper we went, the scent of polished wood and expensive oils filling my nose. No more stone walls. No more cold dungeon feel. This was different. Fancier. A place made to look beautiful—but I knew better. I could see past the illusion.

I stumbled a little as they rounded a corner sharply, my shoulder slamming against the wall. I hissed in pain but didn’t give them the satisfaction of hearing me whimper. Instead, I glared straight ahead, refusing to look weak. No matter how much my muscles burned or how raw my skin felt under their grip.

They finally stopped in front of a large double door. One of them pushed it open with a grunt and shoved me inside, not gently.

I stumbled, catching myself on the nearest table. The edge dug into my palm.

I looked around.

For a second, I almost forgot to breathe.

It was... beautiful. Or it would’ve been, if I wasn’t so fucking angry.

Tall windows, thick velvet drapes. A massive bed with silk sheets. Gilded mirrors, gold-trimmed furniture, a wardrobe bigger than the one back home. The floor was smooth marble, and the air smelled faintly of roses and lavender.

A fucking golden cage.

I wasn’t stupid. I knew exactly what this was. They weren’t spoiling me. This wasn’t kindness. It was preparation. They were getting me ready to be bred. To receive their Alpha. To serve one purpose.

Every comfort was given... except freedom.

I walked slowly to the window, heart pounding, and yanked the heavy drape aside. Thick iron bars. No way out. No view, either. Just enough space to let light in, but nothing more. No sky, no trees, no wind. Just walls.

I turned and faced the two warriors, who were watching me with unreadable expressions. Like I was nothing more than a job. A task to check off.

The angrier one finally broke the silence. “You’ll stay here. Until you’re called.”

“Don’t get any ideas, Omega,” the other added, locking the door behind them from the outside. The heavy click echoed in the room.

Click.

That sound... it hit me harder than it should have.

I stood in the middle of the room, alone again. My chest tight, breath caught somewhere between a scream and a sob.

My legs shook, but I forced myself not to fall. Not now. Not when I could feel eyes everywhere. I knew they’d be watching. If not in person, then through the walls. Through the fucking bond that still throbbed under my skin.

I closed my eyes for a second, forcing the bile back down my throat.

No.

I would not give them the satisfaction.

I walked slowly across the room, dragging my fingers across the edge of the bed, the smooth table. Everything is so polished. So perfect. So fucking fake. Like some sick joke.

I sat down on the edge of the bed, staring at the floor, mind racing.

They were preparing me. It was obvious. They thought dressing this prison up in gold would somehow make me compliant. That I’d lie here, spread my legs, and give that bastard what he wanted.

Over my dead fucking body.

But how long did I have? How soon before he came?

The thought of it made me sick. My stomach twisted painfully, the taste of acid burning my throat.

I swallowed hard and curled my knees to my chest, arms wrapping around them. The silky fabric beneath my skin felt cold, too clean. Nothing here smelled of home. Nothing smelled of me.

That was the point.

I rested my forehead against my knees, forcing my breathing to slow. But it was hard. The bond still pulled at me, that unwanted thread between us, tugging, burning. I hated it. I hated what it meant.

I looked around again, slower this time, taking in every inch of the room. No weapons. No sharp edges. No loose boards on the floor. No visible vents. No keys left out. Everything had been thought of. Controlled.

Even the drawers on the vanity were empty. No hairpins. No combs. No glass. Just useless silk robes and soft slippers. Like I was already some pampered fucking concubine.

How long would they keep me here?

How long until he came to finish what he started?

I bit my lip hard enough to draw blood, forcing back the panic.

I wouldn’t break. I couldn’t afford to.

But... what if I couldn’t stop it? What if there was no way out?

A shiver crawled down my spine.

I stood abruptly, pacing the room now. One lap. Two. Three. My feet padded softly against the marble floor, but my heart was thundering in my chest.

Think, Celine. Think.

There had to be something. Some way to turn this around. Some weaknesses. I would find it. I had to. No matter how long they kept me here.

I stopped in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. My hair was a mess, tangled. My skin looked pale. My eyes... haunted.

But not broken.

And no matter what they dressed me in, no matter how sweet the room smelled... I knew exactly what this was.

A breeding wing. A fucking cage.