Help: Sophia’s Perspective

I run my fingers along the spine of a first edition Austen, marvelling at the pristine condition of a two-hundred-year-old human book. The library has become my sanctuary in the twenty-four hours since Zane brought me to this gilded cage.

Here, surrounded by the musty scent of aged paper and leather bindings, I can almost forget the claiming that awaits me tonight.

Almost forget that I'm property now, first the Council's, now Zane's. Trading one owner for another doesn't feel like freedom, but at least books don't make demands or threats. They ask only to be opened, to be read, to be understood.

I've tucked myself into a corner alcove where two bookshelves meet at right angles, creating a small private space with a comfortable armchair and reading lamp. My hiding spot, though I doubt anyone in this pack would call it that to my face. The Alpha's new plaything deserves respect, if only because of who claims to own me.

Voices drift from the main area of the library, two pack members I don't recognise, a male and female, their tones hushed but urgent.

"—Council representatives at the border," the female says, her voice barely audible. "Elder Stone herself."

I freeze, the book forgotten in my hands.

"Alpha won't give her up," the male replies confidently. "What enters his territory is his."

"But it's the Council," the woman argues. "They don't take no for answer, especially not for a true omega with a ninety-eight percent score. My cousin works border patrol, says Elder Stone is furious."

Their voices fade as they move deeper into the stacks, but their words remain, cutting through me like ice water. The Council is here. For me. Fear grips my chest, squeezing until breathing becomes difficult.

'He won't give us up,' Nyx says with surprising certainty in my mind. 'Not after Conri has decided we're his.'

'Is that supposed to comfort me?' I snap back silently. 'Being Zane's possession instead of the Council's?'

'Better one alpha than being passed around to whoever pays most,' she counters pragmatically. 'And Conri... he's different from other alpha wolves I've sensed. Stronger. More...' She struggles to find the word. 'More present. More aware.'

I resist the urge to snort aloud at her assessment. Wolf instincts are so much simpler than human emotions, dominance and submission, strength and weakness. Nyx doesn't understand the violation inherent in being claimed against my will, no matter who does the claiming.

The library has gone quiet, the other pack members apparently having left. I try to return to my book, but the words swim before my eyes, meaningless shapes on aging paper. All I can think about is Elder Stone at the border, demanding my return. Would Zane really refuse the Council? Risk their wrath just to keep me?

The prickling sensation of being watched interrupts my spiralling thoughts. I glance up from my book, scanning the nearby shelves. Nothing moves, but the feeling persists, raising goosebumps along my arms.

'Someone's there,' Nyx warns, suddenly alert. 'Not friendly.'

I set the book aside and stand, trying to appear casual while my heart hammers against my ribs. "Hello?" I call out, hating the slight tremor in my voice. "Is someone there?"

Silence answers me, but the sensation of hostile eyes grows stronger. I step out of my alcove, intending to head for the library doors and the relative safety of more populated areas of the pack house.

A figure blocks my path, tall, muscular, with russet hair and cold eyes that assess me like I'm prey. He wears the uniform of the border patrol, and something in his posture screams danger more clearly than words ever could.

"Excuse me," I say, forcing politeness while trying to step around him.

He moves with me, maintaining his position between me and the exit. "So you're the true omega everyone's talking about." His voice is rough, like he's unaccustomed to using it gently. "Elder Stone is raising quite a fuss about you at the border."

I take a small step backward, maintaining eye contact despite every instinct screaming to look down in submission. "I need to go," I say firmly, trying to channel some of Zane's authority. "Alpha Thorne is expecting me."

The wolf, I don't know his name, but his scent marks him as gamma rank, smiles, revealing teeth that are already sharpening. "Alpha Thorne is busy at the border," he says, advancing slowly. "And you haven't been claimed yet, have you? I can smell it. No bite mark. No bond."

Fear surges through me, but I force it down, trying to think clearly. "I'm under his protection," I insist. "He made that clear to everyone."

"Protection isn't claiming," he counters, closing the distance between us with predatory grace. "And an unclaimed omega in a pack is... available. Traditional law."

He's lying. He must be. But the conviction in his eyes tells me he believes it, or is choosing to believe it.

I back up further, bumping into a bookshelf. "Stay away from me," I warn, my voice stronger than I feel.

He moves with supernatural speed, suddenly right in front of me, one hand slamming against the shelf beside my head. "Pretty little thing," he murmurs, his face inches from mine. "I bet you taste as sweet as you smell."

His other hand grabs my arm, fingers digging in with bruising force. I react instinctively, bringing my knee up hard between his legs. He grunts in pain but doesn't release me, instead twisting my arm and shoving me roughly against the shelves. Books tumble to the floor as his body presses against mine, pinning me in place.

"Got some fight," he growls, sounding pleased rather than deterred. "Good. Breaking you will be more fun."

His hand moves to my throat, squeezing just enough to make breathing difficult but not impossible. With his other hand, he tears at my dress, the fabric ripping with a sound that seems obscenely loud in the quiet library.

Panic floods my system, but with it comes a cold clarity. I'm not going to be a victim. Not again. Not after everything I've survived.

As his grip on my throat loosens slightly so he can continue tearing at my clothes, I take my chance. I drive the heel of my palm upward into his nose with every ounce of strength I possess.

Cartilage crunches under my hand, hot blood spraying across both our faces. He howls in pain, staggering backward, hands flying to his shattered nose. "You fucking bitch!" he snarls, blood pouring between his fingers.

The momentary reprieve gives me space to move, but not enough. He recovers quickly, rage replacing lust in his eyes as he lunges for me again. I dart to the side, but he anticipates the movement, grabbing a handful of my hair and yanking me back with such force that tears spring to my eyes.

"I was going to be gentle," he hisses, blood from his broken nose speckling my face as he speaks. "Now I'm going to make you scream."

His claws extend fully, digging into my upper arm as he drags me toward him. I twist and kick, landing blows that would incapacitate a human but barely slow this enraged wolf. Still, I fight with everything I have, refusing to submit even as terror threatens to overwhelm me.

'Nyx!' I scream internally, no longer caring about pride or independence. 'Help!'

'Reaching for Conri,' she responds instantly, throwing her consciousness outward with desperate force. I feel her breaking through barriers that should be impenetrable without a bond, her panic giving her strength beyond normal omega abilities.

'Conri, help me, please!' Her cry echoes through my mind, our shared terror amplifying the message as the gamma wolf slams me against another bookshelf, his bloodied face contorted with rage and sick anticipation.

I keep fighting, keep clawing and kicking, buying seconds with each blow. But he's stronger, giving him advantages I can't overcome with will alone. My torn dress hangs from my shoulders, blood, his and mine, staining what remains of the fabric.

As his hand closes around my throat again, squeezing harder this time, I hear the library doors slam open. The wolf freezes, his head snapping toward the sound.

Standing in the doorway, radiating fury so intense it's almost visible, is Zane Thorne.