Chapter 6: The World Watches

Word of the prophecy spread faster than blood on snow.

By morning the entire fortress buzzed with whispers. Scouts from rival packs had already been caught near the borders carrying messages and offers. A powerful witch named Elowen arrived at the gates demanding to see the mate who could kill the undying Alpha. Aziel’s own warriors moved with uneasy eyes. They had seen their leader bleed the night before and that sight shook them more than any enemy raid.

Lior felt it all from his cell. The bond let him sense the growing tension above. He sat in the shadows testing his strength quietly. He flexed his fingers and felt power flow easier than before. The chains that once held him now felt lighter.

Aziel stormed down the stairs later that day. He unlocked the cell and stepped inside his face hard. "The whole world knows about you now," he said. "Rival Alphas are sending gifts and threats. One even offered me land if I hand you over. What do you say to that Lior?"

Lior looked up with calm eyes. "I say they see me as a weapon. Just like you did at first. But you cannot hand me over can you? The bond would not let you even if you wanted to."

Aziel grabbed him by the arm and pulled him closer. "Do not get cocky. I still control what happens here. Tell me what you are doing with the bond. I feel you testing it pulling strength from me. Stop it before I make you regret every breath you take."

"You feel that do you?" Lior replied with a small smile. "Good. Every time you hurt me I grow a little stronger. The pack saw you bleed Aziel. They are talking. How long before one of them decides the prophecy mate is worth more than their loyalty to you?"

Aziel pushed him against the wall but not as hard as before. "My pack knows better than to betray me. I built this empire on fear. They will not forget that easily. Now speak plainly. What did the witch want when she arrived at the border? My scouts say she offered knowledge about your bloodline."

Lior met his gaze without flinching. "She wants to use me. Harvest whatever ancient power lives in me. Just like you want to break me. But none of you will succeed. The bond is changing things. I can feel your doubt right now. You are wondering if killing me is even possible anymore."

"Enough," Aziel growled. "I am still the Alpha here. I decide who lives and who dies. You are my prisoner. My tool. Do not forget that no matter what the bond shows you."

Lior laughed softly. "Your tool? Then why does your hand shake when you touch me? I felt your memories last night. The kiss. The way you almost answered my question. You are scared Aziel. Scared that I might be the one thing you cannot control."

Aziel’s grip tightened on Lior’s shoulder. "Scared? I have faced death a thousand times. One omega will not break me. Tell me what you plan to do with this strength you are stealing. Do you think you can escape? Do you think the rivals will treat you better than I do?"

"They might offer me freedom," Lior said. "Or power. At least they would not pretend to hate me while wanting me at the same time. I see how you look at me now. The bond does not lie. You want to break me but part of you wants something else too."

Aziel leaned in closer his voice low. "What I want is to end this threat. The witch offered me a way to sever the bond. She says your blood holds the key. Maybe I should let her have you for a while and see what she learns."

Lior’s eyes glowed faintly. "Try it. See what happens when you let someone else touch what is bound to you. The bond might not like that. It might hurt you more than it hurts me."

A guard appeared at the cell door clearing his throat. "Alpha. The witch Elowen waits at the border. She grows impatient. She says she can help control the prophecy if you let her examine the omega."

Aziel cursed and stepped back from Lior. "Tell her I will deal with her soon. And double the guards on the walls. No one gets close to this cell."

The guard left quickly. Aziel turned back to Lior. "This changes nothing. I will handle the rivals. I will handle the witch. And I will handle you."

Lior stood taller now. "You can try. But the world is watching Aziel. They see weakness for the first time. How long before they come for both of us?"

Aziel did not answer with words. Instead he dragged Lior out of the cell and up the stairs toward the main hall. His beta Thorne waited there with a captured traitor kneeling on the stone floor. The man had been caught sending messages to a rival pack.

"Watch closely," Aziel said to Lior. He pulled his blade and made an example right there in front of everyone. The hall fell silent as the traitor’s screams echoed off the walls. Blood pooled on the floor. Aziel wiped his blade clean and looked around at his warriors. "Let this be a reminder. Betrayal ends in pain."

Lior watched the whole thing without looking away. His violet eyes were steady and his posture straight. For the first time he felt real confidence flowing through him. The bond hummed with new power. Aziel might still hold the chains but the balance was shifting. The world was coming and Lior was no longer just prey. He was becoming something the Alpha would have to reckon with.