The quiet of the castle hallways wraps around me as I walk. My footsteps echo faintly against the stone floors. I left the room in a rush, unable to stay in the suffocating presence of Amy any longer. I know she was trying to make me feel better but for now, I'd like to be on my own.
As I walk down the hallway, I think of the twins and their painful mockery. The memory of their laughter, their mocking, replays over and over in my mind. I clench my hands into fists, my nails digging into my palms as I try to swallow down the hurt that's lodged like a stone in my throat.
They're Alphas—powerful, commanding, with an aura that demands respect. And I'm just…me. An omega, someone meant to serve, not to stand at their side. They'd made that clear enough earlier. Maybe it's my fault for wanting something different, something better. I don't even know if it's fair to ask for respect when I barely have the courage to demand it myself. But still, the ache remains, deep and hollow, and a silent tear slides down my cheek as I walk.
I've always wanted a nice mate, someone who would love and care for me. Sure, as an omega, that's a lot to ask but life has been hard enough for me. I need someone who would help take the pain away. I guess that's never going to happen now.
I barely notice when I step outside. The cool night air prickles against my skin. I let my feet carry me, not paying attention to where I'm going, lost in my thoughts until I find myself in the gardens. A maze of tall shrubs stands ahead of me and without thinking, I enter.
The path twists and turns, and I follow it blindly, hoping that maybe I can get far enough, disappear enough, to forget. The faint scent of flowers drifts in the air, but it does nothing to calm me. My heart is too heavy. My mind is a tangled mess of doubt and heartbreak. All I want is to escape, just for a little while.
I reach the end of the path and sigh, ready to turn around. But as I spin, I freeze. There, standing in the dim light, blocking my way, is a man. He's covered in the shadows, his face just barely visible, but there's something about him—I feel like I've seen him before.
I take a shaky breath, trying to convince myself it's nothing. I've had enough scares for one day. But my wolf stirs, alert and on edge, and the unease twisting in my stomach grows.
"Hello?" I manage to say.
He doesn't answer. He just stands there, unmoving, staring at me. And then, slowly, he smiles. It's a twisted, mocking grin that makes my blood run cold. I swallow, trying to hide the fear rising in me.
"Excuse me," I say, attempting to keep my voice steady. "I need to get by."
Still, he doesn't move. He just lets out a low, dark chuckle. And suddenly, I remember exactly where I've seen him before. He's the man from the restaurant, the one who tried to touch me before I poured hot sauce all over his hands.
"You," I breathe "What are you doing here?"
He smirks, stepping forward "I'm here to keep my promise, little omega. Remember how I said I'd get back at you?"
I can't help the shiver that runs through me, and I force myself to hold my ground. I refuse to give him the satisfaction of seeing me break.
"Stay away from me," I manage, but the tremor in my voice betrays my fear.
The gleam in his eyes tells me he's relishing every second of my discomfort, and he steps closer still, slowly backing me into the hedges.
"Oh, I don't think so," he says "You embarrassed me in front of everyone. Do you really think I'm going to let that slide?"
I take a step back, then another. My heart pounds louder as he continues to advance.
"Get away from me," I hiss, but I know the words sound weak, hollow.
He lunges, grabbing my arm, and I stumble. My breath catches in my throat as his fingers dig painfully into my skin. I twist, trying to pull free, but he's stronger, holding me fast.
"No one's here to save you, little omega," he sneers, his grip tightening. "You're all alone."
The words cut through me, and my stomach twists with a mix of fear and anger. I try to shove him away, but he's unfazed. His hands shove me back into the thicket. Branches scrape against my skin. My dress tangles in the undergrowth, and I can feel my pulse hammering as I struggle to free myself.
He laughs. "No need to fight, darling," he whispers, his face inches from mine. "It's not like anyone's going to come for you."
Desperation pulls at me, and I think of my mates and the bond that links us. They have to know I'm in trouble; they have to feel it. But a voice in the back of my mind whispers that maybe, just maybe, they won't come. Not for someone like me.
I grit my teeth, gathering all my strength to shove my knee up into his groin. He gasps, his face twisting in pain as he staggers back, and for a brief, triumphant second, I think I've escaped.
But before I can take a single step, his hand shoots out, grabbing me by the hair, yanking me back with a force that nearly brings me to my knees. Pain radiates through my scalp, and I cry out, trying to pull away as he drags me closer. Now, his face ja twisted with fury.
"Thought you could get away, did you?" he growls.
His hand wrapps around my throat, squeezing until my vision blurs. "Let's see you fight now, you little bitch."
I claw at his hands, my lungs screaming for air as he presses down, his grip like iron. Darkness begins to creep in at the edges of my vision, and a terrifying numbness starts to settle over me. I can feel the bond with the twins flickering. The connection is there but faint, slipping away as my strength fades.
"Please" I think, clinging to that fragile bond with everything I have "Please find me"
Just as the darkness is about to claim me, his weight vanishes and the pressure on my throat releasws all at once. I gasp, sucking in air as my vision clears, and through the haze, I see a familiar figure—a strong presence that fills me with a wave of relief so intense, I can barely breathe.
It's Kaine.
"Kaine…" I whisper.
That's the last thing that leaves my lips as consciousness slips from my grasp, leaving me in total. darkness.