The night had been long, and the journey that followed was even longer. Kael's hands were bound tightly behind his back, the rough leather straps digging into his skin with every step he took. His legs ached, his mind racing, but his body moved forward mechanically. He was in no position to escape, and he knew it.
Garrick's voice echoed through the forest, cutting through the thick silence like a knife. "You think you can memorize the way, Omega? Don't waste your energy. Only an Alpha can remember the route back. It's pointless for you to even try."
Kael's gaze shifted to the path ahead, his eyes flicking from one tree to another. The way out was buried in the dense woods, but every fiber of his being screamed to find a way. He knew it was useless, at least for now, but the hope of freedom lingered like an ember in his chest.
The forest stretched for miles, a dark labyrinth of twisted trees and brambles, but gradually, the trees began to thin. The sound of distant city life reached Kael's ears, the hum of civilization tugging at the edges of his reality. The air shifted from thick, earthy smells to something cleaner, more artificial. And then, there it was—the city.
A sprawling metropolis, bathed in the light of the rising sun, lay before him. Skyscrapers loomed high, their glass windows reflecting the orange and pink hues of dawn. The streets were alive, filled with humans and werewolves alike, moving with purpose, oblivious to the world of power and hierarchy that Kael was about to enter.
Kael's chest tightened as the enormity of the city overwhelmed him. This was no village. This was a fortress, a citadel of Alphas. There was no escaping this place.
The city's skyline was an intricate web of glass, metal, and stone, each building a symbol of wealth and power. The streets below were a pulsing river of life—cars sped past in a blur, people walked with determination, and wolves in human form moved with the grace and poise of predators. Kael couldn't help but feel small, his every step weighed down by the knowledge that he was just a pawn in a game much larger than himself.
They moved through the city's streets, and Kael noticed the stares. Eyes followed him from every direction—some curious, some fearful, others full of disdain. The Alphas walked beside him, their eyes sharp and unyielding, the knowledge of their dominance hanging heavy in the air. He was surrounded, trapped in a sea of people who saw him not as a man, but as a thing to be controlled.
Kael's thoughts swirled. Garrick had been right in his own twisted way—he couldn't remember the path back. Not because he didn't want to, but because he wasn't meant to. The city of Alphas was a place of isolation for those like him—Omega-born, bound by fate and the will of their masters.
"I'll say it again," Garrick's voice broke Kael's reverie, his tone dripping with arrogance. "Don't even think about escaping. This city is our domain. You are nothing more than a trophy now. You'll learn quickly that you are beneath us."
Kael didn't respond. He couldn't. The bitterness rose in his throat, but he swallowed it down. Instead, he focused on the city, silently studying every turn, every building, every landmark. Perhaps, just perhaps, he could find a way out later.
The procession led him deeper into the heart of the city. The streets grew quieter, the buildings taller, and the air thicker with power. They reached a towering mansion, a monolith of wealth and prestige.
"This," Garrick said, turning to Kael, "is where you'll stay for the time being. Welcome to my home. You'll find your confinement quite luxurious, though I doubt it will make you feel better."
Kael's stomach churned, but he remained silent as they entered the mansion's gates. He was led through marble halls, past rooms filled with expensive paintings, sculptures, and the kind of luxury that only Alphas could afford.
Inside, everything was pristine. The floors were polished to perfection, and the air smelled faintly of roses and cedarwood. The mansion was vast, its ceilings high and grand, echoing the endless halls and chambers that seemed to stretch on forever.
But none of it mattered to Kael. He wasn't here to admire the décor. He wasn't here to be entertained. He was here because Garrick, and the other Alphas, had decided his fate.
They locked him in one of the mansion's many rooms, a room that was as opulent as it was suffocating. Soft velvet curtains framed the windows, and a large bed sat in the center of the room, but none of it made him feel at ease.
Kael paced the room, the walls closing in on him. His mind raced as the reality of his situation set in. He had been torn from everything he knew. His pack, his family, his identity—all of it was gone. And for what? So the Alphas could grow stronger, so they could celebrate their power over the weak.
He could hear the distant sounds of music, the thumping bass vibrating through the walls. The Alphas were celebrating. Celebrating his capture, his submission.
"Enjoy the party," Garrick's voice floated in from the door as he opened it. He was dressed in his finest clothes, his smile smug as he looked at Kael. "It's time. Time to show the world what real power looks like."
Kael was pulled from the room and dragged down the halls once again, this time to a grand, open space. The mansion's great hall was filled with people—Alphas, all of them, their eyes gleaming with excitement.
As they entered the hall, the crowd erupted in cheers. "Omega! Omega! Omega!" The chant filled the room, their voices rising in unison as if they had won some great battle.
Kael was forced to sit at a grand table, surrounded by people who viewed him as nothing more than a symbol of their dominance. He could feel their eyes on him, their stares heavy with the weight of their superiority. They were celebrating the fall of his pack, the downfall of his people.
But as Kael sat there, his mind spinning with fury, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. In the corner of the room, a woman caught his eye.
She stood among the crowd, her form delicate and graceful. Her presence was magnetic, a stark contrast to the brutal celebration happening around her. Her gaze met his, and Kael's heart skipped a beat. How could she be here?
The girl. He had saved her the night before. The one who had looked into his eyes with such sorrow. Was she a member of the Alpha pack? Had she lied to him?
Questions swirled in Kael's mind as he stood up from the table, his body trembling with a mixture of rage and confusion. He had to find out who she was, and why she was here.
The celebration continued around him, but Kael's gaze remained locked on the girl.He needs to know the answer.
And Kael would stop at nothing to find them.