On any other occasion, one would be worried that Zedkiel has no other omega. We all know why, but it is a relief in this case as I don’t want to compete with anyone. Although I wish he had someone else to distract him and forget about me.
Oh, Goddess! I can’t make up my mind. I just don’t want trouble. I shouldn’t even wish such ill will on anyone!
Alistair leaves, and I glance around, carefully taking in the large room. It is like a pack house living room with several clusters of sofas and bookshelves. A large TV and a few other bits and bobs are scattered around the room. I would have found it rather relaxing if I wasn’t so stressed or worried, especially compared to Zedkiel’s quarters.
“Anything regarding the Third Prince is an omen,” someone mutters, but is quickly hushed.
“Come, let’s go sit over there. I will answer your questions,” Lucia offers and I nod, following her to the farthest corner of the room. I feel relieved when everyone gets back to whatever they were doing.
“Thank you." I smile at the kind woman.
“Do you have any questions?” Lucia asks gently.
The mention of the omen moments earlier makes me look at her sharply. “Can you tell me about the Third Prince’s Blood Ritual?”
Her face pales, and she scans the room. “We mustn’t talk of such things here,” she whispers. Her voice is so faint I barely hear it as she takes hold of my wrist.
“Then somewhere else? Or later?” I ask. I need to know what exactly Zedkiel’s prophecy was.
“If you promise to never mention it,” she murmurs, scanning the room, her breasts heaving.
“I promise. I won’t.”
She nods. “But not now, not today,” she whispers just as Nadia stalks over, crossing her arms. I stand up nervously, looking at her.
“What are you staring at?” Nadia asks, sneering at me.
“Nadia,” Lucia warns gently.
I quickly speak up, not wanting her to make enemies because of me. “Just looking around at the place and people I will probably be spending a lot of time around.”
She lets out a laugh, and a few others smirk or chuckle. “Yeah… do you know why you aren’t claimed yet? Because I don’t think he intends to keep you,” Nadia whispers, leaning in.
My heart skips a beat and I slowly place a hand on her shoulder, and move her back. We are all omegas… I can speak up to them. “I don’t think that’s your decision to make,” I say quietly, all eyes turning to me.
Sneering, Nadia moves back, shoving my hand off her. “Look at that; she’s not even a part of this pack yet or even claimed, and she’s acting all high and mighty.”
“Like Alistair explained, these things take time,” I reply, frowning slightly.
She laughs, stepping closer. “You know you were a terrified little thing at the ball the other night. What happened? Does the Prince letting you live for a few days give you the courage to speak back? At least wait until you wear his mark!" she waves her necklace in front of my face, forcing me to step back before it hits me.
“Nadia, please,” Lucia tries again.
“No, let her be this brave once she’s bearing his mark, not when she is nothing!" she sneers, snatching the ribbon Alistair had tied around my neck and rips it off. Suddenly, her smirk vanishes, making me confused. It takes me a moment before I realise why.
I can feel it too, a powerful aura that is seeping into the room. Instantly, she pales and steps back, her heart thumping with fear as we all turn towards the open doors. The omegas moved aside to make way for whomever it is.
The approaching footsteps are slow and calculated, and somehow, every time they touch the floor, that quiet sound makes my heart thump with fear. I am not the only one, as several omegas step back, and Lucia’s hold on me tightens slightly.
I know this aura. Although every time it comes before me, it affects me all over again.
“Th-the Third Prince,” Lucia whispers, looking at Nadia with fear in her eyes.
He pushes the doors open wide, and I wonder if it was something he just had to do. The double doors had been opened wide enough, yet he seems to enjoy the violent slam and how everyone jumps. His eyes hone in on me, and I barely register my surroundings, watching his eyes rake over me slowly.
So consumed by his gaze, I don’t even realise every other omega has lowered their head to him, but he ignores them, his eyes stuck on me. He advances towards me until he stops before me, his eyes darkening when they fall to my neck.
I can still feel the sting from when Nadia had snatched the ribbon from my neck. He suddenly grabs my neck, brushing his thumb over it, and I bite my lip, trying not to cry out. His touch made it sting worse.
“How many do I need to kill before you realise no one is to touch what’s mine?" his voice is low and husky, filled with a barely controlled rage as his eyes snap to Nadia, who is still holding the ribbon limply in her hands.
The urge to kill is burning in Zedkiel’s eyes, and my heart clenches in fear.
Not again.Zedkiel had barely let go of me when I quickly jump in front of Nadia. “P-please don’t! Nothing happened,” I whisper, my heart beating so violently I feel like I am about to faint.
His eyes flash red, his nostrils flaring, and he grabs my arm, yanking me away from her. I bite down on my lip, feeling the strain on my shoulder, and I almost tumble to the ground when he lets go of me. He grabs Nadia by the jaw, and I see the fear in her eyes as he snatches the ribbon from her hand.
“This time I will let you live. Remember, your pathetic life only exists because she allowed it. Next time, I won’t mind throwing your dead body at Ragnar’s feet!” he hisses.
He lets go of her jaw, and I feel relieved, but it only lasts a second. He has the ribbon around Nadia’s neck in a flash, tying it tightly. She begins choking, and he steps back. “Let that be a fucking lesson.”
Turning, he grabs my wrist, dragging me from the room. I look over my shoulder as Nadia falls to her knees clawing at her neck, and then she is no longer in view as he drags me down the hall. My heart thumps violently, but I dare not speak, not wanting him to take his anger out on me.
He doesn’t let go, dragging me through the halls; I run to keep up with his long strides.
Where are we going?I don’t know, but I have to keep going.
It was a good while later, and I realise we are going beneath the castle. Is he going to lock me in the dungeons?He pauses, and I almost crash into him, clamping a hand over my mouth, fear enveloping me.
Did I do something wrong?“You have the courage to speak up to her, yet you can barely stand in my presence? Where’s that courage gone?" he growls, suddenly slamming me into the wall. I groan as pain shoots up my back. “Answer me!" he thunders, slamming his hands into the stone walls, making me flinch.
Is he really asking me that? She is an omega… “You-you are a-”
“Stop stuttering!" he hisses, crashing his hand into the wall again.
I nod, taking a shuddering breath. “I’m sorry… I…” I take another breath, trying to calm down. “She’s an omega, you are an alpha… I can’t speak back to you, My Prince,” I whimper.
His perfectly thick brow arches, and he tangles his hand in my hair, the other hand gripping my waist and yanking me against him. “Is that so?”
His sudden, calm voice makes my stomach flutter with nerves. He presses harder against me, making me hyper-aware of every ridge and curve of his hard body. I can hear my heart beating in my ears, smell his scent…
“Y-yes,” I whisper, unable to take the intensity of his gaze.
“Then it’s time you learned to speak up or I swear, Little Omega, I will punish you.”
Before I can reply, he leans in, his lips brushing against mine.