Chapter Two:

A metallic coolness pressed against my skin, the sharp bite of it jolting me awake. I blinked, the dim morning light filtering through the gaps in the heavy curtains, painting stripes across the unfamiliar ceiling. Panic flared, the events of the previous night rushing back like a cold wave. I wasn’t in my bed, not in my room. My arms were stretched above my head, each wrist bound tightly with what felt like cold, unforgiving steel. I struggled, a frantic tug, but the restraints held firm. My ankles were similarly secured to the ornate bed frame.

My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drum against the suffocating silence. Where was I? It was then that I noticed the heavy scent of pine and something else, something sharp and bitter, that I always associated with Damon. I turned my head, wincing at the stiff ache in my neck, and saw him leaning against the doorframe, his dark eyes glinting with a cruel amusement that sent a shiver down my spine.

He was dressed in a casual black t-shirt and jeans, his muscles shifting beneath the fabric as he pushed off the frame. Even like this, in the harsh morning light, he was handsome. His dark hair was slightly tousled, the scent of his alpha pheromones was intoxicating even when it was laced with something so cold and cutting. My heart, traitorously, skipped a beat. I guess I can't help being attracted to him, he's my alpha anyway, his mark still sits on my neck.

"Well, Sleeping Beauty," he drawled, his voice low and dangerous. "Finally decided to grace us with your presence."

My throat felt tight, making it difficult to speak. "Alpha," I managed, my voice raspy, "Why am I like this? Please, untie me."

He took a slow, deliberate step into the room, the sound of his boots on the hardwood floor echoing through the silence. "Should I let you go? After your little performance last night? Sneaking around like a common thief?"

My cheeks burned. "I... I wasn't sneaking. I just...."

He cut me off, his face twisting in disgust. "You just what? You saw something you weren't supposed to see. A common omega's weakness, meddling in the affairs of an Alpha. Disgusting." He spat the last word as if it were poison.

My stomach churned not just because of his words but because of the way he had spoken them. "Please, Damon, it doesn't matter. Just let me go." Tears blurred my vision, but I fought to keep them back. I hated showing weakness, especially to him. "Please, I'm… I’m not feeling well." I looked to my stomach, hoping to appeal to the human, some shred of empathy in him. "Think about the baby, please, think about our child."

He laughed, a harsh, grating sound that made my blood run cold. "Oh, you call me by my name now? And did you just say our child? Don't be ridiculous, Elara. That thing growing inside you is a product of science, not affection. And certainly not something I wanted. Don't think for a second that I've forgotten this was all my grandmother’s pathetic last wish, forcing that omega weakness on me." He stalked closer, his scent growing stronger, more aggressive. "She loved you, I swear, it was her only saving grace, but that doesn't mean I do."

His words were a knife twisting in an open wound. I closed my eyes against the pain, the tears finally escaping. "Please, Alpha," I whispered, my voice breaking. "Please, let me go."

He leaned in, his breath ghosting over my ear, "You’ll be released when I deem it fit, little omega. And right now, I have a party to plan. I need my good omega wife to serve her purpose for the day."

Then, he turned on his heel and walked out of the room, leaving me trapped and desperate.

Hours crawled by. The room was stifling, the ropes digging into my skin. I tried to wiggle free, but it was useless. My body ached and my throat felt parched. Just when I thought I couldn't bear it anymore, I heard the door open again. Damon strode in, followed by two of his pack members, both Alphas, their eyes dark and full of arrogance.

"Finally," he sneered, his eyes raking over my bound form. He motioned to one of his packmates, and with a flick of a switch, the restraints released me, and I fell slumped into the hardness of the bed. My arms and legs were numb and tingling with the sudden rush of blood, but it was not the right kind of freedom.

"Get up, Elara. We have guests to entertain.” He didn't bother to help me, instead, he watched with a cold gaze as I struggled to stand. He led me downstairs to our living room that had been transformed into a party area, the air buzzing with music and loud chatter. He forced a smile at me as he gestured towards a serving tray that was sitting on the table. "Go then, don't want our guests waiting."

I did as I was told, my heart heavy with a mixture of fear and humiliation. Damon’s friends, all powerful Alphas, greeted me with sneers and mocking stares as I circulated through the room, refilling glasses and offering food. The air was thick with the scent of their dominance, overwhelming me to the point where each breath became a heavy burden. I felt like cattle, not a wife. Not even a person.

As the night wore on, the boasting and bragging intensified. The Alphas were showing off their strength, their ability to move objects with their minds, to influence the air around them. Damon was at the center of it all, his voice booming as he recounted his recent business victories.

"And what about you, Damon?" One of his friends, a tall, hulking man with a cruel smile, asked. "Don't you want to show them your power as the alpha of this pack?"

Damon's eyes narrowed, pinning me in place. He seemed to forget that he had to play a part to keep up the façade. He was no longer smiling. He was no longer the composed alpha I knew. His eyes were dark and predatory, "Sure, why not?"

A slow, dangerous smile spread on his lips. I barely had time to understand what was happening when I felt it. A tightening, constricting pressure around my throat, as if an invisible hand was squeezing the life out of me. My hands flew to my neck, but there was nothing to grasp, no physical force to fight. I choked, gasping for air. My vision blurred as Damon lifted a hand, not even touching me, the pressure around my neck growing more intense. My feet left the ground, my legs dangling helplessly, and tears streamed down my face; silent pleas for someone to help me.

And then, the world went black.