Smell of sandalwood, honey and something else. The overly sweet mixture cloyed the conscience of Nebraska struggling to wake up or come out of unconsciousness.
-How long do you intend to continue sleeping? - The low voice of the alpha who did not feel very good made her put his feet on the ground and open her eyes to find herself in a room even more luxurious than where she currently slept. In contrast, this place did not know him, nor did it seem to have the elegant style of Hades.
She sat up off the cold floor and the usual unpleasant noise, plus the weight of the shackles around one of her ankles, made her shudder so much that she had to use all her willpower not to vomit.
-You look like a puppy on the verge of collapse- she heard him laugh at her and looked at him sticking out her claws ready to defend herself.
Unfortunately for her, the shackle that held her was heavier than those that had held her in the past, and they were painfully tighter. The mere sensation of the metal against her skin made her remember each of the moments she had spent in that cave, the days alone on the brink of madness, the continuous rapes, the pains throughout her body as she was consumed little by little by each one of her puppies in her womb by not receiving food by conventional means. Every moment was etched on her and that had made her what she was today, but reminding her of it was playing dirty.
-Where am I?- She tried to be reasonable, she first needed to know her location before any movement, if she was still in Hades's mansion sooner or later she would be found.
-In my castle- her hopes were shattered like fine glass.
Your castle? Where the hell was his castle?
It had details that were to the north, near the bordering boundaries of the Hades grounds, likewise, quite far away.
-How, how did you get me out?- She looked scared at just not being sure and without her puppies.
Layan got up from the overly decorated velvet sofa and sat on the edge of the bed, being less than a meter from her who was kneeling on the floor without much chance to move.
-I have my ways to achieve my goals beautiful- he grabbed her chin. She wanted to let go but the grip was firm and made her look at his face fuzzy -But I don't have much time with you so, what were we coming to-
Nebraska hid the tremor that threatened to shake every part of her. She might be afraid but she wouldn't show it.
The wolf brought his face up to a few inches from hers.
-I told you, I need a favor. After you do, you can go and do whatever you want-
-What if I refuse?- She tried her strength, she wanted to know what she was fighting against.
Layan's hand ran along the edge of her cheek and moved to her neck, caressing the nape of her neck.
-Are you sure you want to refuse? Your body is at my complete disposal and you are an unmarked omega, what if by accident my teeth are buried inside you- He had taken advantage of her reaction and the last words had been said in her ear.
Nebraska didn't move, but rolled her eyes to meet his out of the corner of her eye.
-Would you start a dispute with Hades over this. He declared me as his future wife-
Layan returned to her position on the bed although she kept stroking the ends of her dark hair.
-My pack is much stronger than Hades, perhaps you think I would lose, besides, no one from the Council dares to challenge me-
Nebraska was going to reply but thought it would be wiser to keep quiet. This wolf are above in the power of other alphas by far. She shouldn't provoke him or not only her life would be in danger, and the least she wanted was to involve more people in her problems. She was tired that others depended on her decisions, that weight would kill her before she knew it.
-Okay, if I do what you want, will you set me free and won't you make this bigger? -
-You have my word, at least on the part of whether I comply with the deal, the other depends on Hades-
Layan had seen the way she was looking at the omega and was sure she would not sit idly by. Up to that point he himself hadn't realized how dangerous it could be when bored.
Searching inside one of his trouser pockets, he pulled out a key and unlocked the shackle, freeing his leg with an already purple bruise around the ankle. He grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet.
-Follow me and do not try to escape, I have wolves everywhere and they will not hesitate to tear off the head of anyone who is not from the pack- his words were calm but the hint of threatening did not leave them.
Nebraska followed him down a long hallway to an iron door at the end that had several locks on it. The atmosphere felt stuffy and heavy and it was hard for him to breathe. His heart beat nervously indicating that behind that door there was nothing good.
Layan touched some mechanism and the door slowly opened letting out a musty smell as well as the sound of a roar. Nebraska backed away but was stopped by the alpha's hand that stopped her and dragged her inside against her will.
The darkness inside was only broken by the light of small candles about to melt. The room was all disheveled, the curtains torn, what must have been a beautiful carved wooden bed was, all over the room, in pieces. Both the shelves and the objects that were formerly on them could be found everywhere.
In the gloom of the corner a slender, hairy body moved slowly, rising to its full height. The ribs were marked in the places where the fur of what seemed brown had detached, the inflamed legs and those characteristic carmine eyes that chilled to the soul.
Craziness. That wolf had lost control and from the state in which Nebraska saw him realized that this case was not that simple.
-Nebraska- Layan called her pulling her hand up to her side -The favor is that you use your power and make this wolf sane-
She opened her eyes in shock.
-I think this is out of my hands- He felt the movement of the wolf that became alert and let out another growl. The smell it gave off was strong, almost dizzy.
For the first time Nebraska thought, not of his children, not his pack, but of the protection he had felt next to Hades every time he protected her, even when he was not aware of himself.
Layan squeezed her hand tighter and pulled her closer to him.
-You do not want to do it? You know what's at stake-
He watched her swallow heavily and frown.
-At least tell me who I'm dealing with-
-Ah, she- raised a hand towards the wolf that seemed about to jump on them -Nebraska introduced you to Leila, my sister-