Ryker bent down beside her, a smile playing on his face. "You look really helpless," he said softly, making fun of me. He reached out to gently touch her jaw with his finger. “No power. No strength. This poison is very effective.”
Zeph's body shook with effort, trying to move or feel any strength, but it was no use. The poison was too strong. She glared up at him, breathing weakly.
Ryker laughed and traced his fingers down the curve of her neck. "Oh, looking at me like that just turns me on more", he said. "Zephyrine, this was expected. Do you think you could humiliate me or defy me? That is now over."
With a dark, lustful gaze, he traced his hand over her body, making her stomach turn in disgust.
“HEL-!”
With speed, he reached into his pocket and stuffed a piece of cloth into her mouth. He leaned close to her, whispering, “Shh,” so she could feel his breath against her skin.
“No one is coming to save you. "You are all mine to break to my will.” He took her in his arms and grinned. Zeph tried to struggle, but her legs and arms felt too heavy.
Ryker carried her out of the pack house, into the cool night air. Everything around her was a bit blurry, the lights shining dimly as the shadows stretched across the ground.
A dark chariot waited at the entrance, its horses shifting restlessly.
And standing beside it—
Camille.
Zeph’s stomach twisted further.
With her arms crossed, Camille grinned as she watched Ryker come closer. "This is your lesson for attempting to get him back," she purred, cocking her head. Her voice dripping with hatred, she drew closer. "You will always be the cursed omega, regardless of how much power you have."
You are so very wrong, Camille.
Zeph wanted to respond, but the gag muffled everything.
“Save whatever you want to say. You will need it soon enough.”
“She really thought she had a chance,” Ryker mused, adjusting his hold on Zeph.
Camille let out a delighted laugh. “Pathetic.”
Such a disgusting perfect couple.
Then, Ryker chuckled darkly. “You know, these plans wouldn’t have worked without a little help from her special enemy.” He turned his head slightly. “Right, Karex?”
Zeph’s mind reeled.
Karex? How had I not sensed Karex’s thoughts? My abilities should have picked up something, anything.
“Hope Terran won’t be suspicious,” Camille asked him.
“I had already told him I would be leaving today, but I didn’t say when. And even if he suspects anything, by the time he finds her, it will be too late. Zeph with .”
But as the chariot door opened, and she was hauled inside, the only thing she could do was glare as Camille slid in beside Ryker, practically draping herself over him.
Camille leaned in close to Ryker, whispering something in his ear before meeting his lips with hers. The wet, obscene sound of their kiss filled the chariot, sending a pulse of revulsion through Zeph.
“If this is their form of torture, then it’s working.”
As Ryker drew her in closer, Camille sighed softly and breathlessly as his hands moved over her body, making Zeph’s skin crawl. She looked out the window, forcing herself to focus on the trees passing by outside and ignore Camille's loud moans as she kissed Ryker, moans that seemed like it was meant for her to hear.
She tried again, desperately focusing on her powers, on the smallest flicker of strength.
Nothing.
She was completely powerless.
Her fingers curled weakly as the chariot rumbled through the night, heading straight toward Ryker’s pack.
By the time they arrived, the grand gates loomed overhead, torches casting eerie shadows along the stone walls.
Ryker stepped out first, then motioned for his warriors. “Take her to my room,” he ordered with a smirk. “I have a special surprise for her.”
Zeph's heart beat fast as rough hands grabbed her and dragged her inside.
When she’s finally broken… finally brainwashed… I’ll have her power, her body… everything. She’ll be mine to control.
Zeph’s stomach churned when she heard his thought. If he thinks it’s going to be that easy, he thinks very wrong.
They covered her head and dumped her onto a soft surface—the bed—and left without another word. Zeph's body was still weak, but she didn’t give up.
“How do I get out of here? What does he want to do to me?”
She hates feeling helpless as she clenches her teeth. After some minutes passed, the door creaked open again.
“Hope you are enjoying yourself?”
Camille.
She strolled inside, arms crossed, amusement curling at her lips.
She ripped out the cloth in Zeph’s mouth. “Go ahead,” she taunted, smirking. “Scream as much as you want.”
Zeph licked her dry lips, staring at Camille with nothing but disdain. “You really think I want him?” she rasped, her voice hoarse. “Ryker is nothing but a pathetic excuse for an Alpha.”
Camille’s smirk faltered. “ You are so delusional.”
“You saw it yourself,” Zeph said, letting her voice drip with mockery. You know how he is, yet you are defending him. I bet he isn’t the one that made you his chosen mate, right?”
Camille stiffened.
Zeph tilted her head, eyes narrowing. “You’re just trying to prove your worth to him. Yet, he sees you as just a pawn in his game.”
That struck a nerve. Camille’s fingers twitched, her jaw tightening.
But then, she laughed. A slow, menacing laugh. “Trying to provoke me? "Cute. She leaned in, her voice dropping. “That’s one thing I am very good at. By the time you are out of the picture, Ryker will give me all his attention. You should not have gone near to what is mine.”
Before Zeph could retort, the door flung open.
Ryker stepped inside, his expression smug.
But Zeph’s eyes shifted to the hooded figure beside him.
The woman pulled back her hood, which showed full gray hair that flowed on her back. Her face was neutral, but her sharp eyes stared at Zeph.
“I’d like you to meet Ashral,” Ryker said, his voice laced with excitement. He turned his head toward her. “Ashral, do your thing.”
“What thing?”
Ashral’s gaze didn’t waver as she took a step closer.
Zeph felt something…strange.
“Why do I feel like I have met this woman before?”
"I don't belong here," Zeph said quickly. "I was taken against my will." She hoped the woman would understand.
Ashral looked at her for a long time.
"This will all be over soon." Before Zeph could think about what that meant, she felt a strange sensation. A surge of energy washed over her. Everything around her became fuzzy. She was stuck in a hypnotic state. She could feel someone trying to break her mind, but she fought against it.
“Get. Out. Of. My. Head!!”
A blast of unseen force erupted from her.
Ashral was thrown across the room, slamming into the wall with a shocked gasp.
Zeph was breathing hard, her face showing relief and shock. Ashral’s eyes were wide as she slowly stood up.
Ryker’s face twisted with anger. “What the hell was that?!”
Ashral took a deep breath, shaking her head. "She has a very strong will. It will be difficult to break through.”
“Take you time. But make sure it works.”
Ashral stepped closer and noticed the tattoo on her shoulder. Zeph noticed how her eyes widened for a plot second.
“Does she know what the tattoo is?”
“You will not get away with this.”
Ryker, getting angry, growled, "That's enough. "Put her in the dungeon. One of his warriors took out a small bag, pulled out a fine powder, and sprinkled it on Zeph's skin. The poison spread deeper into her body.
“The poison won’t be wearing off anytime soon, ” Ryker mocked, crouching in front of her. His breath was warm against her ear. “But all of this can be avoided if you just beg me to take you back right this instant.”
Zeph stared at him..
“Fuck you”, she spat in his face.
As soon as Ryker wiped the spit from his face, he slapped her face hard, which sent a sharp pain to her head, and her vision went blurry for a second. "GET HER OUT OF MY SIGHT!" Ryker shouted loudly. The guards pulled her up and dragged her away.
\---
The dungeon was wet, cold, and smelled of old blood and rot. Zeph sat against the rough stone wall, her body feeling heavy and weak. Her arms and legs wouldn't move. She tried to heal herself, to push the poison out, but nothing worked. Then, she heard a noise coming from the hallway. Footsteps.
A shadow stood at the door. When she looked closer, she saw that it was Ashral.
Zeph narrowed her eyes. “What are you doing here?”
“Where do you get that tattoo?”
“Why are you asking?”
Ashral didn’t respond right away. Instead, she reached up to her shoulder and tugged down the fabric—revealing a tattoo.
The same tattoo Zeph had.