Chapter One Hundred-Ten – The Velvet Cage

Chapter One Hundred-Ten – The Velvet Cage
Cass stirred slowly, eyelids heavy, throat dry. The first thing she registered was the softness beneath her—the luxurious weight of furs and silk pillows. The scent in the air was warm and floral, laced with something faintly familiar. Comforting.

Her brows knit.

Where was she?

She sat up, her body still sluggish from sleep. The room around her glowed with gentle amber light from wall sconces. Velvet drapes in her favorite shade of deep green framed tall windows. The hearth crackled gently, casting a soft gold glow against the ornate walls. A tray of her favorite pastries and teas waited on the nearby table.

Everything—every single detail—was hers.

The bookshelf, the worn copy of the romance novel she read over and over again. The carved figurines she’d collected as a child. Even the scent on the linens—lavender and something darker beneath it.

She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and crossed to the wardrobe. Her breath caught.

It was filled—top to bottom—with clothing in her exact size. Dresses she used to admire but never wore. Comfort pieces she didn’t even know anyone had noticed her favoring.

None of it made sense.

Her hand shot to her temple. How had she gotten here?

The last thing she remembered... was Alder.

Holding her.

The panic bloomed slowly in her chest. She crossed the room in three strides and tried the door.

Locked.

Her heart began to hammer.

Then—

The latch clicked.

The door opened, and two young omega women entered, dressed in soft grey silks, their hands folded in front of them.

"Good morning, my lady," said the taller one, bowing her head. "I am Bria. This is Lume. We’ve been assigned to your care."

"You must be hungry," Lume added gently, stepping closer. "We brought your favorites."

Cass stared between them, her voice hoarse. "Where am I?"

They exchanged a look—but didn’t answer.

Bria smiled, practiced and polite. "Lord Alder will be along shortly. He’s been eagerly awaiting your awakening."

Cass’s fingers curled at her sides.

Now she understood.

And the cage around her—no matter how soft—felt like it had begun to close.

Cass took a step forward, eyes narrowing. "Where am I?" she asked again, this time with more force.

Bria hesitated, but Lume answered softly, "You are in Lord Alder’s pack lands, my lady."

Bria added quickly, "He is our Alpha. This is his home—your new home."

Cass’s stomach dropped. Her breath hitched as the truth landed sharp and cruel.

She wasn’t just trapped.

She was his.

Cass stumbled back a step, her eyes wide with disbelief before they filled with fury. Her voice broke into the air like a whipcrack.

"CAIUS!" she screamed, her voice hoarse and rising. "Caius, where are you?! Somebody help me!"

She lunged toward the door, banging her fists against the frame. "Let me out! I don’t belong here! You can’t keep me here!"

Bria moved quickly, trying to soothe her. "Please, my lady—"

"Don’t call me that! I’m not his!"

Lume stepped forward more carefully, her voice low and steady. "You have to calm yourself. For the baby."

Cass froze, breath catching.

Lume continued gently, "Every emotion you feel—your child feels too. Breathe, my lady. We only wish to help."

Cass’s hands trembled as she backed away from the door, the weight of her panic giving way to the heavier truth growing inside her.

She sank down onto the edge of the bed, clutching her middle, her voice breaking on a whisper.

"What has he done...?"

The door opened again—this time without a knock.

Alder stepped in, dressed not in royal display, but in dark, simple clothes that still clung with power. His gaze swept over the room, then landed on her.

"You may leave us," he said to the omegas.

Bria and Lume hesitated, but obeyed, offering Cass small nods before slipping out the door.

Cass stood up, shaky but fueled by defiance. "Why did you kidnap me?"

Alder lifted a hand slowly, as if to ease her panic, but his voice was laced with just enough warmth to sound convincing. "I didn’t kidnap you, Cass. I brought you here for your own protection. Caius knew the court was no longer safe—not with the power shifting around him. He asked me to get you out before anyone else could. Said he couldn’t risk losing you... or the child."

She scoffed, her voice sharp. "Liar."

He said nothing—just reached into his coat and pulled out a folded letter.

"Read it," he said, stepping closer, holding the letter between two fingers like it was proof of his purity. "Caius was drowning in enemies, Cass. Every Alpha in the council was whispering rebellion. He wanted you safe, far from the court, far from the knives circling his throne. He trusted me to protect you... because he couldn’t anymore. This... this was the only way left."

Cass snatched the letter from his hand, her fingers trembling. She unfolded the parchment slowly, already recognizing the handwriting before she read the first word.

It was Caius’s.

"Cass,

I need you to be strong. I’ve sent you away because I need to clear the court of distraction. Of danger. I can’t protect you while the kingdom is under siege from within. The alphas are stirring, and if I fall, you and the child fall with me.

Stay hidden. Do not return until you hear word from me after the coronation. I promise you—this isn’t goodbye. This is protection.

—Caius"

Her eyes read the words, but they didn’t feel like his. Something inside her twisted.

She lowered the letter, her jaw tight.

Something didn’t add up.