Nessa left, leaving me alone in this massive room. I walked over to the table where she had left the food and glanced at the cloth-covered pot.
'It's just like the previous one.'
I tugged one end of the knot, and the cloth unraveled. A faint aroma spread through the air, making my stomach growl again. I had been curious about their food ever since my last visit to the kitchens with Gamma Rell, but the mission had taken precedence.
My expression darkened. 'Once my wrists heal, I'll try again. I'll continue to try killing him until I no longer can.'
If they made the mistake of keeping me alive, then I would use it to my advantage.
I was so deep into my thoughts that I didn't notice that there was someone else in the room with me.
"You still refuse to eat?" an angry voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked up to see the Alpha standing at the entrance, his eyes burning with a murderous glare.
His tone was so sharp that it instantly rubbed me the wrong way. I'd been planning to eat, but now that he'd made such a scene, I didn't want to. Defiance bubbled up inside me. There was no way I'd do what he wanted— and, if anything, provoking him brought me a hint of satisfaction.
Ignoring him, I turned away and walked toward the bed. His burning gaze followed me with every step.
"You will eat, human," he growled, striding over to my side.
"I will never listen to you, dog!" I spat out in reply. I hated being told what to do, especially by him.
The muscles in his jaw tightened. I could visibly see the fury burning inside of him. His blue eyes locked onto me, and I was sure he was imagining a thousand ways to kill me.
"Dog?" His tone dropped to a dangerous whisper. "You think that's what I am?"
He took a slow step closer, eyes narrowing. "Careful, little human. You might not like what happens when I decide to teach you some manners."
The air between us grew heavy, charged with something I couldn't name. Then he straightened, composure snapping back into place like he had never lost it.
"You want to call me a dog?" he said, voice suddenly calm. "Fine. Let's see how well you obey."
Without another word, he turned and left, his footsteps echoing as he walked across the wood floor. I watched him leave, while the sudden silence left me in a pit of anxiety. Whatever he was planning, something told me I didn't want to find out.
I let out a sigh and sat down, trying to clear my thoughts.
Whatever happens, happens.
My eyes grazed over at the pot of food. His provocation only made me want to defy him even more. My pride wouldn't let me give in. I'd rather starve than obey him.
'If only he didn't show up. I would have eaten by now...'
I ran my hand over the bed, savoring the softness of the sheets beneath my fingertips. I wanted to ask him why he'd put me in this room, but I doubted he'd ever tell me.
We were like fire and water. Incompatible in every way.
The door swung open without warning, slamming against the wall. The sudden noise made me flinch off the bed. I looked over, meeting Soren's sharp gaze. He filled the doorway, appearing surprisingly calm and composed.
"Come here, human."
The words weren't shouted this time; they rolled out low and controlled, filled with a special kind of authority.
This time, my body went rigid. Every instinct told me to run, but pride pinned my feet in place. I met his gaze head-on, refusing to look away.
"Ha," he said softly. "Still defiant. Good."
He stepped inside, and the space seemed to shrink around him. That was when I noticed the small, beautifully carved box in his hands. "Since you enjoy calling me a dog," he murmured, "why don't you learn what it feels like to be one?"
My stomach tightened. I watched him place the box on the nearest table very carefully, as though what it held was sacred.
"What is that?" I asked, keeping my voice steady, though my pulse hammered in my throat.
"A gift," he said simply, lifting the lid.
Inside, nestled in black velvet, lay a collar— at least, that's what it looked like at first glance. It was a black leather choker necklace, polished smooth, with a silver crescent moon shaped pendant at its center. The stone shimmered softly, consuming all of my attention.
"What is this supposed to be?" I asked, my voice catching despite my effort to sound unimpressed. "Jewelry?"
His lips curved into that same dark smile I had seen before. "Exactly. So be good and accept it."
He closed the distance between us before I could step back. The warmth of his body reached me first, followed by the faint scent of pine and something else that was fresh and earthy. Whatever it was, it caused my pulse to quicken. My breath hitched as he lifted the collar, holding it up to my neck.
"Don't," I warned. But my voice lacked the conviction I wanted it to have.
The click of the clasp echoed in the room, reminding me of the way the dungeon door sounded when it was locked shut.
Then, a surge of heat shot through me, radiating from the necklace that was locked around my throat. I felt it tighten and send a pulse of warmth down my spine.
"Why?" I gasped, clawing at it. "What did you do—"
"Nothing you didn't ask for," he said, his tone maddeningly calm. "You wanted to see a dog's obedience. Now you'll learn what it feels like."
I struggled to tear it off, but the collar refused to budge. The more I pulled, the warmer it grew, until my skin prickled with a strange energy that made my knees weak.
"I can't take it off!"
"Only I can," he replied, watching me with cold fascination. "And I'll remove it when I decide you've learned some respect."
Anger flared inside me, burning bright enough to fight the fear, but before I could speak, he added, almost idly, "It's more than a simple necklace. This relic was made for wolves, but it works on anyone who dares defy an Alpha."
My eyes widened. Relic. And one that was meant to grant the Alpha absolute control. This was worse than being captive; this meant giving up my will to choose.
Gritting my teeth, I looked at him with all of the anger and hatred that I could muster. "I will never listen to you."
But instead of getting angry, he flashed me a small smile.
"Go on," he said. "Defy me."
I opened my mouth to curse him, but the command hit first— sharp, invisible, undeniable.
"Come here."
My body betrayed me. My muscles locked, then moved of their own accord. Every step forward felt like a stranger's, detached from my will. Panic clawed at the back of my throat — not because of the pain, but because I could feel my own choices slipping away.
It wasn't just obedience he'd stolen; it was my freedom, my defiance, the very thing that made me me.
He watched me approach, satisfaction flickering in his eyes like a small flame.
"Your willpower is impressive, but it's futile," he said as he watched me struggle.
I began to slowly walk towards him, wishing that I could tear my legs off with every step. I didn't stop until I was directly in front of him, almost touching.
"Good girl," he murmured when I stopped within reach. "Now go eat."