Noah
The burn didn't stop even when he stepped back. It spread, molten lines crawling from the mark on her collar bone, threading fire through her veins. I bit my lip hard enough to draw blood, but the sound still slipped out-a strangled gasp that made him freeze.
For a heartbeat, I saw it, the flicker in his eyes. The human emotions I didn't know he had, I saw on his face. Then his jaw locked, his expression shattered and he turned away.
The heavy door groaned as he left, and the silence that followed hurt more than the seal itself.
I collapsed to her knees, clutching the spot where his hand had been moments ago. The mark pulsed against my skin, glowing faintly dark red edged with shadow. It felt alive. His power was inside me.
Every beat of my heart whispered his presence. Every breath tasted like him-smoke and danger and the faintest trace of remorse. "Damn you," I breathed, though it came out broken, more prayer than curse.
Tears welled up in my eyes before I could stop them. He'd done it to keep her to make sure she could never run. But he hadn't stayed to see the pain.
I sat there, my fingers grazing the faint mark the seal left on my skin. The pain gradually subsided leaving a cool sensation. The Omegas entered then, their movements soft and careful. They bowed low, eyes averted as though I was something sacred.
"My lady, your meal is served." One of them said softly. I was confused for a moment. I was also an Omega too. "For me? What about the Alpha?" I asked cautious as to not make remarks that will land me in trouble.
"I assure you that the Alpha has eaten and he sent these for you."
I glanced at the banquet set before me. I haven't seen so much food in my entire twenty five years of living. It was always diet or nothing. "You can leave it there." I said cautiously.
"The Alpha sent us to make sure you eat, my lady. After all, you need to add some weight. You are a thin as a broomstick." The omega said with a bit of concern on her face.
"Anything else?" I asked as I munched on the shrimp.
"He ordered you not to leave the room until he returns."
I scoffed. He wanted to keep me in as a trophy, as an object. "The Alpha gave many orders. I'll wait for the next one." I said with a smile so fake.
They also brought clothes- fine silk, ceremonial robes but I could only touch them. I wasn't entitled to wear these luxuries. All I had were leather and loin clothes. It was practical and mine. I ended up wearing the least expensive looking and least attractive of them all due to persuasion.
I eventually got them to leave and as day dragged into dusk, restlessness ate at me. I wasn't built to sit still. I had fought in wars and aid in capturing supernatural beings especially the feralkins. I have worked along side with men twice my size. But here? I was sealed property.
Finally as the evening wind howled outside, I slipped out on my own.
The kitchen was alive with motion and scents - bread baking, brother simmering, laughter echoing between wall stones. The moment she stepped in, the chatter died. All eyes turned to me. I offered an awkward smile.
"Need help?" I asked with a polite tone. I totally understand I'm in a room of werewolves. I could die from a single hit. The gruffly old werewolf with an eye patch stared at me before speaking. "So it's true a strange creature like you exist."
"Pardon?" I asked. "Who are you?"
He glanced around laughing, the others laughed at my comment. "I should be asking you that lad. I am Chef Garran and I don't need help from you. You might scare the dough before it rises."
"Maybe it needs a few scaring to rise faster." I commented. A few nervous chuckle followed breaking the tension. He glanced at me for a moment before speaking. "Let's see if the warrior know how to bake."
I rolled up my sleeves, eager but clueless. I have never been in the kitchen before let alone bake a bread. He handed me a lump of dough and I began to press on it. "Knead it gently like you are taming a beast."
"I usually fight beasts." I chipped in.
"I can tell. You're murdering it." He said with a grunt.
Flour puffed around us as I struggled. I chuckled softly despite my distress. Then came the oven. I reached in a bit too fast. I heard a sharp hiss accompanied with pain through me. I burnt my fingers badly. "Ouch!" I yelled. Garran hurried to my side. "Careful lady. You'll hurt yourself."
I pulled my hand from his grip. "It's okay. I have had worse."
He mumbled a string of curses. "The Alpha won't like this."
Minutes later the air shifted, the scent of power filled the kitchen before his voice did. "Who allowed her near the fire?". Everyone froze. He strode in tall, storm eyed, the dark lines on his neck faintly growing in anger. Shadows emitted from him. I turned, wiping the flour from her hands. He was being dramatic acting like he cared.
"No one allowed me near the fire. I chose to on my own," I glared at him. "I was just learning to be useful. You're overreacting." His voice turned cold, his eyes following mine. "You are mine. You don't need to be useful."
"I am not your pet. I am a person and cannot be caged. I'm not an object, Lucien." I glared so hard, my eyes hurt. He gave a nod, his eyes blazing but his face remained blank. I couldn't read his emotions but I could tell by the way his nose glared that he was angry.
"Watch me, Pet."
The Omegas gasped quietly. No one has ever spoken to the Alpha like that and lived for a second. He exhaled sharply, stepped close. Without a word, he grabbed my wrist. I flinched from the contact. My hormones began acting up again. His hand was rough but warm on my skin. He wasn't applying much pressure just firm enough to let me know who is dominant.
His eyes softened at the briefest moments when he saw the reddened skin. He said nothing as he opened a small vial he had in his pockets, dipped two fingers in it and applied it ever so gently on my skin. His thumb brushes against my pulse before he spoke. "You shouldn't have to do this. You were a soldier." His tone was conflicted.
"And to avoid this calamity let me be by your side daily. I need to be free." I said quietly.
"So crazy," he breathed out. I almost smiled at his frustrated gasp. "Make me agree then."
"Please," I begged. My eyes widening a bit. He stared into my eyes then to my lips before he gave a nod. "You will not leave our room without permission." He said, his voice hoarse.
"You left me no choice after marking me you left."
His expression darkened at the word 'mark'. "You always have a choice and don't forget I own you." He turned away and left giving me no chance to speak. His cloak brushing against my arm leaving the scent of cedar and herbs.