The air felt thick, almost suffocating, as the high-ranking politician stepped forward. His hands moved toward Nine, and I could feel the shift in Nine's body before I even saw it—the slight jerk of tension, the way his eyes lowered to the floor, the resignation that settled over him like a heavy cloak.
"I'll take him for the night," the politician announced smoothly, his tone polished, practiced, like he was about to make a transaction. The others in the room barely seemed to notice; some were curious, others bored. But none of them saw what I saw—the helplessness in Nine's eyes, the brokenness in his posture.
The Supreme Leader's lip curled upward in a smile, his eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. "Of course," he said dismissively, as if Nine were just another plaything. "Take him. He's yours for the evening."
I saw the way Nine flinched, as if the very mention of being handed over felt like a slap. He didn't move to protest; he didn't even look up. There was nothing in him that resisted anymore. His body moved mechanically as the politician's hands gripped him, pulling him forward like a thing. I could feel the tremors running through him, the slight quiver of his body, but there was no fight left in him. The fight had been drained out long ago.
Please, Nine's voice came through the bond, small, so quiet it was almost a whisper. Please don't let him take me. I can't... I can't bear it. Not him.
The plea was soft, but it was sharp enough to pierce through the bond, sharp enough to twist my insides. My heart stuttered, the frustration and helplessness building in me, but I had to control it. I had to stay composed.
Nine's words continued, a steady stream of fear and panic. Please don't let him... not again. Not him, Alpha, please.
I wanted to speak, to tell him I would stop this, that I would rip the man's hands off him and make him pay for every second of pain, but the words wouldn't come. I couldn't promise him anything I couldn't deliver. All I had was the bond between us, and even that felt weak.
I followed them, keeping my distance. The Supreme Leader didn't look at me, didn't care enough to notice that I was right there, following them as they moved toward the door. Nine was being dragged away like a puppet, his feet barely touching the floor. His body was limp, broken. I could feel his quiet desperation flooding through the bond, the way his breath hitched with every step. I wanted to scream, to tear them apart, but I knew I couldn't. Not here. Not now.
Through the bond, Nine's voice came again, but this time it was different. It was a sound—a need—a desperate, breathless plea that shattered me. Alpha, please. Please don't let them... Don't let him...
He couldn't even form a full sentence anymore. His words were fragmented, full of that raw, aching need, and it broke me inside. Nine wasn't asking for comfort anymore. He wasn't asking for anything except escape, release from the nightmare that was about to begin again.
The politician stopped in front of the door and turned back toward the Supreme Leader, his grip on Nine tightening. The Supreme Leader, with a wicked smirk, gave a lazy wave of his hand, dismissing the whole situation as if it were a trivial matter.
Without a word, he kicked Nine - it wasn't a forceful kick—it was a shove, a command. Nine stumbled, his feet giving way beneath him as he collapsed into the politician's arms. The politician chuckled darkly, brushing his fingers down Nine's cheek, as if inspecting his "property."
I could feel the fear bleeding through the bond. Nine's pulse spiked as he was dragged away, his breath hitching in the politician's grasp. His eyes remained on the floor, the submission in his posture so complete, so utter, that it made me want to tear my heart out.
Alpha... please... don't let him do this...
The words came through the bond, barely audible, like a plea for mercy. But there was nothing I could do. I had no power here.
The politician chuckled again, more to himself than to anyone else. He ran his hands down Nine's back, tracing the curve of his spine, his fingers lingering in places they shouldn't. "So delicate," the politician murmured, his tone amused, predatory. "I wonder how long it'll take before you break completely."
Please, Alpha. Please... Nine's voice was breaking, growing weaker with each word, with each step.
I couldn't help it. The rage inside me roared to life, but I quelled it quickly. I had to be patient. I had to wait for the right moment. For now, all I could do was follow, my presence lingering just behind them, powerless to intervene.
Alpha... I can't...
The words were barely a whisper, but they cut through me like a blade. I wanted to hold him, to tell him that I was coming for him, that I wouldn't let this happen. But I couldn't say those words. He wouldn't believe me anyway.
As they walked out of the room, I followed them—closer now, my steps almost silent. Every footstep of Nine's, every shift of his body, was etched into my mind, and through the bond, his fear filled me completely. His desperation echoed in my chest, and I couldn't ignore it. But there was nothing I could do right now.
I followed them out.