In that moment I wished the ground would crack open and swallow me whole, then spit me into my grave.
Kayden held the the chain fastened to my collar, walking me. Tavian strode beside me, glancing at me almost every second, while Rhydian walked behind, his presence casting a dark shadow on me.
I could feel his cold gaze fixated on me, sending chills running down my spine.
As we moved through the school halls, my throat tightened with each breath I took. I've been humiliated many times in my life, more than I can count. But nothing compared to this.
Every pointed finger, every mocking gaze, and every hushed snicker burned into my skin, stripping me bare. Shame licked at me like flames.
I dropped my gaze to the floor, wanting to disappear.
Kayden yanked the chain, almost snapping my neck. I glared at him, holding back on cursing at him.
"Eyes up," he said with a grin.
I gritted my teeth. They enjoyed this. My misery was their twisted source of entertainment.
Each step pulled the slutty dress I had on even higher, my asscheeks on display for the world to see. I was dragging the dress down when a warning growl erupted behind me.
"Hands down," Rhydian's voice rang close behind me. I wasn't stupid enough to disobey. So instead, I looked over my shoulder and our eyes locked.
"Enjoying the view?" I gritted out.
His expression remained blank while Tavian glanced, giving my ass a long, deliberate look.
"You yap a lot for a pet," Kayden said, idly twisting the chain in his hand. My eyes flicked to his biceps, watching the way his tattoos shifted with every movement, almost hypnotic.
"More talking, more chain pulling," Tavian added, "And I'm pretty sure you don't want that."
"Keep yanking, and you won't have a slave left by the end of the year," I retorted.
"You're dead anyway," Kayden shrugged and quickened his pace, forcing me to stumble forward just to keep up with his long strides and pacing.
I looked around me, searching for someone who looked strong enough to come to my defense, but no one dared to-- not even the lecturers could do anything about it.
It wasn't just a rumor… The Thornvalle Alphas ruled the whole academy. No one dared challenge them.
And now I was theirs.
We made it to the cafeteria and immediately we walked into the hall, silence fell. I didn't understand until I looked up to see Rhydian's fist in the air. My eyes widened.
They literally worshipped him, like he was their god.
The way he commanded authority and control was a very attractive feature, but I could only think of my burning hatred for him.
As I looked ahead, a thick lump formed in my throat. Almost everyone on campus was seated in the cafeteria, their eyes fixated on me. My heart dipped.
Kayden stepped forward, pulling on the chain, but I stood with my feet trained to the ground, not because of my stubbornness, but because I couldn't move.
My body trembled, my heart racing so fast it wanted to jump out of my chest. It felt like I'd been thrown in the lion's den, to be ripped apart to shreds.
I felt my shoulders slouch as I reduced in size visibly, hyperventilating. The cold touch on my shoulder was a reminder that no one was going to save me… not in this lifetime.
If only I could run—but that damn chain.
"Come on… recite your pledge in front of the whole school," Kayden said so calmly, you'd think he was offering me help.
I shook my head slowly, retreating backward. I only stopped when my back met something hard-- Rhydian's chest. Our eyes met. And I knew the tears welled in my eyes were visible for him to see.
"Why are you doing this?" My voice trembled.
A sharp pain shot through my neck as the chain was yanked. I stumbled and fell on the ground, my ass exposed. Whistles and laughs echoed through the hall as I tried to cover myself, wrapping my arms around my body to still shroud my shame.
Tavian leaned in and whispered in my ear. "Just say your pledge, and it'll be over."
Will it really be over?
No, this was just the beginning.
"Get down on your knees," Rhydian commanded and I obeyed immediately. My only consolation was that this was going to be over faster if I listened to instructions.
"Recite your pledge."
I recalled the words and looked up to the crowd as a stray tear slid down my cheek. Steadying my breath I looked up.
It's now or never, Dahlia.
"I, Dahlia…" my throat tightened even more, "pledge to go by the rules of my masters devotedly for a year."
"If I go against my pledge I deserve to be punished brutally," my voice cracked.
By the time I was done reciting my pledge, I was on the verge of breaking.
Immediately Kayden unhooked the chain, I ran.
I didn't stop. Not even when I heard Mira call my name. Not even when my lungs burned as I ran.
By the time I got home, my face was a soggy mess. I was halfway up the stairs when I froze. My mother stood at the top, our gaze locked.
"What happened?"
I shook my head and walked past her. "Nothing."
Before I could go far, her hand shot out, gripping my arm, stopping me. Her fingers tightened as she scanned my outfit.
"Why are you dressed like that?" her tone was sharp— like she was judging me.
"It's not like you care," I bit out, yanking my arm free.
She didn't stop me as I stormed into my dad's old room and locked myself in.
I collapsed to the ground, holding my head between my hands as my body shook with uncontrollable sobs.
Shame, pain, and frustration twisted inside me, suffocating me. I reached up, yanking the collar from my neck, and hurled it across the room as I released a strangled cry.
But despite the suffocating emotions, one burned hotter than anything else.
Rage.
It coiled through my veins, boiling my blood.
I was weaker. I was defenseless. But the Thornvalles would get what's coming—this wasn't over.
It was just the beginning.