Raven's POV
I'm still staring at the empty shadows where the stranger disappeared when my door crashes open.
"Step away from the window!" A guard rushes in, grabbing my arm and yanking me backward. "Now!"
"What? I wasn't—"
"Rogue spotted on the grounds." He drags me toward the center of the room. "You stay put until we clear the area."
My heart hammers. That was Kieran Nightshade. It had to be. He was right outside my window, and now the whole pack will know he breached their defenses.
Because of me.
More guards flood in, checking every corner, every shadow. Through the connecting door, I hear Caspian arguing with someone—probably his father.
"I don't care what you saw! You can't just lock her up like a prisoner!"
"She IS a prisoner." Magnus's cold voice cuts through. "A valuable one. And after tonight's breach, she's clearly in danger. We're protecting her."
"By caging her?"
"By doing what's necessary!"
Their argument fades as guards escort Magnus away. Then Caspian appears in the doorway between our rooms, flanked by two warriors who clearly won't let him come closer.
He looks better than before—my touch healed him enough to function. But guilt radiates from him like heat.
"Raven, I—"
"Don't." I turn my back to him. "Just don't."
"I'm trying to help you—"
"You're not helping!" I spin around, fury exploding. "You rejected me, destroyed me, and now I'm trapped here as your personal medicine! Don't pretend you're helping me. You're using me, just like your father wants."
He flinches. "That's not fair."
"Fair?" I laugh bitterly. "Nothing about this is fair! Fair would be letting me go. Fair would be giving me a choice. But I don't get choices, do I? Because I'm omega. Because I'm nothing!"
"You're not nothing," he says desperately. "You're—"
"Your cure. Your tool. Your property." Each word is a knife. "That's all I am now."
The guards pull him back before he can respond. The connecting door slams shut, and I hear it lock from his side this time.
I'm alone again in my beautiful prison.
I don't sleep. Can't sleep. I keep seeing those amber eyes staring up at me, hearing that dangerous promise: I'm coming for you.
Who is he? What does he want? And why does part of me hope he succeeds?
Dawn brings Elder Meredith and two female omegas I don't recognize. They carry armfuls of expensive dresses, jewelry, and cosmetics.
"What's this?" I ask suspiciously.
"Your new wardrobe." Elder Meredith's smile is kind but firm. "As Caspian's companion, you'll need to present yourself appropriately."
"I'm not his companion. I'm his prisoner."
"You're the pack's salvation," she corrects gently. "And you'll dress the part. Now, let's get you ready. The council wants to see you in an hour."
They don't give me a choice. The omegas strip me, bathe me in water that smells like roses, and dress me in a deep green gown that probably costs more than I've earned in my entire life.
I look in the mirror and don't recognize myself.
"Beautiful," Elder Meredith murmurs. "This is who you were meant to be, Raven. Not scrubbing floors. Not hiding in shadows."
"I never wanted this," I whisper.
"No one asks what we want, child. We do what we must for those we love."
"I don't love this pack. They never loved me."
Her eyes sadden. "Perhaps. But they need you. And sometimes, need is enough."
The council chamber feels different in daylight—less threatening, but no less imposing. Magnus sits at the head of the table with Elder Meredith beside him. Other council members fill the remaining seats.
Caspian stands near the window, his back to everyone. He's wearing fresh clothes, and his power feels stable again. Because of me.
I hate that I can sense his power now. Hate that I'm aware of him constantly, like a buzzing in the back of my mind.
"Miss Thorne." Magnus gestures to an empty chair. "Please, sit."
I remain standing. Small rebellion, but it's all I have.
His jaw tightens. "Very well. We've called you here to formalize your new position in the pack."
"Position?" I repeat coldly. "You mean my imprisonment."
"Your protection," he corrects smoothly. "After last night's breach, it's clear the rogues want you. We can't risk them succeeding."
"So you're keeping me locked up for my own good?" I don't bother hiding my sarcasm.
"Yes." No shame in his voice. "You'll remain in the Alpha wing. You'll attend pack functions with Caspian. You'll be available when his power requires stabilization. In return, you'll receive the finest quarters, the best food, and the pack's full protection."
"I don't want any of that. I want to leave."
"Impossible." Magnus stands, his presence filling the room. "You're too valuable to lose. And too dangerous to release."
"Dangerous?" The word surprises me.
"You're a Primordial Omega, Miss Thorne. Do you know what that means?" He begins circling the table like a predator. "Your bloodline can control Alphas. Influence pack bonds. Potentially destroy entire territories if you chose to."
My blood runs cold. "I would never—"
"We can't take that risk." He stops directly in front of me. "So you'll stay here, under our watch, where we can ensure you use your gifts for the pack's benefit—not its destruction."
"This is insane!" I back away from him. "I'm not dangerous! I'm just—"
"Just what?" His eyes gleam. "Just an omega who can bring the strongest wolves to their knees? Just a girl who rogues are willing to wage war to claim? Just someone who could tear apart centuries of pack tradition with a single choice?"
Each word hits like a blow.
"You're exactly as dangerous as you are valuable," Magnus continues. "Which is why you'll accept your new role. Willingly or not."
"And if I refuse?" I challenge, even though I know the answer.
"Then you're endangering the pack. And the penalty for that is exile—which, for a lone omega, means certain death."
"Father." Caspian finally turns from the window. "This is wrong. She deserves a choice."
"She is omega!" Magnus roars. "She exists to serve the pack! Her feelings don't matter!"
"They matter to me!"
"Then you're weak!" Magnus turns his fury on his son. "Just like I feared. This is exactly why I ordered you to reject her. An Alpha cannot afford sentiment. Cannot afford weakness. The pack comes first. Always."
Caspian's hands clench into fists, but he doesn't argue. Can't argue. Because part of him still believes his father is right.
I see it in his eyes—the war between duty and desire. And I know which side will win.
It always does.
"So that's it?" I hear myself say. "I'm trapped here forever? No freedom. No life of my own. Just a tool for the pack to use?"
"You'll have a good life," Elder Meredith says gently. "Comfort. Safety. Purpose."
"A cage is still a cage, even if it's lined with gold."
Magnus smiles. "Then I suggest you get comfortable, Miss Thorne. Because this is your new reality."
The room tilts. My vision blurs. This can't be happening. Can't be real.
But it is.
I'm trapped. Truly trapped. No escape. No hope. Nothing but a lifetime of being used by the pack that never wanted me.
"Please." The word breaks from me before I can stop it. I hate begging. Hate showing weakness. But I'm desperate. "Please don't do this. I'll leave. I'll go far away where I can't affect the pack. Just please, let me go."
For a moment, Magnus's expression softens. Almost looks sympathetic.
Then it hardens again. "No."
That single word destroys me.
My legs give out. I sink to my knees, unable to stand anymore. Unable to fight anymore.
Caspian moves toward me, but guards block him.
"Take her back to her quarters," Magnus orders. "And double the guards outside her door. No visitors without my approval."
Strong hands lift me. I don't resist as they carry me from the room. What's the point? Where would I run? What would I do?
They deposit me back in my beautiful prison and lock the door.
I curl up on the bed and finally let myself break completely. Let the tears come. Let the sobs shake my body.
I cry for the life I've lost. For the freedom I'll never have. For the girl I used to be who at least had hope, even if she had nothing else.
Hours pass. The sun sets. Darkness fills my room.
Then I hear it again—that voice from last night, floating through my window.
"Tomorrow night. Be ready."
I rush to the window. Kieran Nightshade stands in the shadows again, but closer this time. Close enough that I can see his face clearly—sharp features, dark hair, and those amber eyes that seem to glow.
"Ready for what?" I whisper.
His smile is dangerous and promising. "Your rescue. Or your damnation. Whichever you prefer."
"They'll kill you if you try to break me out."
"They can try." He tilts his head, studying me. "Question is—do you want to be rescued, little Primordial? Or have they convinced you that your cage is for your own good?"
"I want to be free," I breathe.
"Then trust me tomorrow night. When the moon is highest. Don't fight. Don't scream. Just come."
"Why should I trust you?"
"Because unlike them, I'm offering you a choice." He steps back into deeper shadows. "Stay and be their prisoner. Or come with me and discover what you really are."
"Wait! Who are you? What do you want from me?"
His laugh is dark and amused. "I'm the monster they warned you about, Raven Thorne. And I want to set you free."
Then he's gone.
I stand at the window, my heart racing, my mind spinning.
Tomorrow night. A rescue. A choice.
Or a trap.
Behind me, the connecting door unlocks. Caspian enters without permission, his face desperate.
"Raven, please. Let me explain—"
He stops. His nostrils flare. His eyes narrow.
"Someone was here." His voice drops to a growl. "I smell rogue. In your room."
My blood turns to ice.
He crosses to the window, looking out at the exact spot where Kieran stood. When he turns back to me, his expression is terrifying.
"What did he want?" Each word is sharp. Dangerous. "What did he say to you?"
I should lie. Should protect myself.
But I'm tired of lying. Tired of being afraid.
So I tell him the truth.
"He's coming back tomorrow night. And when he does, I'm leaving with him."