Elara'spov
Alpha Aldrich forced a smile. "Of course, Alpha Lucien. We would never—"
Lucien turned away.
For the first time in 14 years I was happy seeing alpha Aldrich vale and his family vulnerable. Their stare sent me a signal. 'Do not get caught' then their vulnerability did too… 'or we all dead'. And that made me happy…
If I was going to die I am bringing down iron claw pack with me
The conversation was over.
He began walking, his stride unhurried, controlled.
"Follow."
Alpha Draven's voice cut through the noise, low and unyielding.
My body reacted before my mind could catch up. I turned when he turned, my feet moving as though guided by invisible strings. The crowd parted again, wolves bowing their heads, some dropping to one knee as we passed.
Worship.
Fear.
Reverence.
It all blurred together.
Behind us, one of his soldiers fell into step tall, broad-shouldered, his presence almost as commanding as Lucien's, though quieter. I sensed loyalty, strength, unwavering control.
His Beta.
The hall faded behind us as we moved deeper into the keep. My heart pounded harder with every step, questions crashing violently through my mind.
Why did he marry me if he knew?
What was he planning?
Was I safer… or more trapped than ever?
We did not walk side by side. He was half a step ahead, as though reminding the world and me of where I stood. The bond tugged gently whenever I lagged, a quiet correction that made my breath hitch.
We crossed the ceremonial grounds and entered the inner corridors of Ashmore Keep.
The doors shut behind us with a heavy boom.
Silence fell instantly.
The air inside was different cooler, heavier, saturated with Alpha scent so thick it made my head spin. The stone walls rose high and imposing, torches flickering faintly, casting shadows that danced like watching eyes.
I swallowed hard.
This was his territory.
I was completely alone with him now.
My steps slowed despite myself.
Alpha Draven stopped.
I froze.
Slowly, he turned.
Those silver eyes locked onto me again, and the bond reacted sharply an ache, a pull, a warning.
"You're afraid," he said, not as an accusation, but a statement of fact.
"Yes, Alpha," I answered automatically.
A pause.
"You will answer me as 'my lord,'" he corrected calmly.
Heat rushed to my face. "Yes… my lord."
His gaze sharpened slightly, as though cataloging the response.
"Good," he said. "You learn quickly."
That terrified me more than displeasing him would have.
He resumed walking, and I followed, my heart pounding painfully. The corridors twisted and descended deeper into the keep, until we reached a massive set of black doors carved with ancient symbols—wolves, moons, bloodlines entwined.
The doors opened silently.
The chamber beyond stole the breath from my lungs.
It was enormous—lavish without being indulgent. Dark stone walls, heavy drapes of midnight blue, a massive bed carved from obsidian wood at the center. Moonlight streamed through tall windows, painting silver patterns across the floor.
A bed.
My stomach dropped.
Alpha Draven stepped inside and turned to face me once more. The doors closed behind me with a finality that echoed in my bones.
"You may sit," he said, gesturing toward a cushioned seat near the bed.
I hesitated.
"Now," he added quietly.
I moved instantly, lowering myself onto the edge of the seat, my back stiff, my hands folded tightly in my lap.
He remained standing.
Watching.
The silence stretched, thick and suffocating. I could feel his scrutiny like fingers tracing my skin, peeling back layers I had spent years hiding behind.
"You flinch too easily," he said at last.
I swallowed. "I apologize… my lord,
Why!?
I was… disciplined this way, my lord."
His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
"By whom?"
I hesitated only a second too long.
"Answer," he commanded.
"By Alpha Aldrich," I admitted softly. "And his household."
The air changed.
The bond pulsed sharply, and I felt a flicker of something cold, dangerous anger that did not belong to me.
Interesting.
"So," Alpha Draven said slowly, "Iron Claw taught you obedience through pain."
"not exactly , my lord."
"And fear," he added.
I hesitated..
Do you know what I hate most?... He questioned…
Lies"
I understand, my lord.
Now...answer me!
"Yes." My lord I answered
He stepped closer.
My body reacted instantly, muscles tensing, breath stalling.
But he did not touch me.
Instead, he crouched before me, bringing himself to eye level. The proximity was unbearable. I could see every sharp line of his face, every fleck of silver in his eyes.
"You do not smell like Iron Claw," he said quietly.
My heart stuttered.
"You do not carry their pride," he continued. "Nor their arrogance."
Silence.
"You smell like survival."
My breath shook.
"I smell like an Omega," I whispered before I could stop myself.
The words fell into the room like shattered glass.
For a long moment, Alpha Draven said nothing.
Then—
A slow, dangerous smile curved his lips.
"Ah," he murmured. "There it is."
Terror surged through me. I slid off the seat and dropped to my knees before him, pressing my forehead to the cold stone floor.
"Please," I whispered, the word tearing from my chest. "Please don't kill me."
The bond screamed.
Alpha Draven stood abruptly.
"Get up."
I didn't move.
"I said," his voice hardened, power flooding it, "get up."
My body obeyed violently, lifting me to my feet even as my legs trembled.
He loomed over me now, fully unleashed.
"I do not kill Omegas for existing," he said coldly. "But I do kill liars."
"I didn't lie," I cried softly. "I was forced. I was sent to die."
His eyes bored into mine.
"Explain," he demanded.
So I did.
They were scared for Lyra due to your…..
My what? He questioned
Your brutal nature.
What?
We were told no lady ever survive under you.
So I was sent in place of Lyra…
When I finished, I was trembling violently.
Alpha Draven turned away.
For a terrifying second, I thought that was it.
Then he spoke.
"They offered me a bride as a political pawn," he said quietly. "And sent me an Omega meant to break."
He turned back to me slowly, silver eyes glowing faintly.
"They underestimated me"
Even a mask could never cover your scent to me.
My breath caught.
Anyways
"You are mine now, Elara," he said. "Not Iron Claw's. Not Aldrich's."
Hope flickered dangerously.
"But do not mistake that for mercy," he continued. "You will be tested. Watched. Challenged."
He stepped closer, towering over me once more.
"If you survive," he murmured, "you may yet become something far more dangerous than they ever intended."
His hand lifted, brushing a strand of hair from my face not gentle, but not cruel either.
"Welcome to Ashmore Dominion, little Omega."
The bond tightened.
And for the first time
I didn't know whether I had been sentenced to death…
Or crowned in fire.