I thought the worst had already happened. That nothing could be more painful than David and Bryan rejecting me. That being treated like a worthless maid in the palace would be my greatest disgrace.
But I was wrong. Because now, I was no longer just an unwanted mate. I was a breeder.
A pawn in the power struggle between two brothers who hated me to the core as much as they despised one another.
And the worst part? I had no way to escape.
*****
The day after the king summoned them, I was dragged out from the quarters where the servants slept and thrown into a chamber in the east wing of the palace.
It was too big, too suffocating and the bed too large for someone who had slept her whole life on the cold floor. But I wasn't buying it.This was not an act of kindness. It was more like a prison.
A new prettier cage in which they could control me.
Lady Lila made sure I knew it. She came into my room that morning and barged inside without knocking. There was a smirk on her lips as she looked around.
"So, the little maid has become something useful after all." she said while tracing her fingers along the velvet curtains.
I clenched my fists. "You act like I chose this."
Her gaze bore into mine. "Didn't you?" she said sweetly.
My breath hitched. "What?
She took another step closer towards me and using her index finger, she lifted my chin up so my eyes could meet hers.
"You think I don't know what you're doing? How strange that a lowly omega like you suddenly became the fated mate to the Lycan princes. You planned this, didn't you?"
"Are you insane?"
Lila didn't burge. "You must be so proud of yourself. Seducing not one, but two men far above you. I almost admire the ambition."
I shook my head in disbelief. "I never wanted this!"
Her smirk widened. "Then prove it."
I stilled. Lila leaned in, her breath warm against my ear. "Leave."
Her word sent a shiver down my spine.
"Run away," she whispered. "Prove that you don't want this power and the title. That you are not just waiting to open your legs for whoever gives you a crown."
My blood boiled. "You don't know anything about me."
Lila pulled back, tilting her head. "No?"
She smiled. "Then let's see how long you will last."
And with that, she turned and left the room, leaving me speechless.
****
David and Bryan avoided me for the next few days.
I had expected them to barge into my chambers, furious with their father's decision.
But instead, they act like I did not exist. Fine. That was fine.
If they don't want to see me, then I don't want to see them either.
Most of my time was spent inside this new prison, and I only left when summoned.
But then, on the third night, I realized I was being watched. The hair on my neck rose as I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
Something was wrong. Slowly, I turned my head and locked eyes with Bryan.
He was standing in the shadows near the door with his arms crossed as he watched me with an unreadable expression.
My breath caught in my throat. "What the hell are you doing?"
He didn't answer.
I sat up, glaring at him before pointing towards the door. "Get out."
Bryan smirked. "You're in our wing now, little omega. We can go wherever we want."
I hated the way my pulse quickened at the way he looked at me like I was something he was trying to figure out.
"Leave" I blurted out.
He ignored me, his gaze straying to the untouched food on the table.
"You're not eating."
I crossed my arms. "I'm not hungry."
He raised an eyebrow. "Or are you hoping to starve yourself out of this?"
My jaw clenched. "Would that be such a bad thing?"
Bryan let out a low chuckle. "You really are a stubborn little thing."
He took a step closer but I remained glued to the spot.
"You should be careful, Elara." he murmured.
I hated the way my name sounded on his lips. "Careful of what?" I snapped.
Bryan tilted his head. "Me."
Then, before I could do anything, he turned and walked away, vanishing into the darkness again.
I let out a loud puff of air, my heart racing. What is wrong with everyone today?
The next morning, David came.
Unlike Bryan, he did not sneak into my room like a thief in the night.
No. He simply strode in as if he owned everything which I supposed he did.
I had just finished bathing when he came in. Quickly, I I grabbed a cover before his cold voice sliced through the silence. "Get dressed?"
I blinked my eyelids. "Pardon?"
David didn't even bother to face me as he wandered over to the window with his hands clasped behind his back. "My father wants you to join us for dinner tonight."
I frowned. "Why?"
"So he can pretend this whole thing is normal."
I wrapped my arms across my chest. "I am not going to dinner.
David finally turned, his ice blue gaze pinning me in place. "You don't have a choice."
A cold shiver ran down my spine and I lifted my chin in defiance. "What if I refuse?"
David took a step forward. Then another until there was barely a gap between us.B"You won't."
His voice was soft and dangerous.
I glared at him. "You can't control me."
David smirked. "Can't I?"
Before I could respond, he was already walking away, his voice drifting over his shoulder.
"Be prepared by nightfall."
And with that, he was gone.
****
I sat in the grand dining hall that night, surrounded by two men who hated me.
King Aldric sat at the head of the table, looking at us.
"You look great, Elara." he said.
I smiled politely. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Bryan scoffed and David said nothing.
There was tension in the air.
But just as I reached for my glass of water, a familiar voice cut through the silence.
"I hope I'm not too late for the party."
Lila.
She moved into the room as if she owned it, her silk dress hugging her figure.
But I wasn't looking at her.
I was looking at David.
Because for the first time since I met him, his expression wasn't blank.
It was filled with something else. Something I will only ever see when he looked at her. And then, Lila sat down beside him.
Her fingers grazed his wrist. And David let them. Something in me just snapped.
Bryan smirked. "Careful, little omega."
I barely even heard him. I was too busy drowning.
And the worst part? David did not even notice.
