Her fingers brushed his wrist, and he let her. It was a simple and gentle touch. It was one that shouldn't have mattered.
And yet, it felt like someone had reached into my chest and ripped my heart out.
I wanted to look away and pretend it didn't affect me but I couldn't. Because David wasn't just letting her touch him. He was allowing it as if he wants me to see.
As if to remind me he has already chosen his mate. And it wasn't me.
Bryan's voice cut through the silence. "You look so tense, Elara."
I forced myself to breathe and try to keep my expression flat although humiliation seethed under my skin.
"Perhaps she's just feeling a little bit overwhelmed," Lila said, her voice reeking of false sympathy. "After all, she has never been amongst nobility in her life."
A sharp laugh broke from Bryan. "That's true. She was just a little maid, wasn't she?"
My hands curled into fists under the table. I would not let them see how much this hurt. I refuse to let them see.
"Enough."
The entire room stilled. King Aldric's golden eyes swept over the table, lingering on his sons before finally settling on me.
Elara is here because the Moon Goddess willed it," the king said, his voice even but firm. "You would do well to remember that."
Lila smiled sweetly. "Of course, Your Majesty. We all respect the Moon goddess's will."
David said nothing and Bryan merely smirked.
But the message was clear no matter what the king said. They did not respect me.
Not as a mate. Not as an equal. Not as anything but an object to be controlled.
I barely made it through the rest of dinner, my body was stiff and my mind numb throughout.
But I made up my mind never to let their words get to me. I wasn't weak, not anymore. And if they want to break me? They are going to have to try harder.
****
I went back to my room that night determined to shut out the emotions clawing at my chest.
But Bryan had other plans because I had just closed the door when a hand reached out, grasping my wrist.
I gasped, yanking back only to find myself pinned against the wall. Bryan towered over me, his grip firm but not painful held me his place and his blue eyes gleamed in the dark.
"You looked miserable at dinner." he murmured.
I clenched my teeth. "Let me go."
His lips curled into a smile. "But you haven't answered my question."
I glared at him. "Which is?"
"Why does it bother you so much?" He asked as his fingers tightened on my wrist. His body was so close that I could feel the heat emanating from him.
I hated that my pulse quickened. Hated that my body recognized him even after everything.
"It didn't." I lied.
Bryan chuckled. "Liar."
I yanked my arm free from his grip. "It doesn't matter what I feel." I snapped. "Because you and David have already made your choice."
His smirk disappeared in an instant. Then, his expression hardened. "That's right." he whispered. "We did."
Something sharp wedged itself in my throat. But I swallowed it down, raising my chin. "Then leave me alone."
Bryan tilted his head towards me, observing me like a predator observing it's prey. "Be careful what you wish for, little omega."
Then, before I could utter another word, he vanished.
I collapsed against the door, my whole body trembling.
I should have felt relieved but all I had felt was the emptiness in my soul.
*****
The morning after that. I was just waking up when I heard a knock on my door. Strange, I thought because everyone just barge into my room. Standing up, I opened the door to see a maid at the entrance.
"His Majesty has commanded you to appear before the royal court today." the maid told me.
I glared at her and asked. "Why?"
The girl looked around uncomfortably. "I don't know. B-but Lady Lila will be there too."
Of course she would be. I wanted to refuse this, but couldn't. It was the king's order after all.
So I got dressed and went down to the great hall, where the nobles were already waiting. The moment I stepped inside, they started whispering.
"She is the omega?"
"I can't believe someone like her was chosen by the Moon goddess."
"She's weak. She won't last."
I held my head high, like I couldn't hear them. Until Lila's voice cut through the room.
"Your Majesty," she cooed. "Is it really wise to force this…arrangement?"
The nobles murmured in agreement.
Lila turned, her dark eyes locking onto mine. "Elara is weak." she continued, smiling. "She does not belong here."
King Aldric's expression didn't change but David's jaw clenched. And Bryan, he merely smirked.
"Then perhaps we should put her to a test." he said with a tone of finality.
A chill crawled down my spine. "What kind of test?" someone asked.
Bryan's gaze burned into me. "Let's see if our little breeder can survive a night in the Moon Forest."
The hall fell silent and I froze.
The Moon Forest was forbidden territory. It's a dark forest filled with wild beasts, rogue wolves, and things that even Lycans feared. It is a death sentence.
King Aldric frowned. “That is not necessary.”
But Bryan just leaned back in his chair, grinning. “Are you afraid she won’t last?”
David finally spoke, his voice cold. “It’s a waste of time.”
Lila smirked. “Then let her prove us wrong.”
All eyes turned to me. They were waiting, expecting and daring me to refuse.
I lifted my chin. “I’ll do it.”
A flash of surprise crossed Bryan's eyes. David's face remained impassive. But Lila's smile widened.
"Good." she whispered.
And with that, my fate was decided. Tomorrow night, I would be cast into the Moon Forest. Alone. And if I never returned? Well, that would rid them of all their issues, wouldn't it?
