CHAPTER 7: THE TIES THAT BINDS US

HAILEY

After the dark, damp confines of the dungeon, the sunshine was blinding. I blinked against the light as my legs swayed and I entered the courtyard. I should have been relieved to be free of the confining confinement, but Thomas's persistent presence made me sick. He had snarled, his fingers clamping down too tightly on my arm as he hauled me out of the prison, "You'll work off your disgrace." And Marissa will see to that. Remind yourself that without this pack, you are still nothing. As I was led inside the pack house to meet Marissa, those words replayed in my mind. She stood in the big hall, ordering a crew of omegas to decorate for her three-day mating ceremony. The sunlight shining through the lofty building glinted on her golden hair. Through the tall windows, her presence dominated the room. Her smile curled cruelly when she looked at me. “Well, well. Our little dungeon rat cleaned up nicely,” she said, her tone dripping with mockery. “Hurry up Hailey, you’ve got work to do.” I walked up to her, my heart pounding, as she evaluated me like I was a piece of furniture. “You’ll assist me,” she said, passing me a clipboard. “Since you’ve made such a habit of skulking about unnoticed, you’ll ensure everything is running smoothly. Consider this your redemption.” The ceremony preparations were a flurry of activity, and I was caught in the centre of it all. Marissa's every order was sharp, her expectations were impossible to meet."Those centrepieces are pitiful, Hailey. Repair them. "Where is the wine for the head table, Hailey?" “Stop putting things off, Hailey!” Her voice followed me everywhere, and despite my best efforts to remain composed, my feelings were all over the place. Amenia is furious, but I calm her down. I was numb at one point, concentrating just on finishing every work without any problems. The injustice of my circumstances, however, caused a fierce and unyielding outburst of rage the next day. In the recesses of my consciousness, Amenia's voice was a constant buzz. "They'll be sorry," she snarled. "Our moment will arrive." The tension in the air grew oppressive as the event drew near. A royal feast, crystal chandeliers shining overhead, and flowers arranged in a cascade of reds and golds—everything had to be flawless. Marissa's piercing voice cut through the confusion, and she appeared everywhere at once. "Hailey," she called, gesturing for me to come closer. "Yes, Marissa?" A tray of goblets was thrust into my hands by her. "The head table is where these go. Additionally, I'll have you scrubbing floors until you bleed if you drop them. Biting back a retort, I nodded and walked up to the table. The mood changed as the visitors started to come. As everyone attempted to impress the guests from Alpha King Ryan's pack, the noise level increased and the laughter became more strained. Holding a platter of hors d'oeuvres, I stood at the edge of the room, looking around at the guests. Serving the guests and avoiding eye contact was my straightforward job. However, as the stately doors opened, a deafening silence descended on the room. First to enter, Alpha King Ryan's dominating presence demanded attention. With the accuracy of a predator, his dark eyes scanned the throng, evaluating each individual. His beta, a big man with broad shoulders, sharp features, and a confident gait, was among his retinue that trailed behind him. His eyes found Flora, and I gasped immediately when I saw his eye change.

FLORA

As we moved around the room, I made an effort to fit in with the other omegas and maintain a low profile. But everyone couldn't look the beta in the eye; they all looked away from him, but when the beta's gaze met mine. His face changed, showing a spark of recognition and surprise. He said, "Mate," in a voice so faint I nearly thought I had dreamed it. As he moved closer, the distance between us dwindled, and my pulse raced with both excitement and dread. The distance between us is getting smaller every second. I attempted to retreat, but my feet refused to cooperate. His voice was powerful but kind when he got to me. "What's your name?" I stammered, my cheeks flaming from his intense stare, "F-Flora." His voice grew softer as he introduced himself as Logan. "You're also my mate." His words sank in, and the world shook on its axis. The connection between us was indisputable, despite my desire to reject it and go. He grabs my hand right away and draws me in for a lengthy embrace.

HAILEY

I watched the exchange from the other side of the room, feeling a mixture of interest and fear in my stomach. For a minute, Flora's wide eyes locked with mine, and I saw the terror there. I imagined Amenia growling. "Her destiny has just changed." But before I could comprehend what was going on, Marissa's piercing voice broke the silence. "Hailey! Go back to work and stop staring. With my mind racing, I quickly obeyed. The strain in the air was evident as the night continued to drag on. Logan remained beside Flora, showing his protectiveness at all times. However, Alpha Thomas was overshadowed by Alpha King Ryan, whose piercing eyes scanned the room as though looking for something—or someone. Then, as the evening was coming to a conclusion, Thomas came up to Ryan with an unreadable expression. "Alpha, you seem restless," Thomas replied with ease. "Is something not right?" A small smile flickered across Ryan's lips but did not extend to his eyes. "Your pack shouldn't worry about anything."

They had a brief but intense conversation, and Thomas's eyes darkened as Alpha King Ryan turned away. Even though I had no idea what they had talked about, I sensed that a storm that would alter everything was approaching. There was an uncomfortable silence in the pack house as the last of the guests left. I hung in the dark, fatigue pulling at me. However, as I turned to go, I sensed it—a distinct, unmistakable presence. Amenia spoke urgently. "Someone is observing us." With my heart pounding, I turned and met Alpha Ryan's gaze across the deserted hallway. And I realised then that my brittle life was about to get upended.