I squeeze my eyes shut, and his face is there.Zion’s.The hunger in his gaze, the way he filled me until I forgot myself, until the only thing that mattered was the raw, brutal rhythm of his body against mine.The way he made me say things I never should have.
My heart clenches.I almost beg the memory to stay with me a little longer.To protect me.To keep me standing.But Corvin yanks me forward, snapping the fragile thread of my thoughts.
“Stand tall,” he hisses, low enough for no one else to hear.“Don’t embarrass me in front of them, or you’ll regret it when we’re alone.”
Fear sears through me like fire.My lips tremble, but I force them still.
The priest, or whatever title these robed old men hold, begins the binding vows.His voice is low and monotonous, echoing up the walls until it feels like the stone itself is mocking me.
“Do you, Alpha Corvin of the Northern Territory, claim this omega as your own?”
Corvin’s smirk widens.“I do.With every right, with every law, with every inch of her.”His thumb strokes the inside of my wrist in a parody of tenderness, but his words drip with venom.“She’ll know no freedom but my name.”
My stomach twists.
“And do you, omega Evangeline of House Roth, submit yourself to this Alpha, mind, body and soul?”Every eye in the chamber lands on me and my throat tightens.
I want to scream,No!I want to run until my lungs burst, until my feet bleed, until the only scent on me is the wind and earth.But my mother’s gaze pins me in place.Cold and expectant.Promising punishment if I so much as falter.
“I...”My voice cracks.Tears sting my eyes.“I...”
Corvin squeezes my hand again, hard enough to grind bone.His breath ghosts against my ear.“Say it.Or I’ll make this ceremony a spectacle they’ll never forget.I’ll bend you over the altar right here and fuck you in front of them all.Make you bleed on the council floor.”
My breath hitches, terror choking me.My lips move before I can stop them.
“I do.”
The words taste like ash.
A ripple of satisfaction runs through the council.My mother’s chin tips in approval.And Corvin’s smirk is triumphant and vile.
He lifts my hand to his mouth, pressing his lips to the back of it in a grotesque imitation of gentility.His tongue flicks against my skin, hot and wet, and my stomach lurches so violently I nearly gag.
“I’ll enjoy you,” he whispers against my hand.“I’ll enjoy every scream, every tear.By the time I’m done, you’ll beg to forget any man who came before me.Especially him.”
I choke on a sob.The vows end.A heavy silence settles as the priest declares us bound.Applause follows, polite and hollow, echoing like mockery off the walls.The chains close around me, invisible but crushing all the same.
They lead us down the aisle together, his grip unrelenting, his pace purposeful.My veil trembles with every shaky breath, tears soaking into the lace.I can’t stop them now.They fall hot and fast, streaking down my cheeks, soaking the bodice of my dress.
Corvin doesn’t slow.Doesn’t speak.Only squeezes my hand hard enough to leave bruises that will bloom later.When the heavy doors of the chamber slam shut behind us, his mask slips further.He yanks me close, pressing his mouth against my ear.
“Tonight,” he murmurs, low and cruel, “I’ll take what’s mine.You’ll be on your knees until your throat is raw.You’ll choke on my cock until you can’t speak, and then I’ll fuck you until you can’t walk.And when you collapse, I’ll drag you up and do it again.”
The bile I’ve been holding back finally surges.I turn my head, gagging, retching, but nothing comes up.Just dry heaves, humiliating and loud in the stone corridor.
He laughs.Laughs.
“You’re weak,” he sneers.“But don’t worry.I’ll make you stronger.Omegas always think they can fight their place.But they always learn.”His hand grips my jaw, forcing me to meet his gray eyes.Cold.Dead.“And you’ll learn faster than most.Because I don’t have patience for rebellion.”
Tears blind me.My chest heaves.Every breath hurts.I don’t pray often.I’ve never believed it mattered.But in this moment, all I can do is whisper one desperate plea inside my head.
“Zion.Please.”
I don’t even realize I’ve said his name out loud until Corvin’s eyes narrow.
“What did you say?”I freeze, lips trembling.My silence betrays me.
His smirk turns sharp, cruel.“So, he’s the one.The bastard who touched you first.I can smell him on you, buried in your skin.Good.That’ll make tonight more fun.”He leans closer, his voice a razor’s edge.“I’ll make you scream his name while I ruin you.And then I’ll beat it out of you until you never dare think it again.”
