“Then you’ll keep testing limits until something out there finishes the lesson for us,” he said. “And I won’t let that happen. Not to you.”
Silence stretched between us, thick with everything unsaid.
His tone softened. “If you’rereallysorry, then show us you understand. Show us you trust us to guide you, baby.”
Deep down, I knew these men would not harm me beyond what I could bear. And as much as I hated to admit, Cade was right. Part of me, the omega buried inside, needed this in ways I could not explain. The correction, attention, and deliberate kind of punishment that reminded me I belonged to them.
There was a strange relief in surrendering control of my body to them, even for punishment. Allowing these men to have total control, total power, brought a calm I couldn’t rationally explain.
For once, I didn't really want to run.
I saw it with sudden clarity. What I’d called freedombefore hadn’t been freedom at all. It was isolation, constant vigilance, another kind of cage, one I’d built for myself and mistaken for independence.
Here, at least, I could be myself.
“I don’t want to feel guilty anymore,” I breathed. “I don’t want to feel restless or unsafe. And I don’t want to keep being a problem.”
Cade’s expression softened. “You’re not a problem,” he said. “You’re an omega learning where she fits in the world and how to handle her instincts."
I exhaled shakily. “And punishment… is supposed to help?”
“It will,” he said sternly. “If you let it.”
I closed my eyes for a moment, steadying myself. When I opened them again, I met his gaze.
“I want to stop running,” I said. “I want to understand what you’re asking of me and stop fighting my instincts.” My voice shook, but I held his gaze. “You’re right. I need it. And I’m sorry, sir.”
Cade’s lips tilted upward as a faint smile ghosted across his mouth. He was pleased with me.
“Let’s get started then. Take your clothes off, Rowan. You can leave your underwear on.”
My hands trembled as I unbuttoned my jeans and slid them down my legs. I pulled my sweater over my head, my heart racing faster with each layer I removed. When it came time to unfasten my bra, I hesitated, still not entirely comfortable exposing myself to them. Cade tilted his head slightly, a silent cue that told me to keep going. I drew a shaky breath, unclasped the bra, and let it fall.
Talon set the mystery bowl on the coffee table. When I glanced over, I saw he had filled it with uncooked rice. The sight made my stomach turn. What exactly were they planning to do with rice? Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a thin black rope.
His voice slid through my mind, echoing through our bond.
Come here, Pet.
I obeyed, moving toward him with hesitant steps. When he made a small circular gesture with his finger, I turned around, presenting my back to him.
He began wrapping the rope around my body with slow, deliberate precision. As he worked, his tattooed fingers brushed over my skin, light and purposeful.
Ryker and Cade watched in silence, their attention following the path of his hands as the rope circled my torso, winded around my neck and shoulders, then criss-crossed my chest, looping beneath my arms and around my biceps before circling my torso again just below my breasts. The last strands of rope bound my wrists tightly behind my back and secured them together.
The restraint was snug and obstructed my every movement. My muscles ached to stretch, but the pressure of the rope against my skin sent a strange shiver of comfort through me. It bit into my flesh just enough to leave faint red marks. The restriction made me feel both secure and utterly exposed.
“Spin for us. Show off how beautiful you look," Cade instructed.
I turned slowly, giving them time to drink in every inch of me.
“You look like a fucking present, Kitten. I can’t wait to unwrap you,” Ryker said, biting down on his knuckles with a sharp inhale.
Even Cade, who usually kept his expression neutral, looked barely in control.
Talon reached for the bowl and tipped it over, spilling its contents across the floor beside the entertainment center. The tiny grains of rice scattered in every direction, a mess of pale specks dotted across the dark floor. He crooked his finger, motioning for me to come closer. I hesitated for a moment, confused, but obeyed.
“Face the couch and kneel on the rice, Pet. Stay upright, nice and straight, eyes forward.”
