Chapter 22

chapter 22

. . .

Carmen

M y mind raced as I tried to process what Tyler had just told me.

He had joined the pack, making him my alpha. The very thought filled me with uncertainty about how to treat him, mixed with anger.

He had already hurt me twice, and now he held power over me.

“There’s no way in hell,” I muttered, staring at the carpet as tears welled in my eyes.

“Carmen,” said Tyler, his fingers gently lifting my chin. “It’s already done. I’ll do everything in my power to get out of here—especially now that you’re my omega.”

My heart pounded even faster as I met his gaze, aware of the pack connection between us. It felt as if our souls were already connected as one, but I needed to resist the pull.

“Oh my god.”

My body betrayed me, a slick wetness growing between my clenched thighs. I could feel it soaking through my clothes, and I knew every alpha in the room could smell my arousal .

I felt a blush spread across my cheeks, heat pooling in my face.

“Only when you’re ready for me,” Tyler said softly, but his words did nothing to calm me down.

My heart raced, and I could hardly breathe as I slowly stood up from the chair in a daze. This wasn’t happening. The alpha who broke my heart.

“I’ll never be ready for you,” I said, rushing to the door. As I flung the door open, I found myself face-to-face with a smiling Henry.

What the hell? This nightmare was only getting worse.

“You look absolutely stunning, my dear,” he said smoothly. Fear gripped me as I backed away from him. Jaxon, Axel, and Tyler immediately stood before me, blocking my path.

“Henry, we need to talk,” Tyler said, his tone firm.

“Make it quick,” Henry replied, his eyes never leaving mine. “My bride is eagerly waiting for me.”

With that, they left me alone in the room, the door closing behind them as they chatted on the other side.

My heart was still racing after Tyler’s revelation. He was officially mine now, and I had no reason to doubt the connection that had suddenly formed between us. No wonder Jaxon had kissed me in the elevator. It was all starting to make sense, and I was so confused.

Trembling, I sank back into the office chair, my heart heavy with fear.

The lingering scent of Tyler and his pack enveloped me, reminding me of the shocking news he had shared. If he somehow got me out of this situation and brought me back home, I would give him a chance .

A very small chance.

On impulse, I opened a random cabinet in the desk, searching for anything to occupy my mind and distract me from what was happening.

My eyes scanned letters addressed to someone, curiosity piquing as I wondered who Tyler had been corresponding with.

To my shock, I discovered they were addressed to me—letters never sent.

Dear Carmen,

I don’t know where to start. No amount of apologizing is enough for what I did to you. I was starting as a new guard, and I had to push you away…

And another letter buried beneath that one.

Dearest Carmen,

Carmen, my love, I know you'll likely never read this, but I can't help but pour my heart out on paper. I've spent years regretting the decision I made that day—rejecting you for what I believed was your safety. You deserved so much more than the life I could offer you.

Then, a third letter.

Carmen,

I miss you. Every day, I find myself longing for your presence, your smile, and the sound of your laughter filling the air. Your absence leaves an emptiness within me that nothing else can fill. Do you still have the baseball I gave you back in tenth grade?

Please forgive me for causing you pain. If only I could turn back time and choose love over duty...

Yours forever,

Tyler

The words brought tears to my eyes, and my heart ached with the raw emotions in the letters. Despite all the years, it seemed Tyler had felt the pain of our broken bond .

He knew we were fated mates, but he had fought against it.

As these thoughts consumed me, the door swung open. Dread coursed through my veins, seeing Henry had come back alone.

My stomach sank with instant dread. Where the hell did Tyler go? Wasn’t he supposed to be busting me out of here?

“Come now, omega,” Henry said, taking my hand in his. “We have a lovely dinner planned for us.”

I swallowed hard, thinking about the rutting that would inevitably follow. The mere thought sent shivers down my spine, filling me with dread and despair.

My heart hammered in my chest as I followed Henry to the elevator. The cold, metallic walls seemed to close in on me with him there.

“Ah, Carmen, you’ve been quite the elusive omega,” he said, grinning as he held my hand tightly.

“Where’s Tyler?” I asked, sweat pouring down the back of my neck.

“Tyler has a job to do,” Henry replied dismissively. “He shouldn't have wasted time chatting with you.”

“But why am I here?” I asked, trying to act as clueless as possible. Maybe I was here for a different reason besides being in his harem. Why would he want me? A pregnant omega who was literally about to give birth.

“It’s simple, my dear. You’re going to be my new omega,” he answered with a grin, holding my hand to his heart. I tried to pull my hand away, but he tightened his grip.

“But I’m pregnant,” I said. “I have a pack who loves me.”

“They took you from me when they saw that I had an interest in you,” said Henry darkly. “If they try that again, they will all be executed. No one will touch you after I mark you tonight.”

Mark me? What the actual fuck? That was some serious commitment that happened if a pack vowed to keep their omega forever.

The elevator came to a stop, and we walked to the dining room—a beautiful space decorated with shimmering crystals that reflected the ambient light.

My heart continued its relentless pounding; I could hardly hear anything Henry was saying. All I could think about was how to escape this nightmare.

As we sat down, servants brought out platters of food—steak, broccoli, and potatoes. My appetite had vanished, and it felt like a knot had formed in my throat.

“Is something wrong, Carmen? You’re not eating,” Henry prodded, concern feigned in his voice.

“Um, just not very hungry,” I mumbled, forcing myself to take a small bite, hoping to prolong our meal and delay the impending rutting. I wondered where the hell Tyler was.

Did he really leave after Henry’s threat? I suddenly felt very alone and small at the table as tears ran down my face. None of my alphas had come to save me.

The only person who could save me now was myself.

A servant approached to pour more lemonade for Henry. Staring at my steak knife, I suddenly saw my opportunity and ducked under the table with it.

The cold metal pressed against my skin as I slid it into my bra beneath my dress.

I re-emerged from underneath the table, and Henry raised an eyebrow. “Everything okay?”

“Y-yes,” I stammered, trying to sound nonchalant. My breathing was labored, and I was scared he could tell, but he seemed focused only on our impending union. “Sorry, I thought I dropped a piece of meat. ”

“Please, don’t worry about that," he reassured me. “The servants will clean up any mess. You’re going to be my wife very soon. You will be omega royalty.”

As we continued our meal, my thoughts raced on how I would stab him. It wasn’t the right time with all the servants watching. Maybe once we were alone.

The clink of silverware against my barely touched plate echoed in the tense silence as Henry took my hand, his grip firm and unyielding.

I froze, my heart pounding like a trapped bird against my chest.

“Time for us to get better acquainted,” he said with an unsettling grin, excitement shining in his cold eyes. “It’s a real ceremony. Several members of my pack will witness me rutting you.”

I swallowed hard as we walked down a long hallway. Fear clawed at my insides as we approached a huge bedroom adorned with a gigantic white bed in the middle, covered in red petals.

The room was crowded with six stuffy alphas wearing suits.

Immediate fear consumed me as Henry closed the door softly behind us. “Men, meet Carmen. We will be sharing her tonight, after I’ve had my fill, of course.”

“She’s pretty. Very plump,” said one of the alphas, admiringly.

“I have a pack,” I cried out, crossing my arms over my chest to hide any evidence of the knife buried between my breasts.

“Isn’t she?” Henry said, beaming. “We will all mark her after the rutting ceremony, and she will become the newest addition to our omega nest.”

My heart thundered in my chest as I tried to back away, but Henry looped his fingers through mine, leading me toward the bed.