Chapter Seventeen

Kiandra

I remained awake this time, acutely aware when the door creaked open in the dead of night. The room was in utter darkness. Heavy footsteps traversed the chamber, heading toward the bed, but Cartan soon detected my absence. I watched him turn, then heard him inhale deeply, his nose savoring the potent fragrance that had intensified as the herbs gradually waned. He had taken to burying his nose in my neck or running it along my back while mating me from behind, an act that seemed to ignite his primal instincts.

However, at this moment, it wasn't the wild, untamed creature I sought in my proximity. I didn't wish to react to him, but as his footsteps drew nearer, an inexplicable longing to reach out for him surged within me. After all, he represented safety. Yet when his hand stretched beneath the table and gripped my leg, I hissed and kicked out, though my resistance merely earned a dark chuckle from him. He effortlessly hoisted me off the floor, depositing me onto the table and enclosing me with his powerful and broad arms. Every facet of him exuded Alpha dominance, stoking the flames of desire within me.

"Why are you hiding, little Omega?" he inquired, his dark voice caressing my skin like a seductive melody. I parted my legs invitingly, and he accepted the unspoken invitation, positioning himself between them. However, he still wore his pants, maintaining close proximity without further contact. "I sense your worry, your fear, but it's not directed at me."

He inclined his head slightly, scrutinizing me as his face drew nearer. I found myself leaning in, irresistibly drawn to the Alpha before me. Without restraint, I pressed my lips to his in a brief kiss. He appeared taken aback by the gesture but responded by gripping my hair and claiming my lips in a far more assertive manner.

He dominated the kiss, his tongue delving into my mouth and igniting an intense heat that felt like a consuming blaze. One of his hands ventured to my breasts, caressing and squeezing the sensitive flesh, eliciting a whimper from me. However, his ministrations and possession abruptly ceased as he pulled back, lips glistening from our passionate exchange.

"Don't stop," I implored, yearning for his touch to quell the turmoil within me.

"Tell me what troubles you first," he demanded.

"You already know. You're the one who's keeping me confined," I retorted.

"You're free to venture outside."

"Under guard, and even then, I can't. I have no clothes. You tore them apart."

He smiled, visibly pleased with himself, which incited another hiss of frustration from me, yet he found my irritation amusing.

"I prefer you this way," he growled darkly, allowing his eyes to roam freely over my exposed form. I reveled in the intensity of his gaze and pushed out my chest, the sensitive skin grazing against his hand, though he refrained from further engagement.

"Yes, keeping me as your personal plaything, trapped, always ready to receive you, must bring you great satisfaction, while I slowly descend into madness in here," I snarled.

He growled back at me, not appreciating my tone, but I couldn't suppress my frustration. When I wasn't consumed by yearning for him, my thoughts spiraled out of control, intensifying my desire for him.

"Do you understand that in order for an Alpha to retain his sanity, he must ensure the happiness of his Omega?" I challenged, his eyes narrowing slightly, though I possessed the most profound understanding of our dynamic. I had studied it thoroughly. "I am not happy."

"Then tell me what you need. I might have initially arrived to collect you and your sisters as offerings, but you are not our prisoners. If you desire something, all you must do is ask," he declared, surprising me with the simple prospect of making a request that would be fulfilled.

"Clothes," I began.

"Some will be delivered to you in the morning," he assured me.

He lifted me and placed me on the bed before disrobing himself.

"Books!" I quickly added before the allure of his Alpha physique drew me in.

Leaning over me, he smoothly joined me on the bed, nestling between my legs.

"In the morning," he replied before capturing my lips in a fervent kiss. I moaned into his mouth, my nails digging into his shoulders.

Reaching between us, he positioned himself, taking his time to slide in, as though savoring every inch of our connection. I pulled back, gasping for air, but he was not willing to let our lips part, claiming me once more with a forceful kiss. His tongue delved into my mouth as he slowly penetrated me, his deliberate pace driving me to the brink of desperation.

When he eventually quickened the rhythm, thrusting into me with urgency, my entire body erupted, and I tilted my head back, crying out in ecstasy. He leaned down, kissing and nipping at my neck while maintaining his relentless pace. His movements grew more forceful, his groans louder, until he finally knotted me, releasing inside me.

As I panted, slowly descending from my climax, I became aware of how serene I felt, and how the bond between us exuded tranquility. I had to shut him off for the day, as he was constantly consumed by aggression, but these moments were characterized by pure peace.

I reached up, running my fingers through his hair, causing his entire body to relax. It was a weakness of his, and it brought a smile to my lips. I was becoming accustomed to him. This thought sparked my concern once more, but he distracted me by gently biting my neck before soothing the sting with his tongue.

"What troubled you today?" he inquired once again.

I hesitated to reveal the task I had nearly completed earlier in the day, so I redirected his attention to another pressing concern that weighed heavily on my mind each day.

"I've been worrying about how my sisters are faring," I whispered. "It's been two weeks."

He lifted his head and regarded me intently, the faint scar on his cheek barely discernible in the darkness. I reached up, tracing it with a finger, and he seized my hand, kissing my wrist.

"You were the one who set them free," he reminded me.

"They deserve their freedom," I asserted.

"Yet they are wholly unprepared for the world beyond, and you are aware of this. Who knows what might befall them now?"

I understood his intentions—to torment me with the consequences of my choices and make me suffer for complicating his mission. I groaned and averted my gaze, but he caught my chin and compelled me to meet his eyes.

"Of course, you could tell me their whereabouts, and I could ensure their safe transport to the other side," he proposed.

"I don't know where they are," I replied.

He growled darkly, tightening his grip on my chin, causing me to wince slightly.

"I don't know!" I exclaimed.

"They are your sisters. You set them free!"

"Exactly! I released them into the wild, that's it!" I informed him, feeling his grip loosen slightly as his eyes searched mine.

"Do you truly have no idea where they are heading?" he questioned.

"I do not."

"Then you're even more foolish than I thought."

I hissed at him, but he merely smiled.

"You didn't even provide them with a safe destination. Now they are at the mercy of the Gods," he reminded me, making me glance down as I realized the truth of his words. Without proper guidance or understanding of the land, how would they fare out there?

As I had packed my bags, it hadn't even crossed my mind to ensure they had a map or know where to seek refuge. The realization hit me hard, and I began to squirm beneath Cartan's firm grasp. However, we were still locked together, and I couldn't risk hurting myself. But I couldn't endure this uncertainty, knowing my sisters were truly at the mercy of fate.

I reached out to Cartan, urging him to alleviate my anxiety by teasing the mark I had given him. He growled darkly, a delightful tone that made my body tingle. His hips responded, yearning to continue our mating. I needed the same, something to calm my fears, but then his large hand tangled in my hair, pulling my head back.

"Where are they?" he demanded, surprising me with his words.

"I thought you believed me."

"I do believe you aren't aware of their exact location, but they are your sisters, and it's evident who possesses the sharper mind," he said, making me hiss again as he insulted my sisters. He smiled and leaned closer to me, his intoxicating scent surrounding us. I pressed against him, offering my breasts to him, which he eyed with hunger, but he resisted, denying us both what we desired.

"Where would they go?" he asked, changing his approach, his eyes locked onto mine.

"I..." I felt tempted to divulge all the places I believed would be safe for them to seek refuge, hoping they were considering the same options. However, my inner voice screamed that I hadn't freed them only to be the reason for their capture. I clamped down hard on my lower lip, refusing to speak, and Cartan growled again, pressing me to tell him.

"Where?" he tried once more.

I shook my head, but as he felt his knot release me, he flipped me onto my stomach and pressed me into the bed, sliding himself deep inside me. It was an agonizingly pleasurable torment. I relished the sensation of his massive Alpha cock stretching me in the most exquisite way, providing me with immense pleasure, but the knowledge that this was all I would ever be infuriated me.

I clawed at the furs, trying to ignore his expert movements. I knew I couldn't prevent myself from climaxing. It felt too incredible. Still, I attempted to remain silent. But just as I teetered on the edge of release, Cartan withdrew, spilling his seed across my back and ass. I gasped at the sensation of it smearing my skin, yet strangely, I had an overpowering urge to coat myself in his scent.

It's just my heat, I reassured myself, trying to suppress my mounting desires. But before I could resist any further, Cartan was back inside me, thrusting forcefully, causing my body to jerk forward. He gripped my shoulder to hold me in place. I was on the brink of climaxing, feeling my nipples rubbing against the bedding as his cock found an exquisite spot within me.

However, Cartan was not focused on my pleasure. He rushed to reach his climax, locking us together before leaving me panting and unsatisfied. I groaned, pounding my hand into the bed, uncertain why he had denied me. He always made me climax, even when he interrogated me or left me alone for the entire day. Even the first time he claimed me and when I marked him, he had provided me with incredible pleasure. So why was he doing this now? I turned my head, glaring at him, and saw him smiling.

"Where?" he asked once more.

"Please," I whispered, attempting to shift slightly, only to gasp at the sensation of his knot securely keeping me in place.

"No moving," he commanded.

"Please!"

He leaned over me, pressing his hand into my shoulder, ensuring I remained still. His warm breath caressed my neck as he buried his face in my hair, inhaling deeply.

"It's coming back," he murmured, referring to my scent gradually returning. Soon, I wouldn't be protected against any potential pregnancy, and given the frequency with which Cartan took me, I wouldn't be surprised if I ended up pregnant before my heat arrived.

"Now tell me where they are, and I will give you what your little Omega body craves from her Alpha," he taunted.

"No…" I whimpered, struggling to resist.

"Your sisters need protection too. Remember what you said the first time I took you. You're just one little Omega in a vast world. You need an Alpha."

"My sisters are free!" I groaned, yearning to move to find some friction.

"And how long will they remain free? They may be able to hide their Omega scents, but they are ill-prepared for the harshness of the outside world. Do you think concealing their scent will save them from being taken advantage of? Do you believe it will spare them from being forced onto their backs or trapped in someone's house, made to serve? You've been sheltered your entire lives. You aren't prepared for the true brutality that exists."

"The brutality of Alphas!" I snapped, and Cartan gripped my hair with his free hand, pulling my head back.

"You're mistaken."

"History has shown that you treat us as nothing more than slaves," I spat.

"That's where you're mistaken, and someone as intelligent as you knows there's more to it than that. Besides, we learn from history. There will be no savage hunts or auctions for you. You will be taken care of."

"But owned," I snarled. "Perhaps even shared."

He growled in anger and then sank his teeth into my neck in a sharp bite without marking me. I hissed, but he ran his warm tongue over the sting afterward.

"Mine," he growled in my ear, causing me to shudder.

"Am I?"

His grip on my hair tightened even more, and he turned my head forcefully, claiming my lips in a searing kiss that made my toes curl. I moaned against his lips, and he slipped his tongue into my mouth, stroking mine with his. However, the intense kiss didn't last long as he pulled away, fixing me with his stern gaze.

"You belong to only one Alpha," he asserted.

"Yet he has played games with me, made me believe I might be shared, and he won't mark me. So who's to say I won't suddenly find myself yielding to an entire camp of Alphas?"

His growl deepened, and he pushed me harder into the bed as his knot began to release me. Then he positioned my ass in the air this time as he took me.

"Gods," I moaned into the bed, on the brink of climax. He only teased me before withdrawing and turning me over, gripping my hair and commanding me to pleasure him with my mouth.

I took him in as deeply as I could, and he tried to push a bit further, causing me to gag briefly before pulling back and controlling the pace. Even having my mouth filled with him made me wetter, feeling fire between my legs. I moaned around his hardness, my nails grazing his thighs as I lost myself in the sensations of pleasuring my Alpha. He was undeniably perfect. I begrudgingly admitted it to myself—he was everything I could desire, given that I had to submit to one. I truly hoped he meant it when he said I only belonged to him, because I didn't want anyone else.

Cartan's grip tightened further, and he thrust into my mouth faster, intensifying my moans and whimpers. My fingers ventured between my legs, but his primal growl warned me not to touch myself. It was torture not being able to relieve the throbbing ache of my clit, desperate for attention. However, Cartan continued to use me for his own pleasure before climaxing in my mouth.