rwenna." Aedric managed to say. Leofric's laugh was sharp, as he finally removed his hands form Aedric's neck. "Your right? You trespassed on royal grounds, Alpha." He move

e regret it." He continued. Whispers rippled through the hall. Some were too stunned to speak, others turned away, uncomfortable at the sight. While I stood there, trembling, humiliated yet again, my skirt was damp with sweat, my hand touching the raw skin at my collar bone. Leofric gave me a final look, a look filled with challenge and pride in equal measure, then turned on his heel , and strode away, leaving me there on the podium The guards he'd summoned swept in. One seized my arm; two others guarded me , silent as statues. I was led out of the banquet, through the corridors, as my heart pounding so loudly. The corridors grew colder and daker with each step. Finally, they arrived at a heavy iron door carved with the Frost Bane crest. One knock, and we were inside. ********** The Breeding Chambers. The breeding chambers were nothing like the halls outside. Here, the air was tense. My guard pushed me into the center of the room. I stumbled, then straightened back up , trying to hide my panic. All around, other Omega women watched. A tall woman with ash-blonde hair sat next to me. When she spoke, her voice was low "New one." "Who are you?" I whispered She gave me a long look before answering. "I was once called Sabine. Now, I'm just another breeder." Bitter humor curled her cracked lips. "They gave me luxury, you know, the best linens, the richest silks. All so I'd forget. But forget what? That I was ever free?" I swallowed. "What do they do to you here?" Her eyes raked over me, cold but not unkind. "They feed us, clothe us, and fuck us whenever the King wills." She paused. "Then they take away every shred of will we had left." She spat on the floor. "Some of us break fast. Others just... drift." My stomach dropp