The first thing I felt was a massive throbbing in my head. I clutched it, squinting my eyes open as I struggled to make sense of my surroundings.
I was lying on a mattress—thankfully still in my outfit, untouched—and still in his room.
Slowly, I pushed myself up on the king-sized bed, my palm pressing against my temple. The moment I sat upright, my gaze locked on Alpha Dawn. He stood on the opposite side of the room, leaning casually against the wall, a can of liquor in hand, his piercing eyes fixed on me with unsettling intensity.
He wore a striped shirt and loose black pants.
I frowned at him. "W-what happened?" I forced out, my voice unsteady.
"You died," he said matter-of-factly, taking a slow sip from his drink.
My stomach dropped. "What do you mean?" I glanced around, the room still cloaked in darkness.
"It means I killed you," he continued casually, as if speaking of the weather. He lifted the can to his lips again. "And revived you."
What?
"You have three more chances," he went on, as if any of this made sense to me.
"I don't understand. Three more chances for what?"
"Three more chances for me to kill you and bring you back before your death becomes permanent." His tone was calm, almost conversational, as he began walking toward me, one hand tucked into his pocket. "Three more chances before there's no return."
He drew closer until he towered over me where I sat at the edge of the bed. With a swift motion, he hooked his finger under my chin, forcing my head upward to meet his gaze.
"If I kill you for the third time," he said smoothly, "you won't come back. Ever. So tell me—what's your choice? Do you want to be mine… or do you want to embrace death?"
I scoffed, though words failed me. "You're willing to kill me just because I refuse your advances?"
A smirk tugged at his lips as his hand slid up, caressing my head tenderly. "Exactly."
My heart slammed against my ribs.
He was dangerous—not in the crude, vile way of most—but in a way that sent terror seeping into my bones. He scared me.
"Can't you just leave me alone?" I whispered.
"What is it you're running from?" His voice softened, though his gaze remained sharp, pinning me in place as his fingers traced smoothly along my face. "I hear your heart pound whenever I make these requests. What are you so afraid of, darling? Tell me, and I'll fix it for you."
Death. That was what I feared. If I chose to stay, I would die. If I chose to leave, I would die.
For a fleeting second, I wondered if he had read my mind, but his eyes held no such indication.
"I—I just think this is wrong. I shouldn't be here. I'm just a mere breeder and…"
An Omega…
"So you worry about these things because…?" he pressed.
"Because I don't want a taint on my name—or my father's."
Dropping Bambi's father's name was my only chance of swaying him.
"Alright then," he replied coolly. "I'll speak to your father."
I shot up instantly, panic tightening my chest. "A-about what?"
He studied me curiously. "That I want you."
I swallowed hard. "That's—there's no need for that."
One of his brows arched. "Why not?"
"I'll… think about it."
His gaze sharpened. "Think about what?"
"This," I said firmly, though my voice wavered. "About us."
"When am I getting a feedback?"
I thought for a moment.
"In two days."
I should be able to find a solution or perhaps, escape this hellhole within that time frame—
"No."
I frowned. "What do you mean no?"
"It's too long."
"Okay. How about the afternoon of the day after tomorrow?"
"Still no."
"The morning after tomorrow?"
"Too late."
"Tomorrow night?"
"I want my answer tomorrow morning. Be by my doorstep as soon as the sky brightens and give me an answer. You are dismissed."
In disbelief, I stepped out of his room and into the hallways.
He was a psychopath.
I looked around and spotted an elevator at the end of the hall. To the side, there was a door that looked rather suspicious. I walked toward it and slowly twisted the knob, peeking in out of curiosity.
It was too dark. So, I stepped inside and closed the door behind me, not fearing that Alpha Dawn might suddenly pop out and scold me for sneaking into the room.
I flicked the light switch and revealed a mini library. The small shelves held books from the olden days, shriveled and damaged with age. But it didn't make sense—why would there be a mini library on the Alpha's floor, and one filled with ancient books that no one seemed to use anymore when the Pack had a very large library?
Suddenly, faint gasps echoed in the room.
My breath hitched as I looked around.
Nothing.
The room was small, its walls lined with shelves. Yet the gasps came again, softer this time. I decided to trace the sound.
It was true what Mr. Ronald had said about us Omegas—we were weak, but bold. Because tell me why I was sneaking around on the Alpha's floor at all?
Finally, I traced the sound to a shelf hiding a secret entrance.
At its center, where the Pack's logo was engraved, was a keyhole. The key was nowhere in sight. Pressing my ear against the wall, I listened closely. My Omega senses weren't the sharpest, but the gasps became clearer, multiplying until I realized there weren't just one or two—or even three or four—but six people, all panting desperately for air.
Then, a weak voice slipped through the wall.
"I know you can hear us, whoever you are," it said faintly, sending my heartbeat racing. "We can smell you. We need you to help us before the Alpha kills us."
"W-who are you people?" I asked, my hand trembling at the revelation.
"We are the committee members from Vintage Pack," the voice replied, wheezing for air. "Alpha Dawn has captured us to torture and kill us. He does this to every Pack committee."
"O-okay, I will find a way to help…."
My voice trailed off as realization hit me like a blow.
Vintage Pack.
That was the Pack Ian—my ex-boyfriend—had transferred to, becoming one of their committee members.
My lips parted in shock.