Theodore's POV
The moment I turned around, her scent hit me like a physical blow.
Lavender and rain. Sweet and clean, with an undertone of something wild that made my wolf stir restlessly beneath my skin.
Impossible.
I forced my expression to remain neutral as I studied the omega standing frozen in the doorway. She was small, barely reaching my chest, with blonde hair that caught the morning light. Her gray eyes were wide with terror as they met mine.
She looked like she'd break if I breathed on her too hard.
Perfect, I thought bitterly. Another fragile little thing to add to the family graveyard.
"Alpha Theodore," Nash's oily voice cut through my thoughts. "May I present Seraphine Ida."
I didn't acknowledge the introduction. Instead, I let my gaze travel over the omega with calculated indifference. The gray dress hung loose on her thin frame. Dark circles shadowed her eyes. Fresh bruises colored her pale skin.
She'd been beaten recently. Probably to ensure her compliance.
My jaw clenched involuntarily, but I pushed down the surge of anger. What did I care if they'd roughed her up? She was nothing to me. A means to an end. A womb to carry my heir before the curse claimed her.
Just like all the others.
"She's acceptable," I said finally, my voice cold enough to frost glass.
Nash's smile widened. "Excellent. Shall we discuss terms?"
I moved toward the center of the room, deliberately ignoring how the omega flinched when I passed close to her. That lavender scent wrapped around me like silk, making my wolf pace restlessly.
Focus, I commanded myself. This is business. Nothing more.
"The alliance terms are straightforward," I began. "Your pack provides safe passage through your territory. In return, you have Mistwood protection."
"And the girl?"
"She comes with me today. The marriage will be performed immediately upon our return."
Something flickered across the omega's face. Fear, maybe. Or resignation. I couldn't tell and refused to care.
That's when Tiara decided to open her mouth.
"I still can't believe you're taking that worthless thing," she sneered, stepping forward. "She's used goods now. Rejected and broken. Hardly worthy of an Alpha of your caliber."
The omega's face went white. Her hands trembled at her sides.
"Tiara," Nash warned, but his mate was too busy enjoying herself to listen.
"Look at her," Tiara continued, circling the omega like a predator. "Pathetic little breeder. Can't even stand up straight."
She reached out and grabbed a handful of blonde hair, yanking the omega's head back. "Did you think you'd get a fairy tale ending? That some powerful Alpha would sweep you off your feet?"
A small whimper escaped the omega's lips. The sound hit me like a physical blow, making my wolf snar l with rage.
Mine, something primal whispered in my mind. Protect what's mine.
I silenced the voice with brutal efficiency. She wasn't mine. She was nothing.
But when Tiara raised her hand to strike, I moved.
"Enough."
The single word cracked through the room like a whip. Everyone froze. The temperature seemed to drop several degrees as my Alpha power flooded the space.
Tiara's hand stopped mid-swing. Her face went pale as she met my eyes.
"You will remove your hands from my property," I said softly. The quiet tone was more terrifying than any shout. "Now."
Tiara released the omega immediately, stumbling backward. "I was just—"
"You were just overstepping your bounds." I stepped closer, letting my wolf show in my eyes. "The omega belongs to me now. Anyone who harms what's mine will answer to me personally."
The threat hung in the air like poison. Tiara cowered behind Nash, suddenly very interested in her shoes.
I glanced at the omega. She was staring at me with something that might have been gratitude. Or confusion. Her gray eyes were wide, searching my face for something I couldn't give her.
Hope, I realized. She's looking for hope.
The thought made my chest tighten uncomfortably. I turned away before I could do something stupid. Like offer her comfort. Like pretend this arrangement was anything other than a death sentence.
"Kayne," I called to my beta, who'd been watching the proceedings with his usual stoic expression.
"Yes, Alpha?"
"Prepare the omega for departure. We leave immediately."
"Of course." Kayne stepped forward, his movements careful and non-threatening. "Miss?"
The omega looked between him and me, uncertainty written across her features. "I... my things..."
"Whatever you need will be provided," I said curtly. "You won't be returning here."
The finality in my voice seemed to hit her like a physical blow. She nodded once, then followed Kayne toward the door.
I watched them go, fighting the strange urge to call her back. To ask if she was hurt. To promise that things would be different.
But promises were worthless when you were cursed.
"Pleasure doing business with you," Nash said, extending his hand.
I shook it briefly, my grip just shy of crushing. "The alliance terms will be formalized within the week."
"Excellent. I'm sure you'll be very... satisfied with your purchase."
The way he said it made my skin crawl. Like he was talking about livestock instead of a woman.
Not just a woman, my wolf corrected. Our mate.
I crushed that thought before it could take root. She wasn't my mate. She was a necessity. A sacrifice for the greater good of my pack.
Nothing more.
A short while later, Kayne returned with the omega. She'd been given a simple traveling cloak, but she still looked fragile. Breakable.
"Ready, Alpha," Kayne reported.
I nodded curtly and headed for the door. The sooner we left this place, the better.
But as I reached the threshold, something made me pause. An invisible force tugging at my consciousness, urging me to turn around. To look at her one more time.
My wolf whined, pressing against my mental barriers.
Look back, he urged. She needs to know she's not alone.
She is alone, I reminded him savagely. Just like I am. Just like everyone cursed with Zain blood.
I forced myself to keep walking, ignoring the pull that grew stronger with every step.
Looking back was a luxury I couldn't afford. Not when doing so might make me care.
And caring would only make her death that much harder to bear.