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Aside from that, there’s absolutely nothing here. There’s a draft coming in from the window that’s already making me cold, and it’s so dark it feels claustrophobic.

I take a deep breath, reminding myself that this isn’t better or worse than where I was before.

Lenora bends over, collecting something behind the door, and then turns to me and shoves what she’s holding into my chest. I wrap my arms around it instinctively, frowning in confusion. Then my eyes widen in shock.

A blanket and a pillow.

It shouldn’t make me cry, but pressure builds behind my eyes, and before I know it, I’m blinking back tears, embarrassed by my reaction.

This is more than I had when they took me from my father’s.

The blanket is soft, and even though it isn’t nearly enough for my Omega instincts, it’s exactly what I need to keep from breaking completely. The pillow’s a bit flat, but stuffed with feathers.

Best of all, there’s no scent.

I work the fabric of the blanket between my fingers and feel my shoulders relax. “Thank you,” I whisper gratefully.

Lenora looks oddly flustered. “I didn’t leave them, but your thanks are noted. Also, Gavran was insistent you stay on suppressants. I already administered a dose when you passed out after the incident downstairs.”

The incident.

Is that what we’re calling Daxen almost ripping my throat out with his bare hands?

Fantastic.

“I’ll be here every night to administer them before you go to bed. Do not fight us on this. It’s for your protection, as well as the Alphas’.”

“Why do the Alphas need to be protected?”

I guess it’s a stupid question, because Lenora gives me one of the looks I’m starting to understand means she thinks I’m an idiot.

“Your pheromones will affect the Alpha’s protective instincts. You are an Omega, and they are biologically wired to protect and coddle you. There are a million different ways you can use your scent and pheromones to get what you want simply by manipulating their instincts with yours. The suppressant doesn’t just erase your scent, it mutes your most obvious Omega reactions.”

Manipulate their instincts with mine? She has to be kidding.

“I would never do that,” I insist. “I don’t even know how to do that.”

She hums thoughtfully.

“No, oddly enough, I don’t believe you do. That doesn’t mean you won’t, though, if you were to figure it out. And besides,” she shrugs. “What I think doesn’t matter. Gavran is the one who ordered your Omega suppressed, and quite honestly, I think Daxen would slit your throat if he had to smell you. It’s non-negotiable.”

“Is there anything happening here that is negotiable?” I ask through clenched teeth.

Then I freeze, my eyes widening in panic. Oh gods, why did I say that?

Lenora’s glare could light the stone on fire. “Not when it comes to you.”

She leaves, slamming the door shut behind her.

I exhale in relief at her departure. For a moment there, I was sure she was going to strike me.

I exhale, taking in the small area that’s become my new cell. I tell myself I’m closing my eyes to better concentrate on my Bond, but it’s also because I can’t stand to look at this room, so similar to my room back home.

That onyx wall is still there. Still preventing me from helping him. I groan in frustration.

Alright. This is… not ideal.

I’m in a strange place, with strange Alpahs who hate me, refuse to let me speak, and refuse to believe what I tell them when they do. My Mate is in a coma, and I can’t get to him. I also don’t know where my father is.