⚠️ Trigger Warning: This chapter includes emotionally abusive behaviour and non-consensual sexual interaction. Reader discretion suggested.
Cornelius felt sore and irritated. It had been hours since the elders had arrived—unannounced though not unexpectedly—at his doorstep at seven in the morning, and it was already eleven. Yet, they were still pacing, fuming, and threatening him about his behaviour the night before.
He paid them no heed.
Seated alone in a large brown chair on one side of the long oak table opposite the eleven smaller but still commanding chairs of the elders, he intentionally yawned and stared openly at the large wall clock that adorned the stark white walls of the mostly empty meeting room. He wanted them to know they had overstayed their welcome.
But as always, they chose to ignore the hint. He silently wondered when they'd all die off and finally let him rule alone—especially that annoying old hag, Lucas.
As if summoned by his irritation, Lucas said in a clipped, authoritative voice:
"Cornelius, you cannot just reject the Luna. The pack needs her to grow stronger."
That finally struck a nerve.
Cornelius leaned forward, both hands clenched into fists and pressed firmly on the oak table.
"You wanted a Luna and I gave you one," he growled. "But I will not—at anyone's command, old or young—accept a mate, Lucas. And it's Alpha to you."
With that, he stood and left the room, slamming the door shut behind him.
Elder Lucas glared at the door, jaw tight with seething rage. Moments like this made him question how such an arrogant, irrational boy had become their Alpha. But then again, Cornelius was an only child, and after the deaths of his parents, the title had fallen to him by default. And now the boy grew more dangerous with each passing day.
Cornelius stalked the hallways toward his bedroom, rage simmering beneath his skin. The thought of sharing his power with anyone was unbearable.
Thalia. He thought of the girl's name with hatred. He couldn't even stomach watching his own parents rule together. Who did she think she was to change that?
He chuckled darkly to himself. He had already removed the Luna's chair from its rightful place next to his in the meeting room. Soon, it would be the elders and their sacred chairs too. Once they were gone, there'd be no need for any meetings at all.
Outside his bedroom, he paused to look at his parents' portrait hanging on the wall and smiled wickedly. Very soon, theirs—and those of all the other Alphas—would be replaced by a single one. His.
He stepped into his room and exhaled in relief. Everything in here was his, and he could use or dispose of it however he pleased. His eyes landed lazily on the blonde woman lying silently on his bed.
"Good afternoon, Alpha," Elizabeth said quietly.
He ignored her.
After stripping off his shirt, he sat on the bed. The curtains were still drawn, allowing only slivers of sunlight to sneak past the thick black fabric. He didn't need to see her to know she was crawling toward his back.
"Now that your mate is out of the picture... can I become your official woman?"
Elizabeth's voice was barely a whisper. A part of her knew it would only provoke him, but the hope in her heart refused to be silenced. A searing pain shot through her scalp as Cornelius yanked her hair.
"Think of that again, bitch, and next time it'll be your head, not just a few strands of useless hair," he barked, tightening his grip.
Elizabeth gasped, tears springing to her eyes.
"Yes, Alpha. I understand," she sobbed in a broken whisper.
Only then did he release her. She wanted to flee to the bathroom and cry. But she knew he wouldn't let her—not yet. Before she could even finish the thought, his calloused hand grabbed her breast through the thin nightgown.
Having been with him nearly a hundred times, she quickly pulled it off with trembling hands. She knew better than to make him wait. He smirked at the sight of her naked body. Fresh tears burned at her eyes. She knew this was the only part of her he ever wanted. She was under his control—helpless to escape.
He entered her without warning, harsh and cold. She didn't cry. Crying only made it worse. Instead, she tightly shut her eyes and focused her thoughts on the one person who truly mattered. When she heard him groan and felt him spill his seed onto her thighs, she opened her eyes only to see his broad back disappearing into the bathroom—unbothered and silent.
Only then did she let the tears fall. But she reminded herself: she had no other choice. Being Cornelius' plaything was the only alternative to dying a slow, forgotten death as an Omega. She could endure this pain for now. Because it wasn't just her life on the line.
Her little brother still had a chance. And if this hell was the price she had to pay to protect him... she would burn in it quietly. Until the goddess brought her something better.
If the goddess even remembered her at all.