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CHAPTER 5
~Rhiannon's POV~
I had enough time to think about what Kael said. Even though I hadn't spent much time here or known the others' names, I was sceptical that everyone wanted to hurt me, but many wanted me for themselves.
I had never been in a position such as this and right now, the fighting spirit in me was already thinking of ways to make this to my advantage.
What did I know about my kind?
They were dangerous Scumbags which they proved to me by buying me.I was in danger with them as such we needed to hide who we are. Why?They treated female wolves badly.
So far everything was true but right now, the thought of my sick father alone in the town made my heart clench.
He wasn't dying but he was already weak due to his ailment and needed the assistance. I had just read and discovered the moonroot would be beneficial if I sold it and fetch me enough money to buy his meds.
And now, I was shackled.
All I had were those thoughts to accompany me to sleep as even when the food was brought, I refused to eat.
By the next morning I was ready for whatever the day brought but when the sound of heels clicking against the tiled floor reached my ears inside my room, I knew I wasn't expecting that.
Where had she come from? There was snow prior alertness. She had masked herself up until this last moment.
"I sense trouble," Ravyn alerted me.
The moment I looked into her eyes, I knew she was dangerous.
I hadn't even left my room yet—hadn't eaten, hadn't spoken—and already someone wanted blood. Mine, specifically.
The woman stood tall in the doorway, wearing violet silks so rich they shimmered like oil in the light.
She was statuesque, beautiful in the cold way that reminded you of polished weapons—not meant to be admired, only feared.
Her brown hair was sleek and braided with silver threads, and her eyes were lined using dark makeup that made her look sexy.
"When I heard they got a new plaything and paid heavily for it," she said, voice like silk over blades, "I thought maybe it was someone worth the trouble. What a disappointment to see such a… haggard-looking person."
A low chuckle curled out of my throat as I looked down briefly.
She was dumb if she thought my current state was me, not the alphas.
I lifted my eyes slowly, gaze unyielding. "Then maybe stop snooping around my room for entertainment."
Her eyes narrowed—just a little. "Feisty. They didn't mention that."
"I bet they didn't mention much." I stood fully now, as straight as the chain allowed. "Like how I'm not theirs. Or anyone's."
A hum passed her lips, a sound too knowing. "Oh, but you are. They bought you, sweet girl. Even if you dress your pride in defiance, the chain says what your words won't."
I smiled, teeth showing. "Then you'd better pray they never lose their grip."
She didn't flinch. Instead, her sharp tongue retorted. "Don't get too comfortable. Just because they paid for you doesn't mean they'll keep you."
I caught the flicker behind her expression. Just a crack. She was masking something. And in that moment, I heard it.
A whisper not spoken aloud, a thought so loud it vibrated through her and scraped past mine.
"She can't ruin this. I've worked too long. I won't let her ruin my plans."
I smirked. "Be careful," I murmured. "Your thoughts are louder than you think."
She froze. It lasted less than a heartbeat, but I saw it—her world trembled just enough.
"You—"
"I…?" My smile was bewitching as I waited for her comeback, but before she could finish, one of the guards stepped in, announcing that I was to be brought to the dining hall.
She said nothing else as I was escorted out. But I felt her eyes on me the whole way down the corridor like frost on my back.
They didn't drag me like before. This time, the chains were thinner, allowing me much freer movement than before, silver-linked cuffs resting against my wrists, but it burned.
I hissed but didn't do anything and followed them. Two guards flanked me as I stepped into a bright, open room filled with long windows and sunlight spilling in like gold.
A massive table stretched down the center. The alphas sat at it already.
Kael gestured for me to sit. The chair was slightly lower than theirs—symbolic, of course—but I sat without comment, chains clinking lightly as I adjusted.
The table had enough food to feed a hunting party—roasted meats, thick wedges of honeyed bread, and glistening fruit. My stomach grumbled, but I didn't move.
Talon poured wine with practiced ease, glancing at me from across the table. "Not hungry?" he asked, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "This is better than most get, you know."
I met his gaze. "Did you expect me to be grateful?"
Lucien, seated beside him, leaned forward slightly. "We didn't bring you here for gratitude. We brought you here for transparency."
My brow arched. "Now that's rich."
Kael's voice cut in then calmly. "You know, we bought you. You were labelled as untamed, but your lineage was strong. That was the only thing we saw. The bond was a surprise."
I looked between them, heartbeat steady. "And what does that mean for me now?"
A silence settled. Riven tapped a claw against his goblet, rhythmic and slow.
Lucien answered, choosing his words. "It complicates things. You're no longer just… property. You're something else. But it doesn't erase the facts."
"I didn't ask for any of this," I said, voice low. "You paid for a stranger in chains, and now you talk about 'complications' like I should care."
Talon tilted his head. "You should care. Because now your survival depends on how we navigate this... bond."
Darian, always the one with calm logic, spoke next. "You have leverage, Rhiannon. The others we bought didn't. That gives you choices, not freedom yet, but options. If you want more… earn trust."
"Trust?" I repeated, slowly. "You want trust while I'm still chained?"
Kael glanced at the silver cuffs around my wrists. "We can remove them."
That made Talon shift. "Kael—"
"She hasn't made a move to harm anyone. And the cuffs are ceremonial now, not binding," Kael replied, then looked at me. "You'll still be guarded. But we can start there."
Lucien gave a reluctant nod. "It's a step. Don't mistake it for leniency. We're not stupid."
Riven's voice was gravel and steel. "One wrong move, and it goes back on."
I took a breath, careful not to let the sting show. "If this is your version of diplomacy," I said, "you need work."
Darian actually smiled, faintly. "So do you."
Rather than responding to Darian, I turned my gaze to Kael and tried my luck while their leniency remained on the table.
I tried to think of a way to spend the day with them and not let them dictate my life on a whim.
"I want to see my father."
That stilled them again.
After a moment, Kael answered. "That depends on you. Cooperate, show us we can trust you, and we'll consider it. Defy us… And you'll remain where you are."
I didn't nod or thank them. I just added, "just that… I should be your lapdog, and you'll consider it? Not a full assurance?"