The next morning came too soon.
Sunlight cut through the narrow slits again. Harsh. Bright. My body felt like it had been run over. Every muscle ached. My hole throbbed with a deep, constant burn. Swollen. Sensitive.
The skin around my wrists and ankles showed faint red marks from the straps. Bruises bloomed on my thighs where fingers had gripped too hard.
I woke alone on the furs.
The alphas were gone.
For one foolish second, hope flared. Maybe they had left. Maybe I could run.
Then the door opened.
Thorne entered first.
He carried a tray. Bread. Fruit. Water. Simple food. He set it on a low table near the hearth.
Aurelius followed, shirtless. His golden hair hung loose around his shoulders. A smirk already curved his lips.
Cassian came last. Quiet. His eyes locked on me the moment he stepped inside.
Thorne looked at me. "Eat."
I stayed where I was, curled on my side. I did not move.
Aurelius laughed softly. "Still fighting. Cute."
Thorne's expression hardened. "You did not eat last night. You will eat now."
I stared at the wall. "Not hungry."
A lie.
My stomach growled loudly enough for them to hear.
Thorne crossed the room. He grabbed my arm and pulled me up to sit. Rough, but not bruising. Not yet.
He picked up a piece of bread and held it to my lips.
"Open."
I turned my head away.
Silence fell.
Heavy. Dangerous.
Aurelius stepped closer. "That's defiance, little omega. We told you the rules."
Thorne set the bread down and stood.
"Punishment then."
My heart slammed in my chest.
I tried to scramble backward, but there was no strength left. My legs were weak.
Cassian moved fast and silent. He grabbed my wrists and pulled them behind my back, holding them in one large hand. His other arm wrapped around my waist. He lifted me easily and carried me to the center beam.
Chains hung there. Iron links clinked softly.
Thorne took my wrists from Cassian and fastened them into the cuffs at the end of a chain. He pulled it tight.
My arms stretched above my head. My toes barely touched the floor.
My body was exposed. Vulnerable.
Aurelius fetched a leather strap from a hook on the wall. Thick. Wide. Softened from use.
He tested it against his palm.
A sharp crack echoed through the room.
I swallowed hard. "Don't."
Thorne stepped in front of me and tilted my chin up.
"You earned this. Disobedience has a price."
Aurelius moved behind me.
The first strike landed across my ass.
Sharp. Hot.
Fire bloomed across my skin. I gasped as my body jerked forward.
The second strike came harder, landing on the same spot. Pain layered over the first.
I bit my lip, trying to hold back any sound.
The third. The fourth.
A steady rhythm followed.
Each strike made my skin burn brighter, heat spreading across my ass as it turned red.
Tears pricked my eyes. I blinked them away.
Cassian watched from the side, his expression unreadable.
Aurelius paused after ten strikes. He rubbed the hot skin with his palm, a soothing touch that felt cruel after the pain.
"You can stop this," he murmured. "Beg. Eat. Obey."
I shook my head.
"No."
Thorne gave a single nod. "Continue."
The strap cracked again.
This time it landed lower, across the backs of my thighs. Then higher, where my thigh met my ass.
I cried out. The sound escaped before I could stop it.
Tears fell freely now, hot tracks sliding down my cheeks.
After twenty strikes, Aurelius finally stopped.
He dropped the strap.
His hands cupped my burning skin and kneaded gently. The pain flared, then eased into a strange warmth.
Thorne stepped closer and wiped my tears with his thumb.
"Now," he said softly. "Will you eat?"
I nodded once.
Small. Broken.
Cassian released the chain and lowered me slowly.
My legs buckled the moment my feet touched the floor, but he caught me before I fell.
He carried me back to the furs and sat me down carefully. My skin stung even against the softness beneath me.
Thorne brought the tray again.
This time, I took the bread.
I ate slowly. Bite by bite.
Water next. Then fruit.
Every swallow scraped against my raw throat.
They watched me. Silent. Satisfied.
When the tray was empty, Thorne knelt in front of me.
"Good boy," he said, his voice low. Almost proud. "See? Obedience feels better."
Aurelius pressed against my back and kissed the side of my neck.
"You took your punishment well. We're proud."
Cassian sat in front of me. He took my hand and pressed a soft kiss against my knuckles.
The first tenderness like that.
My body hurt.
My pride hurt more.
But the craving stirred again.
Deeper now. Twisted with the pain.
I hated it.
And somehow, I needed it.
Thorne leaned closer. His lips brushed my ear.
"Rest. Tonight we reward you."
Reward.
The word sent a shiver through me.
Fear.
Anticipation.
Heat.
I closed my eyes.
Let them surround me again.
Arms. Scents. Warmth.
The fight inside me flickered.
Smaller now.
Surrender grew in its place.