Marked

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 26

As we began to walk down the grand hallway, Cassian spoke, "We're heading to your room now." I nodded, still trying to process everything that had happened so far. Viktor added, "Once we reach there, we'll talk about the rules you'll need to follow."

"What rules?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

Cassian responded, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Our search for the witch has been going on for weeks, but it will be delayed because of Lysander's weak self, who's unable to even hold onto his crown."

"I suggest you stay quiet," Lysander shot back, his voice low and dangerous.

"Oh please, you two-faced bastard," Cassian retorted, his frustration bubbling over. "Always knowing how to use that mouth of yours, yet you drag us into your damn problem because you couldn't protect what is yours. Oh wait, I should say, what was."

Feeling the tension in the air thickening, I grew worried. I didn't want to be caught in the middle of whatever rivalry they had going on. "I shouldn't be hearing anything come out of your mouth," Lysander snapped back, his voice sharp. "You disgrace of an alpha, always using your fists instead of your brains, acting as if you don't have any knowledge."

"You're both incompetent excuses for an hyper dominate alpha; now shut up," Cassian said, his voice rising.

I had forgotten how much they were supposed to hate each other, but in that moment, it felt like they were in agreement about one thing: their mutual hate for each other . Cassian laughed, a harsh sound that echoed in the hallway. "You should be saying that about yourself. Remind me again how your sister died?"

Silence enveloped the entire space. I felt like I had been electrocuted, my body shrinking down as the angry pheromones filled the air, making it hard to breathe. My head pounded, and it took me a moment to realize that I was not just scared; I was terrified.

"Ich werde dich lebendig häuten und dich an meine Haustiere füttern, du hast die S-Klasse Alpha nicht bestanden," Viktor said, his voice cold and menacing.

I will skin you alive and feed you to my pets; you failed hyper dominate alpha. I felt a chill run through my body this isn't good.

"Komm auf mich zu, du schlüpfende Schlange," Viktor added, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

Come at me, you slithering snake
I feeling the ground shake a wave of fear washed over me.

"Stop! Please," I said, my voice shaking as I tried to get their attention.

"Bunny's, right." Lysander said, his demeanor shifting slightly. "We have more important things to resolve. Where is his room, Cassian?"

Lysander helped me up, and as he did, the pheromones started to dissipate, allowing me to regain my strength. "Come," Cassian instructed, and we moved in silence down the long hall.

The stairs felt less endless this time as we climbed to the third floor, but I realized it wasn't since we were only on the second previously. The hallway was still long, but it had a strange elegance about it, adorned with more art and décor that made me feel like I was walking through a museum. Admiring it to pass the time as we went.

Eventually, we reached a room that was as grand and beautiful as the one I had woken up in. It felt surreal to be surrounded by such luxury but I was starting to get used it. That wasn't good at all. "This isn't the one you originally woke up in; we moved you," Cassian explained, his voice steady.

"Why?" I asked, trying to wrap my head around the sudden changes.

"Because you're closer to my main bedroom," Cassian spoke, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Your clothing that we picked and other necessities have been added to this room."

"Sit," Viktor commanded, gesturing toward a plush chair. "We have things to do. Read it and ask any questions; this is the only time to do so." He handed me a piece of paper, and I felt a knot tighten in my stomach.

"Will there be other times to ask?" I asked, my heart racing.

"No," Viktor replied curtly.

I nodded, looking down at the paper. The rules were written in a neat, formal script, and as I began to read them, my heart sank further.

**Rule One:** Any unanimous agreement will be obeyed, and no interjection is allowed. If not, then you may interject.

**Rule Two:** You will not speak to other alphas unless given permission.

**Rule Three:** Punishment will be provided based on what rule you broke.

**Rule Four:** No lies; if you lie, we will know.

**Rule Five:** Tell us what you like and dislike; silence is useless, and you'll only hurt yourself instead of us.

**Rule Six:** You will speak to those on technology we allow you to speak to; escaping will have dire consequences.

**Rule Seven:** Rewards are also given based on your behavior, so behave.

**Rule Eight:** In public, you must respect us and be on your best behavior.

What the hell was this? My blood boiled with anger as I realized how restricted my freedom had become. I felt like a prisoner in a gilded cage. Opening my mouth to speak, I was cut off by Viktor.

"Be grateful; these rules are nothing compared to others. We've been lenient, even now, with the rule that doesn't even come close to the fifty rules that you would have originally received like other hyper-dominant alphas would give their omegas. So hold that tongue of yours."

His words stung, and I felt a surge of frustration welling up inside me. "You can't just expect me to follow all of this without question!" I blurted out, my voice rising. "This isn't fair!"

"Fair?" Cassian laughed bitterly. "You think this is about fairness? You're in a world where power and dominance dictate everything. You're lucky to be treated this leniently."

I clenched my fists, feeling the weight of their expectations pressing down on me. "I'm not an object for you to control. I have my own thoughts and feelings!"

Lysander's gaze sharpened, and I could see a flicker of irritation in his eyes. "You will learn to adapt, or you will suffer the consequences. This isn't about you being treated fairly; it's about our nature catering to its needs the friends you made discussed this with you."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. The last thing I wanted was to get into a fight with them, but the fire inside me was hard to extinguish. "What happens if I don't follow the rules?"

"Then you will face the punishment laid out for each infraction," Viktor replied coldly. "And trust me, you don't want to find out what that entails."

I felt a shiver run down my spine at the thought. The reality of my situation was settling in, and it felt suffocating. Maybe once I've spent more time with them things would be better.

"Can't we just talk about this?" I pleaded, my voice softer now. "Maybe there's a way to compromise?"

Cassian shook his head, a smirk on his lips. "Compromise? In this world, our way is the only way. You'll learn that soon enough."

"Just remember," Lysander said, his voice low and steady. "We're not your enemies, but we're not your friends either. You'll have to figure out where you stand in all of this we know where you stand but you don't."

Lysander said, "Don't worry once you been marked and not just claimed by us those useless feeling will go away your Omega self will incorporate its understanding into you."

But that's not happening.