Chapter 3 The Beginning of a Nightmare

Pain.

That was the first thing I felt. A sharp, searing pain in my ribs as something-no, someone-kicked me hard in the side. My body jolted awake, my eyes snapping open just in time to see a thick boot retracting.

"Get up," a deep, gruff voice commanded.

Before I could react, rough hands grabbed my arm and yanked me upright. A sharp gasp left my lips as pain flared through my body. My vision swam, but I had no time to recover.

The man holding me was massive, his grip like iron as he dragged me forward without an ounce of care. My bare feet scraped against the cold stone floor of the great hall, my body stumbling as I tried to keep up.

Then I heard it-whispers, muttered words laced with contempt.

"Thank the Goddess they're taking the disgrace away."

"She doesn't belong here."

"An omega as the King's mate? A joke."

Their words stabbed into me like knives, each one deeper than the last. My heart clenched painfully as realization set in. I wasn't just leaving-I was being thrown away.

And the one I was going to belonged to a man who despised me.

Panic surged through my veins like fire. I struggled, twisting against the brute's grip, trying to break free.

"Let me go!" I shouted, but my voice was hoarse, weak.

The man didn't even flinch. His grip only tightened, fingers digging cruelly into my skin as he dragged me forward without mercy.

"No use fighting," he muttered, shoving me toward the exit.

The grand doors loomed ahead, wide open, revealing the cold night beyond. A sleek black car was parked outside, its polished surface gleaming under the moonlight. The moment I saw it, a terrible realization struck me.

I wasn't going to be free.

I was being taken to him.

Xander.

The panic clawing at my throat turned to terror. I dug my heels into the ground, kicking, thrashing-anything to break free.

"I won't go with him!" I cried, my voice desperate. "I'd rather die!"

The man hauling me only scoffed. "Not your choice."

The cold air bit into my skin as we stepped outside. The car's back door swung open, and inside, sitting with the same chilling authority he always carried, was the Alpha King himself.

His silver eyes flicked to me, expression void of emotion. Cold. Calculating. His presence alone sucked the air from my lungs.

The warrior holding me bowed slightly. "Your Majesty."

Xander barely acknowledged him. His gaze remained on me, unreadable, before his lips curled in disgust.

"I won't sit in the same space as her." His voice was like ice, sharp and merciless. "Put her in the trunk."

My blood turned to ice.

No.

A fresh wave of panic crashed over me. I shook my head violently, struggling harder. "No! You can't do this! I-"

The warrior didn't hesitate. He yanked me away from the car door and toward the trunk. I fought with everything I had, but I was no match for his strength.

"Don't!" I shrieked, my nails clawing at his arm. "Please, don't do this!"

A sharp slap struck my cheek, stunning me into silence.

"Enough," the warrior snapped.

The trunk popped open. Cold, empty darkness yawned before me.

And then-without hesitation-he threw me inside.

My body slammed against the metal, my head knocking against the side as pain exploded through me. I barely had time to turn before the trunk slammed shut, sealing me in suffocating darkness.

I screamed.

I pounded against the surface, my nails scratching helplessly at the unyielding metal.

"LET ME OUT!"

The car jerked forward.

The engine hummed, drowning out my cries as we sped away from the only home I had ever known.

I was trapped.

Caged like an animal.

And I was being taken straight into the lion's den.

***

The journey felt endless. The cold metal beneath me bit into my skin, the darkness pressing down on me like a suffocating weight. My breaths were ragged, my body trembling from the lingering shock.

I had known Xander despised me. But this?

This was worse than rejection.

By the time the car slowed to a stop, my body was stiff, my muscles screaming in protest. The trunk creaked open, and before I could react, hands grabbed me, yanking me out.

The cold night air stung my face as I was dragged onto my feet. My legs wobbled beneath me, but the warriors gave me no time to regain my balance.

A massive stone fortress loomed ahead-dark, ominous.

Xander's kingdom.

Terror clawed at my throat.

A towering set of iron doors creaked open, revealing a dimly lit corridor. I was dragged forward, my mind racing as realization struck.

This wasn't the palace.

This was the dungeon.

"No..." My voice came out as a whisper. "Please, no-"

They didn't listen.

They dragged me down the damp, narrow hallways, the scent of blood and damp stone thick in the air. My heart pounded violently against my ribs, my breathing erratic.

I twisted, trying to break free. "You can't do this! I-"

The warrior holding me let go just long enough to shove me forward.

I hit the cold ground hard, my hands scraping against the stone. Pain shot through my knees, but before I could move, metal clanked.

Chains.

Cold, heavy shackles clamped around my wrists, burning me, locking me in place.

I was trapped.

Panic surged through me, my chest tightening as I pulled at the chains, my breath coming in short, ragged gasps.

Footsteps echoed.

Slow. Purposeful.

Xander.

His towering form stepped into the cell, his silver eyes gleaming in the dim light.

He crouched before me, his gaze sweeping over my trembling form. Then, he reached out-fingers tilting my chin up until I was forced to meet his gaze.

A cruel smirk played on his lips.

"This is where you belong, little omega," he murmured, his voice filled with dark amusement.

I swallowed hard, my throat dry. "Why are you doing this?" My voice cracked.

His grip tightened slightly. "Because I can."

His eyes gleamed with something unreadable before he released me, standing to his full height.

"Rest well," he said coldly. "You'll need your strength."

Then-without another word-he turned and walked away.

The heavy cell door slammed shut behind him, locking me in darkness.

And I knew that this was the just beginning of my nightmare.