She opened her eyes, her breath caught in her throat. The ceiling loomed over her in a clear haze that she recognized. She was in her room. She got up carefully. Every muscle in her body roared and she had to bite her lip to keep from crying out.
What had happened? Where was it? What had happened to her cubs? The last thing ahe remembered was jumping into someone and all black afterward. There was an immense mental gap since hearing the words of that wolf.
That wolf. What the hell did he think? He talked to her like she was a worthless trash. That had bothered her, but the last straw was that she was trying to put her fingers on her children and that would not allow it.
The rage invaded her again and she tensed her arms in response, causing her repeated pain.
-Are you awake?
The scent of the alpha from that place invaded her. It denoted disappointment, annoyance. He was uneasy. That struck him as odd coming from an alpha like … him.
-What happened?- She touched her temple trying to remember something.
-You turned into a wolf- he paused- And you attacked Layan.
Nebraska opened her eyes and the memories hit her for a moment.
-Lucky you collapsed before you ripped his throat out- Your body is not yet prepared for the stress that the transformation entails- Hades was leaning against a fenced wall -Although I have to admit that you are extremely fast attacking that weak point-
Nebraska did not respond. That was one of the things his father had focused on the most. An accurate and precise attack. There was no room for error.
-I have to add that it was not the wisest decision- he left his position and approached her standing in front with dilated pupils -The Council has given a verdict-
The wolf gulped. Hades’s countenance was neutral, expressionless, and seemed three shades lighter than normal.
-They accepted your request to accept the punishment of your children, they will be exonerated and under my tutelage, but even so there is the question of assuming the place of queen of the pack being omega and the destruction of it at the hands of your husband. They decided that your sentence would be … -he took time to say the words, as if it will cost him sequels- Death-
Nebraska pulled the sheet under her hands, losing all color from her face. She did not say anything, she had expected it from the day she had taken that position, but now, it was not the time to leave this world, she had many things to do.
-Despite trying to reason with them, I am also part of the Council, the only thing they allowed me was to maintain custody of your entire pack with the condition that if there is any instability they would intervene- he spoke slowly looking at her crown -In your case When I wanted to object, they refuted that a marked wolf could not belong to others, so even if I made you my queen, you belong to Rudoc and that is against the laws-
A painful silence invaded the room. Nebraska raised her head and the violet in her eyes glowed brightly.
-What if it wasn’t marked? What would happen?-
Hades looked at her and bowed his head in wonder.
-I could claim you as my queen and that would save you from all punishment as I am the alpha of this pack-
-Is that the only way?- She asked him seriously, receiving an affirmative answer from him.
Nebraska crossed her feet over the edge of the bed and sat up on the floor, forgetting all pain. Hades took two steps back, giving her room.
The wolf turned and grabbing the upper edge of the large shirt she was wearing covering her nakedness, she ripped it up to chest level. With her hand he ran the loose hair, exposing the alpha to his perfectly smooth neck, without any scar.
Hades froze when he saw the back of his neck. It had no link mark, it had not been bitten. Rudoc hadn’t made her his, they didn’t have a bond for the rest of their lives. The swirl of emotions that ran through him made him dizzy.
-If the only way to stay alive and be with my children is for you to mark me then do it- her voice denoted all her determination -I can’t die yet-
Hades’s judgment was blown away. It was only a few days before his zeal and that omega showed him his neck like a feast. He didn’t know what he was doing. He did not articulate words. He approached her and took her by the shoulder, pulling her against the bed and leaning over her, putting all his weight on the smaller one, immobilizing her.
He looked at the white skin and licked his lips. He felt his canines grow inches and the urge to bite her was almost unbearable.
He lowered his face and licked the skin to its full extent. It tasted delicious, smooth. He did it again and shuddered in anticipation of what would happen. Excitement was beginning to run through him and he began to gasp. He opened his mouth and brought his teeth closer but before biting her sanity returned to make him react. Despite being still the small body under him would not stop shaking and hid his face between the sheets.
Hades put his hands on either side of her head and sat up in her arms. With his hand he closed the fabric hiding her neck and left a small kiss, finding it difficult to move away and not finish what he was about to start.
-I won’t now- that seemed to stop her trembling a bit. There is no need to rush. Now that I know that you do not belong to Rudoc I can take the time to do things properly, it is not appropriate for a queen to be marked before her wedding-
Nebraska peeled her face off the sheets and turned her slightly.
The alpha kissed her temple carefully.
-I will speak to the Council, stay here and rest. I will prepare everything because soon you will finally be mine-
Hades got up and left her there alone in that room. And for the first time since she had left her cell, Nebraska screamed helplessly into the fabric of the pillow and sobbed until her throat could not make another sound.
Allowing herself to be branded only meant one thing, to be fed up with the challenge of her life.
She had come out of one captivity, only to enter another. But there was no turning back.