Alpha’s Hostage
Chapter 32

She opened her eyes with her breath catching in her throat. The ceiling loomed above her in a clear haze that she recognised. She was in her room. She sat up carefully. Every muscle in her body roared and she had to bite her lips to keep from screaming. What had happened? Where was she? What had happened to her puppies? The last thing she remembered was jumping at someone and then everything went black. There was a huge gap in her mind since hearing the words of that wolf. That wolf. What the hell did he think he was? He was talking to her like she was a worthless piece of trash. That had annoyed her, but the last straw was that he was trying to get his fingers on her children, and she wouldn't allow it. Rage came over her again and she tensed her arms in response, causing him repeated pain.

-Are you awake yet?

The scent of the alpha in that place washed over her. He was disappointed, annoyed. He was uneasy. That struck her 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 slightly, "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 ready for the stress of the transformation," Hades was leaning against a nearby wall, "Though I have to admit, you're extremely fast at attacking that weak spot. Nebraska didn't respond. That was one of the things her 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 moved towards her, standing in front of her with dilated pupils, "The Council has given a verdict.

The she-wolf swallowed. Hades' countenance was neutral, expressionless and seemed three shades lighter than normal.

-They accepted your request to take the punishment of your children, they will be exonerated and under my guardianship, but there is still 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 have decided that your sentence will be.... -she lingered on the words, as if it would cost her after-effects- Death... -Nebraska squeezed the sheet underneath her.

Nebraska clenched the sheet under her hands, losing all colour from her face. She didn't say anything, she had expected it since the day she had taken that position, but now was not the time to leave this world, she had many things to do.

-In spite of trying to reason with them, I am also part of the Council, the only thing they allowed me to do was to keep custody of all your 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 pervaded the room. Nebraska raised her head and the violet in her eyes shone brightly.

-What if she wasn't marked, what would happen?

Hades looked at her and tilted his head, quizzical.

-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 earnestly, receiving an affirmative answer from him.

Nebraska crossed her feet over the edge of the bed and sat upright on the floor, forgetting all pain. Hades took two steps back giving her space.

The she-wolf turned and grabbed the top edge of the large shirt she wore covering her nakedness and tore it down to her chest. With her hand she brushed back the loose hair leaving the alpha's view of her perfectly smooth neck, without any scars. Hades was petrified at the sight of the back of his neck. It was unmarked, unbite-marked, unbitten. Rudoc had not made her his, they had no bond for the rest of their lives. The swirl of emotions that ran through him made him dizzy.

-If the only way for me to stay alive and be with my children is for you to mark me, then do it," she said, her voice full of determination.

Hades' judgement flew away. It was only a few days before his heat and that omega was showing him her neck like a feast. He didn't know what he was doing. He did not articulate words. He walked over to her and grabbed her by the shoulder, pinning her against the bed and leaning over her, putting all his weight on the smaller one, pinning her down.

He looked at the whitish skin and licked his lips. She felt her canines grow inches longer and the urge to bite her was almost unbearable.

He lowered his face and licked the skin all over. It tasted delicious, soft. He did it again and shuddered in anticipation of what was to come. Excitement was starting to run through him and he began to pant. He opened his mouth and brought his teeth closer but before he could bite her sanity came back to make him react. Despite being still the small body beneath him kept trembling and hid her face in the sheets.

Hades placed his hands on either side of her head and sat up in her arms. With his hand he closed the cloth around her neck and left a small k**s, finding it difficult to pull away and not finish what he was about to start.

-I won't do it now," that seemed to stop her trembling a little. There's no need to rush. Now that I know you don't belong to Rudoc I can take the time to do things properly, it's not proper for a queen to be marked before her wedding. Nebraska peeled her face from the sheets and turned her slightly.

The alpha kissed her temple gently.

-I will speak to the Council, stay here and rest. I will prepare everything because soon you will be mine at last.

Hades sat 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 her pillow and sobbed until her throat could no longer make a sound.

Allowing herself to be branded meant only one thing, to be haunted by the challenge of her life.

She had come out of one captivity, only to enter another. But there was no turning back now.