Page 190 of Caged

My Omega whines silently, begging me to tell the Alpha how little I’ve been fed. But I can see how Vae’s looking at me. The same way Daxen looks at me.

Like, I’m not only worthless, but an inconvenience as well.

The loss and betrayal make my stomach cramp in pain. The rejection washes over me, but it’s a thousand times worse now. I bite my lower lip, tasting blood and salt from my tears.

The two sides of me are clashing. My Omega’s encouraging me to be quiet and small, hopeful that if we’re good enough, the Alpha will care for us eventually.

The flame thinks that’s bullshit. It flares. It snarls and spits. Insists I’ve never done anything to deserve this treatment.

It shouldn’t matter what Vae and Dax think. They shouldn’t matter.

But no matter how many times I tell myself the lie, it doesn’t stick.

It’s all too much. It would be one thing if they didn’t believe me about the Bond simply because they hate my father.

But it’s not.

To them, I’m so worthless and unwanted that they honestly can’t fathom Fate binding Caelan—and by extension, their pack—to me for eternity.

Like being stuck with me would be a life sentence. A punishment.

Not good enough for my father.

Not good enough for their best friend.

Not good enough, even, for food.

Completely ignorant of my inner turmoil, Vae snatches his phone off the table and tucks it into the pocket of his pants. Silas stands as well. Within seconds, both males are gone, disappearing without so much as a word.

As they start down the hall, I hear them talking in low voices. Discussing upcoming training schedules and plans for their day. Without a second thought, Vaelenor has already moved on to something else, forgetting about me completely.

I’m not even a blip on his radar, save for the trouble I’m causing him.

Cage looks like he’s been handed an early Christmas present. My stomach sinks.

Vaelenor left me with a cruel, sadistic Alpha. A male who takes great joy in hurting others, and doesn’t even try to pretend otherwise.

Which means, they know Cage is going to hurt me. They’re probably anticipating it. Counting on it, even. If they’re not hurting me themselves, then that’s one more thing they can convince themselves they’re not guilty of.

I vaguely wonder how much more I can handle before I collapse under the weight of it all.

I want to believe I can put up with a lot. That my Bond with Caelan will help. Shore up my defenses, and support me through the worst of it.

I only have to take one look at Cage, eyes glinting with anticipation, to know this isn’t even close to the worst things will get.

This is only the beginning.

Chapter 26

Daxen

The wood in the fireplace crackles steadily, but does nothing to brighten the room itself.

My head pounds painfully behind my eyes. It won’t quit, no matter how much blood I drink or painkillers I pop.

Two days.

I’ve been at this for two days, and I’m no closer to figuring out what the hell is going on around here than I was when I started.