Page 187 of Caged

His hand trembles. Just slightly. So small I might have missed it if he weren’t less than four inches from my face. For an infinite moment, the world narrows to the centimeters separating his skin from mine.

The flame in my chest flares. Next to it, something else, something I don’t recognize, wakes up. It stretches. Opens its eyes.

Waits.

Has the world stopped?

Have I?

There’s heat in Vaelenor’s eyes that I haven’t seen directed at me before. Desire and confusion and what looks almost like… anticipation?

My Omega shoves forward, beating at the bars of the cage, but the suppressants keep her locked in.

A pure, keening, Omega whine, mixed with fear and something else—lust?—falls past my lips.

The spell breaks.

Vaelenor’s fingers curl. His hand drops, and he backs up two steps, putting distance between us like he realized I’m made of fire. Like he’s afraid I’ll burn him. His eyes meet mine, and all the heat from before is gone, replaced with an endless well of hate.

What… what just happened?

Why do I feel like I just lost something important? Why does his hatred continue to register as rejection to my instincts?

My Omega shrinks, making herself small, feeling worthless, scared, and alone.

I wish I could do the same thing. Hide from the world.

When Vae finally speaks again, his voice is harsh, like he’s trying to claw back the control he almost lost. The look of furious loathing somehow deepens. His anger makes the terrified little girl inside of me frantically snap to attention.

If I don’t know the rules, I can’t stay safe. If I don’t know the rules, I’ll be punished.

I’ll be hurt.

“You won’t return to your father, no matter what happens. So don’t get attached to the idea of seeing him again. No one is coming to rescue you. It’s best if you get real comfortable being alone, because that’s your future.”

My lashes flutter. I sigh in relief.

There’s no way he could know, but that’s the best thing I’ve heard in years. Until now, I didn’t realize how afraid I was that they’d send me back to him once they’re done with me.

Nothing underlines the absurdity of this situation more than their genuine belief that freedom from my father is a punishment.

“Do you have any questions?”

I hesitate. I know I shouldn’t ask, but I’m desperate.

The Bond pulses in my chest. I know I’ll do anything for even the smallest scrap of news about my Mate. He’s all I can think about, even through the near-constant fear. Worry over his injuries runs in a continuous loop through my mind.

I just want to know if he’ll be okay. Checking our Bond is all that prevents me from spiraling into complete despair.

I shouldn’t ask, but I do. Even knowing it will probably end badly for me. Even knowing it’s the fastest way to anger them.

So, with all the bravery I can muster—which isn’t much—I ask, “How is Caelan?”

I mean to sound confident, but my voice is a terrified whisper. The question hangs in the air like a live grenade. One I’m more than willing to fall on, for the barest chance of an answer.

I don’t get one.

Vae’s snarl rips through the room. The sound is so vicious in its brutality that my Omega snaps to attention and screams at me to run.