Page 37 of Caged

“I have, but that was only because you were still waiting to see results. Now, things seem to be working to a degree, I don’t see why I should have to wait.”

Alexander’s words are patient, but I sense an underlying threat in his tone—something I have far too much practice recognizing.

“In order to continue to see results, I’ll need to keep her a bit longer,” my father replies, sounding like he’s not in the mood to negotiate.

Results of what? What are they talking about?

“I don’t see why, when you have⁠—”

“I have no desire to put all my eggs in one basket,” my father snaps, cutting him off. “Once I’ve finished stockpiling, I’ll decide what to do with the girl.”

Alexander hums in consideration. It’s quiet, neither man speaking for so long, and I start to wonder if they left.

“I’ve procured a serum you might find beneficial if you require more funds.” Alexander’s voice makes me jump like a startled rabbit.

I hear the faint sound of liquid being poured into a glass and then, “Well, don’t keep me in suspense.”

“It brings on an Omega’s heat outside of her cycle. You’ve said your daughter is pure, and an Omega’s first heat—specifically a medically induced heat—would be something many Alphas would pay good money to participate in.”

My blood runs cold. My vision narrows as my heart stutters.

They’re talking about me. About sending me into an artificial heat and… what? Selling me to random Alphas?

My hands fly to my mouth to smother the Omega whine I can’t choke back.

Fates, this can’t be real. He won’t actually do that, will he?

My pulse pounds in my ears.

No. No, no, no. This can’t be happening!

“—made something like that.” My father’s voice, tinged with wry amusement, forces my attention back to their conversation. I lean in closer, blinking back black dots swimming in my vision.

“Most don’t,” Alexander sounds smug. “It will bypass the suppressants completely. I’ve seen it in action. It’s rather… titillating. If you’re into that kind of thing.”

I hold my breath anxiously, waiting for my father’s answer. Praying to all the gods, he’ll find just one shred of decency in his heart to shut Alexander down.

“I’ll keep it in mind. As I said, as of now, I’m still considering what I want to do with her.”

I shake my head furiously, trying to deny what I’ve heard despite knowing I can’t. Tears spring to my eyes, and I back away from the vent.

I can’t— I can’t listen to them anymore.

Oh gods, oh gods… why? Why would my father do something like this to me? Why would he even entertain it? Why does he hate me so much?

Like an injured animal, I curl under my one remaining blanket and pull it over my head. I want to curl up as tight as possible, but the pain in my ribs prevents me from moving any further.

This feels like a dream. Or.. a nightmare. Everything seems hazy and distant, like I’m disconnected from reality. I lay there for what must be hours, staring at the seams of my blanket and trying to make sense of my life.

He didn’t agree, Idril. He said he was still thinking. He could forget about it. He could—he could⁠—

I whine. A piercing, keening sound full of fear and desperation. Only the presence of the cat’s large body pushed against my back stops me from doing something insane— like taking my chances on escape by jumping from the balcony.

He purrs steadily, and while it’s not an Alpha’s purr, the vibrations are just enough to soothe the sharpest edges off my panic.

It doesn’t stop the tears from flowing, though. I choke on a sob. I don’t even care anymore if the guards can hear me.

I can’t let something like that happen to me. I just simply can not.