CHAPTER 49: _ AWAKENING CEREMONY GUESTS

And that’s when Heidi knows: she’s in deeper danger than she thought. If Daphne can sniff out one night of weakness, what will she smell if she ever catches the bond pulsing through her veins?

Her throat goes dry. Her pulse beats so loudly she’s sure Daphne can hear it. She can’t let this slip. She can’t let anyone suspect that she might be fated to Darien... or worse, to more than one of the brothers. To all of them. That kind of truth could get her killed faster than any bullying and threats can.

So she lifts her chin, forces her voice to steady, and says, "You’re reading too much into it. Things just... happened. Between a man and a woman. Alone in a house. That’s all."

Daphne laughs. It’s sharp, ringing, and full of disbelief, the kind of laugh that makes the air itself feel like it’s taunting Heidi. She tips her head back, perfect hair spilling like a glossy curtain over one shoulder. "Oh, darling," she purrs, "did you really think of yourself as that important?"

What... What on earth is that supposed to mean?

Heidi instantaneously goes motionless, her breath stuttering in her chest, but Daphne isn’t done... oh no, not when she’s just started.

"If it were between Darien and a lady of his status, say, one of those elegant Alpha daughters from other packs, then maybe. Maybe." She waves her hand as if she’s dismissing invisible suitors. "Even then, it’s doubtful, since my brother has apparently decided to marry the idea of being permanently moody and shut off from romance." A little smirk twists her mouth. "But with an Omega?"

Her voice lowers with incredulity. "Something’s off."

The words sting like little darts hurled at Heidi’s chest. Her mouth opens to protest, to deny, and say something clever that might save her face, but the sound that comes out is nothing more than a weak breath. She looks down at herself; at the gown Daphne put her in, the silken fabric that seems made for her butterscotch hair, and pale skin. She looks like someone else, someone who should command rooms. Someone who belongs.

But Daphne’s words drag her back down, slam her firmly into the dirt of reality. Omega. Low-class girl. Nobody.

"I—" The protest squeaks out pathetically and uselessly.

She wants to insist nothing happened. That Daphne is mistaken, that she misunderstood, that she is not who Daphne thinks she is. But before she can even string a sentence together, Daphne suddenly steps forward. In one lightning move, she grabs Heidi’s hands—both of them, in hers. The grip is deceptively feminine, but there’s a steel strength in it that makes Heidi’s bones ache. She tries to pull back, but Daphne squeezes harder, nails pressing into the soft skin on the back of Heidi’s hand.

"Don’t," Daphne hisses, her eyes flashing like sharpened glass. "Don’t you dare lie to me. Lying won’t get you anywhere with me, Omega."

The word drops like a curse, spat out as though it contaminates the very air between them.

Heidi’s heart jackhammers in her chest. The world tilts a little, and her stomach is threatening to climb into her throat. She feels exposed, like every secret she’s tried to bury is glowing neon across her forehead.

"You like yourself?" Daphne presses on, voice lower now, more dangerous. "Then stay away from my brother. Don’t ruin what he’s built for himself. For me. For our mother. For our sister. For this entire family and this pack. All of it rests on him—and you with your filthy Omega status?" Her lip curls, the disgust in it evident. "You don’t belong in the same sentence as him, let alone in his life."

The words are too sharp to process. Heidi can barely breathe through the pain of them. Her jaw starts to tremble. Filthy. The word echoes through her, louder than it should, because part of her fears it’s true. Part of her remembers all the sneers, the insults, the disgusted looks she’s collected like stones in her pockets ever since she set foot in this pack.

"And let me make this crystal clear," Daphne continues, leaning in so close that Heidi can smell her sharp white jasmine perfume. "Our mother would do anything to protect our name and status in this house. Anything. And if someone like you..." she spits the word like it’s sour on her tongue "... poses a threat to that? She won’t hesitate to take care of you. And neither will I."

Heidi’s lips part, but no words come out. Only air. Fear coils hot and sickly in her stomach, climbing up her throat until she can taste it. She doesn’t doubt Daphne, not for a second. There’s a steel in her words that tells Heidi this isn’t just a warning but a promise.

Her palms are clammy now, her pulse is screaming at her to run, but Daphne’s grip has her rooted to the spot.

"So this," Daphne says finally, releasing her with a sudden shove, "is your warning. Stay. Away. From Darien."

Her words are final as they carry an absolute tone. It isn’t advice—it’s a decree. "You can mess with anybody else, ruin whoever else’s life you want, but not Darien. Never Darien."

Heidi’s hands tremble as she pulls them back against her chest, like she can hide them from the sting of Daphne’s touch. Shame curls deep in her gut, battling with terror, battling with something worse... because no matter how hard she tries, she knows she can’t stay away from Darien, Amias, and even those petty twins. The bond won’t let her.

Yet, she wants to shout, argue, and say Darien isn’t hers anyway, that this entire conversation is absurd. But the words die before they form. Because some quiet, traitorous part of her wants him. And Daphne saw it. She saw everything.

The silence between them proceeds thickly after. Then Daphne straightens her dress, smooths an invisible wrinkle with elegant fingers, and smirks as if nothing happened at all. "Good, Glad we understand each other." She says, turning away.

Heidi’s vision blurs with tears she refuses to let fall. However, when she blinks back the burning in her eyes, she realizes they’re no longer alone. Up ahead, framed by the last bend in the drive, the mansion comes into view.

And Heidi sucks in her breath.

The place isn’t just a house—it’s a fortress disguised as luxury. The sprawling building rises out of perfect grounds, white stone glowing faintly under the fading light. Dozens of glittering windows catch the dusk, reflecting it like tiny shards of glass. The massive front steps lead up to doors so tall and imposing that Heidi half-expects a choir to start singing.

But it’s the cars that hit her first. Parked in elegant formation in front of the mansion are machines that look like predators at rest. Their polished bodies shine under the morning sun.

By the red one stands Darien. His posture is relaxed, hands tucked into his pockets like he’s waiting for no one in particular. The cut of his suit is sharp enough to slice skin, the black fabric molding to his shoulders and waist in a way that makes Heidi’s pulse spike all over again. He looks... untouchable. Dangerous. And even from here, she swears she catches the faintest whiff of his cologne drifting on the breeze.

Her stomach twists violently.

By the silver car stand Amias and Lira. Amias looks gloomy as always, with those silver eyes that are colder than the moon. His suit is spotless, and the sight of him... of his immaculate masculine beauty makes Heidi’s mouth water. He’s the glory she has yet to taste, and oh boy, does she yearn for him?

Hungrier than she thought she wanted Darien. Yet, he’s so cold, so unaware, and nonchalant. Like he’s standing there but his mind is long gone somewhere else.

Get a grip, Heidi. She has to reprimand herself before she does something foolish.

Beside him, though, is Lira. And Lira... Lira is something else entirely. Heidi has never seen anyone like her. She’s elegance personified, a goddess sculpted in silk. Her gown is fitted and flows in equal measure. It’s a shiny thing that illuminates the sun with every movement. Heidi can’t stop staring. She’s in awe of Lira’s elegance and pained that she’s with Amias romantically which sends despair crushing her ribs.

Then there’s the black car. Morgan and Grayson lean against it like they own the world. Their suits are perfectly tailored, their confidence radiating like twin suns. Morgan flicks his hair back with his usual nonchalance, while Grayson adjusts his cufflinks, a little smirk tugging at his lips. Together, they’re infuriatingly magnetic, like princes out of a story Heidi was never invited into.

Those two... those damn bullies. Her inevitable masters whom funnily enough, a hidden part of her is looking forward to serving.

Heidi sighs at her own thoughts and dark desires. She can’t believe herself and sighs at her messed-up reality. The gods help me for I am doomed–she thinks.