I walked into the room with my heart pounding. The tension in the air was thick, heavy, and it felt suffocating. But what I saw made it worse.
The Supreme Leader was lounging in a grand chair, his gaze sharp and calculating as ever. But that wasn't what caught my attention. It was Nine.
Nine—my mate—was kneeling on the floor, his body slumped, his head lowered, a shadow of his usual self. His pale skin, which had always been so strikingly beautiful to me, looked almost ghostly in the dim light of the room. And worse, the Supreme Leader had his foot resting on Nine's back, casually kicking him now and then like he was some piece of furniture.
My breath hitched in my throat. The anger, the horror, the helplessness—everything I had been bottling up since the moment I was dragged into this nightmare came crashing down on me all at once.
I wanted to scream. To tear the room apart. To demand the Supreme Leader stop— to make him stop.
But I didn't. I couldn't.
I took a step forward, my fists clenched at my sides, my breath steadying, though my heart was anything but. I forced my voice to stay calm, knowing if I lost control now, it would only make things worse. "Why is he on the floor like that?" My words were low, controlled, but they carried the weight of my fury.
The Supreme Leader didn't look up at first. He just casually adjusted his posture, as though Nine was nothing more than a pet. But then his cold eyes slid to mine, his lips curling into a knowing smirk. "You've made progress, Rhea. I'm pleased."
I bit back the urge to lash out. I wasn't here to fight with him—not yet. I couldn't risk everything for a moment of personal revenge, even though every fiber of my being screamed for it.
Instead, I forced a smile that felt like acid on my tongue. "Is that why you have him there like that?"
He raised an eyebrow, the amusement in his eyes flickering for just a moment before his expression became a little more serious. "You've been effective. Your methods are… unorthodox, but they're working. I'll allow you to take him for the night, as a reward."
The words stung, even as a part of me felt a sliver of hope. For the night. That was all. It felt like nothing, but it was more than I had in a long time.
And yet, the image of Nine—broken and submissive at the Supreme Leader's feet—was impossible to ignore. My stomach churned, a cold fury creeping up my spine.
Nine's eyes met mine for a moment, and something passed between us, something I couldn't quite place. He didn't speak. He didn't do anything. But I felt him. The bond was there, always there, silent and heavy.
I could feel his pain. His confusion. His submission.
I swallowed hard. I couldn't stand to see him like this. I wouldn't stand to see him like this anymore.
The Supreme Leader's voice broke my thoughts. "Take him," he said, waving a hand dismissively, as if it was nothing. "But remember, this is a temporary arrangement. He remains mine, as always."
A wave of disgust flooded through me. But I nodded, managing to keep my face neutral, as much as it killed me inside.
The Supreme Leader's gaze softened, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You've done well. I'm curious to see how you continue to progress with the creatures. Let's see if you can make real change. But, don't get too comfortable, Rhea. You are still tied to Project Wraith. Don't forget that."
I felt a cold shiver run down my spine at the mention of Project Wraith. But I pushed the thoughts away. I had bigger things to focus on right now. Like getting Nine away from the Supreme Leader's grip for as long as I could.
I turned to Nine, my heart aching as I moved toward him. I wanted to reach for him, to pull him into my arms, but the fear and uncertainty in his eyes kept me from doing so. Instead, I offered him my hand. He hesitated, just for a moment, before slowly reaching up to take it.
I could feel his trembling through the bond, and it broke my heart all over again. But I didn't show it. I couldn't.
"Come on," I murmured, guiding him to his feet. "We're leaving this room, Nine. For tonight, you're mine."