92 % 0 Chapter 23 Chapter 23 The air is buzzing with energy as the Mating Pall finally kicks off . This shit is barely starting and Im already exhausted . The hall is dripping with elegance golden chandeliers throwing a warm glow over the sea of expensive dresses , silk ties , and overly polished smiles It clearly differs from my simple black dress and apron that scream . Omega on fucking duty . 48 1 dodge a group of giggling she wolves , balancing a tray of champagne flutes as I walk through the crowd . My feet ache from running around all day , and my patience is thinner than the fake smiles plastered on Seraphinas face . Lea I call at one of the Omegas stationed by the dessert table . Can you fix the arrangement over there ? The guests * She cuts me off with a sharp laugh . Seraphina didnt say anything about fixing it , so no , thanks . I blink at her , momentarily stunned by the audacity . Im not asking . Im telling you And Im telling you , she snaps back , dripping with smugness , that I dont take orders from you . Youre not Seraphina . youre not the leader of the planning team anymore Of course . Because why would they bother respecting me when Seraphinas shadow is always looming over everything I try to do ? Fucking actual bitch . I grit my teeth , resisting the urge to chuck the tray at her head . Leave it then . When the head maid finds out- The mention of the head maid makes her flinch , but she recovers quickly , shrugging as if she doesnt care . I suppress a sigh and move on , but something nags at the back of my mind . Where is the head maid ? The thought sticks with me as I make my way toward the ballroom entrance , scanning the crowd . My eyes catch on Kallias and Seraphina near the dance floor . Shes clinging to his arm almost like a leech , her laugh loud and fake enough to make me cringe . Then , Kallias looks up . His eyes lock on me , and for a second , I swear the entire room goes quiet . He mutters my name and starts walking toward me , shrugging off Seraphinas grip . She scowls , clearly unamused , but doesnt follow him . I dont have time for this . I turn on my heel , ready to disappear into the kitchen , but his hand closes around my wrist before I take two steps . Goddamnit . Taryn , wait . His voice is soft , but his grip is firm . I glance at him , my heart sinking at the look on his face . Concern , guilt , and something else I dont care enough to name . Kallias , I say , keeping my tone as neutral as possible . What do you want ? You disappeared , he says , his voice low . After the infirmary I didnt see you . Are you … okay ? My chest tightens with annoyance . Now he cares ? Im fine , I say curtly , trying to pull my arm away , but he doesnt let go . 1/4 92 % Chapter 23 Its because of him , isnt it ? His jaw clenches , and theres venom in his tone . That rogue . Hes been trying to take you away from me- I short , cutting him off . Take me away from you ? Kallias , Im not yours . I never was . You rejected me , remember ? His grip falters for a second , and I take the opportunity to pull free . There wasnt a ritual , he says , his voice tight . It wasnt official- It doesnt need to be official . I accepetd your rejection without another word . My voice is sharp , and for a moment , I feel a small flicker of satisfaction when his face hardens . The words hang in the air between us , and I can feel all the curious eyes from the crowd . Whispers ripple through the room as people realize the Alphas son is arguing with an Omega . A stupid Omega stray . This sure wont be good for the tabloids tomorrow . Kallias glances over his shoulder , his eyes darting to Seraphina , whos already moving to distract the delegates looking at him . Shes good at this keeping up appearances . But Kallias doesnt let it go . His hand darts out , grabbing my arm again . Come with me . What- ? Before I can protest , he pulls me through the crowd , ignoring the stares and whispers as he drags me toward the balcony . Kallias , stop , I hiss , trying to wrench my arm free . Youre making a scene . He doesnt stop . The cool night air hits me as we step outside , and I stumble slightly when he finally lets go . The balcony is quiet , far enough from the ballroom that the music is nothing but a faint hum . What the hell is wrong with you ? I snap , rounding on him . You , he says simply , his voice strained . Youre whats wrong with me . I stare at him , dumbfounded . Thats not my problem . It is when youre letting that rogue come between us ! His voice rises , and I take a step back , suddenly hyperaware of how close we are . There is no us , Kallias , I inists , my voice cold . Im fucking tired of doing this all over again . It just doesnt register in his head . There hasnt been for a long time . The words seem to hit him harder than I expected , and for a moment , he just stands there , his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides . I could see his knuckles turning white . Above us , the sky darkens , and a cold wind sweeps through the balcony . I shiver , but I dont move . Its going to rain soon . No , thats not tru . Kallias walks over to me , his eyes darkening and my pulse hasten twice its speed . Kalliass grip tightens on my shoulders , his fingers digging in just enough to make my skin sting . His eyes are wild , tinged with desperation that borders on madness . Or maybe hes already crazy . Youre mine , Taryn , he growls , shaking me slightly as if I need the words hammered into my skull . Youve always been mine . No one not even that bastard Enoch is going to take you away . Do you hear me ? I jerk my shoulders , trying to break free , but his hold only tightens . My pulse is pounding so hard it feels like my head 2/4 92 % Chapter 23 might explode . Kallias , let me go , I call , low and steady , though every nerve in my body is screaming at me to knee him in the groin . I honestly would if hes going to continue doing this . He doesnt budge . Instead , he leans in closer , his breath hot against my face . You owe me . You owe this pack . My father took you in when no one else would , Taryn . Do you think we forgot ? My family even buried your rogue , dead brothers corpse like he mattered . We gave you a life ! That was it . His words ignited the fire I have long buried to embers stealing the air from my lungs . My brothers corpse . My brother . I freeze , my body going rigid under his hands . The world tilts for a second , a wave of nausea hitting me so hard I nearly stumble . Kallias doesnt miss a beat , taking my silence as some kind of victory . Thats right , he says , his tone softening , almost coaxing now . You owe us everything , Taryn . You owe me everything . Rage bubbles up , white hot and unrelenting . My palm connects with his face before I even realize what Im doing . The sharp crack echoes in the cool night air , and Kallias staggers back , his hand flying to his cheek . For a moment , theres stunned silence between us . His lip is split , a thin line of blood trickling down his chin . He wipes it away with the back of his hand , smirking as if the slap was some kind of foreplay . What the fuck ? Tears prick at the corners of my eyes , but I blink them away furiously . You dont get to do this , I snap , shaking with barely- contained fury . You dont get to act like you care now . Not after everything . His smirk falters , and I take a shaky step back , my chest heaving as the words spill out as a dam breaking . I did everything , Kallias . Everything . I spent years trying to make you see me . To make you care . To make you love me . My voice cracks , and the tears Ive been fighting finally spill over . I gave up pieces of myself for you . Do you have any idea how humiliating it was to keep hoping , to keep trying , while you paraded Seraphina around like she was the damn Moon Goddess herself ? Taryn- No. I cut him off , You rejected me because Im an Omega . Because Im not good enough for you . And you know what ? Fine . You dont want me ? Then Im done . Ive been done . You dont get to act like this , like you own me , just because youve realized you fucked up . My chest heaves with the effort of getting it all out , and for a moment , Kallias just stares at me , his expression unreadable . Then , something shifts in his eyes . You tried , he says , his voice oddly soft , almost reverent . You tried to get my attention . Theres something unsettling about the way he says it , as though hes savoring the thought . Like its a compliment . Oh Goddess , hes definitely crazy now . I cant believe you , I whisper , shaking my head in disbelief . He steps closer , his hand reaching out to cup my face . I jerk back , but he moves faster , his fingers brushing against my cheek . Youre still mine , Taryn , he murmurs , low and possessive . Before I can react , he leans in , his lips crashing against mine in a kiss thats anything but gentle . I push against his chest , my hands scrambling for purchase as I try to shove him away , but he doesnt budge . His grip 2/1 Chapter 23 tightens , pulling me closer , and panic sets in like a cold wave . Hmp ! I whimper , trying to step back . Then , a sound cuts through the night a deep , guttural growl that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end . What … what in the world was that ? Kallias freezes , his lips still too close , his body tensing as the growl echoes again , louder this time . Its coming from the forest , dark and endless beyond the balcony where were at . +48 ) I take the chance to push him away , hard enough that he stumbles back a step . My heart is pounding , my breath coming in shallow gasps as I turn toward the sound . The forest feels alive , the shadows shifting and moving as if something is out there , watching . Or maybe there is . And then I see it . The whip . Its lying on the ground below the balcony , coiled into a snake , the same one the head maid was holding a few days ago . My stomach twists , unease settling deep in my bones . Somethings not right . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!