Chapter 4

Ella's POV

"Your Highness... how do you know my name?" I asked, keeping my head lowered, not daring to meet his gaze.

"I've heard some rumors," Julian said lightly. "When my brother returned from Blood River, he brought nothing with him except a single slave girl. Your name has spread throughout the estate—they say you're remarkably beautiful." He paused, his tone playful. "Though seeing you today, I'd say you're rather ordinary."

My face flushed crimson. This was naked contempt, yet I had no right to object. I was just a wolfless Omega, stripped of even the most basic dignity.

"Your Highness jests," I forced out the words. "I'm merely a lowly—"

"Lift your head," Julian interrupted, his voice still gentle. "Let me see if you're injured."

I hesitated before raising my head. His gaze lingered on my face for a moment, then moved to my wrist—where a fresh abrasion marked the skin from my earlier climb.

"This needs tending," he said, taking a first aid kit from his guard and personally bandaging my wound. His movements were surprisingly gentle, as if I weren't some outcast, but someone worthy of care.

My body went rigid, unsure how to respond. The Alpha heir bandaging an Omega's wound—such a thing was unheard of in the pack.

Just as I struggled with my confusion, the sound of hoofbeats approached. A black carriage stopped nearby, its door opening to reveal Kane stepping out, followed by a woman.

She had silver hair, emerald eyes, a tall and athletic build, her entire presence radiating a warrior's fierce energy. She wore an exquisite red gown, its hem billowing in the wind like dancing flames.

Victoria Vane.

My heart sank.

Kane's expression darkened the moment he saw Julian bandaging my wound. He strode over, his gaze sweeping between Julian and me, dangerous currents swirling in his eyes.

"Brother," Kane's voice was low. "What's happening here?"

"Saving someone," Julian replied casually, a hint of mockery in his tone. "Your... maid nearly fell from the cliff. As her elder, I could hardly let her die."

Victoria moved to Kane's side, linking her arm through his, her eyes sweeping over me with disdain. "So this is the legendary 'special' servant?" Her voice was sweet but barbed. "I heard Kane shows her particular favor, even broke a guard's arm for her sake. I expected some extraordinary beauty, but seeing her today..." She paused, laughing lightly. "How disappointing."

I bit my lip and lowered my head.

Julian looked at Kane with amusement. "Brother, I've heard rumors about you and Ella... something about deep affection, even offending other nobles for her sake?" His tone was teasing. "That would be beneath your station. After all, you're about to wed Miss Victoria."

Victoria's smile froze momentarily. She turned to Kane, a flash of displeasure in her eyes.

Kane looked at me expressionlessly, as if regarding some insignificant object. "You jest, brother," he said coldly. "She's merely a slave I brought back from Blood River. Why would I care? As for those rumors..." He scoffed. "Nothing but idle gossip."

He released Victoria's hand and approached me, looking down from his superior height. "Ella, you should thank His Highness for saving your life."

I curtsied trembling. "Thank you, Your Highness."

Kane reached out, seemingly gentle as he stroked my cheek, but his fingers gripped my chin forcefully, compelling me to look up. "Be more careful in the future," his voice was soft, yet I alone could hear the threat within. "Don't cause me any more trouble."

He released me and turned to Victoria. "My dear, let's go. Some ungrateful creatures aren't worth our time."

Victoria smiled with satisfaction, linking her arm through Kane's as they departed. Before leaving, Kane drew an exquisite jade box from his coat and presented it to Victoria.

"I prepared this especially for you," he said, his voice carrying a tenderness I'd never heard before. "I hope you like it."

Victoria opened the box to reveal a beautiful jade necklace, gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight. She embraced Kane joyfully, kissing his cheek.

I stood frozen, staring at that necklace, my heart turning to ash.

That necklace was the one Kane had once promised me. During that cold night in Blood River, he'd held my hand and said when we returned to Silver Moon, he'd give me the most beautiful necklace as a token of our bond.

Now, that necklace adorned Victoria's neck.

Julian's voice sounded beside me. "Seen enough?"

I snapped back to awareness, realizing tears streamed down my face. I hastily wiped them away, whispering, "Forgive me, Your Highness. I lost my composure."

Julian said nothing, simply watching me with an expression I couldn't decipher.

"Go back," he finally said. "Be careful. Don't go running near cliffs again."

I nodded and turned to leave. After a few steps, I heard Julian call out, "Ella."

I stopped.

"If you ever want to leave the West Wing," his voice was quiet, "you can come to me."

My whole body trembled, unable to believe what I'd heard. I wanted to turn around but didn't dare, could only nod stiffly before hurrying away.

When I returned to the servants' quarters, night had fallen. Ruby wasn't in the room—the entire dormitory stood empty. I sat on my bed, mechanically sorting the herbs I'd gathered, my mind in chaos.

Julian's words echoed in my ears—"If you ever want to leave the West Wing, you can come to me."

What did that mean? Sympathy? Or some ulterior motive?

I couldn't understand. I only knew that watching Kane give that necklace to Victoria today had shattered the last fragment of hope in my heart.

Deep into the night, Kane pushed open the door.

I sat on the bed's edge, holding a vial of herbal solution, preparing to replenish the concealment stone's potency. Hearing the door, I instinctively started to rise, but he shoved me back down onto the bed.

"Don't move," he said, his voice thick with suppressed fury.

I froze.

Kane leaned over, hands braced on either side of my body, trapping me between him and the bed. His eyes gleamed dangerously in the dim light, like a predator eyeing its prey.

"You went to see Julian today," he said—not a question, but a statement.

"I didn't—" I began to explain, but he roughly tore at my clothes.

"Don't lie," his voice was terrifyingly low. "I saw him bandaging your wound, saw you looking at him so submissively." His hand closed around my throat, the pressure making it nearly impossible to breathe. "Are you trying to seduce him? Escape from me? Think if you catch the Alpha heir's eye, you can be rid of me?"

"No..." I forced out the words. "I was only gathering herbs... he saved me..."

"Saved you?" Kane sneered. "So you're grateful enough to offer yourself?" His grip tightened. "Ella, don't forget—you're mine. I won't allow any male to touch you, even if he's my brother."

Tears streamed down my face. I wanted to resist but had no strength. Kane's body pressed against mine, his desire unmistakable, and I could only lie there like a lamb awaiting slaughter, subject to his will.

"Kane..." I choked out. "Don't do this... please..."

"Please?" His smile was cruel. "You still remember how to beg?" His hands began to roam, movements rough as punishment. "Didn't you want to leave? Want to go to Free Haven? Want to run to Julian?"

With each accusation, his actions grew more forceful.

Finally, I could bear no more. I raised my hand and struck him hard across the face.

Kane froze.

So did I.

We stared at each other, the air seemingly solidifying. I could see the clear imprint of my fingers on his face, see the shock and rage in his eyes.

"You dare strike me?" His voice was incredulous.

My hand still trembled, but I didn't retreat. I met his gaze directly, my eyes filled with despair and resolve.

"Kane," my voice was hoarse, "if you force me tonight, I'll die right here."

I pulled a sharp shard of glass from beneath my pillow—something I'd hidden away days ago after breaking a cup. Now I pressed it against my throat, its sharp edge already breaking skin, warm blood trickling down my neck.

"Ella!" For the first time, panic entered Kane's voice. "Put that down! Are you insane?"

"You drove me to this," I laughed, the sound more terrible than crying. "Kane, you don't care who touches me. You only care that it was Julian—the one who took everything from you."

Tears rolled down my cheeks, my voice trembling yet firm. "You hate him, you envy him, you're powerless against him, so you can only take it out on me. You torture me again and again, not because you love me, but because I'm the only thing you can control. You never cared about me at all."

Kane stood frozen, his face pale.

"Why can't you understand my feelings?" His voice was raw. "If I didn't care, why would I bring you here? Ella, circumstances are what they are, status is what it is, bloodlines are heaven's gift—I can't change any of it—"

"Enough," I interrupted him, the glass shard reflecting weak light in my trembling hand. "Kane, do you remember what you said in Blood River? That you'd kill everyone who abused Omegas, that you'd break down the hierarchy, that you'd make this world ordered but not oppressive."

I looked into his eyes, my heart like dead ashes. "That version of you was someone I would have followed anywhere. But now..." I smiled bitterly. "The dragon-slayer has become the dragon."

Kane remained silent for a long time.

Finally, he released me and slowly stood. He looked at me, his expression too complex to read.

"You win," he said, his voice filled with exhaustion. "I won't touch you tonight."

He turned and left, his retreating figure looking particularly desolate in the dim light.

The moment the door closed, I finally collapsed onto the bed. The glass shard slipped from my hand, shattering into even smaller fragments on the floor.

I curled into a ball, crying silently.

I didn't know how much longer I could endure, didn't know when these days would end.

I only knew that whatever had existed between Kane and me could never be recovered.