Chapter 30

The smell of fresh air. She finally could breathe again. Her heart was pounding like crazy and she was aware she needed a bit of time to get over it. She managed to get as far as the main gate. However she couldn't go out as there were metal bars. That was precisely how her life looked like, she could see the other world but she wasn't able to get out. She could only stay like that and watch it. 

Ina sighted and kneeled down. The funny illusion that Jiha and herself were an item was gone. She was his possession and that's it. As for now he wasn't willing to share her but as the time flies that might change. Tears were rolling down her cheek, she was crying without making any sounds. 

She felt the familiar pheromones before she saw who was coming, Ina stood up and turned around. In the dim light coming from the house and the burning torches, Ina saw Gabriel. 

He must have been invited among all the other guests. The city's best hunter.

"Eager to leave?" He was slowly coming closer to her. "Haven't they tamed you yet?"

His eyes were flickering just like the fire.

"No, I don't want to be there. They behave like animals." Ina raised her head.

"True, they do. They simply follow their instincts and desires." Gabriel was standing within an arm reach and Ina could faintly smell his pheromones.

"You look stunning, I missed you. Have you been thinking about me?"

That was sudden, but she recalled what she did to him shortly before she was taken away by Commander Jiha.

"I have. I never stopped." She lowered her head and was observing her own toes for a moment before she looked back at Gabriel. He was just as handsome as before and Ina noticed him clenching his fists. Good, if she ever is able to run away, then only with somebody's help. You never know, maybe Gabriel would be willing to do so. She immediately felt his pheromones getting thicker.

"Has he marked you?" He asked quietly.

Ina turned around and lifted her hair showing him a thin collar and spotless nape.

"He's an idiot." He chuckled.

"That would have been the first thing I would do, if you were mine." His hand landed on her neck for a brief moment and Ina flinched.

"You can't. Jiha would hurt you." She looked with sad expression at him.

"I know. For now I'm powerless against him, but I will work hard." He sighted. "You should have been mine." He added in a very serious tone.

'I wanted to." Ina admitted immediately and then looked down again. She knew how to play that man. 

"Ina.." He wanted to say something more but was stopped by the appearance of another Alpha. Jiha was coming quickly only to find her outside chatting with another Alpha. Worse, he knew that man.

"Come to your Master Ina. Now." He almost shouted. Ina promptly followed Jiha's order. 

"She's mine Omega, remember that hunter." Jiha hissed and pulled Ina's arm. It hurt but she was too scared to say anything. Jiha's steps were longer and Ina was almost running to match his pace. Jiha was silent for a moment but as soon as they entered back he pulled her closer.

"What were you doing out there with that Alpha?" He was angry and Ina felt pressured by his pheromones.

"Tar was trying to force me to mate with him and I ran away to the gate. I wanted to go back home and there I met Gabriel. We only talked, I swear Jiha." Ina touched his cheek but he threw her hand away.

"I told you to call me Master here, and don't lie. I could smell his and your pheromones from afar. He was behaving as if you were his Omega." The tone of his voice made her blood freeze. Ina was unable to make a move. " With your behavior you brought shame upon the house of Frescot. Now follow me and as soon as we enter you will kneel at the wall, till I allow you to move."

Ina did as she was told. She felt tired and drained both emotionally and physically. The rest of the night was filled with pain. The one she felt in her knees and the other one that was spreading within her heart.

It was early morning when the party was over and Ina couldn't move. She had to get on all fours and then help herself up by holding onto the wall.

"Hurry up, don't make a scene." She heard Adeline saying as she was struggling to make another step.

Back at home Ina was sent right into her room and ordered to stay there for the next week. That was Jiha's order. At least it wasn't as harsh as what Adeline has done to her. 

Ina had all the time to think about her future here in this city that once seemed as if made of dreams. 

Ina ws confined to her room and couldn't walk out but Jiha visited her. Regularly. He came strictly for sex. Their first time after that unfortunate party was rough and Ina didn't feel any pleasure from it. After a week he calmed down enough to tell her he was leaving. 

"I will be sent for a whole month on a diplomatic mission." Ina sulked. Jiha patted her head as if he wanted to comfort her. His absence wasn't that much of a worry for Ina as much as she was afraid of Adeline and Tar.

"Master, what about Tar? I don't want him around me." Ina gave Jiha a puppy look.

Jiha smiled, he liked the submissive Omega sitting in front of him and begging with her eyes for help.

"He will go with me, as my servant." He smiled even brighter.

"Thank you Master." That was at least true. She was happy to get rid of the annoying and pushy Alpha.

Two days later along with all the other servants she was happily seeing Jiha off leaving with other twenty men along with Tar, who threw glances at Ina. She felt relief but it soon proved to be untimely.