CHAPTER 32: CHAPTER 32: NO MERCY LEFT

The sting on my cheek was still fresh, burning like fire—but it was nothing compared to the words that came next.

"How dare you slap the future Luna?" Kael’s voice thundered through the corridor, sharp and cold like a blade drawn in winter. His eyes, once calm and unreadable, were now filled with fury as he stepped forward. "You really haven’t learned your lesson at all, have you?"

I stared at him, stunned, the weight of his word sunk deeper than the blow he had just dealt. My mouth opened slightly, but no sound came. I couldn’t speak—not with the pain swelling in my chest, not with the ache crawling up my throat like a scream I wasn’t allowed to let out.

Then I saw her.

Meriya.

Still holding her cheek where my hand had landed—but now, her lips curved in a smug little smirk. Her eyes sparkled with satisfaction like she had won the game.

And I had stupidly walked straight into it.

Played my part in her little act like a puppet on strings. I could see it now...the fake shock, the dramatic gasp, the timing of Kael’s arrival. She’d wanted this outcome. She’d planned all this from start.

And I had given her exactly what she wanted.

But I didn’t regret it.

If I had the chance, I would have slapped her again.

Twice as hard.

My hatred burned so fiercely now, it silenced the shame. I stood frozen as Meriya turned toward Kael, her expression shifting instantly into one of pained innocence.

"Don’t worry, Alpha Kael," she said softly, resting her delicate hand against his arm. "It’s not Selene’s fault. Her life... it’s already been so hard. I suppose... seeing me must have triggered something."

Her voice trembled with just the right amount of sorrow, like she was the kind-hearted victim trying to understand the broken girl in front of her.

"Maybe she remembered who she used to be," Meriya continued, her eyes flicking briefly to me with delight. "Before she was marked. Before she lost everything. And... maybe she’s jealous. Maybe that’s why she lashed out."

She clung to him now, pressing her body slightly closer, resting her head just near his shoulder like she belonged there. Like she already was Luna.

I wanted to scream.

But Kael didn’t even look at me. His face remained hard, unreadable. Until he spoke again.

"Take her to the punishment room," he ordered the omega maids in his cold voice. "I’ll deal with her myself."

My breath caught.

The maids hesitated, glancing between Kael and Meriya, but his glare left no room for questions. They stepped forward, gripping my arms tightly.

"Wait—" I choked out, but it was useless. My feet scraped against the floor as they dragged me away.

Meriya’s smirk returned full force now, peeking from behind Kael’s shoulder. And beside her, Arlena laughed under her breath, lips curled in triumph.

I didn’t struggle. I just kept my eyes locked on Kael.

I wanted him to look in my eyes that how he actually felt for the trick...If he really couldn’t see this...then..

Soon the omega maid dragged me from there but we did not go outside from the Alpha wing, instead they dragged me in a small room at far corner...and I have never thought that they would actually have punishment room made in there resident.

The omega maid bound me with chains, my wrists bound high above my head, cold metal biting into my skin.

But I didn’t lower my gaze...not even when Kael returned.

He stepped in with quiet, confident steps, dressed in black. His presence seemed darker than before. He looked at me with something more dangerous than anger. but I looked at him with same intensity...I still have not forgotten his word from yesterday night.

"You never learn," he murmured, voice low and casual as he stepped into the dim light. "I’ve dealt with wolves, traitors, and rogues—but you, Selene... you’re something else."

I stayed silent.

But then he smiled.

A slow, cruel smile that made my skin crawl.

"I know how to tame you, little slave," he whispered.

Before I could even begin to understand what he meant, the door creaked open behind him.

A maid entered—head bowed, hands trembling—and held out something wrapped in velvet.

The moment the cloth fell away, my eyes widened.

No.

No, he wouldn’t. My eyed widened at the sight but he only smile that shows that he was satisfied from my shock and was looking forward...for my further reaction as how i would look struggling in it.

It was a collar.

Not just any collar—but a slim, polished band of silver leather with a small heart-shaped bell dangling at the center. A long leash trailed from it.

I froze. Confusion, horror, and disbelief tangled inside me.

"Get out," Kael said sharply to the maid.

She fled like the room had turned to fire.

I turned back to him, my voice cracking. "You can’t be serious."

But he was already moving.

He approached slowly, the collar hanging from his fingers like a threat. The bell jingled with each step, a soft cruel sound that pierced the silence.

"You were once the daughter of an Alpha," he said. "But now you will become our dog...just like how your father made my father kneel."

He stopped just inches from me, holding the collar up.

I jerked my head away when he reached for me, but he was faster. His hand caught my chin again, this time rougher, angling my face toward him.

"You can glare all you want," he said. "You can hate me. It doesn’t change who holds the leash."

With one smooth motion, he unlocked the collar and wrapped it around my throat. I struggled, pushing against his chest with what little strength I had left—but my arms were still chained.

The clasp clicked into place.

The bell rang softly.

A sound that would haunt me.

I looked up at him, breath shaking, heart thundering in my chest.

Hatred burned behind my eyes. And he only smirked.

That cruel, satisfied smirk—like he had finally won. But I could see the intense hatred he was trying to mask behind his eyes.

"Perfect," he said, tugging the leash just once, the soft chime echoing off the stone walls. "Now everyone will know exactly what you are."