-LILIAN-
The journey back to the castle was a nightmare. The guards, fueled by fear of Alexander’s wrath, dragged me mercilessly through the woods, through the castle gates, and into the silent, watchful halls. Every step was agony, every gasp for breath a painful reminder of my failure.
My mind reeled, replaying the image of the dying trees, the terrifying power Alexander had unleashed. He was beyond a monster; he was a force of nature, and I, a mere omega, stood no chance against him.
We were brought directly to the throne room, a vast, echoing space that felt more like a tomb. Alexander was already there, standing before his ornate throne, his back to us. The air around him shimmered with suppressed power, a visible aura of pure, dangerous energy that made the guards flinch and trem
