Chained to the Enemy Alpha
Chapter 29: Stripped of Warmth

Chapter 29: Chapter 29: Stripped of Warmth

Lily’s spoon slipped from her hand and clattered to the floor.

Her heart pounded in her chest. Her knees hit the ground beside his chair as she dropped in front of him, head bowed, hands trembling as they gripped the hem of his pants.

‘Please. Don’t make me go.’

She didn’t have a voice, but everything in her posture—her trembling fingers, her wide, desperate eyes—screamed the words she couldn’t speak. She kept shaking her head, pleading to not go.

Zayn looked down at her, frowning.

“Get up,” he said quietly.

She shook her head fiercely, tears already spilling down her cheeks. She then grabbed his boot tight, trying to stay grounded, trying to plead. Her lips moved, trying to form words that wouldn’t come.

“This isn’t a choice,” he said firm and cold, “You will attend whether you like it or not. That is an order.”

He stood from the chair, stepping away from her grip. He called for the guards outside to enter the dining hall and gave them orders, “Take her to the guest room. Prepare her for the dance.”

Lily tried to grab at him again, but the guards caught her arms, pulling her back.

She started crying, deep ugly sobs that tore through the quiet dining hall. Her legs kicked weakly, her hands clawed at the air. She shook her head over and over again as if that alone could change his mind.

Zayn didn’t turn around.

The guards dragged her out of the hall, her sobs echoing behind them.

Martha had been walking by the corridor when she heard the noise. She turned the corner just in time to see Lily being pulled down the hallway by two guards.

“What in the goddess’ name—Lily?”

She rushed forward, her face full of alarm. “What happened? What are you doing to her?”

“Alpha’s orders, we are taking her to the guest room,” one of the guards said.

“Guest room? What for?” Martha asked.

Lily reached out to Martha desperately. She pointed towards the sky above them. Towards the moon. Putting two and two together, she gasped.

“The full moon dance?”

Lily nodded again, fresh tears streaming down her eyes.

Martha’s expression darkened. “I’ll take her.”

The guards hesitated, but one gave a nod. “We were told she stays in the packhouse, the guest wing.”

“I know where it is,” Martha replied carefully. “I’ll take her.”

They let go of Lily’s arms, and Martha gently wrapped an arm around her, guiding her the rest of the way.

Once they reached the room, Martha opened the door and walked her inside.

The moment the door shut behind them, Lily collapsed to the floor. She curled up tightly, her arms hugging her knees, shoulders shaking from the force of her sobs.

Martha sank down beside her, brushing her hair from her face.

“Oh, baby...”

Lily didn’t move. She couldn’t. The fear, the shame, the memory of those Alphas’ eyes—it all swirled inside her like a storm.

She had no voice to scream. But her tears said everything.

Martha sat on the floor beside Lily, her hand gently rubbing the girl’s back as she cried silently into her knees. The room was quiet except for the soft sounds of her sobs.

“I’ll talk to him,” Martha whispered. “I’ll beg if I have to.”

Lily’s head shook weakly, but Martha’s hand kept moving, trying to calm her.

“I know what that night means,” she said, voice cracking. “I know what they do. What they’ve always done. All those years... the parties, the music, the laughter from the high tables while the rest were treated like toys.”

Lily flinched at the word. Her arms tightened around her knees.

“I remember,” Martha said quietly. “You were just a girl... They paraded you like livestock.”

Lily squeezed her eyes shut. Her body trembled. The memory clawed its way back through the darkness.

“I won’t let it happen again,” Martha whispered. “I’ll go to him. I’ll do anything. Beg him to realise how wrong this is. I’ll remind him you’re not—”

The door slammed open.

Both of them jumped.

Victoria stood in the doorway, eyes blazing.

“What is this?” she snapped. “Why are you here, maid?”

Martha quickly stood up, putting herself infront of Lily. “She’s not well. She needs time.”

Victoria’s eyes narrowed. “Time for what? To pull herself together before the big night?”

“She’s terrified, Mistress Victoria,” Martha said through her teeth. “She’s not ready for this.”

Victoria walked in slowly, hands clasped in front of her, head tilted like a predator sizing up prey.

“She was born for this, wasn’t she?” she said, voice smooth and cruel. “Her bloodline, her legacy—this is who she is. The daughter of a tyrant who used women like furniture. This is her time to shine. Her spotlight.”

“Has she not suffered enough?” Martha asked, her voice shaking now. “You think this will earn you respect? You think the Alphas will see you as more than just—”

Smack!

The sound echoed off the walls.

Martha’s head snapped to the side from the force of the slap.

Lily gasped soundlessly, scrambling halfway to her feet, but Victoria held up a hand, not even looking at her. f.re(e) w.e(b)nov el.c.om

“I’m sick and tired of you defending her,” Victoria hissed. “You forget your place.”

Martha didn’t answer. She only stood there, breathing hard, tears brimming in her eyes.

“Out,” Victoria said coldly. “I’ll take good care of her.”

Lily’s eyes widened in panic. She reached out, grabbing Martha’s skirt, shaking her head. But Martha could only give her a shaky, helpless look before she was pulled away by guards who entered the room.

Victoria turned to Lily, her lips curling into a tight smile. Lily scrambled towards the door that was now shut. She banged her fists on it, tears streaming down her face. She wanted to leave, she wanted to run.

But there was no escape.

Annoyed by her antics, Victoria walked over and pinched Lily on the arm, causing her to wince in pain. She dragged Lily back to the centre of the room with a triumphant grin.

“You think I don’t see what you’re doing?” Victoria said sharply, voice low and dripping with venom. “Clinging to him. Manipulating him with your pathetic act. Drop it. . It won’t work.”

Lily didn’t respond. But her wide eyes followed every move Victoria made.

Victoria stepped close, leaned in, and grabbed Lily hard on the upper arm. Lily flinched, a soft, breathless whimper escaping her lips.

“You listen to me,” Victoria whispered, her face inches away. “You do exactly as you’re told . No running. No little games. If you so much as breathe wrong, I’ll make your life a living hell. You think this is bad? You ain’t seen anything yet.”

She leaned back, her smile cold. “And if you even think about escaping, I’ll drag you back by your hair myself. I promise you.”

Victoria stepped back and looked her up and down, clearly disgusted.

“This little outfit...” she said, tugging at the edge of Lily’s thin tunic. “It gives you too much comfort.”

Without warning, she ripped the fabric off Lily and tossed it aside. Lily gasped soundlessly, arms wrapping around herself on instinct.

She backed away quickly, but Victoria only laughed.

The chilly night air sent a shiver down her skin. She was exposed, naked.

“You’ll sleep like this tonight,” she said. “Consider this my one and only warning. Never forget what you are.

She turned and door slammed shut behind her.

Lily curled into herself. She was trembling from fear and cold. The stone floor felt colder now. Harsher.

She tried to rock herself to sleep, hoping it was all a bad dream. But deep down, Lily knew. It was only going to get worse.