Page 116 of Knot My Wonderland

"You see, Alice," the Red Queen continued, circling me like a predator sizing up wounded prey, "the pattern you carry is mine by right. That power flowing through your veins belongs in my hands."

I backed away from her approach, feeling the silver and gold patterns beneath my skin pulse weakly as they struggled against the oppressive magical atmosphere of her domain. "The pattern chose me. You can't just take it."

"Can't I?" She smiled, revealing teeth that seemed too sharp, too white. "Blood magic has many applications, dear child. Transference being one of the most... elegant." Her crimson dress rustled as she moved closer, and I caught sight of ritualistic circles carved into the obsidian floor around her throne—channels designed to direct and contain massive amounts of magical energy.

“Though it will take time to prepare everything to do such a thing.” The look of absolute glee was on her face.

I felt my blood run cold as the implications of her words sank in. "You're going to try to steal the pattern from me."

"Steal is such an ugly word," the Red Queen replied, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "I prefer to think of it as... reclaiming what was always meant to be mine. After all, I am the Queen of Hearts. The First Queen's power should flow through royal blood, not some lost little girl from another realm. A little dreamer who returned here who knows nothing of this world."

Through my weakening bond with Heart, I felt a surge of desperate fury that wasn't entirely my own. Even wounded and bleeding, he was fighting to reach me, to break through whatever magical barriers kept us apart. The golden thread connecting us flickered like a candle in a hurricane, but it refused to be extinguished.

"The ritual will take a week to prepare properly," the Red Queen continued, her ruby eyes gleaming with anticipation.

“We will have to keep you entertained until then.” She gave me a dark look as she stepped closer to me. I could feel myself want to shrink back at the strong domineering scent of Alpha coming off her.

I forced myself to stand straighter despite the overwhelming Alpha pheromones radiating from her, the silver and gold patterns beneath my skin flickering with defiant light. "They'll come for me," I said, my voice steadier than I felt. "All of them."

The Red Queen's laugh was like breaking glass. "Oh, I'm counting on it, dear child. Why do you think I had David stab my son just deep enough to wound but not kill? The golden bond will keep him alive, desperate, reckless." She traced a finger along my cheek with mock tenderness. "Nothing draws heroes quite like a damsel in distress."

I jerked away from her touch, feeling the corruption in her magic try to seep through my skin. "You're using me as bait."

"The most irresistible bait imaginable," she agreed, her crimson dress swirling as she moved back.

“And they shall think they are going to rescue you…..but you will be their downfall.” She laughed, and I could hear the unhinged tone echo through the room.

I felt the silver and gold patterns beneath my skin pulse with growing determination despite my fear. Through the weakening bond with Heart, I sensed Chi's frantic energy as he phased between realities, searching for any trace of where I'd been taken. The connection was thin but unbroken—they would find me.

"You underestimate them," I said, meeting the Red Queen's ruby gaze directly. "And you underestimate me."

Her perfect features twisted with amusement as she gestured to the obsidian chamber around us. "Do I? You're alone, separated from your precious anchors, in the heart of my domain where blood magic saturates every surface." She moved closer again, her Alpha presence pressing against me like a physical weight. "What exactly do you think you can do, little Omega?"

The condescension in her voice sparked something fierce within me. The silver and gold patterns beneath my skin flicker.

“You may be strong, but omegas are only so strong against an Alpha.” Her painted lips pulled back into a sneer, “You can only resist an order from one for so long.”

I could feel dread build up in me at this. I know Chi had given a warning and demonstration about resisting an Alpha order. But could I fight against someone actually this strong and actually wanting to do me harm?

"You're wrong." I forced my chin up, refusing to waver despite the waves of Alpha dominance crashing against me. "I'm not just any Omega."

The Red Queen's smile faltered slightly as the silver and gold patterns beneath my skin brightened in response to my defiance.She hadn't expected this—resistance against her overwhelming presence.

"Interesting," she murmured, circling me again with renewed curiosity. "Most Omegas would be on their knees by now, begging for mercy. The pattern has made you... resilient."

I focused on the golden thread connecting me to Heart, drawing strength from it despite its weakened state. Through our bond, I felt his consciousness flickering like a flame struggling against the wind—alive but fading. The pain in my chest mirrored his, a phantom wound that throbbed with each heartbeat.

"Look at me, Alice," the Red Queen commanded, her voice dropping to a low, resonant tone that vibrated through my bones.

I felt the Alpha command slam into me like a physical blow, my muscles tensing as they fought against the instinctive urge to obey. The silver patterns beneath my skin flared in protest, creating a thin barrier between her influence and my consciousness.

"I said, look at me." Her voice hardened, the command doubling in strength.

My neck muscles trembled with the effort of resistance, but I managed to keep my gaze fixed on the floor. Through our weakening bond, I felt Heart's distant fury and fear pulsing in erratic waves. The golden patterns strengthened momentarily, drawing on his desperate need to protect me even as his life force ebbed.

The Red Queen clicked her tongue in displeasure. "Interesting. The pattern provides more resistance than expected.” I could feel the pressure around the room grow stronger, making a small whimper leave my lips.

The whimper seemed to please her, and she stepped closer until I could feel the heat radiating from her crimson dress."There it is," she purred, her voice silk over steel. "The natural response of an Omega to true dominance. You can fight all you want, little dreamer, but biology will win in the end."

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