Caged: A Dark Why Choose Fantasy Omegaverse, page 1
Caged
The Last Daughter
Book 1
Bernadette Blackthorn
Copyright © 2026 by Bernadette Blackthorn
All rights reserved.
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Bernadette Blackthorn is expressly anti-Generative AI. Therefore, no AI was used in the creation of the book cover or book itself. Bernadette Blackthorn will always support real artists and their innate human creativity.
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Cover Design by Gaia Rubini (@gaiaarts on instagram) and Lucia Gildoni
Editing by @elaines.proofreading.editing
Contents
Trigger Warnings
What Is Omegaverse
1. Idril
2. Daxen
3. Caelan
4. Caelan
5. Idril
6. Vaelenor
7. Daxen
8. Idril
9. Caelan
10. Caelan
11. Idril
12. Jonathan Varenthrall
13. Vaelenor
14. Daxen
15. Idril
16. Caelan
17. Caelan
18. Vaelenor
19. Caelan
20. Idril
21. Vaelenor
22. Idril
23. Daxen
24. Idril
25. Idril
26. Daxen
27. Daxen
28. Idril
29. Vaelenor
30. Caelan
31. Daxen
32. Idril
33. Vaelenor
34. Vaelenor
35. Idril
36. Daxen
37. Idril
Before
Acknowledgments
About the Author
For my Mom-
“Tell me a story…”
Do you remember spending hours at the library searching through massive tomes for publishers to send my stories off to when I was just a little girl— way before the internet? Because I do. You were always so sure and confident in my abilities, even before I was old enough to realize I had any.
Without you, this story wouldn’t exist. You gave me the strength to dream, and to turn those dreams into something real.
This is as much your book as it is mine.
I love you.
Trigger Warnings
As someone who struggles with mental health issues, I want you to know that your mental health matters more to me than finishing this book. Please— don’t push yourself to read something that is going to cause you harm. My book isn’t as dark as a lot of books I’ve read but it’s definitely not a sweet, fluffy book either. It’s okay to step away if something gets too heavy, whether that’s my book or any other book. While I don’t personally consider this a pitch black book, the MMC’s are absolutely more morally grey than not, and the way some of them treat the heroine at the start of this series is not kind. That being said, there is no physical abuse by the heroes against the heroine, nor will there ever be. There is also no injuries to animals OR children, nor will there ever be. (In any of my stories).
What you can expect, is the following:
Violence, gore and battle scenes
Emotional torture, captivity (by the heroines father AND the MMC’s) and forced restraint (by the heroines father)
Emotional, verbal and physical abuse (no physical abuse by the MMC’s to the FMC)
Parental Abuse
Starvation and food deprivation as punishment
Medical trauma and non-consensual experiments (Not by the MMC’s)
Forced suppressant use
Themes of death, grief and loss
Sexual tension and mature content (This is a slow-burn romance. The spice picks up heavily in book two and will continue to be a focus of the character’s relationships throughout the rest of the series.)
Omegaverse Dynamics (Alpha/Omega bonds, commands, power imbalance)
This story is intended for mature audiences (18+) only.
If you decide to continue, I hope this story reaches you when you need it the most. I also hope Idril’s journey from caged to something so much stronger inspires you the way it’s inspired me while writing it. It won’t be a quick transformation— she will have to work for her strength and happiness, but I can promise, without a doubt, she will see her HEA.
A note on AI:
Bernadette Blackthorn is expressly anti-Generative AI. Therefore, no AI was used in the creation of the book cover or book itself.
Bernadette Blackthorn will always support real artists and their innate human creativity.
What Is Omegaverse
An explanation as it pertains to the lore and world building of The Last Daughter Series
Omegaverse, while a huge part of this story, is not the primary genre. That being said, I know a lot of new readers may be confused by the aspects being worked into what would otherwise be a Fantasy RH romance without some kind of explanation. There are so many variations of Omegaverse in general— there’s never really been a strict guideline for the sub-genre. Therefore, I’m going to give you an overall idea and how it applies to my world.
Omegaverse, at its core, is a sub-genre that explores power dynamics, primal instincts and fated bonds. Most readers of Omegaverse love the intensity of the Alpha/Omega pairings that lean heavily on dominance, submission, and instinctual obsession. It is, essentially, a secondary biological designation.
Core Dynamics and Lore in my Series: Long before crowns and castles, skyscrapers and cell phones, before even the vampires and wolven came to be, there existed a biological hierarchy written in the very blood and bone of every species that did— and would ever— exist. It’s known as Designation Dynamics (Or, Omegaverse for those not living in this world). It is a biological designation that binds vampires, wolven and humans alike. No matter the species, they all have one thing in common: Designation.
Alphas: Alphas can be either male or female, but they are usually male. Alpha females are incredibly rare. Alphas make up around 10% of the world’s population across species. They are incredibly strong and instinct-driven. Their presence, no matter their species, commands obedience. They are the embodiment of dominance and drive, and their instincts often lead them to roles where they can utilize those innate abilities of leadership, control and possession.
Alpha Command: The power to override an Omega or Beta’s instincts with their voice. Wielding Alpha Command is supposed to be a way for an Alpha to keep their Omega safe when their instincts are spiraling, but like most things, it has been— and is— used for nefarious purposes. What is supposed to be a way to protect those weaker than them, it also has the capability to force an Omega, Beta, or even a weaker Alpha to do as they’re bid. Alpha Command can only be used sporadically. Once deployed, the Alpha requires a period of rest before they can use their Command again. It varies by Alphas, but it can be anywhere from a few hours to a few days. This prevents over-use. An Alpha Command can and will cause the recipient to suffer negative mental, emotional and physical reactions if deployed too often. The Command must be followed as ordered and as determined by the recipient’s interpretation if left unclear. For example, if an Alpha Commands someone to “stop,” the one being Commanded can choose to interpret the Command however they please. A brief pause in breath, for instance, can be interpreted as “stopping,” when the directive isn’t specified.
Alphas are highly receptive to scent, using it to determine Pack Bonds as well as Scent Match Fated Mate Bonds. Each Alphas scent is unique.
Packs: Alphas tend to form Packs of other Alphas, determined by Fate. A Pack Bond works the same as a Fated Mate Bond— it snaps into place the moment they scent a member of their Pack.
Alpha’s Anatomy: while being larger, stronger and more possessive, Alphas also have a unique physical characteristic called a knot. A knot: is a large, round muscle at the base of their penis that inflates when they get turned on. This knot provides intense pleasure for both the Alpha and Omega during sexual intercourse. It expands even further when the Alpha is close to finishing and locks the Alpha and Omega together and for an extended period of time to increase the chances of breeding. In this world, Alpha’s knots only expand when they are with an Omega and a lot of Alphas will choose not to knot any female that’s not their Fated Mate.
Omegas- Omegas are rare, coveted and often misunderstood. Normally submissive in nature, this is often mistaken as weakness when Omegas are emotionally and mentally the furthest thing from it. Omegas can be both male and female, though almost all are female. Omega males are even more rare than Alpha females. Omegas make up a total of 3% of the world’s population across species. Because of this, most Omegas bond or mate with Packs made up of multiple Alphas.
Heat Cycles: Omegas have regular heat cycles which are a period of intense sexual desire and need that can only be satisfied by taking an Alpha’s knot. Omega’s can choose to use suppressants to keep their heat (and scent) at bay, but prolonged usage can cause an Omega’s instincts to go haywire once they finally come off of them. Suppressants can be either pills, or much stronger shots. Heat Cycles happen usually once a year and last multiple days to a week.
Slick: In order to ease their passage for a knot, Omegas will produce larger amounts of arousal than a normal human. This is called slick. It is sweet, translucent and is produced in copious amounts when an Omega is turned on.
Nests are very personal to Omegas. Their instincts demand that they Nest in order to feel safe, and Nesting— as well as having proper Nesting materials— is considered a biological imperative for the designation. Keeping an Omega from Nesting can cause mental and even physical decline. This can lead to Chronic Sensory Disruption Disorder (CSDD). CSDD can cause hair loss, disassociation, chronic fatigue, spiraling instincts, increase in anxiety, etc.
Nests are usually large piles of super soft blankets, pillows, and other soft things. Omegas also love to have their Mate’s scents in their Nests and will usually ask their Mates to sleep with them, or ask for pieces of their Alpha’s clothing to ensure their Nest smells like their Mates. A Nest is a very personal and private place for an Omega. This is where they will sleep with their Mates, where they spend their Heat cycles, where they go when they feel unsafe, and— after they have their children— where they spend the first few months of the baby’s lives. To enter an Omega’s Nest without asking is considered a grievous act and breach of etiquette. The position of blankets, pillows, etc is determined by the Omega—their instincts pushing them to create a Nest that looks “perfect.”
Betas: Betas are, to be frank, the same as you and I. Around 87% of the world’s population are Betas, and while they all have a unique scent, their Scent usually is very light or muted. They don’t have the same instincts as Omegas or Alphas. Betas can be any gender. They can bond or mate with either Alphas or Omegas by choice, and sometimes even form Fated Designation pack bonds with Alphas.
Marking and Bonding: There are multiple ways to form bonds. Someone can chose to form a Mate Bond and cement that bond by biting and marking their chosen Mate. Most often, these Bond Bites are done on the neck, but a bite anywhere on the body will work. Unfortunately, that makes Forced Bonding rather easy for those who want to commit such an atrocity.
Omega Registry: a Nationally run registry that requires the participation of all Omegas. This registry can be broken down into local and county registries to make looking up an Omega easier. The reason for its existence is two fold. First, it keeps Omegas who aren’t being well taken care of from falling through the cracks. Omegas are so precious and so revered in general that it also unfortunately makes them a target for traffickers and kidnappers. Under the guise of protection, the Registry ensures Omegas are not neglected, abandoned or lost in society.
The Registry also acts as a form of control. By binding Omegas to the law, it gives the government the power to “keep an eye” on Omegas. Things like breeding rights, political gain, leverage and surveillance are a well known, but largely denied, reason for its existence.
Scents and Scent Matches: One of the main tenants of the Omegaverse is Scent. It could be said that almost the entire designation and their lives are based around Scents. Each person across all species have their own unique Scent which becomes obvious when they Designate (usually as a pre-teen). Bonds such as Pack Bonds are determined by Scent and “snap” into place just like Fated Mate bonds do. Fated Mate/Scent Match bonds work the same. Once an Alpha or an Omega scents their Fated Mate/Scent Match, the bond snaps out to connect them to their Mate or Mates. It is immediate and irrevocable. All species have Fated Mate bonds via Scent Matches, while vampire and wolven also have their own Fated Mate bond based on their species.
A vampire’s Blood Mate or a wolven Moon Mate will always be their Scent Matched Mate, but only 10%-15% of Scent Matched Mates will also be “blessed by Fate” as either a Blood or Moon Mate. Humans very rarely Mate with Supernaturals. Cross-species Fated Mates are so rare as to be considered nothing more than a fanciful tale to most of the population. That being said, there are human-vampire and human-wolven Scent Matches
Alphas and Omegas have Scent Glands in their wrists, as well as the juncture where the neck meets the shoulder. Scents, while individual, are a great way to tell how an Alpha or Omega is feeling. For example, when an Omega is aroused their scent will become sweeter. Or, if someone is upset, their Scent can turn “bitter” or “singed.” Alphas and Omegas like to Scent each other. This usually means a lot of nuzzling, or can even be as simple as an Omega wanting to wear her Alpha’s shirts to bed.
Suppressants and Descenters: It’s considered rude to “flaunt” your Scent in public. Because Alphas are so biologically keyed to protect Omegas, and Omegas are so biologically predisposed to submit to Alphas, etiquette states that Alphas and Omegas use a descenter when not in their own homes. Suppressants will not only suppress heats, ruts, and instincts, but also an Alpha or Omega’s Scent. Descenters can be sprayed on and last a shorter period of time, and can also be washed off if needed.
Chapter 1
Idril
Ihave four books, my mother’s locket, two changes of clothes, and no plan besides getting out.
It’s not like I have much else to take, even if I were able to fit more inside the ragged backpack I pulled out from the depths of my closet this morning. It’s old. A faded blue color with frayed seams that hasn’t been outside this house since I designated as an Omega. Which, coincidentally, is the last time I was allowed to leave as well.
My fingers shake as I hurry down the hall from my room, making my way towards the split marble staircase leading from my floor to the foyer.
My old sneakers—my only pair—thud softly on the floor, but each step makes me wince, terrified someone is going to hear me.
Everyone is gone. The staff left for the day, and Father’s in the city for another hour. You’re fine. You just need to hurry.
I don’t hesitate when I get to the staircase, gripping tight to the marble banister as I try to ignore the sound of my pulse pounding in my ears.
I swallow, but my mouth is dry from fear. I briefly consider making a detour to the kitchen to grab a few water bottles, but nix the idea.
I need to get out now. There’s no time.
I can find a stream in the forest if it gets too bad.
Just get out. Get to the door, walk out, and you can figure the rest out later.
That’s been my only plan for the last sixteen hours, when I stepped onto my balcony late last night and overheard my father on his cell.
