Book1 Chapter1
A Choice
I wrap my hands around the wooden pole, and they’re latched with a delicate silver chain that I have no hope of breaking.
The Alpha has delivered justice for my attack of another pack member.
The whole pack has gathered to watch, my mother’s eyes weeping tears for me, my father’s head hung in shame. I try
looking at my mate, but he just holds my competition in his arms, rubbing her back in comfort, her face still bruised and swollen from the beating I gave her. She’s lucky someone pulled me off or else I think I could have ended her life with my
leap into insanity.
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The Alpha, my mate’s father, is looking around to all the pack members while the whip hangs lightly in his hand, as if it doesn’t hold a heavy weight. The fabric of my shirt is cut down the back, exposing skin that is about to be scarred with
the cruel touch of the lash.
“I called you all here today to witness Rya’s punishment. She has attacked another member of this pack without provocation.” He’s speaking the truth for the wind to bring to the ears of all those listening. I did attack her, an escalation
of words turning into violence between two females wanting the same male.
Except I am his mate, and she is his everything.
I went to him as soon as I shifted, knowing who he was to me. She was there; she has always been there since they could walk. He must have known I was his even before I shifted, yet he continued on with her. I begged him, pleaded with him to just give me a chance, making a scene for all to witness. He told me to go, leave. That she might not be his true mate, but she is the one he wants, regardless of what the moon thinks.
She stood there, not saying anything, as I made a fool out of myself, her perfect face staying stoic the entire time as he dealt with me, a crazy she-wolf fighting for what she thought was hers.
In a moment of absolute rage, I took that step into insanity, with the intent to kill her, my wolf wanting to eliminate the competition. And I, I decided to embrace the darkness my nature provided. He stopped me. He protected his chosen
female from his mate’s wrath.
The first stroke of the whip tastes my back, greedily devouring my pristine flesh. I don’t look away from my mate, his hand crushing hers. I notice how white her fingertips look as they are deprived of blood. I try to be brave, gritting my jaw against the pain. The next stroke takes me off-guard, and I cry out in agony. A young juvenile female is no match against the justice the whip provides. Even full-grown males beg and plead for mercy given enough hits from the lash.
Embedding its lethal kiss into my skin,I will always wear my shame for others to see. Another sickening crack screams through the air, cutting another furrowed groove deep into the skin. Blood splatters on the ground, forming a carpet of
red.
I can no longer keep his eyes; my head bows, salt tears trail off cheeks, falling to the ground, mixing with my blood. It’s as if I’m the other jealous female, and she’s his true mate. That’s how I am being treated like: the psycho crazy female.
Black shoes come into my line of sight. “Rya, you know why I’m doing this?”
Nodding my head yes to the Alpha,l respond quietly, “I understand.” “What do you understand, Rya?”
Book 1 Chapter1
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I’m crying now with what I have to say. “I tried to kill another pack member.”
“That’s right. You can’t go around trying to kill another female because your mate does not want you.” My head hangs even lower, my body shaking from my sobs.
“You have to respect choice, Rya; he doesn’t choose you. He chooses her. You need to respect this and accept this.” His voice is very stern, authority ringing out for everyone to hear.
“Do you understand this, Rya, that he doesn’t want you?”
My shoulders are shaking with the truth I am hearing. “Yes, I understand.”
“You’re to leave them alone, you cannot speak to them unless spoken to, and you cannot follow him around anymore-no contact. Do you understand?”
“Ido.”
“You have three more lashes. From now on, you are to eat last. You will be at the back of the pack until I tell you otherwise. Do you understand?” The Alpha sounds pained to say this, but it is the usual punishment that is doled out for misbehaving she-wolves who can’t get over their lovers. Except usually, these she-wolves are replaced by mates, not mates who are rejected.
“I understand.” I grip my hands together, and he makes the whip sing through the air, raining down hard and fast, robbing me of breath. The second strike has sounded, and I scream between gritted teeth. The final strike of the silver lashis meant to be remembered. It drops me to my knees in front of my pack, my parents, and him-my mate. The pain is so great, yet it doesn’t compare to the way my heart has just been torn away. The healer is there instantly, taking the binding from my wrists. Looking up, I see Clayton kissing Kennedy’s forehead, turning their backs on me, walking away hand in
hand.
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Book 1 Chapter1
Book1 Chapter2
I can’t breathe.
My legs refuse to lift my weight. Instead, I stay kneeling with my shoulder against the blood-stained pole for support.
“Let’s get you up.” The kindness the healer shows me is more than I deserve.
“Just leave me here,” I whisper. My mother comes over to me, crying. That also hurts my soul, the shame she has to carry, my family has to carry, from my dance with insanity. Just a second without thinking has led me to this moment. Never again will I not think before I act. A cooling cloth is pressed onto my back. Smelling of medicine, it numbs the pain slowly.
“I’m sorry, Mother.” Still, my voice is shaky with the need to cry. My father’s back is to me; he leaves without another word.
“Let’s get you home.” Wrapping an arm around my body, the healer helps me to a standing position. The effort makes sweat roll off my forehead. The healer takes my other side, and I’m somewhat dragged, carried to my home. I lay face down on the bed, and the ointment is spread over the ruined flesh, more bandages applied. My mother is given directions from the healer on how to treat me. A cup is pressed against my lips, and the tart liquid makes my nose scrunch up.
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“It’s so you can sleep.” I finish the concoction before being left alone in my room to think about my actions.
It takes three days before I don’t need help getting out of bed to go to the bathroom. Three more days for me to be able to walk on my own. Another two more days to go back to school.
Walking into the cafeteria,l have to endure the sight of them together. I have two more years left; they graduate in the spring. At least I don’t have long till I no longer have to see them every day.
My friends have turned their backs on me, pretending I’m not standing there, hoping they make room for me to sit with
them.
“I’m sorry, Rya, but all the spots are taken. No room for you anymore.” I don’t say anything back to Cora. It’s no use. Turning away, I take my lunch outside and sit underneath one of the maple trees. The leaves are just starting to unfurl, providing a small amount of shade from the sun. Being alone, shunned now from the group I grew up with, has me silently nibbling my sandwich as it catches my tears.
I’m picked last for group projects; gym class has me the odd-man-out. The teachers don’t say anything; I’m not sure they even notice the shift in status. The humans around us just think I’m fighting with my group of friends.
No one is physically violent with me. They just treat me as if I don’t exist. Like I have no feelings. The worst are the pack gatherings. Most of the time I just refuse to go, holing up inside my room, a grey cloud following me wherever I go.
I have to watch as he makes a plate for himself and her. Always he’s providing her with food for the pack to see. As the last to eat, only the unwanted items are left for me. Usually, I go without. Sitting at the back by myself, unable to even eat with my own family, I’m in my own private purgatory that I endure quietly without complaint. Sometimes, on very rare occasions,I can feel his eyes on me. But, just as fast as I feel them, they’re gone. I try not to look at him anymore for fear he will be able to feel my gaze as well.
Two years I endure this. It’s a lonely, miserable life. It’s funny how you grow and mature and the body people see looks healthy and young, except for me it’s just a shell covering my emptiness.
