D
Emira’s POV
“Sis, stop! Don’t punish Luther!” Diana threw herself between us. “It’s my fault–punish me instead!” she pointed to herself, voice cracking. I glanced at Luther–he looked stunned, his gaze softening as he looked at her.
“Who are you to tell me what to do?” I said coolly. “He broke the rule. He deserves to be punished.“”
Diana shook her head, eyes glassy with tears as she glanced between us. “No, Sis. Please… punish me instead.“”
“Beta Diana, let it go. It was my failure. Not yours,” Luther stepped forward and gently pulled her aside.”
“But Luther, it’s not your fault! You don’t deserve this. That whip–it’s laced with silver, it’s going to hurt. Let me take it. I’m stronger,” she cried, her voice shaking.
“Come back here, Luther. I didn’t give you permission to stand,” 1 growled.
“Just leave, Beta Diana. I’ll be fine. Don’t worry,” Luther said firmly and nudged her back.”
“But Luther… please… you don’t need to do this! Sis, stop this!” Diana begged, looking at me with those pitying eyes that only fanned the flames of my rage. I raised the whip, ready to bring it down on Luther for disobeying me.”
But Diana moved in the way and the whip slashed her shoulder instead. She let out a cry and stumbled, about to collapse. Luther caught her just in time, panic in his eyes as he noticed the bleeding cut on her arm.
He shot me a sharp, furious look as his jaw clenched, eyes wild with something that felt like hatred. My breath caught. Those eyes… I’d seen them before.
That night.”
My heart raced. I turned my back on them. “Leave!” I shouted, my hand trembling.
The walls felt like they were closing in. My wolf tried to soothe me, but tears spilled down my cheeks anyway. I heard their footsteps fade away as Luther was carrying Diana in his arms.
I couldn’t breathe. I needed help.
So, I went straight to my therapist and asked for something–anything–to calm me. She gave me a potion to ease my heart, to numb my wolf from the pain clawing inside me.”
By the next day, I was stable enough to function. That’s when I got a message from Elder Peter of the Blood Fang Council, instructing me to visit a renowned wedding dress designer in the city. I didn’t ask questions–I just went. After my fitting, I headed to a nearby bar. I needed wine. I needed silence.
I had no one left to call. Everyone I used to have… Diana took them all.
She took everything.&
A sting cut through my chest, and I wiped the tears away before anyone could see. I finished my glass and walked out.
The moon glowed above the city as I made my way to my car. I paused as my wolf sensed someone behind me. But before I could react, I felt a sharp sting on my neck.”
An injection.<
I should’ve brought Luther but of course, he was with Diana.
I tried to see who it was but my vision turned black.
-E
When I woke up, I was in a basement. The air reeked of rot and mildew. My body trembled.”
Memories came flooding back. Diana’s mother used to lock me in the basement when I refused to call her Mother. My own
father let her. I didn’t eat for a week as punishment. I slept on the cold concrete in the dark.
A man stepped forward in a masked, dressed in black, rugged clothes. He was a werewolf. I could smell it.
“You’re awake,” his voice, was deep and cold.”
My mouth was taped shut. I couldn’t speak. My hands were chained above my head.{
He held up a silver–laced whip.
My blood ran cold.
The first lash tore into my back, making my body jolt. My wolf howled in agony inside me.
The second lash came, then another. I gritted my teeth, refusing to scream. Tears blurred my vision.
I was used to pain, my father made sure of that. All because of Diana. His precious princess.”
I lost count of how many times the whip hit me. I smelled my own blood. My back throbbed like fire. Who could’ve done this to me?!
My consciousness started slipping. Right before I blacked out, I heard the man speak into a phone.”
8:11 AM
My consciousness started slipping. Right before I blacked out, I heard the man speak into a phone.
“It’s done. Just like you asked. I expect the payment.”
“Good. Send her back.”
That voice….\
My heart stopped.
I knew who it was.
