SKYLAR'S P*O*V
My heart raced a million beats per minute as I fixed my gaze on Alpha Denver, fully aware that there was no escape from this moment. I had broken the fundamental rules of avoiding beating.
I could feel everyone's gaze fixed on me, and the air was filled with murmuring voices as everyone, including myself, waited for what Alpha Denver's action would be.
"I'm so sorry, Alpha. Please forgive my–"
A hefty slap landed on my face before I finished speaking, resounding all through the hall as tears cascaded down my cheeks.
"You worthless little thing!" He cursed.
I could hear the gasps of the guests, none of them dared to do a thing. "Take her to where she belongs." He commanded and the guards quickly grabbed my both hands, seizing me from struggling.
"No. No. Please, don't take me to the cell. Please, I beg you alpha."
He wasn't looking my way, so he was definitely not paying attention to my plea.
Being locked in the Alpha's cell was a harrowing phase of life, more like a living nightmare. A room for one to think of both his past and current life, with full knowledge of what your fate would be after days of being in a cell.
"Skylar. Skylar." Roselle whispered as she called my name. "Skylar, can you hear me?"
"I'm here, Rose." I said and she traced me with my voice. "Rose, you shouldn't be here."
"I know. For now, no one knows I'm here. Except if that bitch had followed me." She said, moving her eyes in both directions, watching out for the guards.
"Rose, I didn't spill the wine intentionally." I confessed.
"I know, Skylar, I saw what happened. Beta Demi had purposely put his leg for you to tumble."
"How am I going to explain it?" I asked worriedly. "No one is going to believe me." I looked at her, trying to control the flow of tears.
Roselle sighed thoughtfully. "Let's just hope the Alpha King gets over with the anger. Hopefully, tomorrow, he'll order your release."
"I don't like this place, it feels like hell."
"It's better than having you killed. You just have to endure for a little while, I believe Alpha Denver won't let you stay too long." She reassured me. "I have to go now, or someone finds out I am here."
She held my hands, squeezing it gently. "I'll check on you tomorrow morning, I promise."
—
I remained awake throughout the night, contemplating how the following morning would shape my life. Sleep left me, and nature felt distant. The cold here was deep and would definitely freeze me before the next day.
As the morning sun gradually surfaced, I anxiously waited for Roselle to arrive as she had promised. Time seemed to stretch, and I couldn't help but wonder if something had gone wrong due to her prolonged delay.
"Roselle, what's keeping you from coming?"
Or maybe she was caught while trying to leave the cell last night.
"Skylar. Skylar, we've got a problem." I stood from where I'd been sitting, walking towards the cell door to hear what she's got to say.
"What is it?" I questioned, curiously. "Has Alpha Denver agreed to set me free?"
"No, Skylar. He's given orders for the guards to escort you out, and you're facing a punishment of one hundred cane strokes," she revealed.
My heart flew in fear as she revealed those words to me.
"A hundred cane strokes?" I repeated, my eyes bulged open in shock. "Will I ever survive that?"
"Roselle, I'm scared." I cried, holding her hands. "Please don't let them do this to me."
"Skylar, I wish I could help but–" the door to the cell opened, with two guards marching in.
Roselle went to hide in a corner so they wouldn't see her. As the guards swung open the door to my cell, they yanked me out with force, leading me to the customary place where they give out punishment for offenders.
I felt my heart almost leave my chest as soon as my eyes locked into the multitude of people who had come to witness my flogging.
The guards tied my both hands against two poles, and my knees rested on the ground, placing me in a vulnerable position for them to flog me.
Despite my reckless behavior as a princess, I had never experienced such punishment, not even from my own parents.
Today, it's me, facing such fate I never hoped for. Alpha Denver gave them a signal to start.
Agony coursed through my body as the first guard struck me with a cane. The searing pain that accompanied the impact left me practically paralyzed.
I gritted my teeth as the second stroke landed on my back. Beads of sweat streamed from my pores, my heart raced uncontrollably, and I could tell my death was any minute from now.
I refused to beg, fully aware that no amount of tears or please would change Alpha Denver's mind. Being the ruthless and hard hearted Alpha he is, he would definitely not set me free.
The pain reached a point where my back became numb, as if that part of my body had been disconnected. All I could feel was a roll of my blood, dripping down to the ground.
My eyelids grew heavy as life silently slipped away. "Sixty five. Sixty six. Sixty seven. Sixty eight. Sixty nine." My eyes closed with each count they made.
"Seventy!"
"That's enough!" Alpha Denver ordered them to stop.
A glimmer of hope washed over me. As much as I wanted to leave this world for good, I wanted to stay alive.
"Take her out of my sight."
Roselle rushed to me, untying the ropes around my wrist. I fell on her arms, while she gently soothed my face with her hand.
"It hurts. My back hurts." I whispered, forcing myself to breathe.
"It's over now. It's over. No one is going to flog you again." She reassured me.
My eyes gradually closed, my vision blurred, and my head throbbing with pain. I couldn't fight the heaviness in my eyelids as everything spun.
"Hey. Hey, Skylar, stay with me." She shook my body as she called my name, but I couldn't get my eyes to open. "Skylar, stay awake. Please… stay awake."
Those were the last words I heard before everything went – black.
DENVER’S POVA year later…“What are you going to decide on?” Skylar asked as she laid in my arms. Twas the night before an official meeting with Jennifer and her lawyer. For days, I had been thinking about what to do and if I would leave the baby with Jennifer.“Do you think she is capable of taking care of a baby?” I asked with a disturbed look. Over the one year that had passed, I had come to grow fond of the baby and I was very concerned about her well-being.“Are you worried about Jennifer’s morals? You shouldn’t judge her with what happened in the past.” Skylar said with a meek tone, as she had also come to like the baby and she had no more problems with Jennifer at all.“I can’t help but be worried, Skylar. But then, it all depends on what she wants.” I replied, telling myself not to think too much about it. That night, I slept peacefully in my mate’s arms, knowing that Jennifer would finally leave us but then I wished she could leave without the baby.__“Welcome, Alpha!” The
DENVER’S POV“What did you say?” I asked with a look of disbelief. At first, I was shocked to hear what the doctor said but then, I thought I was hearing things. Maybe the doctor was mistaken instead.“I said, you have to bite her.” He repeated and this time, I was sure I heard him right. “I know this is absurd but then, this is the only way to save her else she is going to die. I know you wouldn’t want that.” The doctor continued to say but my mind was filled with different thoughts.What if she could really die? That would be a relief but then I would be faulted for not saving her when there was a way. However, biting someone of her kind was a bit risky. Things could go south and she could really die. Not all blood can accept a wolf’s bite and not just any wolf, an Alpha wolf at that.“We have little time left, Alpha.” The doctor reminded me and I sighed. This was a 50% chance thing and I wouldn’t want her lawyer raining lawsuits on me if she eventually dies.“Let’s do it.” I said,
DENVER’S POVNine months later…My head throbbed as I went through several paperwork. Being the Alpha came with several responsibilities and sometimes I would wish to push them toward my Beta or anyone else available to do the job.It had been nine months since Jennifer came into my home and I was glad that she didn’t cause any trouble with Skylar and me.“Alpha…” A voice called out from behind the door and I raised my brows in wonder at who it was. I had asked not to be disturbed and I was prepared to punish whoever was at the door.“Come in…” I said, ready to growl at the person. As soon as the person walked in, he turned out to be one of the guards and as I was about to chastise him, he spoke quickly.“Alpha! Lady Jennifer is in labor! We need to rush her to the hospital and there is no one available to do that.” The guard said quickly and immediately shot up to my feet in shock. It had been nine months but then I didn’t even know when was her due date. It definitely wasn’t like th
JENNIFER’S POVIt seemed my night had been going on for longer than I could imagine. My heart was heavy and as I sat upright on my bed, I looked like I had gone into a world war. After the meeting with Denver and Skylar, I had been so restless and I wondered what decision they would come to.I knew that Skylar would definitely not want me to come into her home and I kind of hated that fact. It sounded selfish to want to go into her home but I needed to think about myself before anything else.As I continued to mull over the issue, I heard my phone ring and immediately, I jolted out of my thoughts. Deep down, I hoped it was the call I wanted and as I picked up the phone and saw that it was the lawyer calling, I froze for a moment. My heartbeat sped up as I knew that Denver and Skylar had definitely concluded.What would it be? Would I be damned and neglected? I hope not! With shaky hands, I connected the call, breathing heavily, hoping for a piece of good news.“Hello, good morning, la
SKYLAR’S POV“And what if I want to let things slide? Are you going to force me to acknowledge her pregnancy?” Denver spoke immediately. He was obviously annoyed by the lawyer’s guts. His anger started to rise and before I knew what was happening, he was already exerting his Alpha’s energy on the fragile lawyer.“I… I…” The lawyer stuttered as a drop of sweat trickled down his face. Jennifer took a step back and hit behind the lawyer, seeing how angry and irritated Denver was. I stood back, torn between stopping Denver or just letting him continue to exert pressure on the lawyer and Jennifer.“I just want us to settle this amicably… you don’t have to harm us.” The lawyer was quick to say as Jennifer nudged him from behind to do something.“Then you should know your place!” Denver said with so much authority! As I looked at him, I knew that his Alpha wolf wouldn’t want anybody to stand up fiercely to him, especially not Jennifer and her lawyer.“That’s enough, Denver.” I mind-linked hi
SKYLAR’S POVWalking toward the garden hand in hand with Diego, my head was downcast as he played on the sidewalks. His countenance was a stark contrast to mine. My face looked pale and different thoughts went through my mind.Looking at Diego, who was growing up happily with his father, I started to think that I was doing something wrong toward an unborn child who deserved love.“Mummy, are you okay?” Diego suddenly stopped to look at me and I was a bit startled. However, I was quick to put a smile on my face.“Yes, I’m okay. Why do you ask?” I asked with raised brows. He looked really serious and I wondered if he knew what was going on, especially with what happened yesterday with Jennifer. He might have gotten wind of the brawl between me and Jennifer.“Nothing. You have just been moody. I just want you to be alright.” He replied and my smile broadened. I was blessed to have such a son but then I started to wonder if he would be like that without a father figure there to correct h