Whip

Iris's POV

“I’ll show you why they call me the beast Lycan.” His deep, cold voice resonated.

I could see fear flash in my father's eyes as he gritted his teeth and stared at me with hate-filled eyes.

Lucian still held my father's hand, and from the expression on his face, he was in pain. The sound of bones cracking filled the place, and my father screeched in pain.

“Argggh!” He yelped as he staggered.

Mum rushed out of the house with worry in her eyes. She stared in confusion at the scene before her.

“You hit my future wife with those hands. Today, I’ll make sure you don't get to use them for a long time.” He said, his voice dripping with malicious intent.

I watched as he walked towards my father, noting how long his legs were.

“Azariel,” Lucian called out, and I wondered who he was referring to.

Someone stepped out of the frontseat of the car; his driver. He gave off an eerie vibe, as a strong aura surrounded him. Half of his face was covered with his hair. He had cold, silvery eyes that seemed to stare into one's soul.

“Yes, my lord.” He answered as he bowed with one knee before Lucian.

“Whip him.” He ordered.

Huh? Whip who? 

My eyes widened in shock as my eyes darted from my father to Lucian.

“As you wish, my lord.” Azariel stood, giving a deep bow to Lucian before pulling my father up roughly.

“Iris, wha…wha…what is going on?” My mother stuttered as she walked towards me.

“Who are they?” She asked.

I tore my gaze away from my father and stared at my mother.

“You don't even know the person I’m getting married to.” I let out a dry laugh despite the situation.

“I'm sorry.” She muttered, tears welling up in her eyes as she lowered her gaze.

Guilt gnawed at me as I stared at her pitiful figure. I shouldn't have said that; it wasn't her fault. There was nothing she could do. If she such as much opposed, she’d be as good as dead.

I wondered how life would have been if my mother were much stronger, if she could speak up more. There wouldn't be much difference, as my father would still end up beating her twice as much.

“I'm sorry,” I muttered as I pulled her into a hug.

“I'm the one who should apologise. If…if I weren't this weak, I should have run away with you to another pack. And…and we’d have a better life.” She sniffed. “Then you wouldn't have to marry the beast king.”

I hugged her tightly, ignoring whatever was going on with my father. It warmed my heart that my mother had such thoughts for us.

“He is the beast king, right?” My mother asked as we broke the hug, and I nodded.

I turned to face them, and Azariel held a horse whip. I looked at my father, who was now sprawled on the ground, shaking.

I watched as Azariel raised the whip in a bid to hit my father.

“Wait,” Lucian commanded, and his hands came to a halt.

He turned to face me, I couldn't see his face but I could feel his eyes boring into me. He walked with long strides towards me, and stared down on my clothes.

I shifted uncomfortably and looked down on my clothes wondering what was wrong with it. I was dressed in a big shirt and trousers, to makey escape easier.

I felt my mother pull me closer, and I held onto her for comfort.

“Don't worry, mother-in-law, I won't hurt her.” He uttered, which made me raise my brows.

Then he got closer and raised his hands to my shirt, which he partially tore off. My eyes widened as it happened in a flash.

My shoulders were exposed, revealing scars from my father's whip, which were fading. He traced his cold fingers from my shoulders to my back, which made me wince. There were still some fresh bruises which were yet to heal.

“Nm, I thought as much.” His voice grew several degrees colder.

“Azariel, strip him.” 

I watched in shock as his driver, Azariel, tore off my father's clothe,s leaving him in only his briefs.

“Let me goo!” My father yelled as he tried to fight back, but his efforts were futile; Azariel was very much stronger.

Azariel didn't look like an alpha; in fact, he didn't even have the aura. But there was something about him, otherworldly in a way I couldn't explain.

My father's scream filled the place as Azariel lashed him. His back was covered with red stripes, which I had become accustomed to seeing on my body.

I should be crying, I should be yelling at Lucian to stop. But instead, I felt satisfied; I felt this joyful feeling as I watched him being lashed. 

I covered my mouth in shock at the way I felt when I saw my father getting hit. I looked at my mother, and I could swear I saw a satisfied expression on her face.

“Enough. Though I'm not satisfied, I’ve got things to do.” He said, and Azariel withdrew the whip.

Then he walked and bent in front of my father, who lay on the ground, groaning in pain.

“I hope you’ve learnt never to lay a hand on what’s mine. The moment you agreed to the marriage, you lost all right to touch her.” He voiced before standing.

“Let's go.” He paused where I stood with my mother.

“Please, let me say goodbye,” I begged.

He gave me a long stare, watching as I whispered words to my mother. Giving my mother one last look, I finally left with Lucian.

On getting to the car, another car drove past us, halting. Then someone stepped out, it was Jacob.

I felt everything stop as my heart ached. My feet felt rooted to the ground, and I couldn't move. I saw the way he stared back and forth from Lucian to me in confusion. Before I could do anything, a hand wrapped around my waist and carried me up.

It was Lucian, he stared at me with something flickering in his eyes. Then he slowly leaned in.

“You're not allowed to look at other men like that except from me.” He whispered.