2

It had been 3 days, and Xylia had become a shadow of herself, looking pale and weak. Her stomach ached terribly and her throat was beyond dry. Just as the Alpha had ordered, no one had fed her water or food nor had she been allowed to take a bath.

Last night, a scarred guard made a mockery of her by bringing her a tray containing a bowl of horse ordure to consume and another bowl containing animal pee to drink.

Of course, she couldn't ingest any of those, so she pushed the tray out of the cell. She'd rather starve to death than down such disgusting things.

Her hair was bedraggled and a fetid odour exuded from her body and merged with the rancid smell of the damp, squalid and depressing cell. Her monthly flow just started today and it came with the most painful of cramps, adding to the pangs she was already eating.

She hugged her knees, weeping silently and wishing for death to just take her away.

She suddenly heard footsteps heading in her cell's direction. She quickly wiped her tears with her sleeves and adopted a look of defiance; She couldn't let anyone see her looking vulnerable.

The owner of the footsteps soon came into view. It was the person who threw her in here to suffer for what she didn't do. The man she had loved for the past ten years. The man who had been her beloved husband for 6 years.

"So you're still alive?" he asked her, his tone devoid of sympathy.

She didn't reply to him but focused rather on maintaining her bold look.

"Because of you, I lost my twin sons. Now, my dear mate is struggling to live. Lily is a woman like you, how could you do that to her? How could you be so wicked?"

"Wicked?" Xylia was forced to speak but her voice was hoarse and it even hurt to speak, however, she just couldn't accept what she hadn't do.

"I didn't push your mate. I wanted to be banished, why would I do stuff that would jeopardize my chance of leaving this pack and starting afresh elsewhere? Do you think I'm that stupid or you just never trusted me? If you never found your true mate, were you planning to ditch me someday?" she raged.

He sneered, "If I didn't find Lily, I would still go for a more prettier woman. Xylia, can't you see yourself? You have no curves, your chest and butt are like a washboard. Tell me, if you're a man like me, would you desire a shapeless woman like yourself? I've been managing you and I've already achieved what I wanted. Since you hurt my mate and killed my innocent children, then you must suffer,"

"I didn't do it!" Xylia wished she could shout but her voice couldn't go any higher.

"Guards!" the Alpha called and two guards quickly rushed over and bowed their heads.

"Yes, Alpha?" they chorused.

"Bring her out to the centre of the pack. Strip her and have her drink enough vinegar." He ordered.

Xylia shook her head in disagreement, "No. You can't do this. Frederick..."

"It's Alpha," he corrected.

"S-Sorry, Alpha. I'm on my period. Please, don't do this to me," she pleaded.

"Lily was seen bleeding, was that not discomfiting?" he growled.

The guards opened the cell's gate and dragged Xylia out.

"Please, you can whip me however you want, just don't strip me, I beg you," she cried.

However, her pleas fell on deaf ears.

The guards dragged her towards the centre of the pack. Her cries got the attention of many pack members who followed along with the guards, curiosity getting the best of them.

They eventually formed a circle watching a miserable Xylia who was being forced to drink vinegar. If she vomited, then a guard would hit her with a whip. If she refused to drink, she'd get a harsh from from the other guard.

The Alpha soon arrived with a long thorny whip. On seeing it, Xylia's face paled further and her eyes held great fear. That whip's power, she knew the damage it could cause to a werewolf's body. It was laced with silver, except for the handle. A hit not only tears the victim's skin but also gifts it numerous burns.

"Drink it," one of the guards raged and she drank the cup containing vinegar.

"Why is she still clothed?" Alpha Frederick questioned with fiery eyes and directly hit both guards.

They fell to the ground and writhed for a short while before forcing themselves to stand, lest they receive another hit.

"We're sorry Alpha,"

"Please, have mercy, Your Majesty!" they cried, with their palms pressed together.

The Alpha harrumphed before telling them to scram. Like someone who saw an oasis in a desert, they fled from the Alpha's presence.

"Are you going to strip or you let my whip do the honours?" he questioned.

Xylia shook her head and began to fall back, tears flowing down her cheeks with liberty like it was no one's business.

"Please..."

"You are supposed to be a role model for women. But what did you do? You caused your Alpha's mate to get hurt and lose two sons because you are selfish and wicked. Your soul is shrouded with cruelty, you couldn't see her as a woman, say less of a mother."

"Alpha... I didn't push her," Xylia insisted.

At that, someone threw a stone which hit Xylia's neck. "Liar, Liar!" Many in the crowd began to chant, expressing their dissatisfaction and disgust for this woman, the former Luna.

"You deserve to die!"

"Feed her to snakes!"

"A wicked woman like you is a stain on our name. Die!"

"Liar! Liar!"

Xylia looked at them as they spewed all sorts of words from their mouths. These were the people whom she'd been kind to for years. Even her personal maid, Laura was actively shouting for her to be killed. How nice of her!

Without a heads-up, Alpha Frederick lashed at her with the whip. It immediately created holes in her dress and connected with her skin, even scorching it. He repeated that action countless more times and she was almost naked. Her skin was burnt and injured in several parts. The only thing she could protect was her face while crying bitterly.

'Moon Goddess... if I could go back in time, then I'd definitely not choose this bastard.' She thought sorrowfully. Unfortunately, there was no medicine for regret.

At a point, she stopped protecting her face and grabbed the whip with both hands. The thorny edges sunk into her palms, causing blood to flow out.

Her actions silenced the crowd immediately.

"I said stop! Are you deaf? I said I didn't do it. I didn't push her!"

Her words riled the crowd and they began to throw things at her. Still, she didn't let go of the whip.

The Alpha stared at her for a while and then let go of the whip's handle.

This act caused the crowd to become mum. What was he doing? Was he not going to whip this evil woman anymore? Was he feeling pity for her?

"You dare to hold my whip. You should also face the consequences." The Alpha turned to the crowd. "Do whatever you want to her. Just make sure she doesn't die quickly."

At that, the pack members cheered while the Alpha left and met with his Beta.

"You said there was an emergency?" his cold look had become that of worry. Whatever made his Beta distressed to the point of mind linking him while he was punishing Xylia was a big deal.

"The... The Lycan king has paid a visit," his Beta and friend, Baron Woods replied.

Hearing this, Alpha Fredrick's eyes widened. "Why didn't he inform us that he was coming?"

"Rumors say that he visits whatever pack he wants and he's caused the destruction of so many packs. Since he's here, I'm not sure he came for a drink. He came with seven burly men and is currently seated on your throne. He doesn't look happy," said the Beta with a tense look.

Alpha Frederick exhaled deeply and internally hyped himself up.

'Don't be scared. You are an Alpha King, Frederick. You can do it!' he repeated to himself and then walked ahead with the Beta silently following behind.