PUNISHER

DAMON’S POV

“The vile thing stole from one of the kitchens.” My brother the Beta says as we walk side by side in the gardens.

I just want some fresh air. I just want peace and quiet. Is that too much to ask for? He hasn’t stopped blabbering about this since morning, asking for my permission to punish his slave in front of all the other slaves for something as insignificant as stealing a piece of bread. To use her as an example. Slaves steal from the kitchens all the time so I don’t know why he’s making a fuss about this now.

He can punish her in private if he wants, which I’m sure he did already the moment he found out. He’s just being dramatic and bored.

“Let me do it. Let me show the other humans what happens when they don’t follow instructions. It will make them more obedient. That way none of them ever even think of stealing ever again?” Colton insists.

“Are you bored Colton? We punish slaves publicly for things like them running away or catching them try to commit suicide. She stole a puny piece of bread. That doesn’t call for public punishment.” I say turning to face him as I stop in my tracks.

“Come on brother. Grant me this request. It’ll send a message, trust me.” He defends.

It won’t send a message like he says though. He’s bored and is looking for something to do so he’s taking it out on his slave. I think for a moment before addressing him again.

“Fine. But don’t kill her. We’ve lost enough humans as it is already. I’ll have you remember, we need them. A few lashes and you let her go, okay?” I warn sternly as I grant him permission to torture his slave. I honestly just want him to get off my back. He’s giving me a headache with all his whining and I have more important things to think about. 

After a few minutes, the bells ring ten times indicating to all subjects to assemble in front of the castle square.

He wants to do it now. Seriously? Me being the alpha, I obviously have to be present during this dramatic display.

In a few moments, masters and their pets gather in the square. I stand with the beta and gamma at a high stage on a balcony. Morgana and Reece behind me.

‘This is stupid’ I think to myself.

I raise my hand to the crowd to get them to stop talking and pass the word to Colton. I will not speak or have part in any of this stupidity.

“Masters and slaves!” Colton roars to the crowd in his authoritative beta voice making the rest of the werewolves bow their heads in submission.

Werewolves have a special trait. We’re as loyal as bees. Always sticking together as a pack. The alpha, beta and gamma have a certain control over the rest of the members of the pack. Using our authority, they cannot defy us. They’re bound to do everything we tell them.  The beta being second in hand has the strongest authority after mine.

Humans however do not experience this bond between us werewolves.

“It appears we have been too lenient with our pets. They have become ungrateful. Thinking they can steal from us without punishment. Today we have a scape goat, my very own pet!” With his last words he signals to the punisher.

The punisher is the one responsible for killing and punishing rogue slaves in public. He walks out with the Beta’s mate, dragging her by her collar with a long whip in his hand. The whip is too big for the crime she committed.

“That whip is going to kill her, Colton..” I whisper to Colton. He glances at me giving me a devious smirk.

“She was caught yesterday, with food she stole hidden under her garments. Of course she thought she wouldn’t be caught but it appears the vile thing wasn’t wise enough. This ungratefulness cannot be left unpunished. Don’t you agree masters!?” He asks and the crowd roars with life. Masters raising their fists as they chant ‘Punish her!’

Their pets whimpering beside them. Some even crying. If it’s fear he wanted to get out of them, he got his wish.

“Thirty lashes!” Colton commands.

Thirty lashes? With that massive whip the punisher is holding? And people call ME cruel? I would never let a human be punished this badly for something this insignificant.

“That’s too many lashes, brother. She’ll die.” I whisper yet again to Colton but he just ignores me. I want to ask him to stop, but that would embarrass him in front of the crowd. They’ll begin to question his authority.

I look over to the gamma and he shakes his head at me in disapproval. Glad to know he’s on my side. As soon as I see she can’t handle anymore lashes, I’ll stop the punisher myself.

The punisher rips off the human’s clothes, leaving her naked in front of the crowd. Slaves always get whipped naked here on the castle grounds. The masters in the crowd laugh and mock at her in unison.

I turn my gaze towards Morgana. She looks from Colton to the punisher. Hatred laced in her eyes. Fear isn’t the emotion emanating off her in this moment. Just pure hatred. That determination that she walked in here with even as she was wounded growing as she gives Colton a death stare. 

I raise my brows at her in curiosity as I turn my gaze back towards the crowd.

“NO! PLEASE! HAVE MERCY MASTER! PLEASE. IT WON’T HAPPEN AGAIN!” The girl screams as the punisher gives her the first lash. I glance at Morgana as she watches the display, she doesn’t take her eyes off the punisher as Colton’s pet screams in pain at the tenth lash. I’m about to stop the punisher when Morgana’s voice interrupts me.

“STOP!” Morgana suddenly yells from behind me. She rushes over to the balcony. “STOP IT YOU MONSTER!” She screams again getting the attention of the punisher and the crowd.

Colton walks over to her, raising his hand to hit her as Reece pulls her backward away from the balcony.

“Don’t even think about it.” I say standing in his way. He doesn’t have the right to hit my pet. We make eye contact for a while before he finally steps backward. Perks of being the alpha. He wouldn’t dare defy me.

“Reece, take her back to my room.” I command as Reece escapes with Morgana.

I walk towards the balcony again. “That’s enough! Punisher, that’s enough lashes. All of you get back to your daily duties and someone get that human to the nurses!” I address myself to the crowd as Colton widens his eyes at me giving me a distasteful look.

As I walk away from the balcony, heading towards my room Colton follows behind me not at all happy that I stopped his little entertainment.

“What the hell was that Damon?” He questions standing in my way.

“Enough Colton! Are you stupid? I told you I didn’t want anymore humans dead! Those lashes would have killed the girl. She was barely responding anymore after the fifth lash, showing how tired she already was. She got the punishment anyways, you got your public display. I won’t hear another word of this!”

I conclude, not getting another word out of Colton. He’s mad now but he’ll get over it once he realizes how unreasonable he was being.

Now, I have to get to MY pet and ask her what the hell got into her just now.