Chapter 6

Once Maria and the elders gave the order, several young, formidable pack warriors surrounded Johanna.

In her panic, Johanna shifted into her wolf to fight back, but how could she single-handedly take on the experienced warriors?

Her dark gray fur flapped in the air, drenched red by her blood.

"Don't bother showing her any mercy. She brought it upon herself. I refuse to acknowledge someone as vicious as her as my daughter," Carmen declared.

Even though she was present, she didn't plead for them to go easy on Johanna. Instead, she growled, "You knew how important the pup is to Allison and the entire pack, but you still had the gall to try and harm the pup! You're just jealous because Allison is better than you in every way!"

While werewolves quickly recovered from their injuries, Maria and the elders were determined to ensure Johanna suffered. They had her tormentors use whips that were covered in silver.

Johanna was beaten to within an inch of her life. Her entire face and body were covered in blood. She was barely conscious when Carlin finally called out at leisure, "That's enough. Allison and the pup are more important. We mustn't frighten them."

Ignoring the bloodied Johanna, he picked up Allison and covered her with a blanket.

"How are you feeling, Allison? Are you hurt?" Carlin asked, still anxious about Allison's condition.

In the end, Johanna was dumped in the ancestral shrine and expected to repent for her misdeeds.

Meanwhile, back in the room, Carlin and Allison were wrapped up in each other's arms.

"You've been so good to me, Carl. With Uriel gone, I don't know what I'd do if you weren't around to take care of me, dote on me, and give me this pup."

"Uriel and I were twins. It's only natural for me to complete what he couldn't do on his behalf."

"But this isn't the only thing Uriel has left undone. I'm only 20 years old. I still have my entire life ahead of me…"

"Well, for as long as it takes, I'll do everything in his place. What's the matter? Haven't I done a good job recently? Haven't I kept you satisfied, baby?"

"To be honest, Carl, you're actually better than Uriel. I still think about the other night when you took me 17 times…"

"You know, Uriel wasn't the only one who fell in love with you at first sight. But I was the younger brother. Between us, he was the one who had the final say. We had to be of one mind. I couldn't disregard the glory of the pack for my own selfishness.

"That's why I was willing to mate with Jo. I figured that since she's your younger sister, treating her well would be akin to treating you well too. After all, once you became Uriel's mate, I could still see you every day."

"Carl! We're in the middle of a conversation! What are you doing with your hands? You're so annoying!"

At last, the truth was out.

Johanna, who was passing by, overheard everything. She rejoiced over the fact that she had already broken her mate bond with Carlin.

Once again, she approached Elspeth for help in treating her injuries. Perhaps she looked pitiful enough, for Elspeth tended to the wounds without asking for anything in return.

"Was it your mate who hit you? Judging from your tears, you seem to be in great sorrow. It looks like your heart is hurting more than your body," Elspeth remarked.

With a bitter chuckle, Johanna replied, "You're right. It hurts so much. I'm guessing no one can withstand the pain of being abandoned by both their mate and their family. We can recover from physical wounds, but the wounds in our hearts will remain forever.

"Still, I'm used to being framed and set up the way I was today. I've been through it countless times all throughout my childhood."

"You poor thing," Elspeth remarked. "If you ever need help, feel free to come to me."

It had been a long time since Johanna had received such care from someone else. Ever since she was a young pup, she was bullied by everyone else—especially Allison.