Chapter 4- Wren

Sitting in the dungeon, I contemplate my actions. I don’t regret them, but I do feel a little guilty that I might have put the pack in danger. My feet are all scraped up since my shoes got left in the forest. They sting and ache, but nothing is going to compare to the lashing I’m about to get. Then I will have to go to the auction. With any luck, I won’t be picked due to the fact that I’m sure I’ll look a wreck, and no one will want the omega who broke the Alpha’s rules. Maybe getting caught means, I will stay a servant of the pack. 

Although, that’s not always great either. Omegas don’t that don’t get picked at auction are still abused by the warriors. Unless the Alpha was serious when he said I was his. That’s a terrifying thought. What would he do to me? I know he would use me as a breeder, but what else would he do to me? 

The Alpha isn’t known for his kindness and mercy. Alpha Valen is feared. Even other packs of Alpha Supremes fear him. His reputation is far and wide. He’s cruel, and he is known to kill without mercy in war, when rogues are involved, and if someone wrongs him. 

I know there are omegas who would kill to be Alpha Valen’s breeder. Hell, there is a beta female who would kill to be his Luna. It’s not a secret that he is sought after because of his good looks, and our pack is wealthy, which means he’s incredibly wealthy. Some would see being with Alpha Valen as a dream come true, but I see it as a nightmare come to life. 

If the woods were any indication of how things would be with him and the fact that he’s about to publicly whip me, I’m not so sure being his breeder, his omega is going to be in my favor. Yes, I know I broke the rules, and I accept my punishment, but that doesn't make it any easier to be whipped by him, especially after he had me suck his cock in the middle of the woods. 

I hate that part of me enjoyed that, especially my wolf. Thinking about it now, I haven’t sensed my wolf since I left his presence. That might be the one good thing that comes out of being Alpha Valen’s omega. I might be able to figure out what’s going on with my wolf, but the problem is, at what cost? How much will I suffer just to figure out why I was able to sense my wolf? Will my suffering be worth it? 

The dungeon doors swing open, and Beta Graven walks in. He approaches my cell. “Time for punishment, omega.” He sneers. 

I swallow hard as I feel my body start to shake. Pain is what about to face. I already heal slowly for an omega, but the silver and wolfsbane will weaken me further. I will have no help from my werewolf abilities to heal from this. I need to be brave. I did break the rules, and I knew the consequences. I naively thought I wouldn’t get caught and no one would ever find out about my little trip to the woods. That was foolish of me. 

Standing on shaky legs, I face Beta Graven. His expression is emotionless as he opens my cell. He roughly grabs me out of my cell. Two guards come in and hold me as Beta Graven binds my hands with a rope dipped in wolfsbane. I hiss at the contact. 

“If you think that’s bad, wait till the whip graces your back.” Beta Graven taunts. 

Beta Graven isn’t affected by the wolfsbane. Alpha Supremes and their Betas all learn from an early age to build a tolerance to wolfsbane so it can never be used against them in case the enemy captures them. Silver is a different story. No werewolf can build immunity to that, but they can build a pain tolerance to it. 

There is a part of the rope left hanging off so Beta Graven can drag me behind him. The guards let me go, and Beta Graven pulls the rope so hard I almost fall flat on my face as I stumble forward. Beta Graven leads me outside and to the whipping post that’s been set up. There is a decent-sized crowd gathered of all ranks even omegas. They always make there are at least a few omegas present at whippings to strike fear back into them. They know we will tell the others how horrible the lashing was. 

Beta Graven ties me to the whipping post and then steps away to join the crowd. Alpha Valen steps forward, holding the whip that is going to tear my back apart. My whole body is shaken with fear, and I know everyone can smell it, even omegas. 

“This omega broke a rule today. She was caught in the woods, which is forbidden to omegas. The rule is in place to protect our pack from rogues, yet this omega thought she was above the law.” Alpha’s Valen voice sounds too loud in my ears. 

I want to defend myself and say I didn't know about omegas attracting rogues. Not that it’s a good excuse, as I still broke a rule. Still, I can’t help but want my side to be heard and for them to understand I simply wanted to be free for a few hours. Why is it so wrong to want to be free, to be my own person, and to be seen as more than a worthless omega? 

“The punishment will be fifteen lashings. Ten for the rules being broken and five more because she argued with her Alpha.” Alpha Valen informs the crowd. 

What? Five extra for standing up for omegas? I wasn’t trying to argue. All I wanted was to make a point that pack wolves aren’t necessarily better than rogues on how omegas are treated. Stupid mouth. I should have kept it shut, but the Alpha bought out my rebellious side. The side I try so hard to keep hidden just like I try to ignore my submissive instincts as an omega. Both are hard to do, but I’m usually pretty damn good at keeping my mouth shut and my rebellious side to myself. My submissive side is harder to control. 

Alpha Valen moves from in front of me to behind me. Closing my eyes, I block out I try to block out the cheering crowd as my fear rises, knowing how painful this going to be. The burning in my wrists and stingy feet are about the least of my problems. 

“One.” I hear Alpha Valen shot just before the whip crashes down on my back. I cry out from the pain and impact of the lash. Oh, goddess, are the lashes going to be this horrible, or will I grow numb to it? “Two.” The whip comes across my back again, sending another shocking wave of pain worse than the first through my body.

By five, I’m not listening anymore as my back burns like it’s on fire while simultaneously it stings like thousands of bees. I can feel the blood trickling down my sides. The back of my dress is torn to shreds long before my skin. 

With each lash, I scream in pain as tears start to run down my cheeks. I brought this upon myself. I know that, but that still doesn’t ease the pain. At some point, I collapse to the ground on my knees, no longer able to stand. My body isn’t shaking anymore, as shaking requires strength I don’t have. I don’t know if we are close to being done or not, as I’ve lost count, and I can’t bring myself to tune back into the Alpha’s voice. I’m too afraid that we are still on one, or worse, he’s gone past fifteen.

 My eyes are still shut, and even if they weren’t, I’m pretty sure my vision would be blurry. I don’t even dare to open my eyes to test my theory. My head is pounding as the silver snakes its way through my blood while the wolfsbane poisins me. I might die from this. Just as the thought crosses my mind, my wolf attempts to soothe me. She’s back, and it’s because I’m around the Alpha. 

Suddenly I feel someone messing with the rope. I open my eyes which are blurry from my tears and the wolfsbane. Wolfsbane affects our senses and our strength. From what I can make out, the figure is either Alpha Valen or Beta Graven. The second I’m untied, my body falls limp to the ground, which I realize is soaked in my blood. Well, that’s gross but the least of my problems. 

“Take her to the pack doctor. I want her checked out.” I hear someone say, and I think it’s Alpha Valen, but honestly, I could be hallucinating as it is an effect of silver. I think I’m still sobbing, but I can’t tell for sure. 

Someone picks me up and tosses me over their shoulder. I don’t know who it is, and I’m not sure I care right now. Everything is fuzzy. My head feels light as a feather, I can’t feel my body except for the pain, and all I want to do is close my eyes and never wake up.