CHAPTER 2

"Alpha, can't you see they're both setting the Luna up" Janet muttered.

"I know my wife, Janet. She is always playing the victim card. I am tired of it," Daven mumbled, rolling his eyes.

"Daven, please, I didn't do anything. Why can't you believe me," I muttered, tears streaming down my cheeks.

"Because you are a liar, Kimberly," he scoffed, rolling his eyes. "And I am divorcing you. I don't need a Luna that always lies."

Divorce. The word kept repeating in my head. My mind flashed back to my parents' words, If the Alpha divorces you, do not bother coming back at all. We don't want a stain on our name.

I had nowhere to go. My parents had already shut the door on me. I didn't want to drag Janet into this too; she had enough of her own battles to fight. Divorce wasn't an option. I stumbled across the floor, clutching Daven's leg. "Please, no divorce. Please, Daven, I'm begging you."

"Alpha, why don't you forgive her, I know she has hurt me and May, but I can't see her suffer. Forgive her," Kate mumbled, grinning.

"See how kind Kate is, Unlike you, she is very sensible and honest."

"It's what I'm supposed to do, Alpha. She is the Luna, anyways. You can't divorce her for us concubines; what will people say about the Alpha?"

"Thanks for looking out for me, Kate. You and May have always cared about me, unlike Kimberly who is set on ruining me."

I knew whatever I said now, Daven wouldn't believe me because Kate and May had him wrapped around their arms. I just needed to plead with him for now and endure. I believed he would finally see I truly loved him soon enough.

"Just forgive her, Alpha. I believe the Luna didn't mean it; she just loves you too much," May mumbled, grinning.

"Kimberly, don't think I'll let you go just because Kate and May pleaded for you. I will still punish you, but no divorce."

"Alpha, this is unfair! Why is the Luna being punished for doing nothing while the two of them stay unpunished," Janet scoffed.

"You don't get to question my actions, Janet. I am the Alpha; my words are law," Daven muttered.

"Any man who favors his concubine over his wife does not deserve to be a husband. Kimberly, divorce him, he doesn't deserve you; you deserve way better than him."

Janet grabbed my hands, pulling me up. "Let's go."

"Janet, sorry, I can't. You won't understand," I mumbled as tears streamed down my face.

I didn't want to put Janet in any trouble. I knew Daven; he was arrogant and hated it when someone challenged his authority. I didn't want him to harm Janet.

"Kimberly, please, let's go. He isn't worth it."

"Go away, Janet. I don't want to leave," I muttered, pulling my arms away from hers.

"I accept any punishment," I mumbled, my knees falling downward to Daven's feet.

"You're lucky you are sensible. Bring the punishment tools," he gestured to one of his guards.

For the past three years, whenever I went against Daven, he used punishment tools on me. From scorching hot metal pressed on my skin to whips, he always said, "You're too fat; you probably don't feel any pain."

"It's not like I want to be unfair, but you don't listen. Lay down, Kimberly," Daven scoffed.

I lay down obediently, as the smell of burning flesh filled the room every time the hot rod pressed down on my bare skin.

"Stop hurting her" Janet rushed into the room, falling on her knees beside me, tears streaming down her face.

"Alpha, please, let go of her. I am begging you to punish me in her place, just please," Janet mumbled.

"Take her away and continue," Daven ordered. As the guards dragged Janet out, she screamed, "Let me go, Kimberly, I'm coming to save you!" The door slammed shut behind Janet as her voice faded.

Daven picked up the glowing red rod and walked towards me. As he raised his hands, I closed my eyes, biting down on my lips. I was afraid of letting out a sound. Whenever I got punished, Daven had one rule, no making any sound. Any sound heard would get me more punishment, so I learned to be quiet.

"You should have been a better wife, Kimberly," Daven muttered, his voice calm.

"You should have been more sensible like Kate and May."

Then, he pressed the metal down. The scorching heat of the metal made my body shake. My fingers clutched the edge of the table, forcing myself not to make a sound as he kept pressing it again, and again, and again.

"See," Kate muttered. She sounded like she was smiling. "It’s only hurting because you're fighting it, sweetie. Just be quiet and let it happen."

My vision started to blur, the bright lights turning into spinning white dots. My chest hurt so much it felt like my ribs were snapping. I thought of my parents. I thought of the way they looked at me with such cold eyes. I thought of the girl I used to be, who believed that love could fix everything and that Daven would come back to his senses and love me someday.

I was wrong. Love was just a trick. and for Daven, I didn't know if he would ever look at me with love.

"Daven... my head hurts. Help me."

"Who are you pretending for," Daven kicked me one last time in the ribs, a hard, sharp blow that took away my last breath.

"Get her out of my sight. I don't want to see her face, it disgusts me."

I felt the guards grab my arms again, dragging me across the floor. My head bumped against the chairs, but I couldn't feel it anymore. The pain had moved to a place where I couldn't reach it.

The last thing I heard was the sound of the ballroom music, loud and happy, as if nothing at all had happened. As my eyes finally closed, everything went black.