2. Cruelty at its peak

★ELAINE★

I gawked in terror at the bloodied and battered male wolf, down to the club in Alpha Damon's hand that he had been using to bash his victim's head, then the bloodstains all over his white cloak to the other male figure, who stood solemnly beside him. 

Trepidation. Panic. Distress. Void and a gut-wrenching feeling coursed through my veins, making me feel nauseous. 

“ No no no” I shook my head in disbelief, horrified at the terrible sight. Covering my mouth to drape my screams, I gathered myself and then began to step backward. But it was too late. Their head snapped in my direction and Alpha Damon's face contorted with a scowl. Instantly, I knew he was furious that I invaded his privacy and caught him in the middle of a mess. 

Damn! He is going to kill me as he did with that poor male wolf. 

With my chest heaving in fear, I tried to breathe. However, it seemed like all the air had evaporated from my lungs.

“Take her back to her room, Adrian.” Alpha Damon commanded the other male figure, standing beside him. “The moment I'm done here, I'll come to deal with her.” 

Adrian bowed in deference before strutting in my direction. Thereafter, he closed the door shut behind him, concealing the gruesome sight away from my prying eyes. My eyes darted to his face in anxiety. 

Thinking he would treat me harshly, just like everyone else, I tried to take some steps back once more. But instead, his hand latched around mine, leading me back to my room. 

Once inside, he began to brush through my long, slick brunette hair. “Be calm, you are going to be just fine.” 

As much as his words sound soothing to the ears, I couldn't stop thinking about that bloodied male wolf. Breathing heavily, my mind lingered on the images of his bruised face, his torn lips, and the tears in his bloodshot eyes. At the same time, I was struggling to comprehend what the male wolf did to warrant such inhumane treatment. Although I heard the Alpha is cruel, ruthless, and unforgiving, I never knew it was to this extent. 

His fingers brushed against my face as he tilted my chin to look into his chestnut-brown eyes. But I looked away, shakily. “No, look at me.” He said softly. 

My eyes reluctantly drifted to his, and then his handsome face lit up with a bright smile. “I know how you must be feeling. I understand pretty much that it isn't what you are accustomed to. Now, imagine it as a nightmare and you're awake, only to find a handsome man standing right in front of you.” He cooed in a very calm tone. 

I knew what he was trying to do. He was attempting to avert my mind from what I saw, and he did so in a nice, refreshing way. The man seemed so delightful, unlike Alpha Damon. Plus, he was handsome too.

But as much as he tried, his efforts were futile. No amount of nice words could make me forget what I saw in that room. It could be anyone. Tomorrow, it might be me. Perhaps, Tania. So why shouldn't I be bothered about being hitched by a monster? 

The man guided me to the four-poster bed and prompted me to sit. Afterward, he poured out a glass of water from the jug on the bedside table and offered it to me. “Here, take this and calm your nerves first.” 

Taking the glass from him, I took a sip and set the cup on the bedside table. “It's going to be alright, dear. If you need any help, don't hesitate to ask me. I am Adrian, the beta of this pack. Although I don't have as much power as Alpha Damon, I can protect you.” 

Somehow, those words eased my tumultuous nerves. I raised my head to stare into his eyes, and they reflected kindness. For the first time since I was born, someone else apart from Tania was able to calm me down. 

And I could not believe it was the beta of another pack entirely. Not even my biological father. 

“Now, close your eyes and take a deep breath, think about any nice memories you have had in the past and dwell on them.” He instructed. 

Just as I was about to do what he suggested, the door flung open in the most violent manner, almost ripped out of its hinges. And a furious Alpha Damon stormed in. My heart began to thump rapidly against my chest. At this rate, it might as well jump right out. 

“Who do you think you are?” He bellowed. His deep baritone voice resonated through the four walls of my room. 

He was no longer dressed in those bloody clothes, and when he got to me, he ordered his beta to step aside. “Adrian, I said you should step aside!” He roared angrily. 

“No, Damon. Don't hurt her, she is young and new to all of this. Please spare her.” Beta Adrian made an effort to plead with him. 

Alpha Damon glared at him. “I said back off!” he seethed between gritted teeth, and the moment Beta Adrian stepped away, my stomach dipped in anxiety. 

Before I realized what was happening, Alpha Damon's firm hands clasped around my neck, suffocating the hell out of me. I couldn't breathe, and my vision blurred. 

“You know what I hate the most in this life?” He sneered, tightening his grip. “Stubborn wolves who feel they can act however they like. I don't care if you are my Luna now, but the moment you get on my nerves, I will make sure to send you to hell and bring you back in pieces.” 

Yanking my legs back and forth, I tried to gasp for air, that seemed to have eluded my lungs. His bloodshot eyes stared at me without remorse and tears gathered in my eyes. “P– please,” I stuttered, still gasping for air. “I— I am so sorry.” I managed. My hands held his, trying to peel him off from me, but his grips were too strong. 

“Let her go, Damon. You have done enough!” Beta Adrian attempted to haul him away from me, but he wouldn't budge. 

To be honest, I was starting to taste death at the tip of my tongue. Memories of my uneventful life flashed right in front of my eyes and before I could close them shut and surrender to the darkness afterward, Tania darted to my side, looking terrified. 

It was then Alpha Damon released his grip from my neck. “Prepare your lady, for the inauguration ceremony as my Luna.” And with that, he departed from the room. 

Coughing and gasping for air, I clutched my throat. Hot tears poured down my cheeks and the base around my neck stung so badly. Especially the region of my birthmark. 

Beta Adrian cast me a pitiful stare, before walking out of the room, right after Alpha Damon. I noticed his clenched fist and tight lips. It seemed as if Alpha Damon had not released his grip on me when he did, Beta Adrian was ready to get into a scuffle with him. 

Nonetheless, I'm thankful he did. Because that would have resulted in something much worse and I would not be able to bear with myself for causing a rift between the Alpha and Beta of the Lycanfrost pack. 

Tania immediately began to survey my neck. Her lips parted in disbelief as she observed. “My lady, what's wrong? What happened? And why was the Alpha strangulating you?” 

I couldn't respond. Instead, I burst into a series of tiny sobs and pulled my knees to my chest. 

“Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry, my lady.” Tania started to cry. “I shouldn't have left you alone. I went to see the Omega's quarters and then this happened. How will I have forgiven myself if something had happened to you? I am so sorry, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me, my lady.” her voice was trembling with tears. 

Wrapping my arms around her, I began to rub the small of her back as she did me. “I know you must regret being stuck with a pathetic she-wolf like me,” I stated amid sobs. 

“No! Never! You're learning. You are evolving, soon all this will become a thing of the past. I have never given up on you and I won't start now.” She reassured me with a teary tone. 

Her statement brought up something, that strengthened my resolve. A small ray of hope welled up in my guts, and I was deeply grateful to have Tania in my life. 

When we pulled apart, she began to wipe off the tears from every corner of my eyes, ignoring hers. “My beautiful lady. You are gorgeous, you are worthy, and you are strong. You can do this, okay? So don't cry anymore, huh?” 

Feigning a small smile, I pulled her into a brief hug once more. Thereafter, I narrated everything that transpired earlier to her. 

“I am so sorry to hear your plight, my lady.” she brushed through my hair. “If he can do this to you on the first day of your arrival, what about the rest?”

Tearing up all over again, I shook my head in despair. 

“No, don't cry.” Tania took my hand in hers. “Instead of preparing you for the ceremony, why don't we escape from here?”