Chapter 30. The Punishment
Chapter 30. The Punishment
Olivia
Without asking any questions from us, Alpha Damon instructed Beta Benley to punish us. My legs trembled and my heart started beating like I was in a marathon. I heard my mom cry out and my dad's voice as he tried pleading with the Alpha. I looked at his face to see if he was joking but he looked calm and didn’t utter another word.
He silenced my parents with one look and everyone else also remained quiet as no one dared challenge him. I looked at my parents who were holding on to each other looking just as scared as I was. We all knew Beta Benley wouldn’t mete out a sentence deserving of what had happened. He would go far beyond necessary and condemn the tour guide and me to the worst treatments he could think of. Just then Beta Benley stood up, cleared his throat and came forward.
He pointed at the tour guide and glared at him, “You are supposed to be a good example for the younger werewolves, but you choose to use your job to harass and take advantage of people who are weaker than you. By this, I know that our female and young wolves will not be safe with someone like you around."
He took a deep breath before continuing, "I hereby sentence you to exile. As of today, Jonas Park, you are no longer a member of the Red Moon Pack. You are now a rogue, a wolf without a pack and you are to be treated like one.”
“Take him away now.” He instructed the guards. Oddly Mr Park remained silent as they dragged him away. He only shook his head silently as if he knew something we didn't.
He spoke softly and I strained my ears to hear him as he said, "The one who is an outcast is the one who will save… such a shame."
I looked around, but it seemed like no one heard him.
Then Beta Benley moved closer to me. I was trembling as I knew that the punishment he had for me would be similar to that of Mr Park. And as much as I hated my lack at that moment, being exiled was one of the most painful things that could happen to a wolf. Wolves were social creatures, and being part of a pack fed that part of us that continuously hungered for companionship. Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.
“Olivia Spencer, you should learn how to take responsibility. If you aren't punished for what you have done, you won't learn. With this punishment, I’m certain your parents will also learn their lesson through you as they failed to bring you up to be a responsible member of the pack. However, I will be lenient as the recipient of your irresponsible anger, Helen has begged me to do so, so I hereby sentence you to punishment by flogging. You will be flogged until you admit that you were wrong and if I were you, I will do so immediately.” He said.
With that, he bowed to the Alpha and returned to his seat. I cried out and turned to see my parents who were so shocked. They quickly went on their knees begging for forgiveness.
My heart broke and I could not hold back my tears as my dad shouted, "It's my fault! I should have taught her better! Flog me instead!"
He tried walking towards the Alpha, but was held back by guards and so was my mom who tried to run towards me. They kept pleading but the Beta shut them up.
“You should be glad I was lenient on her. She should also be exiled like that worthless tour guide.” He yelled out and then he turned to Alpha Damon and bowed slightly, “Pardon me for saying this, Alpha, but she doesn’t deserve to be the triplets' mate.” He added.
“It’s okay, Benley.” Alpha Damon said as he rose to his feet, he pointed to two of the guards and instructed them to carry out my punishment. As the guards dragged me away, I saw Helen smiling at me wickedly, Lucas and Lucien seemed satisfied with the punishment and only watched impassively as I was dragged off, while Logan looked at me worriedly. My parents ran after me while the rest of the guards and the maids returned to their duty posts.
I was tied face down to a large table. Without holding me back, the two guards started flogging me with big planks. I flinched at the first beating but remained silent. By the time I was flogged for the
fourth time, I couldn't hold back anymore and I cried out. I remained silent as one of them kept asking me if I was ready to admit that I was wrong. At my silence, he sighed and they began flogging me harder and faster than normal. I had bitten through my lip as blood flooded my mouth, and soon I was crying out in pain. My parents wept harder and kept pleading with me to admit that I was wrong.
I finally admitted that I was wrong after I had been flogged about thirty times. At that point, the pain seemed to be swallowing me whole as the guards stopped flogging me and released me from where I had been tied up.
My vision was hazy and I stumbled as my parents helped me to my feet. I could feel the blood running down my back and I whimpered in pain with each movement that jolted me.
My dad lifted me up tenderly and cradled me in his arms as he tried to avoid touching where I had flogged. He looked down at me with tears running down his face, "I'm so sorry baby. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you."
“No, Dad. You and mom did your best.” I said, giving them a faint smile.
“We believe you, hon. We know that you wouldn't have done that without a reason.” My mom added sadly as she wiped away the blood coating my lips.
Just then, one of the guards appeared in front of us and informed us that the Alpha wanted to see us. However, he said that we were to go separately, my parents first and I would see him privately after he was done talking to my parents.
My dad set me down on my feet and I tried to hide my wince as I glared at the guard.
"I have been punished, why else does he want to see us?"
The guard shrugged and remained silent. My parents asked him to allow them to help me to my room in the palace and get cleaned up before we had to see the Alpha.
The guard told them they were to go immediately and offered to help me to my room. My parents looked at me and I nodded, telling them to go and that I would be fine. The guard helped me to the door of my room and quickly returned back to his post. I pushed the door open and Logan was sitting on my bed. He looked at me and quickly ran over to help me as I walked gingerly into the room
“You are a mess, Liv. Why didn't you just admit to it immediately?” He asked worriedly.
“I’m not the one at fault, yet I was the only one who got punished. I felt wronged, Logan.” I replied, trying to hold back my tears.
"How many times were you flogged?!" He exclaimed as he saw the state of my back. I said nothing, only tried to smile as he looked at me with something in his eyes I didn't want to have to think about.
“I know you were innocent and I’m sorry I couldn’t prove it. I'm sorry I couldn't help you.” He said as he led me to my bed.
That was when I saw the first aid kit seated at the foot of my bed.
“It's fine, thank you for trying. And thank you for believing in me, Logan.” I said softly as I looked up at him
He sighed and kissed me on my forehead, gently wrapping me in his arms. I stiffened when his arm brushed against my back.
He hurriedly pulled away and sat me down on the bed. "Sorry, sorry. Let's get you cleaned up."
I smiled faintly at his reaction. He sat behind me on the bed and placed the first aid box beside me. He opened it and cleared his throat as I took off my shirt, left in my sports bra. He cleaned my back and started dressing my injuries.
We remained like that for a couple of seconds, silent as he took care of me.
“Helen has been threatening you, hasn't she?” He blurted out suddenly.
“What… that’s not true,” I said, stammering.
“I saw everything, Olivia." He said.