My hands are briefly uncuffed, the guards securing my wrists to a chain suspended from the ceiling. The chain is elevated above my head, causing my arms to ache as I am hoisted to a height where my feet barely graze the ground. The sound of a chain whip with small razors scraping against the cold cement floor sends a shiver down my spine.
I implore the Moon Goddess to grant me a swift demise.
I recoil as a guard rips my shirt, exposing my injured chest and back to Jaxton and his whip. The soldier subsequently pivots me to confront Luna Nellie directly.
“I ought to eliminate you,” Jaxton taunts, manoeuvring behind me and preparing for my retribution. “However, initially, I believe I will relish this.”
A resounding crack reverberates across the walls as the whip strikes my flesh, a searing feeling coursing through my body while I grit my teeth to suppress a scream. My hands tighten as I endure the pain, but soon another lash compels me to gasp for breath, my body propelled forward by the impact.
The whip relentlessly lashes against my back, small streams of blood flowing from my wounds as I clench my mouth. Tears cascade down Luna Nellie’s face as she gazes at my ruined form, yet I see a glimmer of satisfaction in her eyes with each strike that rends my tormented skin.
My legs quiver as 15 lashes strike my back, although I resolutely suppress any cries for her gratification. I sense Jaxton’s dissatisfaction with each impact, and he growls in discontent.
Do you believe you are formidable?Jaxton growls, discarding the whip and compelling me to confront him.
I remain silent, concentrating solely on each arduous breath I take to avoid losing consciousness. Even if I want to speak, my throat is aflame from the suppressed cries I have emitted.
“I will compel you to speak, canine,” Jaxton growls, grasping my chin and embedding his claws into my flesh. “And I shall have you pleading for death.”
He repels my face and approaches the tool wall, choosing a silver branding rod. He positions the rod over a flame until it radiates a crimson hue from the heat. My wolf howls fiercely, seemingly imploring me to resist, but I successfully restrain him and fortify my defences as a precaution.
I understood he was incapable of rescuing me, since we had yet to comprehend the utilisation of my abilities.
Jaxton brings the luminous rod near my face, the heat tingling my cheeks.
“Are you fearful, mongrel?”Jaxton chuckles as my body quakes from fatigue, droplets of blood and perspiration cascading down my cheeks.
I swallow the saliva in my mouth to lubricate my throat but remain silent before the future Alpha, further aggravating him. He slides the rod down my body until it reaches my bare hip. An involuntary whimper leaves my lips, eliciting a sneer from him.
Without any hesitation, Jaxton applies the hot rod to my skin, a multitude of sharp points penetrating my searing flesh. I bite my lip until it bleeds, yet I refrain from screaming as Jaxton forces the hot rod farther into my hip.
I gasp as the anguish intensifies, tears welling in my eyes. A little groan rises in my throat, but I struggle to suppress it while gasping for oxygen.
Resounding footsteps echo down the corridor, prompting the guards to stand at attention in recognition of the Alpha, his Beta, and the Gamma’s arrival. Jaxton discards the smouldering rod from my hip in frustration over his unfulfilled objectives. I breathe heavily as the red welt persists in its irritation, yet I blink away the tears that have welled in my eyes.
Luna Nellie hastens into my father’s embrace, although his frigid gaze remains fixated on me, oblivious to her tears. I am unable to confront my Alpha’s stare and instead direct my attention to Gamma Rocco.
He casts a sympathetic glance as he encircles Nellie’s waist and supports her back.
“Remain stationary,” he hisses, while Luna Nellie growls in dissent.
What precisely do you believe you are undertaking?”The Alpha enquires of his son with amusement.”
What is its appearance?Jaxton reflexively covers his lips immediately after his words escape.
He acknowledges his error belatedly, as my father’s eyes shrink to slits. He stoops to seize the rod in silence and approaches the torch, positioning the rod over the flame.
He acknowledges his error belatedly, as my father’s eyes narrow to slits. He stoops to seize the rod silently and approaches the torch, positioning the rod over the flame.
“You are aware, my son,” the Alpha smirks icily. “Do you comprehend the reason they refer to me as the Scarlet Alpha?”
Jaxton swallows as the rod starts to emit a crimson light.
“N-no, sir,” he responds.
My father smirks and, in an instant, crosses the room to stand before his son, pressing the rod on Jaxton’s chest. Jaxton screams, while Luna Nellie erupts into genuine tears upon witnessing her son’s distress.
