“Noel, cease!” Luna Nellie exclaims, “You are inflicting pain upon him!”
The Alpha disregards his wife’s entreaties and applies the rod with greater force to Jaxton’s chest, searing his shirt directly into the injury.
“I draw blood at the slightest indication of disrespect,” my father growls, discarding the rod and permitting Jaxton to fall to his knees.
“Remember your position, boy,” he states with a growl before shifting his focus to me.
His frigid brown eyes induce a tremor of horror throughout my entire being, prompting me, for the first time in years, to consider shouting. He examines the injuries on my chest and back while whistling to himself.
Did he utter any remarks?” The Alpha enquires of no specific individual.”
“N-no, sir,” Jaxton responds, clearing the tears that had accumulated in his eyes.
My father clicks his tongue in disapproval. “What was the offence that warranted such punishment?”“He enquires, resting a solitary finger on my chest.”
“He attempted to exploit me!””Luna Nellie weeps, ultimately freeing herself from Gamma Rocco’s hold and nestling into my father’s bosom. “We cannot permit a monster among us!” If he is capable of inflicting harm upon me, who can guarantee he will not harm another woman or, much more concerning, a child?
My father’s body tenses in disbelief as he seizes his wife’s shoulders. “What did you say?”
Luna Nellie inhales deeply and whimpers, the sound eliciting a grimace due to its insincerity. “He attempted to harm me.”
My father immediately perceives her deception, his lips tightening as they often do when he is displeased; nonetheless, he refrains from contradicting his Luna in the presence of his guards or his son. His gaze returns to me, and for a brief moment, I observe a glimmer of sorrow in his eyes.
“You are correct,” my father states, his expression hardening once again. “We cannot permit a monster in our midst.”
Luna Nellie grins with joy, but her expression swiftly diminishes when my father commands the guards to liberate me.
“Pardon?””She implores, observing in dismay as the soldiers release me from the chain and assist me to my feet. “Why are you allowing him…”
Her speech ceases abruptly as the Alpha glares at her, conveying with a single glance that he was not to be challenged.
“From this point forward, this silent canine is divested of his omega status,” my father proclaims, his voice resonating against the stone walls. “He is now a rogue, and should he ever enter this territory again,” he cautions, his gaze fixed on me, “he is to be executed on sight.”
My heart shatters as his words penetrate my consciousness. There is nothing more dreadful than being labelled a rogue; it is essentially a death sentence. The realm of Rogues is merciless and lethal, with every individual only focused on their own survival.
A portion of me yearns to implore and vociferate at my father for clemency, to end my life instead; however, as is customary, my words remain poised at the precipice of my tongue, never to breach the boundaries of my lips.
“Everyone leave immediately,” my father orders. “I wish to speak with the rogue.”
The guards and the Beta exit promptly, with Jaxton trailing behind, tending to the bleeding wound on his chest. Luna Nellie glares at my father, but Gamma Rocco successfully persuades her to leave the room with minimal disturbance. With only my father and me remaining, the atmosphere in the room becomes noticeably colder, causing my sensitive skin to break out in goosebumps.
I attempt to speak, but a single stare from my father compels me to silence.
“Do not for an instant believe I am showing you leniency,” he snarls. “You remain the most significant disappointment of my existence, and nothing brings me greater joy than to be finally free of you.”
His comments inflicted greater pain than the gaping wounds on my back, and I just nod in acknowledgement of his statements.
“You are permitted to take Melina with you.” “I find her presence here unnecessary,” he exhales as he approaches the door. “And may I never encounter you both again.”
My father commands two guards to unshackle me, causing me to collapse onto the ground, my exposed wounds searing as I contact the frigid pavement. The guards compel me to traverse the dim corridors, both of them jostling me when I proceed too slowly. Upon exiting the dungeons, the glaring daylight assaults my battered eyes, prompting me to wince, while the guards mock me.
They escorted me to the main road where Gamma Rocco and Melina awaited by a pickup vehicle. Fury surges within me at witnessing Melina’s battered visage, her cheeks inflamed and her lip lacerated from an assault.
Melina weeps as I kneel before her, preparing for her wrath about our expulsion from Blue Sky. Instead, she embraces me, tenderly caressing my head, and weeps into my bloodied hair.
