SAGE
My jaw clenched furiously, and my hands balled into a fist as I watched the guards drag Thalia out of the courtroom.
How could she be so stupid and pathetic?
Every time I tried not to justify what she had done eleven years ago, she always came up with a situation that would make me doubt her.
Why did she have to steal the diamond bracelet in the first place, knowing no one would stand in for her when she gets caught?
She's already hated by the likes of us, and she had to fuel it even more.
I tried to act nonchalant like I didn't care, but fifty whips from the stainless chain were a lot for her to handle, and the thought of everyone having to see her naked made me even more furious.
Father's judgment always had to be cruel, and he didn't even consider that it was his Beta's daughter he was doing that to.
My nails were digging deep into my palms, and I glanced at my brothers, Mael and Derek… their countenance was gloomy.
Were they worried about Thalia too, or is it just me? I mean, we all used to hang out together when we were kids until she committed the grave sin, and we've hated her since then.
Even if she serves the punishment, I don't want her to be humiliated in front of everyone like that.
I looked up, my brows twisting in a knot. My forehead furrowed as Ryder and Lena started coming towards us. Lena had a small relieved smile on her tempting lips as she stared at the diamond bracelet she had worn on her wrist.
Gosh, she's so pretty.
"What's wrong, brother? You look like you're about to punch a wall," Ryder taunted, his dark eyes glinting at me.
I glanced at him briefly and without thinking I stepped out. Mael and Derek looked at me, wondering what I was about to do.
I don't know, either.
I stopped right in front of Father, I bowed my head in courtesy to him and when I looked at him, he raised a brow at me.
"Father," I began.
He tilted his head at me. "What is it?" he questioned, his voice low and anticipating.
Should I even do this?
Is she worth it, despite all she has done and caused Lena to go through?
I breathed in deeply and cleared my throat. Straightening my posture and keeping my head high, I spoke. "Please, don't let Thalia be flogged naked in front of all the pack members." I didn't mean to imply it that way, but it was surprising I was pleading on her behalf.
"What are you saying, brother? That bitch deserves all the punishment she can get." Ryder flared behind me, but I ignored him. My business was with Father and not him.
Father's gaze hardened, and he scrunched his face at me, leaning back into his throne seat. "So, are you trying to say I didn't pass the right punishment?"
I shook my head. "I'm not opposing what you said Father, What Thalia had done is forbidden, and she needs to be taught a lesson to warn the others, but we shouldn't forget that Thalia is still the beta's daughter," I remarked.
"I have nothing to do with that bitch," her mother inclined, and I looked at Thalia's father, he had a relieved grateful look on his face and I gave a small nod.
"So, please, I beg of you, father, she can be whipped but not naked," I pressed hoping he would listen.
"Since when did you start to care about that wench?" Ryder scoffed, and I shot an annoyed glare at him so he could shut his mouth before looking back at Father.
Father frowned at me. "I already passed my judgment, no one can change that, she would serve her punishment and that is it," he said with a finality hitting his tone and I sighed inwardly.
This was useless in the first place. What was I even thinking?
"Please, Alpha…" I heard beside me. It was Lena and I looked at her in surprise.
She went on her knees, clasping her hands in front of her. "Sage is right… Alpha Logan, my sister has committed a grave crime and should be punished for it…" I cocked a brow at her.
What is she doing? I thought.
"But please have mercy on my sister, I don't want her to be humiliated in front of all the pack's members, I already got the bracelet she stole, please, Alpha," she pleaded.
"Mm!" Father mused from where he sat staring at her.
"Is that what you want?" He asked, his eyes prying at her.
"Yes, pl-please, Alpha!" She stuttered, lowering her head.
"Oh, Lena dear, you are so kind, Thalia doesn't deserve any of this after what she has done to you, she doesn't deserve you, my sweet girl," her mother came forward and lifted her from the ground.
"Mom," she leaned closer to her mother, a sad smile on her lips. "I don't want Lena to be scarred for life like me, she's still my sister and I love her."
Her mother sighed, "Oh, dear, you have always been tender, Thalia doesn't deserve your forgiveness," she used the pad of her thumb to wipe the tears at the corner of Lena's eyes.
"Fine, if that's the case, Thalia will only be whipped without being naked, she only gets lucky this time, I won't be so merciful the next time," Father spoke.
"Thank you, Father," I bowed my head slightly to him then I turned towards Lena, I smiled at her genuinely. She's such a sweet wonderful girl, and she has always been despite her sister wronging her in the past, she still stood up for her.
I stretched my hand out to her, which she grabbed, her mother was smiling at us before she gave us some space to ourselves.
"That was kind of you," I snaked my arms around her waist, and pulled her closer to me. She gasped, placing her palms on my chest, and looked at me. Her blue eyes twinkled, and I leaned closer, capturing her lips with mine, at first gently then heatedly.
We heard some clearing of throats behind us and I broke the kiss while Lena pulled away, her face flushed, I turned to look at my brothers, and they were all staring at me with a confused look. "What just happened?" Mael was the first to ask, his arms folding over his chest, and I frowned slightly.
"What?"
"You coming out to plead on behalf of Thalia," Derek's lips twitched as he stared at me, and my frown only deepened.
"I just didn't want her to be flogged naked, nothing else," I uttered nonchalantly, shrugging my shoulders at them.
"Oh, why do you care whether she's flogged naked or not, are you eyeing the girl's body, brother?" Ryder quizzed, and I snapped my gaze at him. He always had to be the most annoying among us.
"I don't give two shits about Thalia, we're in the twenty-first century, who still flogs people naked?" I glared at him, and he scoffed before walking away.
I fumed.
Thalia had better pay me for this.