Leilani.
"Arggghhh!" The scream tore out from the back of my throat as the whip landed on my exposed flesh for the seventy-fifth time in a row— and I know because I was counting.
Also because the young girls all gathered nearby, watching me with pity were counting as well, and aloud. But no matter how much they pitied me, they could not help— they didn't hold such power.
I, on the other hand, my body spasmed in pain. I thrashed violently as tons of spittle flew out of my mouth and tears— red hot tears— blurred my vision. My entire back was on fire… literally. It felt like raw pepper had been poured over my cut flesh and then topped with melted hot silver.
I screamed. Aloud. But no matter how much I screamed, or how much I tried to call out for help, no one came. No one even looked at me or cared in that way.
A majority of the people gathered close were simply here for fun. Giggling and wincing as they watched my suffering. And while some made videos on their phones that could never be posted online for 'security reasons', a few others jeered at me, calling me names like murderer, thief… traitor.
You just name it!
And at the end of the crowd, my family and mates stood, but despite the distance, I could feel their eyes on me— cold and satisfied— but Chalice had a wide grin on. One that spread across her face, nearly splitting her cheeks into half.
They watched me cry out in anguish, watched as the guards rained down whips on my already torn flesh, successfully ripping off more of my skin. My blood stained the floor a bright red and my cries wrenched out from so deep from within my soul that I felt like I was dying.
"Eighty!" The crowd suddenly shouted in distorted unison and I slumped to the floor, crying as a shudder ran through my body.
I sighed in relief after realizing that at least, this part of my torment was over, but I was however soon snapped back to my painful reality when heavy footsteps approached me, and from the polished looks of the expensive pairs of shoes in front of me, I instantly knew who they belonged to.
I tilted my head back, looking up into the cold detached eyes of my family— and my mates. My breath hitched.
Caelum leaned closer, his eyes flashing with malicious intent. He barked; "Now that that's been done. Martha, Agnes and co, drag her to her feet!"
His words made me flinch in fear but before I could respond, four girls materialized beside me, quickly looping their arms around mine.
My body shook as I struggled to stand on my feet, my already bloody back bleeding even more from the exertion.
A pained moan slipped past my lips as my knees crashed to the floor, but the girls, desperate to please the alphas, were relentless. They harshly pulled me up again and bowed to Caelum.
"Alpha Caelum, what should we do about her now?" The one known as Agnes asked, her voice tinged with a hint of respect for Caelum… and pity for me.
Once upon a time, Agnes had been my best friend, but after getting relentlessly picked on by Chalice and her cohorts, she instinctively began to avoid me.
Even now.
I gasped as pain lanced through my back again and I dropped my eyes. "Water please." I rasped out, my voice hoarse, "…please help me with some water."
My throat felt tight and chapped, and when no one moved, I rasped out again; "please."
At my request, Chalice stepped forward whilst holding a plastic cup. My eyes lit up with excitement and despite the pain, I inched closer to her. "Thank you."
And then I painstakingly held out my hand to her, ready to receive the cup when suddenly, she dropped it. I gasped, watching with horror as the contents spilled onto the floor, causing her to step back with a smile before her eyes widened.
She cried; "Leilani! If you didn't want it from me, you could've simply said so! Why go to such lengths just to prove that?!"
At first, I believed that I had heard wrong, but when she repeated her statement and then began to cry, my heart plummeted. I shook my head. "We both know that that was an accident." I cried, "why would I waste the water if I needed it so much?"
"Because you're a hateful bitch who would see nothing good in everything Chalice does for you!" Gavin spat, making me still in shock.
My eyes snagged back to Chalice, and from the discreet smile on her face, I immediately knew that this wasn't an accident. She'd done it on purpose. I shook my head.
"You…"
But the words had barely gotten out when my brother slapped me so hard, I nearly lost my footing.
I cried out in pain, stumbling backward as my vision blurred, only to be held firmly by Agnes and her group of friends.
"That's what you deserve for being so selfish!" Gavin sneered, moving to pull Chalice into his arms. "And you," he scolded her, "…stop being so kind to her. You should've let her perish from thirst!" He snarled,
The pain on my back was nothing compared to the one in my chest. It was nowhere close to hurt gnawing at me as my family glared down at me with disdain. Even Caelum who had been standing close to me moved away as if I stank.
Seeing them like this… so 'together'… so possessive of one another… so cut off from me…squeezed at something in my chest.
I looked away shyly, mostly to hide the pain in my eyes and the tears now threatening to fall.
Kael stepped forward then, giving me a once over before turning to Martha. "Parade her around the pack. Make sure everyone sees her like this… and ensure that they all know what she's done." He seethed, causing my eyes to widen as I glanced up at him.
My clothes were torn— in fact, they were beyond ripped and were clinging to me due to the dried blood on my skin. Making me walk around like this was as good as asking me to walk around naked. I forced myself out of the girls' hold and immediately knelt down, holding Kael's ankle.
"Please… don't."
"Don't what?" He sneered, not bothering to hide his obvious contempt for me.
"Please. I didn't do it. I cannot…" my voice trailed off as more tears sprung free, but Kael, instead of listening, kicked me away, the tip of his boot connecting with my jaw.
I cried out this time, but not from physical pain. It was from the one deep down my heart. The one stemming from years of betrayal and disappointment.
And from the frustration that I couldn't prove my innocence.
"Take her away!" He growled, and with that, I was roughly pulled to my feet again. But this time, I didn't complain. I didn't even cry out when I felt my skin tearing under the pressure.
I wasn't even mad when I noticed Chalice's glee.
I was simply numb. Completely fed up.
And for the first time, I hoped I would die.
However, just as the girls were about to drag me away, a tall majestic figure with messy jet black hair, and a toned lean physique stepped over. His gaze was dark, and if not for how battered I was, I would've concurred that he was very handsome.
And yes, yes he was.
He looked like something straight out of a Calvin Klein commercial, and from the way he stood, his eyes roving over me and the small crowd in front of me, I instantly deduced that he was no ordinary person. His aura made sure to depict that.
And then, taking his eyes off me for a second, he spat low and menacing; "Let her go." His voice sending a shiver running up my spine.