The Gift chronicles novel Chapter 1

Book 1 Chapter 29

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Alpha Cain walked us through the center of the throngs of people, many of which looked at me in curiosity and interest. Even thought I have never been particularly shy, I was extremely grateful for the extra coverage the cloak provided. I could tell many wolves were sizing me up, trying to gauge my strength level out of instinct.

He stood in front of all of them, and I felt incredibly vulnerable being in his arms and not on my feet, ready to defend myself if necessary. The fact that my life remained in his hands was concerning if not deeply alarming.

"As many of you have already heard," Alpha Cain began, his deep voice bellowing throughout the clearing so every wolf was sure to hear, "I recently met my mate, and your future Luna, Ares. Let me make it clear that anyone who is anything less than respectful to her will be punished severely at my hands, no exceptions." He said this matter—of—factly, and it made me cringe inwardly. I felt like if wolves so chose, they should be able to confront me in whatever way they felt they needed to and say what they want to say. They may not like my reaction to their disrespect, but at least I would be doling the punishment.

"Tonight, Gamma Axel is being punished for his crimes against the Luna, and therefore this pack. It was his responsibility to watch the security cameras that surrounded the prison, and he failed to note my mate exiting the premises, therefore failing me. If anything had happened to my mate, the pack would have crumbled, as the Luna brings the pack dynamic to a balance." Alpha Cain paused, looking around the crowd harshly, daring anyone to speak up. Nobody did.

"Bring him out. It is time to begin," Alpha Cain commanded, his eyes darkening as his wolf gained more control over him, making him look feral.

At his words, two burly men escorted another large man through the crowd. His hands were bound with rope, yet his head was high, looking straight ahead without fear. His green eyes were devoid of emotion, but I was shocked that due to my bond with him as a result of being Claimed by Alpha Cain, I could feel his fear through our bond. I didn't quite understand why a man of his stature was so fearful of a few whippings. He stood broad and muscular, though not as much as my mate, and I was positive that he should be able to take 20 lashings and only be a little sore the next day. I wondered why everyone was making this such a big deal.

"Kneel," Alpha Cain ordered to the Gamma, his voice thick with dominance. "Do you understand why you are being punished?"

The Gamma knelt, and barred his neck in submission. "Yes, Alpha." His voice was cool, despite the anxiety I felt through the Luna bond with him.

"The punishment will be 20 lashes, or until you pass out, as is the standard punishment for misdemeanors. Make no mistake though, the next time you fail to protect the Luna, you will pay for it with your life," Alpha Cain snarled the last few words, and I was shocked by how he thought putting me in the jail cell was somehow a method of protecting me.

"We will now begin. Before we start, I have to ask per Blood Law requirements, is there anyone willing to take Gamma Axel's punishment for him?" Alpha Cain asked, clearly not intending anyone to offer. The sickened look on their faces said everything they needed to.

I didn't hesitate. I will, I quickly spoke through the entire pack's link, so they all knew what was happening.

I heard many gasps throughout the crowd, but other than that, the air hung silent. Alpha Cain glared down at me, his hold tightening around my body. "The Gamma is being punished for crimes against you. I will not allow for you to take his place."

I met his gaze defiantly. He is being punished because I escaped from a cell that you put me into. Your grievance should be with me, not him. I am taking his place for the punishment. You said that according to the Blood Laws, someone could take his place for him.

"You have no idea what punishment you're about to take," Alpha Cain snarled at me, and many of the pack members winced at his harsh tone, though nobody made a sound.

I shrugged. It is my punishment to take, I will deal with the severity of it.

Alpha Cain's eyes were blazing in fury as he seethed with rage. He didn't speak for a few moments while he weighed his options.

Unless if you're too much of a coward to dole out punishments, I taunted him, knowing it would push him over the edge. Many people gasped at my words, including Gamma Axel. I had just directly called the Alpha's bravery into question.

I thought that Alpha Cain would snarl, but instead, he grinned wickedly, his canines extended. "You want to be whipped so badly, pup? Fine. Take the Gamma's punishment. Just know that I will treat you no differently than anyone else receiving the punishment."

I shrugged, fearless. I would expect nothing less, which was true. I wouldn't be able to respect him if he wasn't able to assert his dominance over everyone, even me.

Alpha Cain set me on the ground on my pelt, and he moved to unbind the Gamma's restrained wrists. The Alpha used the rope to tie my wrists together tightly, and jerked me off of the ground and onto my feet facing the crowd, standing on the pelt.

"Remove your cloak and shirt," Alpha Cain commanded, his voice absent of emotion, only fueled by aggression and dominance.

I slowly removed the cloak, wincing when many of the pack members got a better look at some of my scars. I took off my shirt, leaving me in only a sports bra and leggings. I heard gasps as the pack saw the true extent of the marks that littered my body. Bite marks, indentations from where chunks of flesh had been ripped out, whip marks from different times I had been tortured, claw marks, and of course scars from being slashed with different weapons. I fearlessly made eye contact with many of them, not wanting to show any fear or weakness. Most looked sympathetic, but all looked horrified, borderline disgusted.

"Alpha, you can't let her take my punishment! For fuck's sake, look at her body. She looks like she's taken enough beatings to last a lifetime," Gamma Axel's voice cried out.

Alpha Cain snarled. "Do not tell me how to deal with my mate. She voluntarily took your position. You know the Laws. Kneel and watch her punishment firsthand."

Gamma Axel cringed, and looked at me with guilt. Do not worry about me, I mindlinked him privately and he looked surprised when I spoke directly into his mind. I am stronger than I look, and have taken much worse than a few lashings.

His eyes widened. Luna, these are no ordinarily lashes— but his mindlink to me was abruptly cut off by Alpha Cain's voice.