by Raven Steele
“I’m Briar.” I touched my chest then pointed at him. “Your name?”
He continued to stare, his breath fogging the glass in front of him. I reached up, as if to touch him through the door, hoping to gain connection. If I thought for a second his consciousness was still in there, I would try to sneak him out. Send him to that place in Wildemoor, perhaps.
He leaned away from the window, and I wondered if I had frightened him. Before I could take my next breath, he smashed his head into the glass. The window didn't shatter, but his forehead split open. He head-butted it again, blood running down the bridge of his steep nose.
I stepped away, horrified. “Stop! Don't do that."
He cocked his head back again and slammed it forward. The glass remained firm, but I didn’t think his head could handle much more. I hurried out of his view, feeling that my presence was making it worse.
Trembling, I headed straight to the OTC and closed the door behind me.
Shit. Samira was right. This drug couldn’t get into the general population. The effects could devastate Rouen, a place I was beginning to like. Maybe even call home.
I had lost too many of those in my lifetime between my own family's and several foster homes. No way in hell was about to lose another.
Chapter 31
I leaned against the wall and stared up at the white ceiling. I hoped I didn't have to wait too long. There were other things I needed to do today, like make sure Samira took care of the humans. Seeing that crazed guy made me realize the urgent situation we were in. Somehow, I had to find a way to get rid of that briefcase full of drugs. I had no idea how much Mateo had put in it, but even one dose was one too many.
First I had to find it.
I was thinking about the many different places it could be, when Silas opened the door and walked in. I’d probably been waiting almost an hour. I glanced over his shoulder, expecting the rest of the pack behind him, but he closed the door.
"Where's everyone else?"
Punishments were always a public affair. It was meant to shame the offending pack member and was very effective. Members rarely disobeyed twice. But it was also meant as a warning to the rest of the pack. Don’t disobey the Alpha.
In a weird way, it also bonded the pack. Afterwards, they would share in the misery of the offender. Taking them out for drinks after a long run.
Silas’ lips pressed into a firm line. “This will be a private punishment. Even camera access is limited to just your Alpha."
I shifted my body weight, my stomach tightening. Something wasn't right. "Since when does the pack do private beatings? I thought the point of punishments was to make sure others witnessed them and learned from them too. How will anyone learn from my mistake?"
His mouth parted slightly into a terrible grin. “Actually, no one will know Dominic never gave you the order to rescue Ryder. They will believe it was Dominic’s idea, and he sent you to go on a secret mission of sorts. This is the story you will tell from here on out.”
Except Luke. Luke would know. And my uncle.
“Fine. Just tell me why.”
He walked across the room to where a leather whip hung on the wall. The tip was stained red.
“Dominic suspects you planned this. You deliberately saved Ryder, going against his wishes, just so you could be punished in front of everyone and earn the pack’s favor.”
It worried me that Dominic had thought of this. He was smarter than I gave him credit for.
Silas removed the whip and slapped it to his thigh. I didn’t flinch.
"You're wrong,” I said. “The truth is, I saved Ryder because I genuinely like him. It was selfish on my part. But I was also raised to believe that pack members should protect each other."
He slapped the whip against his thigh again. The sound echoed in the small room. "Dominic is fairly certain you want to become Alpha. If you weren’t as complicated as you are, he would’ve just put you down. But the problem is, he also recognizes your talents. So what’s an Alpha to do?” He came closer. “For now, he’s decided to let you live and remain with the pack. But, you will learn your place. That’s where I come in.”
His eyes were glassy, and his hands trembled in anticipation. He drew near and spoke so quiet, that I knew his next words were meant for my ears only. “You want to know what I think?”
I didn’t answer him, and he switched the whip to his right hand.
“I don’t think you want to be Alpha. I don’t think you care about that at all.” He leaned so close, his lips grazed my ear. “I think you are just like me. You crave violence. Blood. That’s why you went after him. To see it. Touch it. Smell it.” He ran his cold, clammy finger down my neck. “Inflicting violence can be such a turn on, but have you ever willingly accepted violence against yourself? It's a whole other experience, quite euphoric if you want it to be. Let me show you, teach you. Give in to it, let the pain move over you and I promise, you’ll live like you’ve never lived before. Then it will be just you and me, doll, experiencing it together. Because, believe me, I will enjoy this.”
He paused, sniffing me, waiting for some sign that I was getting off on this, just like him.
I stared into his eyes. “I’m not your fucking doll.”
He sprung back, his eyes turning from hot to cold. “Remove your clothes and stand facing the wall."
Shit. This was really happening. And with no one here to keep him in check, he could easily go too far. I frantically looked around, finding the camera in the corner. To it, to Dominic, I said, “Don’t do this. It isn't right."
The whip unfolded from his hand and pooled at his feet. He jerked his arm forward, sending the tail toward me. It nicked my cheek, and I flinched.
“Trust me. Dominic is not going to interfere. Now do as I say.” When I didn’t move, he continued. “I am deadly serious. If you don’t, there will be severe consequences and not only to you. Ryder will receive twice your lashes."
My muscles rippled beneath my flesh. I should kill him now. Rip his head from his body. His limbs next. Stack him like a goddamn Jenga puzzle. Part of me wanted to see that kind of violence. It's nothing I hadn’t seen before. My teeth ached inside my mouth.
The only thing that stopped me was believing Dominic was watching. I'm sure he wouldn't miss it. If I killed Silas, every pack member in the mansion would be upon me within seconds. I'm not sure I could survive that. And then where would that leave my grand plan? I not only had to destroy Silas but Dominic too.
Killing Silas alone wasn’t worth it. Torturing Lynx had to have a point.
Breathing hard through my nose, I turned around and pulled off my shirt. It fell behind me as I undid my pants and slid them off too. I turned around, facing Silas in my bra and underwear.
He leered, eyeing my body. “Everything comes off.” He lifted the whip to his other hand and began to stroke it slowly, deliberately, as he watched me. Up and down. Up and down.
Forcing myself to breathe calmly, I faced away from him while I unhooked my bra and removed my underwear. A chill worked its way over my flesh, but I refused to let him see me shiver.
I didn't mind getting my punishment in a room full of men and women, but this was different. This was wrong. I hadn’t felt this violated in years.
I placed my hands against the wall and growled, "Get it over with."
There was a moment of silence, and then the whip snapped. I jumped, but it didn’t make contact with my skin.
“I will punish you when I'm good and ready. You just stand there and take it.” The whip cracked behind me again, whistling through the air. But again, it didn't touch me. I braced myself, waiting. He continued to blindly whip the weapon across the room in no particular direction, just to scare me. And every time it cracked, my body would betray me and flinch.
Waiting to be struck repeatedly was a different kind of punishment, one I hadn’t experienced before. Each time my body would react as if my skin had been filleted open, no matter how I tried to fight it.
It was embarrassing, his goal all along, no doubt.
My wolf snarled and fought to gain control. She didn’t want to take this sitting down. But I shoved her back. She would get her revenge soon enough, but not yet. For now, she had to remain hidden.
"It was difficult deciding how to punish you,” he said. The whip sailed through the air again. This one finally grazed my back, no more than a hot kiss across my flesh.
"First, you took the pack’s vehicle without permission.” Oops. Forgot about that. “This in and of itself is a violation. You also didn't obey your Alpha. Another insult."
The next blow came a little bit harder, striking the back of both my thighs. I bit the inside of my cheek.
"I decided to give you a lashing for every hour you had the pack’s vehicle, which is still missing by the way. I expect to have it back before the end of the day in one piece."
Ugh, I was so stupid.
"So, let's see…” He swirled the thick cord through the air. This one didn't touch me. "As of right now, it's been fourteen hours since you stole our vehicle. Since I don't like even numbers, I'm going to round up. Fifteen lashes will suffice. And I promise you, they will hurt.”
The lashing came so fast, I actually yelped when it cut through my back. I hadn't expected to cry out like that, but the pain struck me to my core. I held my breath and waited for the next lashing. This time I was prepared. I didn’t make a sound even when the whip sliced open my flesh a second time. I wouldn’t give him or Dominic the satisfaction.
By the seventh flogging, my body began to shake, betraying my wishes again. The pain was too intense, the cuts too deep. Even my wolf had retreated to the shadows in my mind where forgotten memories lay buried.
“Embrace the pain,” Silas’ raspy voice called out across the room. The whip whistled through the air and struck me. “Embrace the pain!” His voice was louder, commanding. He’d forgotten that Dominic was watching; he was in his own world. “It will hurt less, I promise.”
Warm, thick liquid ran down my bare ass and legs. I focused on it, watching as it puddled around my feet, trying to grit through the raw and mind-numbing pain.
After my family’s death, I had never let anyone hurt me again. I had worked hard to become strong, impenetrable, never doubting my strength. But Silas’ sneer brought me back to my youth, and I was a victim once again, a child at his mercy.
I growled, growing angry. I wasn’t going to let this happen. I wouldn’t let him abuse me like this.
In that moment, my mind shifted, giving me a different perspective of my predicament. I wasn’t his victim. I was choosing to let him whip me. I would withstand it, and I would be stronger for it. It was me showing him mercy, for I could kill him in a heartbeat. It was a mercy he didn’t deserve, and one he had no clue he was being given.
When the familiar crack of the whip screamed through the air, I spun around and caught the tip in my hand. Startled, Silas stumbled back a step.
I snarled and grinned the wickedest grin I could summon. “Do it again.”
If he was going to whip me, it would be because he knew I wanted it, and not the other way around. I would not let him have any more control. I turned around and slammed my palms against the wall, bracing for the remaining blows.
“Oh, you are one of a kind.” His voice was higher now, excited beyond anything I’d ever heard from him. I was certain he had a boner the size of Texas in those tweed pants of his.
The braided whip struck me again. Holding my breath, I counted each lashing. My legs shook, and every inch of my body felt as if it had been licked by lightning and hammered with thunder. But I was in charge now. I was commanding him to do it. I am in control. I said this in my mind over and over.
One more left.
I glanced over my shoulder when it didn’t come, growling. “What’s keeping you?”
"Brace yourself, she-wolf.” He licked his lips, and his voice was deep and gravelly. "This one's going to hurt the most.” He tilted his head to the side, giving me a view of the insanity in his eyes. “But I think it's the one you’ll also like the most. Believe me, it’ll bring you your greatest pleasure."
Turning back to the wall, I closed my eyes tight. When it struck, my whole body shook. I dropped to my knees, sucking in a breath between my teeth. The braided cord had to have gone partially through to my spine. My legs had gone numb.
"I wondered what it would take to bring you to your knees.” He walked closer to me and touched my shoulder softly from behind. “Wasn’t that delicious?”
Bending down, he ran his fingers down my arm, fingering my sweat and blood. “I know it hurts now, but you’ll grow to love it. I promise.”
Giving me no warning, he pressed his tongue to my back. Only a flash, but enough to know he was tasting my blood. “Mmm. Maybe we could do this every night.”
Repressing the vomit begging to come up my throat, I pressed my hand against the wall and pushed backwards. He caught me in his arms and held onto me tightly. I grabbed his shirt and tugged him down, closer to my mouth so he could hear me whisper. His eyes narrowed on my lips, and he smiled, leaning down.
“Screw.” I gripped him tighter, trying to steady the dizziness in my head. “You.”
His expression darkened. He shot up, making me fall to the floor with a thump.
“I think one more lashing is in order. Just so you remember the importance of obeying."
Closing my eyes, I braced myself for the pain that would surely make me pass out this time. One more. Just one more.
I heard him raise the whip, but the lashing never came.
Someone stopped him.
Chapter 32
I opened my eyes to the new presence in the room.
Luke grabbed Silas’ wrist and jerked it down. "She's had her punishment."
Where did he come from? I didn’t even hear him come in.
“Get back!” Silas attempted to shove him away, but Luke was immovable.
I couldn’t believe my eyes. Luke was standing up to Silas for me.
Silas’ nostril’s flared, and his face reddened. “Leave, or you’ll be next.”
Luke folded his arms, challenging him. “Dominic said it was enough.”
At Dominic’s name, Silas lowered his hand, and his whole disposition changed. He smiled, patting Luke’s shoulder. “Relax, Luke. I was just having a little fun. The she-wolf was enjoying herself." He turned to me, and his eyes grew cold. “Weren’t you?”
I wish I’d had the strength to tell him to screw off again, but as it was, my body was shaking too badly to do anything. Remember, Briar, you chose this. Only this thought brought me comfort.
“I think she’s learned her lesson,” Silas said. He watched me, slowly coiling the whip. He placed it back on the nail and left, snapping the door shut behind him.
As soon as the door closed, I collapsed to the floor further, breathing shallow breaths. Expanding my lungs any farther sent hot flashes of searing pain throughout my body.
Luke kneeled behind me, and his fingers softly skimmed the skin across my lower back. The warmth of his touch slightly dulled the pain.
"Stay still. I'll be right back." His voice was gentle, but the quiet rage beneath it brewed like the fiery eye of a hurricane.
By the time Luke returned, I had rolled onto my belly, letting the coldness of the concrete floor numb my skin.
"This might sting.” Luke pressed a cloth to my back.
I hissed and brought a fist to my mouth, biting it. He wiped at my back delicately, trying to clean the wounds. “I can’t believe he did this. It goes against every pack rule."
“Camera," I whispered, warning him not to say too much.
"I turned them off. Dominic left to get something to eat right after Silas came down here.”
That ass. My eyes watered as Luke blotted at my cuts.
“Which only makes it worse,” he continued. “The Alpha should’ve been watching over this to make sure Silas didn’t go too far.”
“Rules don’t matter here.” I wanted to say more, to tell him how I really felt about everything, but I still wasn’t sure I could trust him. “I thought you said Dominic told you to tell Silas to stop.”
“I lied.”
“Silas will kill you if he finds out.”
“He won’t. He’ll be too embarrassed and won’t mention it in front of Dominic, just in case it pisses off Dominic.” He pressed something cool to my back and lightly rubbed it in. An ointment of some kind meant to speed the healing process.
“Why are you helping me?"
I heard him swallow. "Because you need it."
“Would you help anyone in my position?” I said the words slowly.
“Of course.”
I winced when he glossed over a particularly raw area. "Where do you stand?"
"What do you mean?"
"Do you stand with me or with Dominic?" I needed to know where his loyalties lie. He always seemed to be playing both sides.
It took a moment before he answered. "I'm with the pack, as you should be too."
I swallowed, bracing myself. I was right to be careful around him. Well, fuck him too.
"Then with Dominic.” I swatted his hand away and scooted so that my back was close to the wall, cutting off his access to it. “Just leave me alone. I can heal on my own."
Ignoring him, I curled into a ball, covering my lady parts. I didn't want to be naked and vulnerable in front of him, this shifter who watched so many of Dominic's atrocities and did nothing.
He moved closer, but I growled, warning him to back off. Silence crowded the room, constricting my chest.
Finally, he spoke. “I saw it, you know.”
I focused my gaze on a small puddle of blood shaped like a seahorse, willing my face not to turn red. “So you like to watch people suffer. Why does that not surprise me?”
“No, Briar.” He took a step closer, and his voice lowered. “I mean, I saw you.”
I turned my head to look at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He squatted down so that his face was almost level with mine. “As soon as Dominic left his office, I snuck in. I saw everything. He whipped you harder than anyone I’ve ever seen. Sweat was dripping down his face.” His voice lowered to a gruff whisper. “But I saw the way you reacted.”