Page 112 of My Only Luna

“You really are delusional,” I remark coldly, trying to contain the lid on my hatred and rage. “I regret ever having anything to do with you.” The resentment in my voice is obvious, and she blanches before her eyes widen in shock, her lips quivering.

“You don’t mean that,” she whispers. I don’t bother correcting her. She is too stuck in her ways, too lost in her own delusion, and it’s obvious she’s never going to accept the truth.

“Do you know how many men we lost because of what you did? In total, one hundred and forty-three.”

“P-please don’t, A-Alpha D-Daniel... I only did what he wanted!” she whimpers, terror clear in her eyes.

“Don’t! Don’t fucking lie!” I snap, my eyes flashing. “I checked your phone records; you contacted him after searching for his number.” I don’t care for her excuses, nor do I have time to entertain her. I’m here for only one reason.

I circle her, slowly, like a predator circling its prey, letting the whip trail on the floor. The metal scrapes against the stone floor, the sound loud in the cell. Ominous and deadly, offering a taste of what is to come.

I can smell her fear as her eyes follow the whip.

“For every man we lost… you will get one lash. We won’t stop until you’re unconscious, and then when you wake, we’ll start again from one. This will continue until you die.” My voice is low, cold and devoid of any emotion but rage. It’s a dangerous growl. Half mine, half my wolf’s, the anger bubbling around me belongs to the both of us. “Not only did you assist the enemy, but you also tried to kill your Luna.” I raise the whip, my eyes hard. I am the Alpha, and as Alpha, it is my duty to deal with this punishment.

And although I am going to enjoy punishing her, deep inside, I know it is a side of me I never want Scarlett to see.

“Start counting. If you lose count, I’ll keep going,” I say icily. Fiona shivers in fear, turning just as she sees me raise the whip.

“Please don’t. Please!” she screams in agony as I deliver the first lash, striking her back right in the centre. Her scream rings in my ear, and I glare at her back, my eyes cold.

I never wanted to resort to this, never thought I ever would, but this woman tried to have Scarlett killed.

“Count,” I snarl.

“O-one,” she sobs.

“Good.” I strike again, zoning out her screams, not even affected by them. Each lash makes her scream louder, the shrill sound echoing around the empty cell. The guards outside remain silent, not even flinching as lash after lash is dealt out.

I stay true to my words. I don’t stop, even when her back is a bloody mess. She stops counting and I don’t bother reminding her to continue. The faces of our dead, the fear, the pain and the rage I feel consume me as I deliver blow after blow.

At one point I hear some commotion from beyond the cell bars, but I don’t even turn. Her father has come to beg for her life, but I don’t even turn to look at the man who is screaming, helpless and unable to do anything as I continue to lash her. He’s dragged away by the guards, and I continue.

Such a petty reason, too. Her jealousy had no limits. Over her infatuation, she resorted to such a measure, and then she targeted her Luna. That is the very reason she is going to be made an example of. A reminder to all that I will never let anyone who hurts Scarlett live.

Lash after lash.

Sweat stings the corner of my eyes, and my breathing is heavy as I keep going. Maybe it’s a hundred lashes, maybe it’s more… Sweat trickles down my back and I keep going.

Fiona’s screams have long since died out. I’m not even sure if she is still conscious. Raising the whip again, I am about to bring it down when I freeze, my heart thudding when I hear the sound of running footsteps and a familiar scent reaches my nose, blocking out the smell of metal, sweat and blood. The sweet, intoxicating scent of my mate.

“Open the door!” Scarlett snaps at the guards, her heartthudding as she yanks open the door the moment they unlock it. She steps inside.

I watch her silently as she scans the cell, taking in the pool of blood on the floor, and then the limp body of the woman who is still suspended by her arms, her back torn open. Then those sage green eyes find me, and I watch as she takes in the blood that is splattered over me, but even as I try to mask my emotions, I can’t. I know my eyes are hard and cold.

“Why are you here?” I ask, meeting her gaze, unashamed of my actions. The moon shines from the small window at the top of the cell barely a hand span wide. My stomach twists when I realise her heart is racing extremely fast as she stares into my eyes.

“Don’t do this, Elijah. This isn’t you…” She closes the gap between us and locks her arms around my neck. I frown, feeling her trembling in my arms. Her heart is thudding.

Why is she so- The realisation hits like a violent punch to the face; I am doing exactly what her father would have done. Fuck.

But Fiona deserves it. Zidane tortured the weak and innocent, but I am giving out a punishment fitting of a traitor.

“Please stop.” Her voice is barely above a whisper.

“I’m sorry…” I whisper, dropping the whip before I hug her tightly. She doesn’t move back, not until her racing heart calms down. “Sorry for how you’re feeling right fucking now, but she’s the reason you were kidnapped. The reason you had to suffer at that bastard’s hands. Again.” Scarlett cups my jaw and nods, her eyes shining. She presses her forehead against mine, pulling me down slightly.

“I know… but we don’t need to waste our time on this. Let’s just go home, baby,” she whispers almost pleadingly. I close myeyes, taking a deep breath.

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