Page 141 of Caged Between the Beta & Alpha
A whisper of shock went through the room, and from the snippets I could hear, I knew people were shocked that the Alpha was subjecting his own son to something like that. But Alpha Elijah was always known for his fairness and equality.
“You will remain under house arrest at our home for the next six months. As for becoming Alpha… if the title is meant to be yours, then it shall be if and when the pack deems you worthy of it. Raven… do you want to add anything?”
“Yes.” I stood up. For my happiness and what I felt was right… “I don’t like the punishment,” I said.
“It’s befitting,” Liam said, glancing at me. My heart skipped a beat, and I shook my head.
No, it wasn’t. It wasn’t just an external factor. Yes, marking someone against their will was bad, but was everyone forgetting the curse, too? Yes, he got angry, but the darkness was still there.
“Let him at least walk around the pack and carry on as usual. The killer is still out there, and Liam is needed on that case. No, he doesn’t need to have his Alpha title, but the pack needs him rather than keeping him inside where he can’t be of any use,” I said, looking at Uncle El. He frowned, pondering over my words.
“Very well. He will be allowed to take his place amongst the pack. However… due to his… temper, he will be on wolfsbane until it’s under control. He will, however, reside in the Alphas’ home,” Uncle El continued. I knew he meant the curse.
That was better, Liam needed support, and I knew they said the Alphas’ home so he wouldn’t be completely alone. It was still better, but he needed more than just two people there for him.
“If that-”
“The lashes. I want the punishment lessened,” I said quietly, my heart thumping. I wasn’t stupid, I wasn’t going to let my emotions take over completely, but I didn’t like it.
“I can’t do that,” Uncle El said quietly. “I’m bending the rules-”
“I know what he did was wrong. I know that I could have died. I also know of every factor that contributed to it; mistakes were made, and although it will take me time, I don’t hate him. I’m angry at what happened, hurt, too, but as the one whom it happened to, I have a right to-”
“I also have a right to this. This punishment won’t take away what I did, but I’ll feel a little better,” Liam said quietly.
Liam, don’t do this,I pleaded through the link.
I fucked up big time, Raven. I can’t ever forgive myself.
You want to know how you can make up for this?I asked, my heart pounding in time with his as we stared at each other from five metres apart.
There’s nothing that can change the past.
I know, but if you want to do something for me, then do something that will actually make me happy,I said. I knew people could tell we were mind-linking.
Anything,he said quietly.
Fight this curse, fix the bonds you have destroyed, and let’s make things right, Liam. I love you, but giving up and just accepting things, that’s not the way to go. I want to see the true Liam shine through. I believe only then can we get rid of this darkness. Let’s do it together.
Our eyes were locked. I wished he’d understand. His brows furrowed, and I knew he was thinking about what I said.
I understand, and I will do all that, but… for me… let me have this punishment, Bite-size,he said, his eyes full of pain as he looked back up at me. Goddess.... My heart clenched, and I realised he needed it, too.The people need to see this too. What I did was fucking messed up. Not only did I mark you,I fucking ripped your throat out.I looked down before nodding and slowly sat down.
“If that’s decided… tonight at seven pm, Liam Westwood will get his lashings,” Uncle El said before dismissing the trial. I sighed heavily as everyone began leaving. Aunty Red came over to me, wrapping her arms around me tightly.
“He is a Westwood. He has the strength to take his punishment,” she said softly. I nodded, wrapping my arms around her tightly.
I knew that, but it didn’t mean I liked it. It wasn’t only going to be hard for me but for his family, too. I watched him being taken away, staring at his back, my heart clenching in pain.
Seven o’clock couldn’thave come sooner. My nerves were a mess. I was advised not to go see him receive his punishment, but I wasn’t able to avoid it.
The bond wasn’t completed because, as I was a werewolf as well, his mark alone didn’t complete it; I would need to mark him, too, to complete our bond. That meant I wouldn’t be able to feel the pain of his lashings, only his emotions and a sense of unease, but that was already happening. I was a restless mess with each passing moment.
I entered the lower hall, which I hadn’t really been in before. I knew Dad’s lashing had occurred in the cells. I looked around. It was like one of those illegal underground arenas, cold, gloomy, and with that deep sense of foreboding.
Damon was nodding at something Uncle El was saying, his gloved hand around a silver chain. Liam wasn’t there yet. Uncle El patted his shoulder before giving me a nod and walking away. Aunty Red wasn’t there, but as Alpha, Uncle El had to be. I walked over to Damon, knowing that it wasn’t easy for him either.
“Hey…” I said. He looked up, surprised to see me, before placing the whip down. I hugged him tightly, and he hugged me back.
