The Mark of a Queen

Chapter 6

Leandros POV

I am in absolute disbelief. My body was rigid with shock. They had what appeared to be a little girl on a giant pole they used in order to tie her up and deal her out a punishment. How could this be? How could the world still be this cruel? 

Unsure of what number lashes they are I began to make my way over to the one dealing the punishment. My wolf went crazy. This is one request I would not deny Kostas. He demanded blood and punishment, and I will allow for it to happen this time. This is his punishment to serve to the pack. 

Walking up to the event taking place, I see Alpha Stone in the background smirking. All the pieces begin to meld together in my head. This is his doing. An Alpha is supposed to lead by example, and it seems quite obvious, that he is not. 

Nothing but the sound of the whip against her back filling my ears. Filling my thoughts. The more I think about the punishment, the more I grew angry. It all comes to a tipping point when I stop in front of the little girl, only to realize, this is not a pup. This is a full grown woman who has been deprived of everything. Her bones were protruding out of her skin screaming for nutrients to survive. Her back was mangled, and in disarray, with scars littering every part of her body. I'm surprised she is still alive, but her pulse filling my ears gives me some sort of ease. 

Ease in letting me know I can take her away, and allow for her to understand how packs are meant to be run. Not on fear and punishment, but on trust and justified actions. I want to prove her wrong on how someone should be treated, I want to prove to her that packs like this exist to cause harm to other wolves. 

The metallic smell, mixed with dirt and wolfsbane filled my nose. But there was a different scent mixed in there. I couldn't put my finger on it. The scent was extremely faint, and almost unrecognizable. It was almost the mixture of vanilla and honey. 

Kostas taking over, I take a backseat, and let my wolf counterpart take over. Dealing with this pack, this is his issue. I do not have to worry about him being unjust, or taking the punishment too far. Anything he decides to do to this pack will be completely justified. 

Letting out a loud growl, Kostas demands to be heard. To be seen. He demands for everyone to bow at his feet. 

A wave of gasps escapes everyone's mouths. Surprised at the power behind his voice, there is an echo of knees hitting the floor in submission to their Alpha King. My growl is much more than my fathers, because  of the power I hold, the control I hold over every single wolf. Control that others would do anything to receive and hold in their hands, even if it is just for a moment. 

Alpha Stone looked directly into my eyes, questioning my judgment; questioning why I am putting an end to this punishment. I my eyes narrow with anger and disbelief representing just what I will do to him if he does not respond to my command, "SUBMIT", a deafening growl escaped my throat.  

Alpha Stone fought against the power in my voice, he fought against the leader of his wolf and all the others he is responsible for, however his status was no match. Alpha Stone lowered his eyes to the floor and dropped to his knees, I could hear his wolf scared and anxious, ready to crawl out from the back of his mind and defend himself from his superior. The wolf was the link keeping his humanity alive. You can tell he fought against that voice constantly to understand the difference between right and wrong.

His wolf was pure, full of heart. Him, not so much. I wish the wolf had mercy, that his wolf had a better human controlling him. A better life. A life full of happiness and joy, instead he had a life of misery and pure torture.

"What has this woman done to deserve such punishment?" Leadros growled out. "Sssir she disrespected orders, fled from punishment and harmed a pack member in the process"

Trying not to laugh from the ridiculous claims, I responded "You are telling me that this woman who looks like a young pup harmed a pack member? She looks like she weighs 70lbs. Her ribs are protruding from her sides, and she looks like she has been starved for years. This woman? This wolf you are meant to protect so it does not escalate to this level? No. Absolutely not.

We are taking her with us and we will be leaving. There shall be no other celebrations tonight for your pack stood by and watched this innocent woman suffer, you are not a real leader. It is clear on how your pack craves power, and what means they will go to in order to get it. By killing those who do no harm. For that you shall all be punished."

The entire pack looked up, with the color draining from their face. Good. They deserve to be scared. They deserve to know the uncertainty, and they shall be punished, just not tonight. The concern for tonight is to get this delicate woman home, to get her treated, and to cool off before I show this pack exactly why everyone fears me. That I can be more ruthless and vindictive than my father ever was. 

"Right now, my main concern is getting this pup out of here and to safety. We will discuss this later."

I walk over to the post and free her from the chains holding her down, carefully picking her up trying to do less damage than what was already done. She felt lighter than I thought. Listening closely, I still hear a faint heartbeat and I have never felt more relieved. 

She has a long road ahead of her, but we can at least make sure she is safe, and she can grow into the wolf she is supposed to be.

Linking my team to get ready to leave, I put her on the floor and begin assessing her injuries. They were brutal. Only monsters could do this to someone who seems so innocent, but I keep Leandros in check, and begin to lick her wounds, hoping and praying to the moon goddess that it gives her some sort of relief.

Typically a mate will lick the wounds of their other half, the wounds will begin to heal much more rapidly, typically you never see this occur in public because it is an intimate action, but as an Alpha King, licking the wounds of anyone I see worthy will speed up the process much quicker than any mates would. 

Typically this is utilized after a war or very costly battle, or when a wolf is in risk of not making it to the doctor to get the critical care they are in need of. 

I continue to lick all her wounds, the sound of my wolf purring under my skin in acceptance and warmth towards what she went through. I continue, rolling her onto her stomach and tearing the rest of the scraps of what used to be her shirt. 

I did not want to miss any injured part of her body. 

I continue for what felt like hours but felt like minutes. When I am done, I stand up, slipping my shirt over my head and replacing it onto her body to cover her up. 

Looking up to see if my pack was ready to leave, I see them all standing and starring at me in awe, as if they are just now realizing how much I am not just this big monster who leaves one of their own behind. 

Picking her up once again, I carry her in my arms. 

We are leaving, I will not risk the lives of anyone in this pack. We must get home immediately there will be no stopping on the route home. Understood?

an echo resounded in the link of every pack member responding expressing that they understood the orders, and they are ready to go home.

You will be okay, little one. We will get you the care you need. I echo in my head wishing she could hear the sound.