Clayton

A Choice

Started 04-18-16

Wrapping my hands around the wooden pole, they're latched with a delicate silver chain that I have no hope of breaking.

The Alpha delivering justice for my attack of another pack member.

The whole pack has gathered to watch, my mother's eyes weeping tears for me, my father's head hung in shame. I try looking at my mate's eyes, but he just holds my competition in his arms, rubbing her back in comfort. Her face still bruised and swollen from the beating I gave her. She's lucky someone pulled me off or else I think I could have ended her life with my leap into insanity.

The Alpha, my mate's father, is looking around to all the pack members while the whip hangs lightly in his hand as if it doesn't hold a heavy weight. The fabric of my shirt is cut down the back, exposing skin that is about to be scarred with the cruel touch of the lash.

"I called you all here today to witness the punishment of Rya. She has attacked another member of this pack without provocation." He's speaking the truth for the wind to bring to the ears of all those listening. I did attack her, an escalation of words turning into violence between two females wanting the same male.

Except I am his mate, and she is his everything.

I went to him as soon as I shifted, knowing who he was to me. She was there, she has always been there since they could walk. He must have known I was his even before I shifted, yet he continued on with her. I begged him, pleaded with him to just give me a change, making a scene for all to witness. He told me to go, leave. That she might not be his true mate, but she is the one he wants regardless of what the moon thinks.

She stood there, not saying anything, as I made a fool out of myself. Her perfect face staying stoic the entire time as he dealt with me, a crazy she-wolf fighting for what she thought was her's.

In a moment of absolute rage, I took that step into insanity, with the intent to kill her. My wolf wanting to eliminate the competition. And I, I decided to embrace the darkness my nature provided. He stopped me. He protected his chosen female from his mate's wrath.

The first stroke of the whip tasted my back, greedily devouring my pristine flesh. I don't look away from my mate, his hand crushing hers. I notice how white her fingertips look as they are deprived of oxygen. I try to be brave, gritting my jaw against the pain. The next stroke takes me off-guard, crying out in agony. A young juvenile female is no match against the justice the whip provides. Even full grown males beg and plead for mercy given enough hits from the lash.

Embedding its lethal kiss into my skin, I will always wear my shame for others to see. Another sickening crack screams through the air cutting another furrowed groove deep into the skin. Blood splattering on the ground. A carpet of red, I think to myself.

I can no longer keep his eyes; my head bowing, tears tumbling out, falling to the ground, mixing with my blood. It's as if I'm the other jealous female, and she's his true mate. That is what I am being treated like: the psycho crazy female.

Black shoes come into my line of sight. "Rya, you know why I'm doing this?"

Nodding my head, yes, to the Alpha, "I understand." Responding quietly.

"What do you understand Rya?"

I'm crying now with what I have to say. "I tried to kill another pack member."

"That's right, you can't go around trying to kill another female because your mate does not want you." My head hangs even lower, body shaking with its' sobs.