One True Alpha

Chapter 22

My fingers were cold and shivering in the autumn air, Terrance's back was to me as he stood away from me. The pack was still gathering, my mother and father sitting further behind me. Preston was in the crowd as a witness to the event, giving me a sad smile of support. I could see the mark my wolf had made on his shoulder as my wolf felt regret for doing so. We should have waited. Terrance shivered at my thought, turning to glare at me. My wolf showed her teeth as he turned back around. Now was not the time to challenge me.

As the last of the pack came to our gathering my father stood. "As you all know, the potential future Luna has been sentenced for attacking our future Alpha," he announced. My mother came over to me as I stood still. She wrapped my fingers around cold leather as she gave me a reassuring pat on my shoulders. I could feel the burn of silver that was braided into the whip as I looked at it. As the Alpha Heir it was my job to give punishment when required. I had whipped several wolves before after challenging me.

"The punishment for challenging an Alpha or Alpha Heir and losing is a public whipping," my father announced. "For a potential Luna or Alpha attacking another pack member, is a silver tailed whip and a week on the tree. No food or water will be given. Terrance Matthews you will stay collared in your fur for another month afterwards," my father declared as I slowly got into my stance. My father went to Terrance and commanded him to shift to his wolf. A beta male carried an armload of leather as five gammas came in with chains to hold down my golden wolf.

My father held his scruff as he growled word at Terrance, placing a tight muzzle on the wolf. "You continue to hurt my Offspring, time and time again. If you can't accept her for what she is, you better tell me once your month is up. I will not allow my offspring to have hope for a male unworthy of her," my father growled as the golden wolf yipped at the tightened strap. A collar was placed around his throat as several chains held him by the neck and head. Each leg was encircled in leather as each gamma held the chains attached to each. Four omega wolves held the ones around the collar and muzzle. The golden wolf let out a muffled whine as he turned his head to face me. The beta male pulled his head harshly forward as the wolf rumbled. "Face forward," he growled as my father nodded before stepping to me.

"Do what this pack needs you to do. Thirty should be adequate," he said as I looked at him in horror. I trembled as I got ready to unfurl the whip. "Thirty lashes by the Heir of Ironclaw will start now," my father announced as I ignored whispers in the crowd. Fifteen was the standard especially with a silver tail. Ten had most wolves groveling and begging for mercy. I took a deep breath before delivering the first blow.

Terrance's muscles tightened and I could hear the sound of the leather as my wolves tightened their hold on his bindings. The whip swung twice more as I put my weight into each stroke. I couldn't risk being light on my strokes. I would not allow my wolves a reason to accuse me of favoritism. On the fourth, Terrance's muffled cry could be heard. The leather strained as he tried to pull away. Ironclaw held firm as his head remained motionless. His front paws were pulled underneath him as he was forced to lay flat.

My arm trembled as I landed a fifth lash. His fur stood on end as he struggled against the leather that encased him. "Keep him still," my father ordered as I continued. I allowed my tears to fall as I did my duty. On the eighth I dropped to my knees as I cried. "Get up," my father barked as Terrance whined. I'd broken the flesh on that stroke. The scent of his blood had my bond with him scream at me to stop. My father hauled me to my feet and shoved the whip back into my hands. "Keep going, Iris," he said. "It's hard but it needs to be done. He needs to learn sooner rather than later," he said in my ear.

"I forgive him, Alpha," I heard Sarah call out from the crowd as I composed myself. I had never cried so much as when I met the Canyon Creek males. None of the other pack members spoke. Sarah nudged Phillip who shook his head. I could see her sigh as she slumped her shoulders before leaving. He wasn't ready to let Terrance off the hook yet. "If that is all, continue with the punishment," my father said as the wolves remained silent. I followed my alpha's orders.