Page 4

"Enter." A voice boomed. The doors opened and Nasty pushed me inside, my head bowed.

"King Knight, Head of Warriors, Beta Female." Nasty went down on one knee making me go down with him as well.

"Rise." A husky voice, echoed throughout the hall. Damn, at least now I know our King has a powerful voice.

"Obligations on Commander of Shadow Pack?" A different voice which I guess belongs to the Head of Warriors, Jackson, asks.

"She killed Head leader of guards, meaning not only she broke law #143 but #144 as well. Hence she is brought to the palace, for her required punishment, Head of Warriors." Nasty replied with a smug voice. What is the matter with this guy? Someone needs serious therapy.

'Well someone is trying to get you killed.' my wolf decides to make an entrance.

'Not now, Accalia.' I say and push her at the back of my mind.

"Commander of Shadow pack, state your reason." The King says, making hair on my arms and neck rise. His voice was softer in tone, I wonder why. Though is something soothing about his voice, it makes me want to listen to him forever. What is happening? One part of me begs to lift my head and look at him. Just one peek. But the rational part says I'm already in deep shit, no need to make a damn coffin for myself. Shaking my head to get rid of the thoughts I clear my throat, then start confidently.

"King Knight, the royal messenger sent to our pack disrespected not only the pack's children but me as a Commander. Not only that but he disrespected my Alpha, which according to the manuscript is punishable by death. He broke law #123 , #133 and #136. According to the manuscript if a person breaks 3 or more laws, that to mentioned in the special section, the punishment is death. I was only doing my duty as a commander, because the things he said to my Alpha, me and the way he abused a child, I'm sure anyone in my place would have done the same thing." I finish, my hands clenched at my side.

Just one peek- Stop.

"Your reason is justified Commander, but that still does not allow you to kill him. It was a royal punishment and you interfered in royal matters though you have made valid points and your reasons were valid, hence your punishment would not be as severe as many would have gotten. five whips in-front of the pack and one day and night of hanging in the punishment ground. DISMISSED." The sound of him getting up ready to leave, confused me. Hanging in the punishment ground? The hell?

"Five whips are justified, but according to which law are you punishing me to hang in the ground?" perplexed by his decision, even though my head is still bowed I dared to ask him. That made nasty bring his fist up to hit me but even before he could come near me, I get ahold of his fist twisting it and punched his nose, sound of his bone snapping echoed through the hall. He fell backwards, bleeding from his nose. An eerie silence fell in the hall, not before Nasty got up and lunged towards me.

"YOU BITCH." Nasty yelled, coming forward to hit me again, when he was stopped by the King.

"Enough!" He sounded angry. My back was to the King, turning around still not meeting his eyes, my head bowed I waited for his next words. Shit, shit, shit. Why do I do this to myself?

"You are people with respectable positions. Act like it. Even pups have better control than both of you. Commander of Shadow Pack-" I stiffen as he turns his attention towards me.

"- You killed a Pack messenger, then you questioned your King, then you went ahead and hit a royal guard in-front of my eyes. What does that say about you? I respect you, really I do. But picking a dog fight in-front of everyone leaves me no choice-" He sounded so done, honestly but before he can continue Nasty broke him off.

"Yes, my King. And I want her punished for hitting me-" An angry growl from the King shut him up real quick.

"Did I ask for your opinion? Learn to speak when your spoken to. As to her hitting you, I believe you started the fight. Your punishment will also be decided. For the Commander, the rules are clear. Your previous punishments and one day in the torture cell. You're dismissed. Jackson, you know what to do."

I guess he motioned something because the next thing I know, I'm being pulled out of the hall by another guard. He pulled me a little roughly, which earned a growl from the King.

"You do not manhandle a woman, guard." He practically seethes out and I furrow my eyes in confusion. The guard stilled as if he would pass out right now. Stuttering out a small sorry he gestured for me to walk ahead. Walking out the only thing I could hear was nasty stuttering out his reasons, and only thing I could think was should've taken a peek.

'Real proud of you Cassandra, real proud. You just managed to book yourself ticket to hell.' Accalia says sarcastically.

'Not now, Accalia.' I say, and let the guard guide me to what I believe is the punishment ground.

Five whips in-front of the pack. Five whips coated with silver. One day and night out in the training grounds to say I was exhausted, would be an understatement. But I still did not complain, not whimper, not wanting to give anyone the satisfaction of calling me weak. Tomorrow, I will be taken to the torture cell . I heard a guard saying that the Pack Alpha would also be present. The rules state Alpha King himself would have to torture me. In a sense, setting an example that no-one is above law. Man, woman or child would receive equal punishment. The day passed in a blur and I was being pushed towards the torture cell.

My body was weak from the whips and Accalia was still healing me, but she needed time and hanging did not help at all. My wrists badly bruised and my ankles had blisters because of silver chains used to hang me. I hate the rules, honestly. I mean, okay fine, I messed up. But seriously, who give such severe punishments? It's not fair.

I was pushed into a cell with no light and they unchained me for a while, until the King decides to come to complete my punishment. I knew fighting would make things worse so I didn't even think about complaining. It was cold and me being starved was cherry on top. My body was dehydrated because of hanging in the sun and the small amount of water didn't help.

I shiver and wrap my arms around my self. I wanted to get over with it soon, so I could go back to my pack and forget this whole ordeal. I sat in the corner and laid my head on my knees closing my eyes. There was this window sort of the thing, I know that whoever was behind could see me but I couldn't see them. My shirt was all torn from my back because of the whips and the scars were displayed. I sighed and waited for my upcoming doom.

The sound of door opening and a powerful aura, made me stiffen. The King was here. Finally, let's get this over with. Accalia yelps getting excited. Is she even real? he's here to torture us and she's getting excited, someone kill me now.

"I'm sorry, Commander. I-" His voiced sounded pained. Why?

"King Knight, please just- just get this over with." my eyes remain closed and I stand up.

"Very well." His voice quiet. Why does it feel like something's wrong? Aside from my punishment, of course. Like there's an elephant in the room, and we're not addressing it.

He takes a knife and run it along my right arm, just barely. I bit my lip to stop the whimper threatening to come out. He stiffens, gulping loudly.

"I- fuck." He growls. The sound of knocking on the window, makes him aware that he has no choice. He steps forward again. Please not the left side , please not the left side. I chant in my head. I already have a ugly scar on my left side of the stomach and it's my weakness.

"I'm so sorry-" He slides the knife light across to my left side, not pressing it down just sliding it across enough to hurt but enough to be healed quickly. Not being able to take even the slight pain ,I left out a painful scream.

"Please...." I whisper, almost swaying.

"What was that Commander?" His voice breaks, he says as if he was in pain. Why was he in pain?

"Not- Not th- the Left side .... please ... I- I beg you." I stutter out and he steps back as if seeing me in pain was breaking him but why? I don't know what came over me. I slowly lifted my head and my eyes made contact with his grey ones. I hear the knife hitting the floor my eyes flooding with tears and his eyes wide as if lightening struck him. Accalia lets out a painful howl and I whisper ' Mate' before everything goes black.