~Reina

"I find it so hard to believe that you would do something so horrible," father shook his head in disappointment, settling into his large chair in the living room.

I had been on my knees for hours and just now did they finally decide to address me and tell me what I had done.

After father was seated, he called for Davina and Marie. They rushed in almost immediately like they had been at the door, waiting patiently.

"There she is!" Marie exclaimed as she stormed in. "The whore and family disappointment," she cussed and I winced at her words.

What had I done this time?

They had already sent me away because Simon had tried to have his way with me, where they going to punish me again for it?

Father begged Marrie to calm down and promised her he would deal with me accordingly.

"What have I done, father?" I asked, keeping my eyes fixed on the ground. The last time I looked him in the eye, he slapped me so hard I got a black eye afterwards.

"I am not your father," father said through gritted teeth. "I will never father a filthy whore."

I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat, tears stinging my eyes as I tried to hold myself back from crying.

"Daddy, please let me hit her," Marrie begged. "This jealous sister of mine had the guts to seduce my husband for money."

My heart stopped. Seduce? For money?

When and how?

Marie's accusation shocked me to the core. Does she just sit in her room and cook up stories whenever she wanted me to get punished?

"I want to hear her side of the story first," father said dismissively.

He turned to me, his eyes blazing with anger and hatred.

"Tell me what happened with your brother in-law earlier today," father demanded and my throat went dry.

"Nothing happened between Simon....Alpha Simon and I," I replied, my heart thumping in my chest.

"Liar!" Marie screamed, slapping me hard across my face.

I held my throbbing cheek, tears rolling down my cheeks.

"I only asked for help to get medicine, mum is dying," I sobbed and father's expression slightly softened.

Davina shot him a warning glare and he quickly masked his compassion between a mask of indifference.

"So because your witch mother was dying, you decided to offer yourself to my husband for money?" Marie accused and my heart stopped.

When Simon had said he would teach me a lesson, I never thought he would go this far.

"Please, Marie, I would never do such a thing. Alpha Simon had offered me the money but I turned him down," I explained but Marie wasn't having it.

She slapped me hard again and I began bleeding from my lower lip.

"Please, I just needed money to save my mum," I cried but nobody listened.

I noticed a sudden change in father's eyes but as soon as Davina noticed it, she escorted him back to his chambers. She wanted to make sure he didn't have a change of heart and put an end to their cruelty.

I was left alone with Marie and even though I was older than her, I still shook with fear.

Marie grabbed my chin roughly and forced me to look at her.

"Since you want to be a whore, I would do you a great favour and give you ten men to satisfy you," she spat.

I shook my head, tears spilling from my eyes. My tears only made her bolder and happier. She enjoyed seeing me in pain, that was how much she hated me.

Marie called the guards and two of them ran into the living room almost immediately.

"Take her to the back gardens. Chain her to a tree and whip her until she bleeds," Marie instructed and the guards nodded, a wicked smile playing on their lips.

I grabbed the hem of Marie's dress and begged her to please listen but she didn't care.

"Because my darling sister is a trifling whore who enjoys pain and pleasure, she said she would love to be fucked mercilessly by all of you when she's done getting her punishment," Marie said, an evil smile etched on her face.

Blood drained from my entire body. How could she think of something so evil and cruel?

"Please, sister, please don't do this to me," I cried, grabbing the hem of her dress.

"Get her out of my sight!" Marie ordered and the guards grabbed me.

I screamed, cried, begged but nobody listened. The guards had no compassion and they even invited other guards to join them in the back garden.

My body trembled violently as we got to the back gardens.

I had cried so much, I had no more tears left. My heart felt hollow and all I could think about was how much my family hated me.

As soon as the guards tossed me to the ground, they began whipping me.

I screamed in pain as the large whip made contact with my flesh. My body burned as the whips left large bruises on my arms and legs.

They took turns whipping me until eventually, I became numb to the pain. I could feel nothing except a growing overwhelming feeling in my chest.

"I think she has had enough," the head guard declared, stepping forward.

He grabbed my chin and brushed my lower lip with his thumb.

"She's so pretty. Too sad she has to be ruined," he said.

"Please," I managed to say even when my strength was failing.

"Orders are orders," the guard said, unzipping his pants with his free hands.

"I promise you will have a good time," he said, reaching for the bodice of my gown.

I tried to move away but he grabbed me roughly and pinned me to the ground.

My body hit the ground with a loud thud and something snapped.

The overwhelming feeling grew and I lost control of my body. I tried to stay calm but it became too much to handle and I blacked out.

After what seemed like eternity, I regained consciousness. But something was awfully wrong.

I was drenched in blood and my body ached terribly.

I struggled to my feet and my heart stopped. All the guards lay on the ground, mauled like they had been attacked by a wild beast.

The smell of blood filled my nostrils and I gagged.

"Wow!" A strange masculine voice said behind me.

I turned around to find a strange man standing with his arms crossed over his chest.

My throat went dry as realisation set in.

This wasn't just any man.

It was Alpha Benedict, my proposed husband.

"Did you do this?" I asked, my lips trembling as I spoke.

He let out a dry chuckle and shook his head.

"You did," he replied flatly.

Panic surged through my veins. Me?

I had murdered 10 men?

Last thing I remembered was the guard reaching for me. How did this happen?

"I know what you are, Reina," Alpha Benedict said, his tone calm and steady.

A cold sensation spread around my body. Me? I was a wolfless, powerless girl. If I had any special gifts, my father wouldn't hate me so much.

"I see you're confused, little dove," Alpha Benedict said, taking slow steps towards me.

My heart skipped a beat, he had such a powerful aura. And a very handsome face to match.

"I have a deal for you," he said, wiping blood off my face with his finger.

"Wh....what's that?" I stammered, my curiosity peaked.

"You are to be my wife but I have no interest in marrying you," he said.

My mouth went dry. Was I really that undesirable?

"My mother wants me married and you need protection because if your secret got out, you'd be dead in minutes," he stated.

"We have something to offer each other but it will be temporary. I will marry you and you will give me an heir in 2 years time. In exchange, I will pay the best teachers to train you and teach you how to keep your powers hidden, plus the protection that comes with marrying the most feared man in the kingdom."

My chest tightened. I never imagined I would marry for duty and not love. I always dreamed of a fairy tale wedding with a man I loved dearly but this was the total opposite.

Benedict was a complete stranger and I had no feelings for him.

"I'm sorry, I can't," I replied. "I can't marry a man I do not love."

Alpha Benedict let out a wicked laugh. "Love? There's no such thing as love," he said and my breath caught in my throat.

"I wasn't asking you for love, little dove. If you don't marry me, I will tell everyone your secret."