The Shadow Wolf - Part 6

Luka slid his bookcase aside and opened the secret passage to Nive's hidden location. He could immediately feel her tense as he approached, but she purposely kept her head hidden within her fur blankets, knowing it displeased him.

Grabbing her hair, he pulled her head up and growled, "I'm your alpha, and you’ll show me respect when I enter. If I have to tell you again, there’ll be hell to pay."

Through the darkness, he watched as her eyes grew large, letting the fear escape. "That's it. A little fear and reverence will keep you from receiving twenty lashes."

Nive closed her eyes and whispered, "Good evening, Alpha Luka." She could play the game and puff up his ego. Why not? It managed to gain her another day in the darkness and isolation. Why should she not prolong her torture?

In reality, she felt like she was betraying herself, and it was time to stand up to this bastard. She declared, "Then again, now that you’re here, my evening has been ruined with your filth."

Wrapping his hands around her hair, he pulled tighter until she cried out in pain. "You little bitch. You deserve more than that. Stand up, and I'll teach you a lesson or two."

He yanked her up and forced her to stand in the center of the room while he stood behind her, deciding her fate. After several minutes of silence, he unbuckled his belt and pulled it off. He snapped it in the air, letting out a little chuckle, saying, "If you don't make a sound, I'll only whip you several lashes, but if you whimper and beg me to stop, I'll continue until you acquiesce."

"Have at it," she said, clenching her teeth as she readied herself for the impending beating.

The first lash struck the back of her legs. Nive didn't cry out, but her leg buckled slightly from the force of the belt, which was enough for him to say, "What a weakling you are! Let's try this again. Shall we?"

The belt struck the center of her back. The pain radiated throughout her body, but she tried not to make a sound, not even the slightest whimper. The force of the belt caused her to step forward, which was enough for him to continue. She should have known that it wouldn't matter and that he would find an excuse to keep beating her.

Instead of hitting her again, Luka walked around her several times, shoving the belt in her face. When he stopped in front of her, he leaned in and whispered in her ear, "If you let me have my way with you, I’ll end today’s punishment."

Nive felt like someone had poured a bucket of ice inside her body. The cold radiated from the inside out. Just the thought of letting this bastard touch her was enough to make her recoil backward from where he stood. After composing herself, she replied by spitting in his face.

She knew it would only intensify the beating, but what did she care? Her fate was sealed when he pretended to rescue her from the ice that day. He only delayed her destiny with death until it was convenient for him and his delusional gods.

It didn't take long for his wrath to explode. Luka grabbed her and pushed her into the wall, and he stood inches from her. "I should take you right now and then kill you."

With his free hand, he smashed her face into the dirt wall and continued, saying, "Nive, is that what you want? Is that why you spit at me? Huh? Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

She could barely speak with her mouth pushed into the wall but said, "Yes, go ahead. Do what you want. You're going to kill me anyway."

Spinning her around, his lips hovered mere millimeters from hers. "Nive, now I've repeatedly told you that I'd spare your life if we’re mated."

"Why would I be your Luna? You've not shown me an ounce of kindness."

He looked hurt and asked, "Haven't I given you the fur blankets for warmth, new clothes, and food? I've not punished you until today. I do believe that I’ve been very kind towards you."

Rolling her eyes, she said, "If that's what you think, then you’re more of a lunatic than I thought. You’re a sick bastard."

Without warning, his hand smashed her head against the wall, and he turned around and left her there. She could be dead for all he knew, as her limp body hit the floor. He opened the door to her prison cell and entered his office, locking her in and setting the bookcase back into place.

Sitting at his desk, he tried to concentrate on reviewing pack reports when Ifan barged in and declared, "Kaj escaped. They broke him out of the cells, and he's gone."

"Who did this?" Luka growled.

"Sani. Others. I don't know all of their names, but we have uncovered a resistance." Ifan said, clinging to the wall. He was about to collapse from his injuries, but Luka pushed him out into the hall, locked his office door, and declared without sympathy, "Go clean up before you bleed all over my pack house."

He immediately turned into Maik, his white wolf, and bounded down the tunnels in search of his rouge son. The resistance would be dealt with swiftly before his power was challenged and Kaju took over the pack.