Adea
I sat at the vanity, and time stood still. It felt like it had been hours, but I knew it couldn’t have been more than twenty minutes that I’d been up. When I was ready, I unbolted the lock and pulled open the door. Standing outside my door was Ava.
“Perfect timing. Father sent me, he wants a word.”
I didn’t say anything. It wasn’t strange for him to call for us. Something had either happened, or there was something we needed to prepare for.
She turned on her heel and I followed her down the hall before we turned for the stairs. We walked in silence and normally that would be fine, but Ava’s behavior was making me nervous. When she turned for the dining hall, I knew something was up.
“Didn’t you say father wanted me? Why are we going to the dining hall and not his office?” I asked.
“Because we have guests, and he’s… entertaining them in the dining hall,” Ava said elusively. She didn’t continue on, and she didn’t try to ease my fears, not that she made a habit of that.
I fought the urge to fidget as we walked through the dining hall door. I dropped my gaze to the floor as we walked in and followed behind Ava. It was only when she stopped that I followed suit and waited for father to speak. When no one did, I lifted my head and what I saw almost had me screaming.
Four bloodied men were on their knees by the table. Their hands were bound. Blood dripped down their forehead and into their eyes so that they could barely see out of them. There was blood everywhere.
My gaze sld over the four men one by one. I was struck with fear when I find Shane among them. I knew I shouldn’t keep staring, but I couldn’t stop myself from looking him over. I searched his face, his chest, his arms, taking in every one of his visible wounds. It knocked the air out of me and my knees wobbled. My fear turned to anger. I bit the inside of my cheek until I tasted blood.
How dare they?
I felt eyes on me and I avoided looking their way. I did my best to school my features. I forced myself not to linger and I swallowed down the cry of pain that threatened to break free. Bits of material lay on the floor and their shirts hung from their bodies.
I found my father’s Beta giving orders to the warriors who all held whips in their hands. They pulled the whips back and cracked them against the men on their knees, over and over. It was hard to stomach. When it hit Shane, I died inside. I wanted to run to my father and fall to my knees. I wanted to beg him to stop, but I knew that if I did, I'd only confirm what they suspected. I’d confirm that the man I loved is here. It would be a death sentence.
“What is going on here?” I asked.
“Can’t you tell?” Ava snapped. “One of these men is your lover, and we’re going to whip them until you tell us which one it is.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Enough!” Father screamed. “I’ve been here all night. I’m on the verge of killing them all. Where were you yesterday?” He asked, turning to me. He fixed me in his sights and I fought the urge to stand straighter. He could smell fear and I wouldn’t give him any signs of weakness.
“I was walking. I explained this to Ava yesterday,” I answered.
“You were dismissed to your room. Why weren’t you there?” He asked. One of the men on their knees fell forward and it took every fiber of my being to stop myself from turning and looking.
“Yes, I was dismissed, but I needed air. I didn’t think there would be a problem. Just like I didn’t know it would blow up to this extent. I went for a walk. I needed to clear my head. A lot of things will be changing in the next few days.”
“I don’t remember you asking for permission.”
“I apologize, Father. I told Ava where I went. I told her she was wrong to bother you with a simple walk. She has this crazy idea in her head and I believe she should apologize.”
“Did you now?” Father asked. His eyes darted to Ava and I heard her audibly swallow as father stared at her. For the first time in a long time he was looking at her with venom in his eyes.
“Yes, Father. I told her. I don’t understand what this is about. She’s accusing me of being with someone when that isn’t the case,” I explained..
“Isn’t it?” Father asked. He turned his attention back to me and I lowered my eyes to the floor. I could feel his gaze on me searching for signs of dishonesty down to the way I held myself.
“No, Alpha. I know where my responsibilities lie. I know that I’m intended for Ethan. Over the last few years, I’ve accepted this. I don’t expect anything more or anything else. I’ve come to grips with my future. There’s only two weeks left. Why would I try and do something now? Wouldn’t I have tried to do something earlier? There would have been previous attempts and I’ve done no such thing. Wouldn’t I have tried running away? I haven’t done anything but wait for my intended.”
“I won’t have you trying to sort my thoughts for me. Ava, why didn’t you take your sister’s heeding?” Father asked.
“Daddy, that’s not-”
“Answer me, child!”
“I knew she was lying!” Ava exclaimed.
“I was not! Aren’t you just jealous of me, sister? Haven’t you tried to steal the light?” I threw back.
“How so?” Ava asked. Oh how I wanted to ask her about being with Ethan, but I had no proof.
“You’ve gotten a dress for yourself plus outfits for after the celebration. You always talk about pleasing Ethan. Isn’t he my intended?”
“Enough,” Father sighed. He rubbed his temple. “If only your mother had blessed me with sons, this wouldn’t be an issue for me. I wouldn’t have to deal with Alphas or with my daughter’s shortcomings.” When he lifted his gaze, he looked at the men on their knees. “Enough, Beta. Get these men out of my sight. I don’t want to see them.”
“Yes, Alpha,” Beta Alphonse answered. I watched as he jerked his head and the warriors dropped the whips. He spoke to the men on their knees. “Get up.” When none of them moved he spoke again. “Get up now, or face being whipped to death. I won’t tell you again.”
I looked at the floor as one by one they struggled to their feet. When they walked out, I fought the urge to look over at them. I wanted to see Shane. I wanted to make sure he was okay, but when the door closed, I knew they were gone. I knew that he wouldn’t be whipped to death, and for now that would have to do.