Chapter 3

Madison POV

My hands were visibly shaking as I stood next to Alpha Bronson Stormbreaker, the memories of what he had done to me two days ago still fresh.

"Why does the Moon Goddess choose you to be my mate?" I didn't know when the tears were in my eyes, but they were there and clear to see.

It was evident the Moon Goddess had no interest in my life. She is to be blamed for ever paring me with such an evil man.

"Alpha, sorry for all that commotion, I didn't expect her to be here after my warning." After Beta Seth spoke with anger clearly written on his face. There was no doubt that I was going to die today.

Aurelia stood beside me, despite gestures from her father to leave my side.

"You don't have to worry about that Seth. In fact, I think it would be nice to show the public my mate."

For the first time, I looked at Alpha Bronson, hoping I had heard him right.

Was he trying to accept me?

"Come with me, dear mate..." The moment he took my hand, I felt the necessary spark and he withdrew almost immediately. "Take the lead." He said pushing his hands behind him.

Something in me knew it was a bad idea to follow him to the podium where the induction would take place, but I had no choice but to follow him.

As we emerged from my hiding place, I noticed Beta Seth watching me, but I decided to walk away. As I walked through the crowd, I heard whispers and some members of the pack made fun of my choice of clothing.

My head was down, as I knew I was about to face the worst possible form of embarrassment that I could possibly think of.

"Get on the stage!" he ordered and I did as he told me. The moment I walked on stage, I was greeted with a few cheers from the crowd.

It was clear that no one was interested in seeing me, and many even spat on the floor because they thought I irritated them.

"Pack members, look what the Moon Goddess has given me as a mate." Although his tone was laced with hate, I didn't believe what he was going to do next. "What do you think I'm going to do to her?" It was not a second before many members of the pack began to cheer for Bronson to reject me, and at that moment I began to wish I had not come to the ceremony.

"Well, no matter what you all say, I still have the final decision to make. That's why..." He turned to look at me with a smile. "I, Alpha Bronson Stormbreaker, leader of the Ember Moon Pack, reject you as my mate." I felt the bond that had been created spark after the break as the entire crowd screamed with joy.

"You really thought I would accept a murderer to be my Luna? You must be delusional and I don't blame you, blame the Moon Goddess who chose this day to embarrass me."

I couldn't hear any more. It was more torture to my skin than the pain I felt when the captain of the guard used the whip on me.

How did the Moon Goddess choose to ruin me so much with such a person?

I turned to see Aurelia crying as well. Again, she was the only one who could understand my pain, but even she couldn't do anything to help save me from the impending embarrassment.

"Beta Seth, I thought you had something to say about this little thing earlier." My body started to shake as I knew what was coming next, seeing Beta with a long whip.

"Alpha," he said, lowering his head as a sign of respect. "This murderer here disobeyed my order and now I think I would like to take her back to the palace and punish her."

Anxiety began to creep in, knowing that this could be the very last time that I saw everyone. Beta Seth had a knack for intimidation and making sure I received all forms of inhumane torture.

It was his hate for my refusal to submit to him, that fueled his motivation.

"You don't have to worry about that." I watched as Bronson Stormbreaker ripped the whip from his hands and turned to look at me.

"It would be more appropriate if I beat him myself... Or what do you say?" he asked the crowd, who applauded him.

"Lay on the ground, murderer!" Instinctively I followed his instructions and lowered myself to the ground, anticipating the whiplash.

"How much should we give her?" Bronson asked the crowd and many gave a round number, a hundred whips. "Your wish is a command," Bronson concludes.

I closed my eyes trying to block out the cheers and not feel the pain, but the first whip against my skin sent me lurching from side to side. They all laughed because it seemed like my pain was funny to them.

"Hold this whore!" Bronson grunted and felt someone hold my legs while another held my hands. The whip touched my bare skin again and for a moment I felt my bones crack from the impact.

My tears were uncontrollable and I did not know how to pray for the strength to bear the pain as they gave me more blows. By the tenth shot, my body was vibrating and I knew I was going to pass. I tried to force my eyes open, but they were closed.

Between the legs of the soldier holding my hands, I saw Aurelia crying. She couldn't say a word as the lashes continued. As my vision blurred, I could almost hear her mouth apologizing to me.

The world was slowly emptying and when another whip hit my body I knew it was over, my body was weak, my wolf was weak and nothing felt better. The cheers of the crowd had died down and my hazy vision had instantly gone dark.