便服
“Soldiers, take her away, Kalus ordered, his voice suddenly hard with anger. “Tack her up if you must, but she must not return.
Strong hands gripped my arms before I could protest further. I struggled against their hold, twisting to catch a glimpse of Kalus What I saw made my blood run cold.
His back bore subtle traces of the punishment–faint red lines where the soul whip had connected, ghostly marks that seemed to shimmer and fade with each breath he took. But his eyes… his eyes were black with pain, pupils blown wide, something dark and terrible swimming in their depths.
“Don’t touch me.” I hissed at the guards, but they ignored me, dragging me away from the platform, away from Kaius, away from the punishment that continued the moment I was pulled from the elder sight.
The last thing I saw before they took me away was Frost’s face, twisted in pain that wasn’t his own, watching me with a mucture of sorrow and understanding that made my chest ache.
I paced the small room like a caged animal, alternating between furious pounding on the door and collapsing against the wall in frustrated exhaustion. They’d locked me in one of the guest chambers–comfortable enough, but still a prison.
“Let me out!” I shouted for what felt like the hundredth time, knowing no one would answer. The guards had strict instructions, and no one in this pack would dare contradict their Alpha.
With each passing hour, my anger gradually gave way to a gnawing worry. How long would the punishment last? Was it over yet Would Kaius be okay? And what about Frost, connected to him through their strange bond–was he still feeling every lash of that terrible whip?
The light through the window shifted from morning to afternoon to evening. No one brought food or water. No one came to check on me. I was completely alone with the knowledge that somewhere in this massive pack house, Kaius was suffering because of me.
As darkness fell, I sat on the edge of the bed, hands clasped in my lap, waiting. They’d have to let me out eventually, or at least send someone to bring me food. And when they did, I’d be ready. Ready to face whatever punishment Kaius deemed appropriate for my disobedience. Ready to bear it without complaint, as he had borne his.
The sound of a key in the lock made me start. I stood quickly, smoothing my clothes and lifting my chin. Whatever came next, I
would face it with dignity.
The door swung open to reveal Frost. He looked exhausted, dark circles under his ice–blue eyes, his usually immaculate appearance disheveled.
“Where is Kaius? The question escaped before I could stop it.
“You don’t have to worry; it’s all over now,” he said, his voice gentle as he closed the door behind him.
Relief flooded through me, so intense it made my knees weak. I crossed the room without thinking and threw my arms around him, burying my face against his chest. His arms came around me automatically, holding me steady.
Frost, I’m
sorry,” I whispered against his shirt. ‘I didn’t m
mean to make things worse.”
He pulled back slightly, looking down at me with an expression I couldn’t quite read. “Do you know why I am here?”
A Chill ran through me. Of course, Kalus would want me punished for my interference, for my public defiance. And who better to carry out that punishment than his trusted Beta?
“Kaius wanted me here; he wants me to have you.” His voice was
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