Blair’s POV
“Kneel.”
Zayden’s voice cut through me, cold and sharp as a winter wind, leaving my dignity in shreds.
Two towering warriors lunged forward, grabbing my shoulders with brutal force, like I was some kind of prisoner.
I fought instinctively–my wolf refused to bow–but they were too strong. They slammed me down onto the cold stone
floor.
My knees crashed against the ground as pain shooting straight through my bones, and the world blurred for a moment.
Lysander raised the vine whip he’d prepared. It sliced through the air with a shriek. A heartbeat later-
Crack!
Agony ripped across my back like lightning. I bit down hard on my lip, tasting blood, but refused to make a sound.
My wolf raged inside me–furious, rebellious–but I forced her down with sheer willpower.
“Do you admit your mistake?” Lysander’s voice was ice.
“I didn’t do anything wrong…” My voice was hoarse, each word like glass in my throat.
Crack!
This one was worse. The whip tore through the thin fabric of my dress, burning straight into my flesh. Wet heat spread
across my back–I was bleeding.
I knew that pain. That wasn’t an ordinary whip. It was a silver–threaded wolf whip, made specifically to punish those who
defy the Alpha.
“Do you admit your mistake?”
“I didn’t…”
Again. And again. Each lash meant to break me–not just my body, but my soul.
Blood mixed with the howls of my wolf, roaring inside me. I stayed silent, biting down until I tasted copper. My white dress
was soaked in crimson, the floor beneath me painted in a grotesque pattern of red.
“Stop! Please–stop!”
Lexie, the aging maid, fell to her knees, sobbing. “She’s going to die! Luna’s going to die if you keep going!”
But my three brothers didn’t flinch. Didn’t pause. They acted like they couldn’t hear her–like I wasn’t even human.
My vision dimmed. The edges of the world crumbled. All I could hear was Zayden’s mocking voice, “If she won’t admit it,
then we’ll beat her until she does.”
The last lash fell–and with it, my consciousness. Darkness swallowed me whole.
And the last thing I saw… was my blood pooling on the ground, and the cold, merciless eyes of the three men who used to be my family.
Chapter 4
3.48%
They were once my brothers. My protectors. My blood. Now? They were the ones holding the blade.
I was locked in a room for three full days with no visitors and no one even brought me water.
My wounds had festered, the silver threads still burning beneath my skin. I curled up on the bed like a dying animal, clinging to life by a thread.
And next door? A different world entirely.
Carrie’s voice drifted through the wall, soft and sweet. My brothers whispering back to her, comforting her. Even
Christian’s low laugh echoed in. Each sound cut deep, flaying my heart raw.
“Carrie, take your medicine.”
“Nooo, it’s so bitter…”
“Be good. Finish it and I’ll give you candy.”
“Then Christian, you feed me…”
I buried my face in the pillow, my nails digging into my palms. Wolves heal fast–but not from betrayal.
I thought I was numb. But every breath still stabbed at my chest.
On the fourth morning, I finally managed to stand. Leaning on the wall, I dragged myself to the staircase–and that’s when
I heard it.
“There’ve been dolphins near the coast lately,” Christian said, a rare note of excitement in his voice. “Carrie’s always
wanted to see them.”
“Then let’s go today,” the three brothers chimed in.
I froze. My fingers trembled against the railing.
My wounds hadn’t even closed. Every step felt like knives slicing through my back.
“Blair?” Carrie looked up and gasped. “You’re finally out of bed!”
All four men turned to me. Their eyes… it was like I was a stranger.
I was nothing but skin and bone, the loose nightgown hanging off me like a sheet while bruises covered my wrists like broken jewelry.
“We’re heading out to see the dolphins,” Carrie said, rushing over and clinging to my arm like we were best friends. “You
should come too!”
I pulled away without thinking. Tears instantly welled in her eyes.
“Blair, I already forgave you,” she said, choking up. “Even after you ruined my reputation… I don’t want to hold grudges. I
don’t have much time left…”
“Blair!” Christian stormed over and shielded her with his body. “She’s offering you peace, and this is how you respond?”
Zayden scoffed. “Look at Carrie, then look at you. It’s not even close.”
I bit down on my lip until I tasted blood again.
Chapter 4
3.48%
These men–once the ones closest to me–were now more distant than strangers.
They brought me on the yacht, saying it was to make Carrie happy.
The sun blazed down on the deck, so bright I could barely keep my eyes open.
Carrie giggled, suggesting a barbecue.
“I’m dying soon… can’t I at least do what I want?” she murmured, voice soft as silk.
“Don’t talk nonsense!” Orion quickly covered her mouth. “We’ve found the best healer in the entire werewolf realm. You’ll
be fine.”
I sat quietly in the corner, watching them fawn over her like she was the only one who mattered.
No one remembered I was allergic to seafood.
No one remembered my back was still an open wound.
No one–cared.
“Why aren’t you eating?” Christian finally noticed me.
“I… I’m allergic to seafood,” I whispered.
The mood shifted immediately. Christian frowned and was about to ask the crew to change the menu–when a sudden
gust of wind slammed into the yacht!
The boat lurched, tipping the grill and sending burning coals skittering across the deck.
“Watch out-!”
All four men leapt toward Carrie, shielding her like she was the moon and they were her tides.
And me?
A burning coal landed on my dress, and fire instantly spread across the fabric.
I rolled across the deck, screaming as flames seared through skin and nerves.
But… not a single one of them turned to look at me.
