Alpha Drew dragged me downstairs to the main hall, I think he mind linked all the pack members because everyone is present, from newborns to toddlers, teenagers, adults and elders. I was astounded at the idea that he called them to be an audience for my punishment.
Everyone was waiting, some were standing, others sitting, children were giggling, playing, running here and there while some people were talking with their friends, family or mates.
The room froze with silence as Alpha Drew made his appearance pulling me with him. Everyone stood up straight and bowed respectfully saying 'Alpha' and maintained that position.
"Rise", Alpha Drew ordered, they all looked at him with reverence and didn't notice me until he threw me forward roughly making me sprawl on the floor. When they finally did notice me, the look on their faces turned to hatred and disgust.
Alpha Drew grabbed my arm again pulling me as he dug his nails in the same place he did before with his claws, making me vibrate in pain but I bit the inner of my cheeks to keep from giving them the satisfaction of seeing me scream.
"As you all know today's breakfast was late not by a minute, three minutes or even five minutes… it was late by a whole hour". He started speaking in a very calm manner and I knew it was the silence before a storm.
"Because she was too lazy to get up early to prepare breakfast". He pushed me forward in front of the members who were looking at me with angry faces.
"Now you all know the rules and also know that whoever breaks them must be punished and just because of this thing, you were all late for your schedules".
"She took one hour…sixty minutes… from your precious time which you could have utilized for some productive work rather than her who just keeps sleeping or laying around and never works".
What?! I don't work? Is everyone bonkers? I do almost everything in this pack but my thoughts came to a screeching halt when he spoke again, "I have decided to give her the rogues' punishment so that she would think twice before committing the same mistake again".
Everyone looked at me with twisted smiles before someone from behind started yelling 'Yes!' and the rest chanted along in support.
'We were late to school because of her'
'I couldn't make it to the beauty parlor'
'She made us late for training'
They all accused me for something or another and I couldn't help but roll my eyes internally at their behavior.
"Silence!" Alpha Drew's voice boomed through the hall and the members became quiet at once as their voices hushed down and they submitted to him with heads bowed.
"Her punishment has been fixed and I ordered everyone to come here because I want you to be present for her punishment and witness what happens when someone dares to disobey me.
"To the training grounds!" He growled loudly leaving no room for discussion as I whimpered in fear and he yanked my arm pulling me forcefully.
I started struggling against his strong grip but he just tightened his grip the more I struggled, his claws digging into the wounds already gushing with blood as he growled at me.
This time I couldn't hold the pain as it became so unbearable and I screamed so loudly that there would have been cracks if we were in the packhouse.
"Shut the hell up. If you don't stop struggling, I have no problem snuffing out your pathetic life right this minute and I will make sure your last moments will be the most difficult and painful part of your entire worthless life".
"You will scream and plead for me to kill you immediately but I won't fulfill that wish because I will take pleasure with every stab that I would give you so stop struggling a come quietly", he hissed angrily in front of my face as the color of his eyes changed to a dangerous black and I could see the ends of fur coming out of his skin.
I stopped at once after his deadly threat and after some more dragging, we finally reached the practice grounds.
"Go stand in the middle", he ordered coldly as he shoved me. I stumbled trying to balance myself as I looked at them.
The pack members were standing behind him, united against me. Some were smirking while some glared at me. The thought of disobeying him crossed my mind but I dismissed it as I recalled his threat.
My palms were opening and closing repeatedly as I walked towards the middle and as I got there, I took a deep breath to calm my wildly beating heart and turned to face them.
Alpha Drew spoke again and his words terrified me, "You will be blindfolded and two groups of wolves still undergoing training and one of our best pack warrior will fight with you. You would have to rely on your senses to defend yourself".
"And the most important thing, one blow from your side will be the biggest mistake of your life", he said with a deathly calm voice.
This is worse than a rogue's punishment, at least they'll know who they're fighting with. I wouldn't even know when someone would strike me so how am I supposed to defend myself?!
Before I could process that thought, he spoke again,"Your defense should be in your human form so if you change into your wolf or collapse on the ground, your chores will be doubled and punching/kicking from pack members would be more frequent, understood?"
My eyes widened at this cruel and vicious punishment.
"Try to stay on your feet if you don't want to face the consequences", he stated with an evil smirk and I went pale.
I don't know anything about fighting and he knows that, they all know that!
"Noella, did you hear that?" I called out to her with a panicked voice.
"Yeah, don't panic and don't think of dying yet. We still have to find our mate so we'll get past this. Now listen carefully, I'll try to heighten your senses so you can defend yourself".
"I think this is our last time Noella", I said as I saw two bulky men stepping forward from the crowd.
"Shut up Adira, why do you humans declare results be the exam? Focus on them and concentrate", she hushed me and I cut my mind link with her once I saw a group of two and three trainers and one warrior.
"Someone blindfold her so we can begin", Alpha Drew ordered and just then…