"Well, you can't do that, Madam Pamela. Alpha Sharx won't like it."
This time, it wasn't a bluff.
I had an agreement with him about taking me to his inauguration. I know I can believe his words. At least he will do me that favour so he could get to enjoy something fun at his inauguration event.
I know Alpha Sharx won't bend his entertainment spree for his mother's words. As far as I know, he's not a filial son.
In the first place, I brought up the request because I thought he would not invite me if he continued to think that I was involved with witchcraft, whereas I needed to be in that space to find the real Hazel.
He would definitely bring his partner, even if just for the sake of formality.
During the two months when he and Hazel were a couple, he always took Hazel to any public event with him. He will also take me as his partner if I don't mess up this time.
Madam Pamela's eyes twitch. She looks like the typical beautiful villain in the movie. She responds to me with a cold smile.
Who says the mother and son pair do not resemble each other?
"What makes you so confident? Ah, is it because you have slept with my son for two days in a row? Is that why you're confident he will comply with your request?"
'What the hell? Two days in a row? Does she think I've been in the room for the past two days because I slept with Alpha Sharx?'
How great would it be if that really happened, damn it.
Then I wouldn't be in such agony!
"No. We have a deeper connection, which you don't know about."
… And that might be more like the relationship between a suspect and investigator. But she doesn't have to know about that, right?
Madam Pamela clicked her tongue. "You still haven't realized your place, don't you? Don't you remember the last time? No matter how much you beg, if I ask my son not to take you to a party like last time, he will do it."
'Huh? Did something like that ever happen?'
Is Alpha Sharx filial enough towards his mother? Why is this information slipped from my stalking results?
I clear my throat.
"Anyway, this time he will bring me, Madam. So save your energy on antagonizing me. Because now I won't put up with all your bullshit." I gave her a smile at the end of my sentence.
I thought I was cool, but she took it differently when I watched her expression turn sour.
"Know your place! Do you think fated mate bond or that bullshit is actually something you can be proud of?! It's just a dirty game of the goddess to tie your freedom! You are just a toy that serves to satisfy his lust and can be replaced by anyone when he is free from the curse of this fated mate thing!"
Hmm, it seems like she has a grudge regarding the fated mate issue.
Is she one of the wolves who despises the phenomenon of a fated mate blessed by the Moon Goddess?
Then again, she is the former Alpha's chosen mate, not his fated mate.
"Do you hear me?! You're just a toy to satisfy his lust!"
"Alright, I'm a toy. So what?"
"…What?"
"Like you said, I'm just a tool to satisfy his desire." I chuckled in between my words before continuing. "It's not like YOU can satisfy his lust, right? That's why I'm here. You should've thanked me instead."
Everyone freezes once again. Even I think my words were too much to throw at a mother. But it came out because she kept pressing me. I was just trying to return the dagger that she threw at me repeatedly to protect myself.
"Someone! Hold this b-tch right now!"
The maids, who had only been spectators, rushed at me.
"Damn it."
They quickly held my arm down and then forced me to kneel. I can do nothing with so many people joining to hold me down. From the start, this game was unfair.
Well, it's not like I have ever played a fair game in this life before.
"Today, I will teach you proper discipline myself! Don't expect me to heal you later on!"
'Heal? Did she heal Hazel after all the beating to cover up the fact that she beat her? Talk about a cowardly move, huh?'
Again, If she does heal her, that healing ability is suck.
"Let me go." I talk softly to the surrounding maids. "…Now, or else…"
"What are you doing?! Hold her down!"
I wanted to ask something before she started her torture game. Was she the one who tattooed Hazel's chest area with the words 'punished'? It that some kind of stamp to remind Hazel that she's been punished?
Before I could even mutter a word, the maid stuffed my mouth with a cloth.
'I better keep quiet to save energy.'
"Hey, open her mouth. It's time for her to beg."
The maid pulled out the cloth gag in my mouth. They all watched me with inside laughter. However…
"You can start, Madam," I said so.
My cold smile seemed to freeze them. They must have been used to witnessing Hazel's timid personality and how she should be begging for forgiveness by now.
But here I am. Blatantly mocking and provoking them.
Like someone upright, Madam Pamel holds a thick whip in her hands to keep her promises, which would make my legs temporarily paralyzed. Now I know how she will do that.
"This is all your fault for not being disciplined and kept talking back at me. Blame the Moon Goddess for sending you to this place."
"Yes, yes, just do it. Why do you talk so much?"
"Shut up! I'll discipline you myself until you realize your mistake! Hey, raise her skirt right now!"
PTAS! TTAS! TTAS!
She started whipping my calves. I'm impressed by its accuracy, tho.
There was a flash of pain where she whipped me, which reached my fingertips. I clenched my molars. It hurt so much that a scream almost escaped my mouth, and tears threatened to fall from my eyes.
Madam Pamela was so overwhelmed with anger that she once again lifted her hand high, preparing to strike again as hard as she could.
TTAS!
TTAS!
TTAS!
The more the whipping continued, the more I could feel my skin split open and something trickling down my calves. That must be blood. That suspicion was confirmed when I peeked at the whip. It was smeared with blood.
Some maids look indifferent, while others look terrified. They swallowed their screams like me.
I bit the inside of my mouth. 'Yeah, I won't scream, nor will I cry.'
I know exactly what type of person Madam Pamela is. If I scream, she will surely be satisfied. But, I had no intention of satisfying a woman who treated her daughter-in-law—now me, as a dog.
Rough breathing sounds could be heard coming out of Madam Pamela. She turned her wrist, then handed the whip to the maid. It seems like her muscles were strained from using too much strength.
'How long has it been?' I laugh lowly.
I can't feel anything in my legs. My calves must be such a mess right now.
"Now you realize your mistake, don't you? Apologize to me."
"Nah," I answered cheekily.
"You!"
"I can't wait to tell the world what happened today," I added.
Madam Pamela and the maids were tongue-tied. Everyone's face now becomes white as a sheet, especially the maids.
"Stop your bluffing. I know there's never been a camera in this room. I already check. Besides, I won't let you do anything out there."
"Ah, is that so?"
Madam Pamela's angry expression was worth watching from the front row.
She turned to the maid carrying the whip, then ordered her. "You, whip her now."
"Pardon?"
"Can't you hear me?! You have to whip her hard!"
"Bu-but, madam…"
I could feel their hesitation. Even though it doesn't look like it, Hazel is Alpha Sharx's fated mate and the daughter of a family with quite a reputation in the arts field. Hitting me could end their careers as servants of prominent families if this goes out.
"Quickly!"
The maid finally approached me and raised the whip hesitantly.
Seeing the maids' expressions showing horror, it seemed like the torture this time was worse than the usual one. It must be because Hazel used to beg for forgiveness, which I didn't do this time.
The maid whips me lightly.
"Hey, you're not doing it right!"
"But madam, Miss Hazel's calves… her calves are already…"
Hmm, it seems like my calves are covered with wounds beyond repair. In a situation like this, I am grateful this is not my real body, even though I have to feel the pain.
The maid's words silenced Madam Pamela. Although she still looked furious, she seemed to come to her senses.
"Apologize to me."
I just smiled weakly, refusing to open my mouth.
'Eugh,'
Could it be because I keep biting the inside of my mouth?
My jaw hurt, and my whole body felt cold as if I had been doused with cold water and left exposed to gusts of wind. I closed my eyes as cold sweat fell into them. It stings.
I have to endure all of this. I can't faint here after all the stunts I did.
"Ma-madam, over there…" A maid stutter, and her body tremble.
Not only her but the others who held me down had their body trembles as well. Their grab on me loosened.
"Mother? I didn't know you were holding a party in my wife's room."
I forced my eyes open, even though it was only one eye. I looked up.
'Alpha… Sharx?'