Without hesitation, she rushed towards me and enveloped me in a warm hug. The dam broke, and the tears I'd been struggling to hold back flowed freely, streaming down my face as I sobbed uncontrollably in her arms.
We finally broke our embrace, and Ella's apologetic gaze met mine.
She explained why she hadn't been there for me, and her words were laced with regret.
Ella offered me food and water, but I refused, feeling too battered to accept her kindness.
She noticed my hesitation and reassured me, "Don't worry, I'll handle the punishment."
My eyes widened in shock. "You can't do that," I protested. "We only just became friends."
Ella's smile was warm and reassuring. "Gina told me everything," she said. "I don't care if we're new friends – friends help each other in times of trouble. So, I'll help you out."
I forced a smile, touched by Ella's kindness, and managed to eat a little, trying not to make it obvious.
After I'd eaten, Ella said, "All right, let's get to cleaning." My jaw dropped in shock.
"Are you crazy?" I exclaimed. "You're trying to get yourself in trouble for me!"
I grasped her arm, urgency in my voice. "Look, you've helped me enough. You gave me food, and I'm grateful. But you can't help me with the work. Gina must have told you that no one's allowed to assist me. Please, leave before you get in trouble. I don't want—"
Ella interrupted me, her hands on my shoulders, calming me down. "Dahlia, relax. I know all of this, and I'm ready to handle it. I won't leave you to do all this alone when you're still weak. It's a miracle you're still standing."
I sighed, feeling a mix of relief and guilt, and let Ella have her way. Together, we tackled the cleaning. Ella ended up doing more than I did, but she didn't complain. Still, I couldn't shake off the feeling of inadequacy, wishing I could do more despite my battered state.
As Ella and I cleaned the bathroom, I heard her choke. Before I could turn to check on her, my gaze met Asher's furious stare.
He grasped my head, forcing it into the toilet bowl. Water flooded my mouth as I struggled to breathe. When Asher finally yanked my head up, I saw Ella being held captive by one of the guards.
My heart sank. Ella was in trouble because of me.
Asher's grip on my hair tightened, and he dragged me to the same spot where he'd brutally beaten me before. Ella and I were thrown to the ground.
"Today, one of you dared to defy me," Asher declared, his face emotionless. "And she happens to be the daughter of the Gamma."
Asher's voice sent chills down my spine. "Watch what happens to offenders," he said coldly. "Tie her up."
My heart sank as the guards bound Ella's wrists.
"Push her away," Asher commanded, his gaze locked on me. "I want her to see what will happen to her friend and those who try to help her."
His wicked grin made my blood boil. I wished I could wipe it off his face, but I was powerless, held down by one of the guards.
Ella smiled weakly at me, trying to reassure me she was okay, but I couldn't shake off the feeling of dread.
Then, the first whip cracked through the air, landing with a sickening smack. Ella's eyes widened
The whip cracked through the air, striking me with a sickening smack. I cried out in agony as the lash landed on my belly.
The shock was overwhelming – no one could have predicted this.
Asher's smirk grew as he saw the horror on my face.
He continued to whip me, each stroke landing on my belly until it was over.
Once he finished, the guards released me, and I collapsed to the ground, consumed by pain.
Ella rushed to my side, tears streaming down her face.
"Dahlia, are you all right?" she asked, but I couldn't respond.
I was losing consciousness, unable to move or speak.
Asher's cold command cut through the air: "Get up and clean the pack house. Start over."
The room gasped in shock, and I saw Stella's stunned expression.
Ella looked at Asher, her voice laced with anger: "How could you give such an order? She can barely move, and you're expecting her to clean up the pack house?"
Asher's cold glance warned Ella to stay out of it.
He turned to me, his voice menacing: "Get up."
I didn't budge. It's not that I didn't want to, it's just that I couldn't. My body was too weak from the lashes
Asher's anger escalated as I remained motionless. "Get up!" he growled, his eyes icy cold. When I still didn't move, he kicked me in the stomach, forcing me to stand.
I clenched my eyes shut, fighting back tears. Ella instinctively covered me with her body, taking the blow meant for me. Asher sneered at her protective gesture.
"Ensure the pack house is spotless by the end of the day," he commanded coldly, stepping back. "No one is to assist her or provide her with food."
With that, Asher turned and exited with his guards, leaving Ella and me alone. The rest of the pack members gradually dispersed, abandoning us to our fate.
Gina approached us, wrapping Ella and me in a warm hug. "I'm so sorry you're going through this," she said, her voice filled with empathy.
As we pulled back, I nodded at her with a weak smile, grateful for her kindness.
"I've never seen Alpha Asher like this," Gina said, shaking her head. "I'm surprised by his outburst. Maybe something triggered it."
Ella's voice was laced with anger and irritation. "That's no excuse for taking out his anger on her. It's not right."
Gina sighed, "Come on, let's get started." She helped me to my feet.
I looked at her shocked completely understanding what she meant.
Ella's tone remained cold, still simmering with anger. "I'm sure you understood perfectly well," she said as noticed the look on my face
I protested, "You guys will get in trouble for helping me."
Gina interrupted firmly, "We won't leave you to do this alone."
I knew better than to argue. With their assistance, we finished cleaning after several hours.
A sympathetic guard allowed Ella and Gina to aid me.
Back in my room, Ella stayed by my side while Gina fetched food and medicine for my wounds.
Asher had refused to let the healer treat me, so Gina cleaned my wounds as best she could.
After eating, tending to my wounds, and managing a painful bath, I felt slightly better.
Gina returned to their place, leaving Ella and me alone.
Ella insisted on staying overnight and settled in. We chatted quietly before I drifted off to sleep.