Chapter 2 Alpha Arthur

Julia POV I leaped out of the window, escaping into the shadows of the woods. As I ran, I let my feet carry me away from the scene of the fight, through the dark woods that were my haven. Whenever I felt overwhelmed or upset, I would run, losing myself in the wind and the trees, my feet pounding the ground until my mind could finally rest. The forest was my refuge, my escape from the turmoil of life. After running a long distance away from the pack, I stopped under a big tree to catch my breath. I was panting heavily with the evening breeze blowing on my skin. If my father knew that I was outside the pack I would definitely be in trouble, but right now, I needed to get away from home, most especially away from Maya. I didn't care what was going to happen to me because I was already in trouble for beating Maya up. Suddenly, I paused when I felt a footstep. walking towards my direction I looked around me, but there was no one coming and the footsteps and heartbeat were becoming louder and closer. Slowly I picked up a stick from the floor, holding it firmly with my hands wrapped around it to attack whoever was coming my way. Coming outside the pack alone is often dangerous, but I love how everything around here takes my mind off the things bothering me, so I don't care about the danger now. I turn around looking left and right at alert, waiting to strike whatever is coming in my direction when suddenly a hand covers my face from behind, holding me tight with his hand as his scent fills my nostrils. I was supposed to scream and struggle with him, but his familiar scent that caught my nostril made me calm under his hold. “Guess who is here.” He leaned closer and whispered in my ear, his hand still blocking me from seeing a thing. A smile crept on my face hearing his voice as he leaned closer down to my neck, his hot breath hitting me on my bare neck. “The Alpha of Double Moon Pack,” I muttered and in a swift movement he turned me around making me face him, his hand placed on my waist as he pulled me closer to himself. “Hmmm, what are you doing all alone here?” He asked, looking deep into my blue eyes, holding me tight possessively. “I wanted to get my mind off some things.” I gave him a light, assuring smile. “You're beautiful, and I can't wait to take you,'' he mumbled, pulling me even closer to himself as my hand rested on his broad, hardened chest. “I will be clocking eighteen soon, and once I do, I am all yours.” I smiled at him. “You will be the Luna of Double Moon Pack.” He bent down to my neck and gave me a wet kiss on it, making a sweet sensation spread down my body. Arthur is the Alpha of my pack, Double Moon he's the only person I have who always makes me feel special and happy, he knows everything about me and most importantly he loves me. In three days, I would turn eighteen, and I prayed that the Moon Goddess would unite us as fated mates. I knew, deep in my heart, that our love was real and pure. The thought of him claiming me brought a warm glow to my heart, despite the lingering doubts that sometimes plagued me. I felt safe with him, secure in the knowledge that he would never hurt me. After spending some time with Arthur, I made my way back to the house. I climbed back on my window and jumped down. But immediately I turned around, I saw a figure seated on my bed. “Father! What are you doing here?” I scream with fear, my back hitting the wall like a frightened kitten with my eyes fixed on him. “Where have you been?” He asked calmly, his attention directed to me, with no traces of a smile on his face. “I… I… was…” I tried to speak, but my voice caught in my throat as I noticed the frown on his face getting even worse, like he already knew the truth. “You've broken two rules today,” he said, his voice hard and cold. “And you'll be punished accordingly. I'll be waiting for you outside.” With that, he turned and left my room, leaving me alone with my fear and trepidation. “Father…” I called, and he turned around watching me, his face covered with resentment. I wanted to plead with him to spare me but looking at his angry face I knew he wouldn't listen to me. “I give you two minutes to meet me outside,” he warned before walking away. A few minutes later, I walked to the sitting room where all the family members were waiting for me. “You bitch!” Maya rushed to me the moment she saw me, but my Dad was quick to stop her from slapping me. “Julia, look at what you did to your sister.” My father faced me and my eyes drifted to Maya's broken nose. They are making it seem like I have done something bad to defend myself. Should I have waited until Maya broke my nose? “She attacked me first.” I tried to defend myself. “You're a liar, you attacked me first!” Maya cried out. “Pull off your shirt, Julia.” My father commanded the words that feared me the most. “Father, you can't do this to me,” I yelled, facing him. I never wish to be punished this way by my father again because the last time he did that I almost lost it. I can't remember the last time he beat Maya for any reason, but I remember vividly the last time he beat me when I was also accused by Maya for stealing what I knew nothing about. “Julia, don't make me repeat myself,” my father warned, standing up from his seat. Fear gripped me as he walked closer to me, standing an inch away from me. One part of me wanted to run away, but I tried to fight those feelings off. I have nowhere to go, and I believe that all this will end just in the next three days until I turn eighteen. “Pull off your shirt.” came my father's commanding voice again. I felt hot tears gathered at the side of my eyes as my hand held the firm of my clothes tightly. Right now, I feel like crying and letting out all my pains, but I am very good at hiding them. I wouldn't want Maya to make me feel like a loser. “Julia, did you want me to call someone to come help you pull it off?” Father warned me. Slowly I hold the hem of my clothes, pulling off my shirt, leaving only my bra on. “Turn your back.” He commanded again as shame washed over me when I remembered the ugly scars that marred my back which were caused by flogging. The scars didn't heal on their own since I hadn't welcomed my wolf. I raised my head up and my eyes landed on Maya, whose face was clouded with a smile. Sluggishly, I turned around and tears threatened to drop down my face as their eyes landed on my bare back. “Eww, you look horrible.” Maya cried out, I could feel her disgusting look on my back. “Maya get me the water and whip.” my father instructed her, and immediately she dashed off with happiness, not less than a minute she was back with everything. “You have committed two offenses today, going out of the pack and fighting your sister.” He collected the water from her. “Father, please, she accused me wrongly of stealing her necklace.” I tried begging my father, but he didn't look like he was ready to listen to my pleading. “Then why is it found inside your room?” Maya walked to my front, showing me her stupid necklace. “No, it can't be true, I have nothing to do with it.” I protest. “You are now calling her a liar? I'm supposed to give you ten strokes, but now I am increasing it to twenty.” my father said. “What!” I screamed, trying to move away from him, but he was quick to hold me still. He pinned me strongly to the table as he made me lay on it with some guards holding my legs and hands in place, and he started sprinkling the water on my body. I felt something different about this particular water. It contains pepper. I shut my eyes tightly as he positioned the whip well and unexpectedly the first whip landed on my body, and it felt like my back just peeled off and the pepperish water was making the pain go deep down into my skin. The next one landed on my back again followed by another and another as I held tight onto the table, my loud scream filled the whole room. I am like a sheep who is being slaughtered without mercy. ***** A few hours later I remained inside my bathroom as I cleaned up the blood stain from my body. Even if the pain goes away, the scars on my body will forever remind me of the pain I went through but everything will end soon in the next three days. I lay down on my bed facing the ceiling after I am done cleaning up until sleep comes to take over me. Finally, I am getting a rest.