The Prisoner’s Princess Chapter 34

Bryson

The King sat by the unlit fire, and aptly held a thick pine log. I watched in curiosity as it began to smoke, and smolder in his fist, before splitting in two from the heat he generated. He threw small sticks and leaves on the embers, that looked as if they were burning for hours, and motioned for the meat on sticks to be placed by the fire.

He ate his portion raw, and drank water from a buckskin satchel that was carried by one of my men. “Be careful, Bloodborne One.” He said suddenly.

I was confused. “I do not understand.” I told him honestly, and he looked at the fire.

“Do not end up like Byron the Beast, my late dear friend. The last known true Beast.” He said, taking a bite out of his almost finished elk leg.

“I am sorry old one… I did not learn the old stories.” I told him. He sighed a long, agitated sigh.

“Long ago, when man was young, Byron was my pack. He was a warrior worthy of the title I would bestow on him, for he fought without hesitation, or regard for his safety. I held him over my own blood, and that night I would make him my Commander. He battled with Xaxas, the Horned Lion while I was gored in the liver and healing. He was stabbed in the back by Sakesi, My younger brother… I killed my brother that day. He was jealous that a commoner’s status was held over him, but he did nothing of merit. His flesh was given to Xaxas along with strong wine, and we negotiated the terms of his slumber. My line will produce his mate…. my grandson Caleb is mated to a gravehound. Their daughter will be his mate, though she is not yet borne.” He said drinking his water.

The camp was silent. I was too. He killed his own brother…. And fed him to a demigod. “Your highness…. What is your plan with the serpent?” Asked a warrior.

“He sleeps, so I will go into the pit and remove him of blood. There is a drain there that flows into an underground river.

“Everyone, do not let his warning strike fear into your hearts, for tomorrow, we must face Grahkes.” I said confidently, taking my meat off the spit.

“Alpha, your majesty, we trust you without fail.” Said my warrior Rimmy. I was starting to recognize them by name, and they trusted me.

We all slept on the ground, but I mulled over the King’s words. That someone would kill me because of petty jealousy sounded right. I didn’t trust many wolves, mostly just my mate.

She is probably mad at me.

I sighed internally, and my wolf whined. I couldn’t remember the last time he had done that. I hated that she was pissed, but I would not be able to be out here if she was taking risks. I don’t want to come back to her dead. I don’t want her to be so stubborn that she takes on more than she can chew to spite me…. or worse, to prove herself. I didn’t want to admit it, though, I knew that there was no other way I could have kept her at home. After this bullshit’s over, she can have back her freedom…. Just not yet. Not while there are so many unknown dangers out there.

-------Isabelle-------

I bathed in the cold river water. It was early dawn, and the sun was just peeping over the horizon, making everything golden. No one was around, but I knew that Beta Zack was. I could smell him.

“Come out or I’m telling Bryson!” I yelled.

“Go one paw past the river and I’m telling.” He yelled back amused. He walked backwards on the other side of the river where I wasn’t allowed. I snarled.

“Peeper!” I shouted

“Rebel!” He shouted back laughing. “Can I pass? I got some hawthorn berries and a turkey. If you behave, I’ll roast a leg just for you.” he said with a smile.

“…Deal. I would hate for him to be mad at you too.” I said putting on my clothes so he could turn around.

“He isn’t mad at you, he just wants you safe…. I don’t know how he deals with you. I never encountered a female who like liked to scrap so much.” He chuckled.

We walked together back to the camp, and I noticed that I got strange looks. I didn’t think anything of it, but Zack didn’t appreciate it. Gabby looked at me like she was hurt and then my eyes went wide. They thought I was screwing my Beta while my mate was gone. That girl from yesterday was making trouble again. She looked like a pup that got away with something they shouldn’t have.

“I’m stopping this nonsense before it starts. If we mated, shower or not, you would smell it on me, and at the river as well. Do not start shit.” I glared at the little girl I had to submit the other day. “Little girl I will give you no more warnings. You have no idea what you’re doing.” I snarled.

“Are you accusing me ‘Luna’?” She said fake hurt. I growled from deep within my chest. My wolf would not allow lies like this. She looked fearful, but she hadn’t learned her lesson from last time.

“She told me she saw you two.” Said a female warrior, speaking up for me.

“Me too.” Snarled another, who realized she had been had.

I took a deep breath to settle my wolf. Bryson was gone, so I was in charge with Beta. He looked to me with a small bow; he had given the decision to me. “What is your problem? This is deeper than just ‘you’re tired of being here’?” I said, motioning for her to come into the meeting tent with me.

She sat in the lawn chair and I sat across from her. I tried my best to force my wolf from expressing so much dominance, but I know she felt that. I was oozing authority through my pours, and it was making her nervous. She should be thankful that I had Luna training…. Anyone else would have clawed her at the very least.

“I don’t know, ok?! I thought if I stirred up a little trouble, that I could convince my folks to go back to HalfMoon.” She said looking at my feet, but I could hear her heart… she was lying.

“You like Bryson, don’t you?” I asked her honestly, and her cheeks heated up. I sighed with a small laugh. It was one that lacked humor. “…. Do you know what would have happened if that rumor would have floated around?” I asked, raising my voice. My wolf wanted out, but I would not let her kill a pup. She shook her head no. “He would have killed Beta Zack, and innocent wolf, then if he found out you lied and started this shit, you’d be dead too. I have no idea what he would have done to me, he only has so much control before his wolf takes over… I am his true mate, little airhead girl. No one leaves their true mate, you KNOW this. It’s basic common sense.” I screamed at her. In my anger I found a blank piece of paper, and tossed it at her head.

“Alpha-” I cut her off.

“And do you know what happened to the Marshalls, that tried to go back?” She shook her head no. “They got killed at the border. You yearn for things you cannot have. Grow up, this is the real world where mommy and daddy can’t save you, and honestly…. This is a pack offence. I can’t have you making trouble, because these warnings are not helping.” I said getting up and cracking my knuckles.

“Mercy Lu-” she was cut off again.

“I already did that yesterday, now you’re disrupting the pack in a dangerous way. I. Mean. Dangerous. You have no idea.” I tried emphasizing it, because my mate wouldn’t hurt me… but the rampage that would have happened….. “Zack can you put her in the middle of the living area, and tie her up?” I asked at normal speaking voice. The door flap opened. Every adult was listening to the interrogation. I was fine with this, because better from the horse’s mouth, than days of gossip that reach the ears of my mate.

“Of course.” He said casually. She tried to kick and scream until Beta snarled at her.

She sat where Bryson usually does, and my wolf snarled at her too. She oversteps having her scent on his. She growled.

I ignored her as best as i could, so I could discipline the girl. “I never had to punish anyone, so I ask the pack what do you guys want me to do?” I asked, seeing everyone look surprised, even my Beta and Gamma.

“Luna that is not our place.” Said Beta, holding a small box of items. There was a whip, a knife, a small club. I didn’t need any of that! “Where did you get those?!” I asked, closing the box.

“Warrior Bennet took the spares from HalfMoon when he left.” He said casually. I looked to my pack, and her mother who held pleading eyes, but her mate kept her silent. He did not want her punished too for interfering.

“Okay.” I said as casually as I could, but this bothered me a little. She was just a stupid kid, but she really did break pack law. She caused disorder and disruption that could have escalated. There was also the fact that she yearns for my mate… a disrespect my wolf would never let go.

I picked the whip. My dad loves his so much he had a special clip commissioned to hold his on his belt, and I could understand why. I felt powerful holding the thick whip in my hands….

“What is her punishment, My Luna?” Asked Warrior Commander Paul, sneering at the woman. I looked for some kind of guidance, but as Luna none would question what I had done to her. She had committed 2 crimes.

“15 Lashes. 5 for the first, but 10 for the last.” I said firmly. “You lust for an already mated male, the Alpha no less, My mate.” Snarled my wolf. “As you can see, you offend my wolf. You have no claim to him, as he is mine, but more importantly the second crime. You Acted on your impulses and desires. You spread conspiracy, that ultimately could have led to the death or banishment of Beta. Bryson would not have tolerated his presence even If he realized it was a farce. It would create discourse. Chaos. You brought innocent people into Your problem you created for yourself.” I got nods of approval.

I held the whip, and it almost felt like instinct. They ripped her shirt off, and put a roll of leather in her mouth. She had never been whipped, and I had never whipped anyone…The desire to punish those who disrupt order… it made me lick my lips because Glitter drooled. I was scared of this, but I took a deep breath. She was being held by two burly warriors. I flicked my wrist and jumped at the pop that was made, but I steeled myself.

I didn’t put all the force I could have, but she screamed as thin lines formed on her back. They bled fat beads of sweat and blood, and she stopped crying by the 12th lash. I felt like a monster, but I had to do this. This had to be done to show that I was serious about offences, and that I was serious about my mate. My position wasn’t about just being the Alpha’s mate either, it’s more. I am to guide over 230 people now…. They look to me with respect, but they won’t if I’m some bimbo that has affairs as soon as Bryson turns his back.

After she was limp, she was given to her parents to clean her up. She looked dead. Not from the punishment, but from the event itself.