Chapter 12 – Disrespect
The pack was gathering this evening for a meeting. The Alpha had some important updates and announcements, so everyone was required to be there. The sun was setting, and I made my way outside. The stage was setup and most people were already gathered around. I stood quietly in the back of the crowd, wishing I didn't have to be here.
I looked over to the other side of the field and saw all the young pups running around playing. My hand involuntarily went to my still flat stomach and I wondered if my pup would look like Ranger or more like me. There was a young pup jumping around, he was about four years old, with jet black hair like Ranger's. I found myself smiling. It's been three days since I found out I was pregnant, and I already loved my baby.
"Testing, Testing." Ranger's voice pulled me out of my daydream. He was standing on the stage and his eyes scanned over the crowd.
"Good evening Dark Moon Pack."
"Good evening Alpha." The crowd called back.
Ranger went on to discuss the current rogue situation and our alliances with other packs. He went on to talk about the new patrol schedules of our territory for the winter and other pack business. Normally at mandatory meetings, I go unnoticed and ignored, but Ranger's eyes kept coming back to mine.
"Now before you are dismissed, I have one more very important announcement." His eyes found mine again. "On the next full moon, in less than three weeks, Dark Moon pack will welcome their new Luna." The crowd broke out in applause and howls.
"My mate, is none other than the strong and beautiful Miranda Taylor, from the Beta family." The applause and howls continued. I looked around at everyone and in this moment, I realized I didn't belong here. I don't belong in this pack. I don't know where I belong, or where my home is, but I know it's not here at Dark Moon.
Miranda stepped up on stage and gave Ranger a kiss, earning a few more howls. My heart was stinging as I tried to look unfazed. I was not going to let him see how much he was hurting me. Miranda stepped up to the microphone and waited for the applause to die down before addressing the crowd.
Just then, Ranger mind linked me. "My offer still stands to be my mistress Lucy." I could see a smirk on his face from where I stood.
"You have your Luna Sir; I'll wait for Alpha Jordan." I responded back through the mind link as I turned to walk back to the pack house. I've had enough of this.
Ranger let out a furious roar from the stage and everyone stood still. "How dare you disrespect your future Luna and turn your back while she is speaking, MAID." He yelled and jumped off the stage grabbing me by the back of my neck.
His eyes were dark with rage and there was a dangerous aura radiating off him. He shoved me to the ground before the stage and everyone stood back watching. "Apologize to your Luna, MAID!" He growled.
I knew this had nothing to do with Miranda and everything to do with my mention of Alpha Jordan. I glared up at him and reminded myself I would be gone soon. I turned to look at Miranda, who seemed to be enjoying this, "I-I'm sorry Luna, please forgive me."
"FIVE LASHES FOR YOUR DISRESPECT!" He called out. "DELTA, BRING ME THE WHIP."
Lia was growling in my head as I tried to take in what was about to happen. Please Moon Goddess, protect our pup. I looked down at the ground, my mind was racing. He was going to whip me in front of the whole pack, as I knelt here, carrying his pup.
I saw some tiki torches lit by the stage and considered burning this whole place down and escaping. There are at least four hundred wolves here and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't get far. Delta Cole appeared with the whip and handed it to Ranger.
Max stepped forward. "Alpha, I'm sure it was an innocent mistake and she apologized. Is this really necessary?"
"Stand down Beta!" Ranger used his Alpha voice and Max was compelled to step back. I looked at Max and saw the worried look on his face. The fear was building inside of me as I held back sobs.
"I will not tolerate any disrespect from anyone towards myself or your Luna, is that clear?" Ranger boomed.
"Yes Alpha!" Everyone said in unison.
If I tried to tell him about the pup now, he would probably deny it's his. Or worse, probably accuse me of trying to embarrass him and his chosen Luna. I felt Ranger's hand on my back, in one sharp yank, he ripped off my shirt and bra. I immediately crossed my arms over my exposed chest as the sobs escaped me, knowing what was coming.
"If you say yes to my offer now, I'll show you mercy Lucy." Ranger mind linked me again.
I felt my skin tingle when his hand brushed up against my back, he moved my hair to hang over the front of my shoulder.
"Last chance." He said.
I couldn't even answer back. I looked down at the ground, my eyes filled with tears and I fought to hold back sobs. I shook my head no and braced for impact.
He walked a circle around me with the whip dancing in his hand. "Count out loud after each lash, if you fail, you will earn another." He yelled.
CRACK! I felt the sting across my back as a scream left my lips. "One." My trembling voice said.
CRACK! This one caused me to fall forward on my hands as another scream rang out. "Two." I panted and crossed my arms back over my chest.
"Just like a whore, showing off your tits to everyone, you're going to feel the next one." He hissed through the mind link.
CRACK! I let out a blood curdling scream, my skin split open and the warmth of blood ran down my back. "Three." I sobbed and my head was spinning.
CRACK! I cried out as a wave of nausea struck me and I threw up the remnants of my lunch on the grass before me. "Four." I managed to say trying to catch my breath.
CRACK! I screamed again and my vision started to blur. I uttered a feeble "Five," before I collapsed and the last thing I saw was the stage catch fire.
I was laying on a cold hard surface face down. My face was on a towel and I felt a warm set of hands on my back. I opened my eyes and saw Max talking to someone, it was Dr. Baker.
"Try not to move Lucy, I'm placing stitches in one of the deep wounds that isn't healing fast enough." She said.
I was in the laundry room, laying on the folding table. "Lucy, when was the last time you let your wolf out?" Dr. Baker asked.
"I've only shifted once, about two weeks ago, on my birthday."
"That explains the slow healing. You need to let your wolf out at least once a week, to keep up your healing abilities." She told me.
"Lia are you okay?" I asked her.
"I'm here Lucy, I thought I was just getting weak because of our pup." She said.
Dr. Baker finished and covered the lash marks with ointment and gauze. I was debating telling her about the baby, to make sure everything was fine, but decided against it. She was Ranger's pack doctor, and this was his pup, her future Alpha. She would have to tell Ranger.
"How soon can her wolf run Doc?" Max asked.
"In a few days when the stitches heal." She said.
Once Dr. Baker left. Max went over to my tub of clothes, selected a baggy shirt and handed it to me. I sat up and slipped the shirt over my head.
"Lucy, the mark on the nape of your neck, when did it appear?" He asked me.
My hand instantly went to my nape and I didn't feel anything. "What mark?"
He took a cell phone out of his pocket, "Lift your hair back," he said. He snapped a picture and handed me the phone. I saw what looked like a crescent moon tattoo in a celestial design and gasped.
"I have no idea how that got there!" I stared in awe.
"I've seen that once before and if it's what I think it is, no one can see that." He said very seriously.
My head was spinning. "What do you mean?"
"You're an elemental wolf. Have you discovered your gift yet?" He asked.
I wasn't sure what to say, he knew!
"Lucy, you can trust me, I will help you." He gently placed his hand in mine.
"I trust him." Lia said to me.
I looked into his worried eyes staring back at me, "I thought it was a curse. I'm not sure how to control it and I'm afraid I'll hurt someone." I told him.
"It's okay, your gift is not a curse. It makes you very special and that scares others." He paused.
"There's a legend that some of the descendants of the Moon Goddess possess the powers to control the elements. Sometimes it skips generations and siblings, which has caused jealousy, fear and wars over the centuries. That's why it's important to keep it hidden Lucy."
I nodded my head. I knew I'd be hunted down if someone discovered my powers.
"The four elements are Earth, Wind, Fire and Water, which element can you control?"
"Fire."
Max paced the room for a few moments. "You're not safe here, we have to get you out of here. You have to make sure Ranger doesn't see the mark." His tone was laced with worry.
I hadn't told him that I was planning on leaving the pack soon. "Where should I go?" I asked.
"We need to get you north!"