Chapter Seven

As dawn's first light broke, Ariana's heart pounded with dread. She knew that the punishment for her attempted escape would be severe. Her father's anger was a force of nature, and today, she would feel its full fury.

As Ariana was dragged back to her parents, the air was thick with tension. Her father's stern face bore a scowl as he towered over her, his eyes filled with fury. The moment she had feared finally arrived.

Ariana's voice trembled as she stammered, "Father, please, I didn't mean to escape. I was just... scared."

Her father's response was a low, menacing growl. "Scared, were you? Scared of what, my own daughter?"

"I... I was scared of being forced into a life I don't want," Ariana choked out. "Please, Father, I don't want to be tied to the Crescent Moon pack. I want to choose my own path."

He leaned in closer, his face inches from hers. "You think you can defy me? You think you can defy our tradition? The Alpha himself arranged this union, and you dare to defy him?"

Tears welled up in Ariana's eyes as she pleaded, "I beg you, Father, don't make me do this. Let me make my own choices in life. Please."

Her father's grip on her tightened, and he raised his hand, the whip poised to strike. "You will learn your place, Ariana. This is your destiny, and you will embrace it."

The crack of the whip was deafening, and Ariana cried out as it sliced through the air, leaving painful marks on her skin. The exchange of words and lashes continued. It was an intense moment that left Ariana broken as her father lashed out the leather whip, cutting into her skin, and leaving raw bruises across her trembling body.

The tension in the room was suffocating, a reflection of the turmoil in Ariana's heart. Her father's scowl remained, and her defiance had earned her nothing but more suffering.

"Never think of escaping again," he growled. His voice was a thunderous warning, and the pain was a stark reminder of the consequences.

Broken and defeated, Ariana was locked away in the dim, shabby kitchen, the cold stone floor offering no comfort. She curled up, trying to find warmth in her own arms as the tears flowed freely. The night was long, and sleep was elusive. The fear of her father's wrath was as chilling as the floor she lay upon.

The following morning was as cruel as the night before, and Ariana's eyes opened as dawn's first light crept into the room. Ariana's mother entered with a jug of icy water. Her eyes blazed with a hatred that chilled the air.

She tipped the jug, and the freezing water drenched Ariana, causing her to gasp and shiver uncontrollably.

Her mother's voice, dripping with venom, sliced through the cold air. "Get up, you wretched girl."

Ariana, her teeth chattering and her body quaking from the shock of the cold water, slowly rose to her feet, her eyes fixed on the unforgiving figure of her mother. "I... I'm up."

Margret's anger was obvious, and the mere sight of Ariana seemed to intensify it. "You think you can escape your fate? You think you can defy our family, our pack? Your insolence knows no bounds."

Ariana tried to speak, her voice quivering. "I didn't mean to defy anyone. I just... I just wanted a choice in my own life."

Her mother's laughter was a chilling sound. "Choice? You have no choice, Ariana. You will do as we say, and you will marry the Alpha of the Crescent Moon Pack. You will be the obedient daughter, and that is all you will ever be."

Tears welled up in Ariana's eyes as she begged, "Please, Mother, I can't bear this. I can't bear the thought of a loveless marriage."

Her mother's eyes narrowed to slits, and her tone turned even more malicious. "Love? Who needs love when we have tradition, obedience, and power? Your defiance has brought shame to this family."

Ariana's voice cracked as she pleaded, "I'm sorry, Mother. I'll do whatever you want. Just please, don't make me go."

But her mother was unyielding, her face twisted in a mask of hate. Her expression darkened further, and her voice dripped with malevolence. "Anything I ask? You should have thought of that before you shamed us. Cruelty is what you deserve and I hope the Alpha makes your life a living hell."

Her cold, calculating eyes locked onto Ariana. "Enough of your self-pity. It's time to work."

Ariana, her body still shivering from the cold water, replied in a subdued voice, "Yes, Mother."

Her mother's voice, dripping with spite, "Make sure you scrub every corner, every surface. I want this whole place spotless."

Her mother ordered her to clean the entire house, a task that felt impossible, given her fragile state.

Ariana diligently scrubbed the floor, her hands trembling with each stroke. Suddenly, the dull ache of her heart intensified, becoming an agonizing, sharp pain. It felt like a blade slicing through her chest, and in that moment, her connection with her inner wolf screamed out in anguish.

It was a gut-wrenching sensation that sent her crashing to her knees, her eyes filling with tears. The pain was her wolf's way of communicating, and this time, it was unmistakable – Mia and Liam, her love and her sister, were entwined in the most intimate of moments.

Ariana cried out in pain as the sharp, searing sensation tore through her heart.

Her mother, never one to show mercy, her eyes ablaze with anger and hatred, advanced on Ariana, the leather whip raised high, "Get back to work!"

Her voice, laced with cruelty, accompanied the impending strike. "This is the price of your disobedience, girl."

The whip was poised to strike, and Ariana closed her eyes, bracing for the inevitable pain. But just then, as if conjured by some unspoken magic, the door swung open, and an overpowering aura filled the room.

It was  Alpha Ethan of the Crescent Moon pack, his presence striking like a thunderclap. His eyes bore the weight of leadership, and his voice was a command that demanded absolute obedience.

The Alpha stood tall and imposing, his voice was a deep, resonating echo that reverberated through the chamber,

"What is going on here?"

Ariana's mother froze, the whip held high but trembling in her grasp. She was not exempt from the Alpha's presence, and her voice quivered as she spoke, "Alpha, we.. we're practicing." She managed to fake a smile as she lied.

"It's a move I learned when I was much younger. she insisted I teach her some of my dance moves, she really loved it." Margret added as she lowered the whip and hid it behind her. Ariana kept her head down avoiding eye contact with the Alpha.

Alpha Ethan, his gaze shifted from Ariana to her mother, a silent but forceful warning of his unassailable authority. He then moved forward, his gaze now locked onto Ariana,

"Is that so?" he asked.

Margret nodded, unable to utter a word but still faking a smile.

Alpha Ethan smirked, "We'll see how that goes" he then walked out of the room to join his entourage who were already waiting in the main chamber.