Chapter 80

Damon raised the whip , I flinched when it struck Liam’s back .

He didn’t even move , another followed , each lash made my heart squeeze .

For his mistake … It’s for his mistake … I had to tell myself that , my heart thundering as each lash struck him , slicing through his skin and letting blood drip to the ground .

Not once did he even flinch , despite his breathing becoming harder .

But each lash was biting into me , the pain of watching him face this … Thirty … ” Raven … ” Uncle El said and I realised I was shaking .

My heart was beating far too fast .

” Step outside . ” No.

” I said as I saw Taylor coming over .

No doubt Uncle El had mind linked him .

” I’m staying .

” I stared at Liam as Damon continued .

The emotionless mask on Damon’s face was gone , pain and conflict on his face too as he frowned deeply continuing the punishment .

” That’s enough now .

” I said suddenly , flinching as the silver cut into Liam’s back that was a mess of lashes , torn skin and blood .

” Raven .

I told you , you can’t change this .

” Uncle El said softly .

” No I can , because he marked me , I have the right to .

” I said standing up , I saw Damon glance towards us but he continued his dealing .

Each lash felt like I was the one being cut open .

My heart was screaming in pain .

The fear and anguish inside of me were messing m e up .

He made a terrifying mistake , and one that would take time to heal , but let him have the chance to redeem himself ! Not d o something so painful like this ! ” Take her outside .

” Uncle El said quietly t o Taylor and Zack , ” Your emotions are clouding your judgement , Raven .

” ” 1 No , No … I love him …

Taylor wrapped his arm around my shoulders , leading me firmly towards the exit .

No ! I stared at Liam’s mutilated back , his shoulders heaving , his head hanging yet not once did a sound escape him .

‘ I’m fine , Raven .

Please leave .

‘ His voice came through the link .

No matter how much he tried to hide it … I could hear it .

My eyes stung with tears as I shook my head at his back .

How can I turn my back on him right now ? The darkness inside of him was feeding on all negative emotions ; fear , loneliness and regret were part of that .

This was not the right way ! ” Fifty .

” Damon said , breathing hard as he lashed him again .

I couldn’t breathe ….

My heart was ringing in my ear … The smell of blood … I spun around in a flash , but Zack was ready .

His arm was wrapped around my waist as I struggled against him .

” Stop it ! ” I cried out , my heart was breaking as if someone was ripping it apart inch by inch ” Raven , come on .

It’s compulsory .

” Zack said quietly .

” Please stop it ! If this is for marking me , I was going to let him mark me anyway ! ” I sobbed , not caring for once that I was crying out in the open .

Damon hesitated , turning to me .Our eyes met and I realised his eyes glistened with unshed tears .

This was hurting him too .

” That doesn’t make the way he did things right .

” Zack said quietly .

” I know ! And I won’t forgive him easily , but brutally whipping him like this ?! I don’t like it ! Two wrongs do not make a right ! ” I shouted .

” Alpha Elijah ! As the victim , I demand that you let him go ! ” ” That cannot be done .

Take her away .

” Uncle El said , his eyes flashing .

” Liam ! ”

‘ I’m fine love , please go .

” ” Let go of me ! ” I shouted as Zack carried , me out of the hall and into the corridor .

No.

I will do what I feel is right ! Twisting i n his hold I rammed my elbow in his face .

Sorry , Taylor .

His grip loosened as he grunted in pain , I took the chance to knock him back and ran back inside .

” I SAID STOP IT ! ” I cried out running onto the stage and wrapping my arms around Liam from behind , the strong sparks of the bond rushed through me as I tried to shield his back , but I didn’t even cover half of it .

” Please stop it , this is only hurting me more .

” I whispered in the room that was now completely silent .

” This isn’t easy for anyone .

” Uncle El said softly .

” But a punishment is- ” ” He’s had over fifty lashes .

Please stop ! ” I shouted .

The pain in my chest was growing , my eyes blazing as I stared at the Alpha .

” Raven , I’m fine .

” Liam said , his voice was hoarse despite trying to sound as normal as possible .

” I’m not ok with this .

” I said slowly letting go of him , flinching at how deep the wounds on his back were .

” Please … I love him ….

Please stop this … ” I joined my hands together in front of my face , unable to stop the tears that streamed down my cheeks as I looked at Uncle El .

” Please … I beg you … This is causing me more pain than good .

” My voice broke as I stared up at our Alpha .

He stood there ; the conflict clear on his face .

” We make mistakes in life … and some may be unforgivable , but this is between Liam and I and we will work on them …

We also know he has no memory of what he did … he wasn’t just fuelled by rage alone .

” I said quietly , the pain in my chest was overpowering everything .

” Give him one chance to redeem himself ! If he messes up again , then you can punish him .

Please .

” My hands were shaking as I pressed my joint fingers to my lips , closing my eyes a s sobs wracked my body .

I heard the clang of the whip hitting the floor , opening my eyes to see Damon had dropped it .

He pulled me into his arms , stroking my back .

” I agree with her Alpha ….

I think it’s enough .

” He said quietly .

Uncle El sighed heavily .

Alpha … I’m with Raven and Damon … Liam regrets his actions and he will prove his worth .

” Zack said , quietly wiping blood from his nose .

A murmur of agreement passed through the people watching , and I hoped Liam saw that we were not giving up on him .

W e would defeat the darkness , together .

LIAM ” Let him down ! ” Her voice made my heart clench , her words ringing in my head .

I don’t get how she could even consider forgiving me at a time when I couldn’t forgive myself … I had almost killed her … I was unlocked and I staggered , holding my stance .

I turned to look at her .

Tears streamed down her beautiful face as Damon embraced her .

How many times would I make her cry ? Our eyes met and she pulled out of Damon’s hold as she looked at me , stepping closer .

There were still bridges to build between us … She should have let me receive my punishment … ” Get him cleaned up and then I expect him at my place after being given a dose o f wolfsbane .

” Dad said , his eyes meeting mine .

I looked away , knowing I had disappointed him .

I had never wanted to ever cause him pain , but I had … I turned to Damon , I knew it hadn’t been easy on him .

The first few lashes had held anger in them , but after that , each one had been hard for him too .

Raven’s words from earlier were still clear in my mind .

Fix the bonds I had destroyed .

For her and for me .

I had a lot of work to do , with myself ,Raven , Damon , Mom … My stomach twisted and I felt sick .

I knew , what her father had done and unknowingly , I had done the same thing .

I could only imagine what she was going through .

Everyone was leaving and I was led into a side room by Zack , who was supporting a bruised nose , I had a feeling it was courtesy of Raven .

” I’m sorry , Taylor .

” Raven was saying as Damon pushed me down onto the bed .

I glanced up at her as she pouted at Taylor , who looked as sad as Raven .

” I won’t hit him again .

” Raven pleaded quietly , ” Sorry Zack .

” I raised an eyebrow , glancing at Zack , who simply nodded .

” It’s fucking understandable , but don’t fuck the nose up next time .

” He said .

” There won’t be a next time ! ” Raven promised , ” Do you forgive me , Taylor ? ” ” Since it was for your mate … ” He said giving her a hug .

” If I wasn’t in so much pain , I would have probably found their exchange a little amusing .

There was a lot Raven did that was just cute … a cuteness I didn’t fucking deserve to even witness … I didn’t deserve having her in my life .

I looked at my Beta and Delta- not mine anymore … but … they were still here .

‘ Arms up .

” .

” Damon said , I held back the hiss of pain as he splashed something on my back .

” That burns .

” I muttered , making Raven turn to him .

Her face became serious , she came over .

Her scent enveloped my senses , and as much as I wish I could just wrap her up in my fucking arms forever …

I no longer held hopes for that .

I didn’t deserve her … ” I’ll do it .

” She said , taking the bandage from Damon , who nodded .

We were halfway done , her fingers often grazing my skin , sending off a rush of pleasure as she wrapped the bandage around me firmly when Damon swore , staring at Zack .

” What is it ? ” Raven asked , her heart thumping .

” There’s been another death .

” Damon said , frowning .

” The body was discovered ten minutes ago .

” 1 ” Fuck … ” I said .

” Who is it ? ” Raven asked with worry in her eyes .

” One of the elder wolves , Arnold .

” Zack muttered .

The room fell silent as the five of us stared at one another .

This needed to end .

” We have to do something … Maybe we need to search everyone’s houses , the teeth and eyeballs have got to be stored somewhere .

” Raven said , reaching up and brushing my hair out of my eyes .

Our eyes met and my gaze dipped to her neck , my chest fucking squeezing as I looked at it … half –

hidden … She moved away , a flash of pain in her eyes before she turned away .

I agree … But isn’t that what Liam kind of wanted ? How do we do that without making the pack restless ? ” Zack asked .

We all fell into thought , how do we get the pack homes empty ? Taylor snapped his fingers .

” We party ! ” The rest of us frowned at the question , but Raven gasped as if understanding .

” A party for the entire pack … So the homes are empty ? ” She asked .

Taylor nodded , a small smile on his lips .

” Exactly , the Alpha can say it’s just due to everything going on , a party for everyone would be good … I mean , I’d say his birthday would be ideal , but we can’t delay this until then .

When everyone is at the party , those at the top of our list of suspects , well … we search .

” He explained .

” You’re pretty smart .

” Zack said , wrapping his arms around Taylor’s neck , pulling him against him and kissing his forehead .

I sure missed a lot .

” You two together ? ” I asked .

” Mates actually .

” Zack said before looking away … ” I fucked up ..

So , it took a little .

11 time .

” We all mess up at times … We just got to work on it .

” Taylor said , looking at Zack and then at me .

I nodded .

Yeah .

” Well then , I think it’s time we started planning this party .

” Damon said , smacking his hands together .

” Can I help search ? ” I asked quietly .

” Sure .

” Damon said .

” We can use whatever help we can get .

” This killer had been on the loose for far too fucking long … Moonlight Muse