Getting away with the Alpha's Pup

Chapter 226

Fern's Perspective

The pungent stench of blood filled the entire warehouse, mixing with the rusty scent in the damp air, creating a nauseating atmosphere. My hands were bound behind my back, my knees sunk deep into the cold concrete floor, and my body had grown numb from the prolonged position. But the pain in my heart was unbearable, as if it were being scorched by an unrelenting fire, so intense that it stole my breath.

Elena stood nearby, her heels echoing sharply on the ground like the bells of a death knell. She smiled, her narrow eyes glinting with the playful satisfaction of a victor, while several black-clad bodyguards behind her held Daniel down in a deadly grip. His mouth was gagged, and his eyes were wide with terror.

But my gaze was fixed on the man before me—him, my MATE, my Alpha, the man I thought I'd never forgive in my life. Yet here he was, kneeling before Elena.

I had never seen him so disheveled.

His black shirt was soaked with blood, his wounds gaping and exposed to the air, blood dripping from the contours of his muscles, staining the floor beneath him. His fists were clenched so tightly that his veins bulged, as if he were struggling to restrain something within himself.

"That's quite the sight," Elena purred, tickling his chin with the toe of her leather boot. "Look at you, Alpha. Haven't you always prided yourself on being untouchable? Now you're kneeling before me for a woman who betrayed you."

My heart seemed to tear itself from my chest, the pain so sharp I could hardly breathe.

He didn't respond, didn't fight, didn't even avert his gaze. Instead, he stared directly at Elena, his voice low and cold, "Release them."

Elena blinked, her cruel smile deepening. "Of course." She paused, savoring the moment. "But only if you accept my... small punishment."

The air grew thick, and my heart nearly stopped.

I shook my head, unable to stop myself from shouting, "No—!"

But Elena merely tilted her head, flashing me an unapologetic smile. "You have no say in this, Fern," she said softly, clapping her hands. A man in black then dragged over a heavy chain, the end of it connected to a barbed whip.

My blood ran cold.

"No! You can't do this to him!" I struggled with every ounce of strength, but the man in black holding me down pressed harder on my shoulders, pinning me to the ground.

Elena raised an eyebrow and smiled pityingly. "Can't? My dear, don't you think you lost the right to speak for him after betraying him?" She turned to the man in black. "Begin."

My eyes widened in horror as the man raised the whip, the barbs gleaming coldly in the air.

"Stop!" I screamed, but no one paid attention.

Splat!

The whip landed across his back with a sickening sound, flesh tearing and blood splattering.

He stifled a grunt, his body swaying, but he remained kneeling upright, his gaze unwavering.

"No! Please, no!" I cried, my voice rising in hysteria, tears welling up in my eyes.

But Elena simply smiled, savoring the torment before her.

The second lash, then the third, landed harder than the first. Blood poured from his back, his shirt torn beyond recognition, the wounds deep enough to expose bone. Yet he never cried out. His teeth were clenched in silent endurance as he slowly lifted his eyes to meet mine.

In that moment, it felt like my heart had been crushed under a heavy weight.

His gaze was gentle and steadfast, no trace of anger or resentment in his eyes—only quiet reassurance, as if to tell me: It's okay. I can endure this, as long as you and Daniel survive.

The pain in my chest became suffocating.

"Enough, Elena, enough!" I screamed with all my might. "You've gotten what you wanted. Please, let him go..."

Elena sighed, her tone tinged with dissatisfaction. She crouched down beside him, whispering in Giovanni's ear, "Your mate can be so heartbroken."

He didn't respond. He didn't even look up.

The heavy scent of blood filled the air. Blood pooled on the ground, and a chilling cold seemed to seep into my bones. My body was pinned to the floor by the black-clad men, unable to move. I could feel Daniel's faint sobs behind me, his small body trembling in my arms.

The sight before me nearly shattered me.

He—my MATE, my Alpha—was tortured and broken, kneeling in a pool of blood. His once strong frame now trembled from the countless lashings, his dark blood running down his torn skin. His head hung low, his black hair disheveled, hiding the sharp, proud eyes that used to command respect.

"Look what has become of the once unstoppable Alpha," Elena sneered, her fingers tracing his jaw and forcing him to raise his head. "How pathetic, to kneel before me for the sake of your mate and your son."

My heart seized painfully, my eyes blurred with tears, and my breath caught in my throat as if some invisible hand were choking me.