Caged Between the beta and alpha novel Chapter 79

Two days had passed since the night of the rejection , I had spent it sitting next to Damon , refusing to leave him , because even if he was smiling , I knew he was hurting .

We put a movie on , although I knew neither of us were watching it as we had soon fallen asleep on the sofa .

I knew that it would take him time because he had held out hope .

Somewhere along the line , I had given up , knowing that it wouldn’t work , but he had held on .

I hope somewhere in the future we can look back and smile at this entire situation .

Someday , one day .

Today was the day of Liam’s trial .

It terrified me to know that tonight he’ll be punished .

This was the future Alpha of the pack , and although right now it felt like there was no hope , I was confident he would get there one day .

As for the curse , it was clear Liam himself had to do something to end it , but what ? Even I didn’t know , all we knew was the answer lies within .

Moreover , the killer was still out there .

The pack was still working on it , but since , Liam had been the one leading it , they were now set back .

With him gone , they had to check over things he had already done , although from what Damon told me they were in contact with him to help where he could .

He was even reviewing files in his cell .

He had told me that Liam had ordered them to do a thorough check on the tracker and stealth wolves who had the ability to hide their heartbeats .

As for no scent , sprays to hide them could easily be made or retrieved from the pack supplies , which were also checked , but none seemed to be unaccounted for .

So either someone was making their own or getting them from somewhere else .

Since I hadn’t felt anyone creep up behind me the night my mom was killed , we felt that a tracker wolf would be higher up on the list of suspects with a chance of being the killer .

I was in the hall now , seated at the front once again .

Today I wore a high – neck top , not wanting all eyes on my mark .

Everyone was seated just as they had that day but this time the room was far more uneasy , and there were more pack members here than there had been on Dad’s trial .

The doors opened and Liam was brought in .

His scent wafted into my nose and I closed my eyes , trying to control my emotions .

I watched him walk through the centre , unlike Dad who had two guards holding him , Liam led the way .

Despite him being stripped of rank , he was clearly still an Alpha .

His eyes were trained ahead and he took the seat that was awaiting him .

The guards cuffed him t o the chair just as Dad had been , before stepping away .

Uncle El stood up , his face emotionless , a frown furrowing his brow .

I felt dreadful that indirectly because of mine and Liam’s situation , they were going through this .

No , because of this stupid curse too .

” As you all know , we are here today to hold Liam Westwood accountable for the crimes he has committed … One that deserves capital punishment , for marking Raven Jacobs against her will and almost killing her in the process .

” Uncle El’s eyes Liam .

flashed dark cobalt and my gaze shifted to ” The room remained quiet , I knew everyone was unsure of what to make of it .

My heart was squeezing as I looked at him .

He simply nodded slowly , his face emotionless despite his eyes clouded with emotions .

What were we ?

” Liam , do you have anything to say ? ” Uncle El asked .

Aunty Red was frowning , the sadness in her eyes clear .

Liam raised his eyes , staring ahead with those cerulean orbs of his , full of emotion .

” I allowed my anger to get the better of m e , and in the process … committed a terrible crime .

I don’t deserve any leniency and I don’t think any punishment can make up for what I did .

” He said clearly .

Uncle El nodded .

” I’ve thought long and hard … Considering you are an Alpha … you are meant to be an example to this pack .

An Alpha is meant to be what he wants his people to be ; a role model for the youth of his pack .

If the Alpha commits a crime , it is far worse , With this title comes great responsibility , one we must always uphold .

As your Alpha , I sentence you to five hundred lashes with silver in public .

” My eyes flew open in shock .

Five hundred ?! That was worse than Dad’s ! And in public ? Why humiliate him ? I looked at Uncle El , not missing the way his fist trembled by his side , or the way Aunty Red gripped his arm .

This was hurting them too … Yet they were doing the right thing for the pack … A whisper of shock went through the room , and from the snippets I could hear , I knew people were shocked that the Alpha was subjecting his own son to something like this .

But Alpha Elijah was always known for his fairness and equality .

” You will remain under house arrest at our home for the next six months .

As for becoming Alpha … If the title is meant to b e yours , then it shall be , if and when the pack deems you are worthy of it .

Raven … D o you want to add anything ? ” ” Yes .

” I said , standing up .

For my happiness and what I felt was right ” I don’t like the punishment .

” I said .

” It’s befitting , ” Liam said , now glancing a t me .

My heart skipped a beat and I shook my head .

No , it wasn’t .

It wasn’t just an external factor .

Yes , marking someone against their will was bad , but was everyone forgetting the curse too ?

Yes , he got angry , but the darkness was still there .

” Let him at least walk around the pack and carry on as usual .

The killer is still out there and Liam is needed on that case .

Yes , he doesn’t need to have his Alpha title , but the pack needs him , rather than keeping him inside where he can’t be of any use .

” I said , looking at Uncle El .

He frowned , pondering over my words .

” Very well , he will be allowed to take his place amongst the pack .

However … due to his … temper , he will be on wolfsbane until 1 it’s under control .

He will , however , reside in the Alpha home .

” Uncle El continued , I knew he meant the curse .

That was better , Liam needed support and I knew they said the Alpha’s home , so he wouldn’t be completely alone .

This was still better , but he needed more than just two people there for him .

” If that- ” ” The lashes , I want the punishment lessened .

” I said quietly , my heart thumping .

I wasn’t stupid , I wasn’t going to let my emotions take over completely , but I didn’t like this .

” I can’t do that .

” Uncle El said quietly .

I’m bending the rules- ” ” I know what he did was wrong .

I know that I could have died .

I also know of every factor that contributed to it ; mistakes were made , and although it will take me time , I don’t hate him .

I’m angry at what happened , hurt too , but as the one who it happened to I have a right to- ” ” I also have a right to this .

This punishment won’t take away what I did , but I’ll feel a little better .

” Liam said quietly .

‘ Liam , don’t do this .

‘ I said through the link .

‘ I fucked up big time , Raven , I can’t ever forgive myself .

’ ‘ You want to know how you can make up for this ? ” I asked , my heart pounding in rhythm with his as we stared at each other from five metres apart .

” There’s nothing , that can change the past .

‘ ‘ I know , but if you want to do something for me , then do something that will actually make me happy .

‘ I said .

I knew people could tell we were mind linking .

‘ Anything .

‘ He said quietly .

‘ Fight this curse , fix the bonds you have destroyed and let’s make things right Liam .

I love you , but by giving up and just accepting things , that’s not the way to go .

I want to see the true Liam shine through , I believe only then can we get rid of this darkness .

Let’s do this together .

‘ Our eyes were locked , I wish he’d understand .

His brows furrowed and I knew he was thinking about what I said .

‘ I nderstand and I will do all that , but … for me … let me have this punishment , bitesize .

‘ He said , his eyes full of pain as he looked back up at me .

Goddess … My heart clenched and I realised he needed this too .

The people need to see this too .

What I did was fucking messed up .

Not only did I mark you , I fucking ripped your throat out .

‘ I looked down before nodding and slowly sat down .

” If that’s decided … Tonight at seven pm , Liam Westwood will get his lashings .

” Uncle El said before dismissing the trial .

I sighed heavily as everyone began leaving .

Aunty Red came over to me , wrapping her arms around me tightly .

” He is a Westwood , he has the strength to take his punishment .

” She said softly .

I nodded , wrapping my arms around her tightly .

I know , but it didn’t mean I liked it .

It wasn’t only going to be hard for me , but for his family too .

I watched him being taken away , staring a this back , my heart clenching in pain .

Seven o clock couldn’t have come sooner , my nerves were a mess .

I was advised to not go see him receive his punishment but I wasn’t able to avoid it .

The bond wasn’t completed because , as I was a werewolf as well , his mark alone didn’t complete it .

I would need to mark him too to complete our bond .

Which meant I wouldn’t be able to feel the pain o f his lashings , only his emotions and a sense of unease , but that was already happening .

I was a restless mess with each passing moment .

I entered the lower hall , which I hadn’t really been in before , I knew Dad’s lashing had occurred in the cells …

” I looked around .

It was like one of those illegal underground arena’s , cold , gloomy and with that deep sense of foreboding .

Damon was nodding at something Uncle E I was saying , his gloved hand around a silver chain .

Liam wasn’t here yet .

Uncle E 1 patted his shoulder before giving me a nod and walking away .

Aunty Red wasn’t here , but as Alpha , Uncle El had to be here .

I walked over to Damon , knowing that this wasn’t easy for him too .

” Hey … ” I said .

He looked up , surprised to see me before placing the whip down .

I hugged him tightly and he hugged me back .

” Hey , why did you come ? ” He asked quietly .

” Moral support ? I actually have no idea … I just … I need to be here .

” I whispered .

He frowned and nodded .

” And how are you feeling ? ” I looked around .

It was so dark and dreary in here … I noticed Robyn , Zack , Taylor and even Owen were here .

That bastard ..

” Ok , I guess .

” He replied quietly .

No , he wasn’t .

” You got this .

” I said , ” Just don’t think .

” He nodded just as Liam’s familiar scent hit my nose .

I turned to see him being taken to the centre , my stomach twisting a s they hooked his wrists to the chains that dangled from the ceiling .

Chains that would keep him upright even when his body could no longer take it .

The sound of heels echoing on the stone floor made me turn and I saw Aunty Red enter .

She looked around , her heart thudding as she broke into a quick run , rushing over to Liam who was already chained up .

” Mom ? ” He said , sounding surprised .

I could only see his chiselled back towards me as his shirt had now been removed .

” Liam .

” She said , cupping his face as she pressed her forehead to his .

” I’m fine .

This is nothing .

” He said quietly .

Everyone fell silent and I knew this was hard for Aunty Red … She had been through so much and what happened had brought back her own traumatic experience.

They switched to mind link , Aunty Red nodded and placed a kiss on his forehead , although he had to bend his head for her to reach .

She stepped back , taking a deep breath , and walked over to m e .

I smiled gently , as she came over and hugged me tightly . ” I’d stay … But I can’t see this , I’m sorry .

” She whispered .

I nodded , I understood .

She turned and walked away , casting a final glance at Liam and Uncle El before she did .

Damon walked forward , and any murmurs that occurred died down .

My heart was thumping with every step Damon took .

His hand twisted around the whip , Uncle El sat down next to me .

” Why are you here ? ” ” I … I wanted to be … ” ” People only come when they want the victim to be punished .

You won’t be able t o do anything .

” He said quietly , making m y heart thud .

I dared not look at him .

” I … I wanted to … just … ” I mumbled .

I knew deep down I was scared of what was happening and I wanted to make sure things didn’t go too far … but …

I looked at the man next to me , not Uncle El but the Alpha of this pack , an Alpha who needed t o uphold the laws … He didn’t say anything .

Holding out his hand , I looked down at it .

Placing my own in his , he gave it a gentle squeeze as we looked ahead .