"Just be good Eliza, be polite, don't make anyone upset. The last thing we need is a scene."

I zoned out as my father babbled on about how I should present myself. I already knew what I was going to do- I was to keep my head down and stay quiet and just wait until this was all over.

I had decided I wasn't going to look; not even sneak a peak. I did not want images of wolves being whipped to their deaths lingering in my brain for the rest of my existence.

I couldn't help but let my mind wander as we all made our way to the clearing just outside our land. Who would be volunteering? Surely it would only be a single she-wolf- a young one without children.

There were about thirty females in my pack and around twenty of them were elders or mothers. I shivered, knowing that one of the volunteers would be a friend; someone that I had grown up with.

Bending around the corner, my mouth hung open as we reached the clearing. Usually empty and filled with nothing but howling winds and dust, it was now fully packed; almost impossible to squeeze past anyone.

Due to my short stature, it was hard for me to see, which I was grateful for, however, I knew I would still be able to hear. I twiddled with the hem of black blouse nervously, just hoping that this event would be short and snappy.

"Is everybody here?" boomed a loud voice, "good. I am Beta Hart. The Alpha is running a little late, but he's ordered me to get the event started and he will be here soon. Each pack must now present their volunteers!"

About a dozen she-wolves made their way into the middle of the clearing, all wearing either floaty dresses or smart blouses and jeans. However, we all knew those outfits would soon be ripped and blood covered.

I squinted my eyes, craning my neck in an attempt to identify the females in the middle, but I didn't recognise anyone. I turned to my father, who was staring, his eyes wide.

Hushed whispers filled our side of the clearing as each female announced their pack, some of them being declined and sent back into the crowd due to multiple volunteers from the same pack.

The last female spoke, announcing her pack name with pride. She smiled out to the crowd, her pearly whites beaming. You could just tell she had been waiting for this moment her entire life.

"Well, The Blue Stone pack, I assume we are missing someone?" Beta Hart asked, a smirk playing at his lips as he turned to my Alpha, James.

James sighed, stepping forwards. "Nobody has put themselves forwards, I'm afraid."

Beta Hart chuckled. "Oh, a weak pack I see. What do you think makes you exempt from this event Alpha Hughes?"

James shook his head. "I do not consider us exempt. The fact of the matter is, nobody has volunteered. It is your decision what you do with this information."

"Well, you know what happens when nobody volunteers. The Alpha selects one of you at random, but since he isn't here right now, I'll have to do the honour."

"No," mumbled my father, gripping onto my hand.

"All un-mated females aged between eighteen and twenty five step forward!" yelled Beta Hart.

My father yanked me back, gritting his teeth. "You are not going up there!"

"David, you will get everyone killed! There's a chance she may not get chosen, release your daughter now!" growled Alpha James, his eyes holding regret as they flickered to mine.

My father growled lowly, releasing my hand as my mother held her hand to her mouth in fear.

Shaking, I slowly started to squeeze past people, making my way into the middle of the clearing where four other girls stood.

Four girls I had grown up with. Four girls who were my friends.

I kept my gaze stuck to the ground, refusing to look up and meet eyes with Beta Hart. What gave anyone this right? Why was this the way they tested for strength?

"I'm not sure which one of you Alpha would choose himself, but I'll just have to guess. I know he has a thing for petite brunettes."

My head shot up and my face was met with Beta Hart's. He was smiling wickedly as he ushered the other four girls back into the crowd. "Let's hope you survive this honey, you're a pretty one." 

My hands started to tremble and I scanned the crowd for the eyes of my mother and father, but all I could see were thousands of pairs of eyes staring back at me.

"I am sure you are all aware of the rules, but, since one of these hasn't happened around here for a while, let me all refresh your memory," Beta Hart gripped tightly onto a whip, playing around with it in his hands as if it were a toy.

"Each she-wolf will kneel down on the floor and will be whipped by one of us," he said as he gestured towards members of his pack, "and the last female who hasn't either quit or died will be crowned the Luna of our pack."

"However, each wolf must receive at least five strikes of the whip before quitting. Once a female has endured the event and has not succeeded, she may never volunteer again."

I gasped. I had to be whipped before quitting. I was holding onto the hope that I could have just quit straight away. Tears started to rim my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

If I cried, I knew it would only make them whip me harder. That was the type of sick monsters they were.

"Let's begin!"

My shoulders were grabbed and I was pushed down until my knees hit the floor. I knew I was about to experience pure torture. I was about to feel the most pain I've ever felt in my life.

There was no doubt I would quit after five strikes; I did not want to leave my family and become a Luna for this sick and twisted pack. I looked behind me to see a tall, black haired man smiling at me. He gripped a long whip that I could see was already blood stained.

Bile rose to my throat and squeezed my eyes shut tightly, just waiting for it to be over.

"One!" yelled Beta Hart.

Then I felt it.

The whip slashed my skin and I knew it had instantly drawn blood. Shock spread throughout my body as the stinging and burning sensation rippled through me.

I screamed out in pain, gritting my teeth, trying not to look weak. I heard other screams and yells, some from the she-wolves and some from the crowd. I was sure this was an ugly sight to watch.

"Two!"

Again, pain ripped through me and black spots in my vision started to appear. Blinking them away, I regained my composure. Three more to go. I could do this. My back was in agony but was numb at the same time.

Tears poured down my face like a waterfall and I placed my hands over my ears, trying to block out the thundering clap of the whip making contact with my skin.

"Just to let everyone know, the Alpha has arrived!"

I didn't dare look up. I couldn't lose my concentration. I couldn't lose my composure.

"Three!"

I kept my teeth gritted as I gazed up just as I was struck again, and through blurry eyes, I saw a figure standing a few meters in front of me. I wiped my eyes, glaring at this man knowing it was his fault.

He was the one who did this. He was the one who organised this. He was the reason I was feeling this pain. He was the reason some of these she-wolves would most likely be dead in a couple of hours.

Snarling under my breath, I raised my head fully, glaring at the man in front of me, until his gaze locked mine.

Suddenly, my snarl was no longer present and I found myself furrowing my brows in confusion, staring at this man in front of me. He was staring back, angrily. His dark features struck me and I felt a small gasp escape my lips. What was going on?

He was tall. Tanned. He had dark brown hair that was wet from sweat as well as his stubble that dotted his face. His hazel eyes seemed to hold mine for a long time before either of us had clocked what was happening.

The pain seemed to subside for a second as my heart rate increased and all I could seem to focus on was this man in front of me. For in that moment, nothing else mattered.

"Four!"

I sucked in and squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for the fourth strike, but it never came. I heard the screams around me, so I knew the other wolves had been struck, but I had not. I opened my eyes, peering behind me to see the man who had once been whipping me red raw, pinned to the ground by...him.

After multiple punches to the face, the man was let go of by the Alpha. "The event is over! Go home, everyone!"

His voice held so much power. Everyone immediately started to scurry away until the clearing was almost empty.

Was he just wanting to whip us privately? Did he just want to be able to do it himself?

Alpha Logan shook with anger as he grabbed his Beta by the neck, lifting him up until his face turned red. "What the hell is this all about? You weren't going to wait for me?!"

"You said not to, Alpha," choked Beta Hart as he was dropped to the floor.

The stinging of my back was becoming more unbearable and I rolled over, grunting in pain. Clearly, my grunt had been heard by Alpha Logan as he came rushing over.

He tore off the loose bits of my shirt that were sticking to my bleeding wounds; not that there was much of it left anyway. Luckily, the front was still intact, saving me some modesty.

"Doctor, now!" boomed Alpha Logan, wiping my face free from dust and dirt- my face which was now staring back at his with furrowed brows, shock overwhelming me.

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Question for my readers! How tall are you?

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