Untamable

Chapter 2 Whipped

Elizabeth’s POV

"Aiden, why do you..." I murmur, thoroughly puzzled by his action.

Is he trying to spare my feelings, worried I'll end up in a puddle of tears? I let myself think that just for a second, but reality quickly slaps me upside the head.

"I can't," Aiden says, his voice trying to sound all serious. "My father, well, he doesn’t like Cherry. If he finds out about us, he’ll probably take out his anger on her."

Oh, so it's not about my tender heart—it’s all about saving Cherry.

I can't help it. A little laugh slips out, but it's not the ha-ha kind. It's the kind you hear in a tragicomedy right before someone gets hit with a pie. In that brief moment, whatever I felt for Aiden packed its bags and left.

"So, what do you need me to do? Get you a cape for your superhero act?" I ask, feeling more than a little exasperated.

"Just keep pretending everything's peachy," Aiden says with an awkward smile.

“I can’t...” I begin, but he's quick to cut me off.

“No, Elizabeth. Think about my father. He sees you as his own daughter. You wouldn’t want to break his heart, would you? He'll be so disappointed if our marriage doesn’t go through. Just go through with it for his sake, I’m begging you,” Aiden pleads. “After we're married, we can keep it alive in name only. I won't meddle in your affairs if you don't meddle in mine. It’ll work out fine.”

"Alright," I murmur, feeling the chains of obligation tighten.

"And, uh, stall the wedding a bit for me. I'll be back soon." He fusses with his sleeves like they're causing him personal offense. "Gotta run," he says, before dashing off to the pack doctor, not even glancing back.

I’m left standing in the metaphorical rain, even though the sun is shining brighter than ever. It’s like my bones can feel the chill. I hug myself tight, biting down on my lip to keep the tears at bay.

Deep breath, Elizabeth, you’ve got this.

Should I hang around like a lovesick puppy waiting for his return, or do I pack my luggage and disappear before my fiasco ends up as tomorrow's breakfast gossip?

If I could go back in time, I'd definitely choose the escape route. But back then, something kept me rooted, something stupid, that stopped me from making the simple decision—to cut the ties with my pack and go.

Apparently, I wasn’t quite brave enough to embrace the unknown myself.

And the cost of cowardice? It is dangerously high.

About three hours later—yes, three epic hours—Aiden finally shows up. He makes his grand entrance, striding to the altar like he’s the hero of some romantic epic, taking my hand as we turn to face the pack members.

I had pictured this moment so many times, imagining it as pure magic. But standing here, all I can feel is a biting bitterness, a taste that lingers like burnt coffee. We wear smiles for the audience, but they're as hollow as promises unkept, not even grazing the corners of our eyes.

In front of the entire pack, Aiden vows with conviction that he will be with me through thick and thin, his words wrapped in sincerity and warmth. For a fleeting moment, I wish I could lose myself in his promises, to savor the simple joy of being a happy bride. But reality tugs at me fiercely, reminding me of the cracks beneath his polished facade. My sanity is screaming, telling me I cannot trust this man anymore. He gives a damn about the promise he makes.

He doesn’t come back after half an hour like he told me.

It takes him three hours. He spends three f*****g hours to take care of Cherry Bloom. I can’t help but wonder how much time I'd get if I decided to make a scene and faint on the altar.

I swallow down the urge to laugh at myself sarcastically. And with a voice that sounds more like a bad joke than a romantic vow, I tell the priest, “Yes I'd love to marry Aiden.”

My words prompt a tsunami of applause and cheers from the crowd.

“You may now kiss the bride,”the priest directs, and Aiden leans in, and his lips meet mine. They're warm and soft—exactly as I'd daydreamed.

He was my dreamboy, and yet, kissing him now feels like drinking expired milk. I have to summon every ounce of my willpower not to recoil.

I'm baffled.

Truly baffled.

How did I become the least happy person on the day I was supposed to be prancing through a field of joyful daisies?

***

Three years later.

We gave Alpha Hugh the no-fuss funeral he wanted. Losing such a great leader in a rogue attack hits everyone hard—it's like a big, gloomy cloud settled over the whole pack.

Aiden stepped up as the new Alpha, and I got the Luna title.

Honestly, the title doesn't mean much to me. It's just a fancy name change. Cherry, on the other hand, is still Aiden's favorite, and she's quick to let everyone know as soon as Alpha Hugh is out of the picture.

Aurora is concerned, suggesting I should keep an eye on the omega, for Cherry might no longer be satisfied with just being Aiden's mistress. She would go for Luna's position.

I am too naive. I didn’t take Aurora’s warning seriously, but shrug my shoulders nonchalantly and say, “She can have it if that’s what she wants.”

“Okay,”Aurora sighs. “So do you have any plans for the future?”

I wish I do. But the only thing I can do is to shake my head and whisper, “Sorry Aurora, I don’t know.”

I’m just plain exhausted and feeling blue. Everything hit rock bottom on my wedding day, and Alpha Hugh’s death was the last straw. I’m too drained to care about the future—no energy left to chase after dreams or fight for anything.

So, when Aiden shows up and suggests we split, I nod, barely thinking twice.

He looks at me, a bit shocked but relieved, and mutters, "Thanks."

That's when it dawns on me—this probably isn't even Aiden's idea. It’s Cherry pulling the strings.

Anyway, we finally deal with the whole rejection thing that got left hanging on our wedding day.

As the bond between us snaps, it's as if an electric current jolts through every nerve in my body. The pain is sharp and sudden, a lightning strike that spreads from my chest and radiates outward, searing through my veins. It feels like my heart is being stretched and torn, each pulse a reminder of what's missing. My muscles tense involuntarily, locking me in place, and I struggle to breathe, trying to catch my breath against the crushing weight on my chest. My vision blurs, and I press a hand to my chest, as though that could hold the shattered pieces together.

Despite the physical torment, it's the emptiness that cuts the deepest. The feeling of something vital being ripped away, leaving behind a void so profound that it seems to swallow all light and hope. Yet, amid the chaos of pain, there's a strange relief that curls around the edges.

Aiden experiences the pain too, but he looks far more composed than me.

Maybe it's true—those who love more intensely bear the sharper sting when the bond breaks.

Aiden clutches his chest yet he keeps his expression steady. After a moment, he extends a hand to help me up, his voice soft with concern, "You okay?"

"Just leave me alone," I grumble. His fake kindness is the last thing I need.

Aiden flinches, tries to say something, but nothing comes out.

"I'll still look out for you, even if you're not my Luna," he whispers, making another promise he won't keep.

Life's pretty dull the first week after we split. Then things start to get really rough.

Cherry wasted no time showing her true colors after I lost my power. She used to play the part of the sweet, helpless damsel, but now her ambition’s out in the open, and she's not even trying to hide it——except she makes sure to put her halo back on whenever Aiden is around.

First on her agenda: making life miserable for anyone who dared to be my friend, starting with snatching Aurora away and giving her a hard time.

One morning, I’m jolted awake by a commotion outside. I step out, rubbing sleep from my eyes, to find Aurora kneeling before Cherry, who seems to be having the time of her life playing queen bee.

“You broke a porcelain plate this morning, didn’t you?” Cherry asks, lounging back in an armchair, casually admiring her perfectly polished red nails.

“I did, but it wasn’t on purpose,” Aurora pleads, her voice trembling. "Someone pushed me from behind, and I lost my balance."

“Oh?” Cherry feigns surprise. "And who might this mysterious assailant be?"

“I didn’t see. It was too dark in the kitchen,” Aurora mutters, sounding desperate.

Cherry snorts, wrinkling her nose. “So you’re telling me there's someone lurking in the dark and initiating an attack on you, like, assassin in the kitchen? Sounds like a fairy tale to me. You're just fibbing to dodge punishment."

“I swear, it’s the truth!” Aurora protests.

Cherry just chuckles, taking a juicy bite from an apple. “We'll see if some whips make you more honest. Go ahead,” she directs the person ready with a whip as if she’s merely watching a show.

Just as I'm about to stop this ridiculous scene, Helen grips my arm. “Stay calm, Elizabeth. She's just trying to get under your skin.”

“I know, but I can’t stand by while she bullies my friends,” I whisper, shrugging her off and stepping forward. “Stop!” I call out, making the would-be whipper pause and look between me and Cherry.

Cherry greets me with a sugary smile. “Elizabeth, what a surprise! Care to explain your interruption?”

I press my lips together, trying to keep my cool. “Isn't whipping someone for breaking a plate a bit extreme? Aurora says she got pushed. Shouldn’t you investigate before jumping to conclusions?” I pause as Aiden comes into view.

“What’s going on here?” Aiden inquires, frowning as he surveys the scene.Cherry immediately springs up, rushing to Aiden’s side like a damsel in distress, her voice dripping vulnerability. “Oh, my Alpha!” she exclaims, leaning into him. “I’m just trying to learn how to be a good Luna and make you proud.” She pauses, and pulls a mockingly shy smile. “But it seems that I don’t have the knack for this. I am too soft to argue with Elizabeth and hold my stance.”

What the f**k.

“Aiden, it’s not like that…” I start to explain, but Cherry jumps in, spinning her own tale.

“I just wanted to teach this Omega a lesson for breaking your father's favorite plate, but of course, Elizabeth had to step in and save her friend," Cherry laments, painting herself as the victim. "I need you to teach me how to be more like a Luna, Aiden. Everyone listens to Elizabeth instead of me, even though I'm your Luna."

Aiden turns to me with a frown. "Why’d you interfere, Elizabeth?"

“Because it’s not fair to…” I begin, but again, I’m cut off.

“You just don’t want to see Aurora punished, I get it,” Aiden waves his hand dismissively. “But you can’t shield her just because she’s your friend. It’s setting a bad example for the pack.” He pauses, and coldly adds, “And let's not forget, you’re not Luna anymore.”

I feel his words are like a slap. Cherry's smirk is almost audible, but when Aiden looks at her, she switches to her best innocent expression, eyes wide. “Sorry, Aiden. Please don’t blame Elizabeth. She was just voicing her views. It’s my fault—I shouldn’t be so easily swayed.”

“Hey, don’t blame yourself,” Aiden soothes, tilting her chin up. “You’re too open-minded.”

I can’t help but chuckle. Open-minded? That’s a new one. My laughter earns me a stern look from Aiden. “Proceed with the whipping,” he commands.

I believe he does this not to punish Aurora. He does this to punish me, to show who is in charge.

The first crack of the whip sends a shiver down my spine as Aurora’s scream fills the air. I clench my fists, feeling her pain. Another lash strikes, and I squeeze my eyes shut.

“Elizabeth, don’t…” Helen whispers, sensing my resolve.

Cherry’s counting on me to react, but I just cannot stand by. Before the next whip lands, I throw myself over Aurora, catching the blow meant for her.

The sting is intense, like fire on my skin, but I refuse to give Cherry the satisfaction of seeing me break. I bite down hard on my lip to keep from crying out.

“Elizabeth!” Aurora sobs, tears streaming.

The whipper pauses, not sure whether to keep going. She looks at Aiden for guidance.

Aiden glares down at me. “Get off her, Elizabeth.”

“No,” I reply firmly, holding Aurora close.

“Don’t make me hurt you,” Aiden warns, trying to sound authoritative but with a hint of hesitation.

“Bit late for that,” I shot back, my voice laced with mockery. “You’ve already hurt me, and I can take more. So why don’t you just bring it on?”

For a moment, Aiden’s anger tries to mask the turmoil inside him. He knows he's caught in a difficult spot, needing to assert his authority yet unwilling to truly harm me. It’s like watching someone try to eat soup with a fork—messy and pointless.

With no witty retort left, Aiden channels his frustration elsewhere. “What are you waiting for?” he snaps at the whipper. “She wants to be the hero, so give her the hero's welcome!”

So the lashes continue and it seems to have no end. Each one becomes a dull thud as numbness spreads through me. The sound of the whip seems distant, far removed from me now.

“Please stop, Alpha!” Aurora cries. “She was your wife! She’ll die if you don’t stop!”

Listening to Aurora’s plea, Aiden’s face flickers with uncertainty. He's torn between his role and his feelings, the internal struggle playing out in the tight line of his jaw. But appearances must be kept, and grudgingly, he clears his throat. “Get her up,” he instructs Helen, his voice softer now, tinged with something almost like regret.

Without waiting, the pack doctor hustles to my side, carefully helping me to my feet without disturbing my torn-up back. “You okay?”she asks, her eyes filled with concern.

“I can still walk,” I quip, attempting to diffuse the tension. “At least my legs aren’t broken. Yet.”

Helen mutters something that sounds like “stubborn fool” under her breath, making me grin despite the pain.

As we make our way to the clinic, I can feel the eyes of the pack on us, a mix of pity and admiration. My legs give out once inside. I can no longer endure the pain and I collapse onto the bed.

“Elizabeth!” Helen's voice echoes in my ears, the last thing I hear before the world fades to black.