The Alpha’s Reckoning

2: THE PUNCHING BAG

LISA’S POV

“I’m sorry,” I blurt out as Ronan throws me over his shoulder.

“Not so fast, Lis. I haven’t even gotten started yet, and you're already apologizing?” I don’t need to see his face to know he's smirking.

“I didn’t mean to push you into the mud with your fast reflexes and all I thought you’d block me. I guess you’re not as fast as they say,” I taunt with a snicker, but the low growl that erupts from his chest lets me know he doesn’t find my joke funny.

“Ronan,” someone calls his name, and he stops in his tracks, turning to face the person. I try looking, but his broad shoulders are all I can see.

“Please, let me go,” I plead, wiggling in his hold, but his firm grip keeps me in place.

The pack members don't like me as it is, and if some blabbermouth sees me like this pinned on his shoulder, they won't hesitate to tell the ‘Ronan fan Club’ as I like to call them.

They haven’t accepted themselves as his fan club, but the unmated she-wolves with nothing better to do in this pack have this group where they crush hard on Ronan and make the life of every girl he talks to hell.

By the girls he talk to, the only girl talks to is me, so I've been on their radar for longer than I'm supposed to be. Not only do I get bullied for being weak, but I'm also being bullied by the girls who will probably never get a hi from him.

I don’t blame them for obsessing over him. Ronan is just so handsome. I can’t lie, I also had this huge crush on him when I was younger, I used to pray he turns out to be my mate. But when my wolf came, told me I was to weak for her to shift our wolf form, however she was strong enough to sense Ronan wasn’t my mate.

I was a little heartbroken. I thought we might’ve been mates because of the way we click and had been friends since childhood and he didn't turn his back on me when my parents died and when I didn’t shift like my peers years ago.

one thing I forgot was Ronan is two years older than me, and he would’ve recognized me as his mate two years earlier before I shifted.

Mate bond or no mate bond, I still feel like he feels the same way as I do. I don’t know if it's just my delusions. I think he likes me too. I still have my hopes up, maybe someday we could be something.

I’m taken out of my trance when Ronan finally sets me down. The mud has already caked onto my clothes, making me acutely aware of the mess I'm in.

“What happened here?” Kyle, the beta’s son and also one of Ronan’s friends, strolls toward us. Unlike the pack, Kyle and I have never had any issues. He never bullied me or anything. He acts like I don’t even exist, or when the other guys are talking trash about me, he’d just look bored or leave the spot, which, to be honest, is nice if you ask me.

“Why are you here?” Ronan asks, steadying me on the floor.

“I have some news for you,” Kyle speaks, sparing me a glance that says, 'leave, this doesn’t concern you.' “Can we talk?” He turns his gaze to Ronan.

I didn’t need to be told twice before I turn to leave, but Ronan pulls me back, holding me in place.

His firm grip sends a jolt through me, a mix of frustration and vulnerability settling in my chest.

“What do you want to talk about?” Ronan asks Kyle but his eyes land on me.

“Can we talk? in private” Kyle mutters putting emphasis on the ‘private.’

Ronan scans our surroundings; we are in the open fields. “I don’t see anyone lurking, and we are probably out of any strangers' earshot.”

“Err, I think they need me in the pack house.” The tension is only growing, and I know he doesn’t trust me to listen to whatever it is he has to say.

“Who said they need you at the pack house?” Ronan raises a brow; he knows the pack members hardly mind-link me; it was mostly him.

“I, um, have chores. I didn’t finish my chores before I came to train. I think I should go finish them now.” I let out an awkward laugh, pulling my hand out of his grip, but he doesn’t budge.

"Let me go," I mindlink him since acting like he can't read signs anymore.

"Why?" His voice is in my head now. I wish I could slap that smirk off his face.

"Because Kyle has something important he wants to tell, and I need to get this sticky mud off my body before it dries on me." I frown at him.

"Kyle can say what he wants here because I'm not done with you, at least not after what you did."

"I said I'm sorry. Can we move on past that?" Why can't he just let it go? I apologized, but his stubbornness is infuriating. Does he enjoy seeing me like this?

"You, of all people, know I don't forgive easily. You should've thought about that before pushing me into a puddle of mud." The smirk on his handsome face makes a little shiver run down my spine.

“You know what, I think the news can wait. We'll talk later.” Kyle turns to leave. No, he can't leave. If he leaves, then Ronan will proceed to do whatever he's planning, and that evil glint in his eyes tells me he is up to no good.

“No,” I yell, causing Kyle to stop in his pace. “You guys can talk. I was actually on my way to do something important.” I grit the last word out.

I dig my fingers into his hand, causing him to let go of my hand.

“Goodbye, have a good talk.” I smile, turning in the direction of the pack house, speed walking until I'm in front of the back door. Thankfully, there aren’t many people around.

I quickly walk to the attic, which became my room after my parents' death. I slip out of my mud-soaked outfit and rush to the little bathroom adjoining my room. I take a long warm shower, taking my time washing all the mud and gravel from my hair.

After my shower, I dress in a pair of my favorite sweatpants and a tank top. Crashing onto my bed, I open the novel I borrowed from the library two days ago. Suzie, the mean librarian, finally let me borrow a book after months of begging.

I read a few paragraphs when exhaustion from all the running and training kicks in, and I drift off.

**

I jolt awake, the sensation of cold water drenching me. What now? My mind races to make sense of the situation. I scan my surroundings. The Earthy scent and with the help of the moon’s light I could see abundance of pine and oak trees which tells me I’m in the woods, probably nearest to the borders of the pack for its know for having lots of pine trees.

“Welcome back, sleeping beauty. I thought you were dead, but all that snoring said otherwise.” Ashley spits with venom, and her three minions Gemma, Vale and Astrid giggle behind her.

What did I do now? I know I did everything she asked of me before I left for training, and I'm not in charge of dinner today. Why is she doing this now?

Ashley is the gamma’s daughter who finds peace in my misery. She has been bullying me right from our childhood. She hated the fact that Ronan is friends with me and not her. She’s also the leader of the Ronan Fan Club.

I try moving, but my hands and legs have been chained in place with silver. I know because I can feel the burning sensation on my skin.

“I did all the things you asked me to do,” I blurt out, my heart racing within my chest. Fear is consuming me, but I don't show it. I can’t give them the benefit of the doubt.

“Who said this has anything to do with chores?” A smirk appears on her overly contoured face. I don't know if she and her minions don't look in the mirror while they paint their faces, or they’re blind because they never fail to look like clowns.

“Then why are you doing this to me?”

“My hands were itching, and I thought I might scratch them.”

Before I could say anything, I feel a blow to my left cheek and another to my right cheek. I taste the metallic flavor of blood on my tongue.

“You don't do makeup, so I thought I'd give you a reason to apply some. Isn't that right, girls?” Ashley spits, and her minions giggle their approval.

I stay in place as her minions join in the fun, as she'd like to call it. I close my eyes as their hits come from every angle.

‘It will all be over soon.’ I chant the same words I always tell myself whenever I'm getting bullied.

Without notice, lightning strikes, and rain begins pouring. “That's enough, girls. Let's go. I can't mess my hair up; I just got it done,” Ashley speaks before turning to leave with her minions following after her.

They've done worse things, but now that I'm all alone on the grass in this woods, I feel so alone. The worst part is I can't even call for help because no one would help me. If I'm not lucky and someone actually comes, they'll only make fun of me or do even worse things.

I try crying, but no. After everything, I can't even cry. I try, but nothing. My eyes are still as dry as ever. I don't know if it's a curse or a gift that I can't even cry after getting humiliated and not being able to defend myself.

Unlike other times, I don't even try to free myself. I just lie on the ground as the raindrops fall harshly on my body drenching my clothes.

When will this all come to an end? When can I finally be able to stand up for myself and show them I'm not as weak as they think of me to be?

“Lisa,” I hear Ronan’s voice. Why is he here.