Her Ruthless Alpha

The Punishments

CHAPTER 2

Alpha Erdy's heart skipped a bit with the words this girl named Zerra uttered a few moments ago. But it's not what she said that made him give in a little, it was the look in her beautiful green eyes. Her heart-shaped small face, pointed nose, rosy cheeks and naturally light red lips, plus a very tempting figure that couldn't be hidden by her long dress that made him listen to her. She looks so innocent and charming. None of her features were similar to Jared's. You might even think that she's not his daughter at all.

On the other hand, the intense stare of the alpha was too much for Zerra to bear, so she lowered her head again and waited patiently and frightfully for his response.

"I have heard everyone's side of the story now. Although the crime is unforgivable, I will take your word, Jared, that your daughter will serve me the way I wanted to. She's blameless for all this but you still cruelly offered her as compensation," Erdy announced in disgust before he continued. "I will accept your offer on one more condition."

He was observing Zerra while saying those words. He saw her smiling bitterly. Who wouldn't feel terrible about being offered for free, like livestock, right?

"We will abide by any of your conditions, alpha," Jared said, sighing in relief now. He's already celebrating inside because his plans were starting to fall into pieces.

"The condition is, you will be ripped of your title as a Beta of this pack. All the power and privileges given to you will be void and you will live as an ordinary soldier of this kingdom. In addition to this, you will also be tasked to guard the western perimeter for the rest of your life. This decision is final and non-negotiable unless you want to give up your life now," Erdy declared in extreme supremacy.

Jared was beyond shocked by that, but he didn't have any power left to retaliate or ask for reconsideration, because he knew, when alpha Erdy decided, even heaven and earth wouldn't be able to change it. He swallowed all the pain and humiliation he suffered today, but promised himself that he would rise again and would take everything he thought he deserved back.

"I accept your decision, alpha," Jared said with a defeated expression and bloodshot eyes.

"How about me? What will happen to me if my husband is guarding the frontlines?" Veronica suddenly asked while still trembling in fear about the alpha's decision. They just literally lost everything and were so afraid of becoming a slave.

Erdy looked disdained at Veronica before speaking. "You will surely have your fair share of punishment, but for now," he paused and looked at the guards, "take this b***h to the dungeon," he ordered authoritatively, and was followed instantly.

"Wait, alpha, what is the meaning of this? We already gave you our peace offerings and you already accepted them, so why do we still need to receive a punishment?"

As soon as those words came out of Veronica's mouth, a resounding slap landed on her face. She was furiously struck by Jared, whose eyes were now filled with rage. Alpha Erdy, along with the crowd, was just observing the scene.

"Did your brain already leave your head? How dare you question the alpha in front of everyone? Do you really have a death wish or you want to drag us straight to hell?" Jared is gritting his teeth tightly while telling those words to Veronica. And for the first time in her life she was hurt and insulted by him, which sent extreme panic into her system.

"I-I was j-just saying…" she was trying to reason out, but another slap was given to her by her husband.

"Have you forgotten who brought us all this mess and ruined the plan I devised all my life? It was f*****g you. So you better shut that mouth of yours before I rip you into pieces," Jared whispered a warning to her madly before letting the guards take her.

"I'm so sorry for that, sir. It won't happen again," Jared said, lowering his head again. The alpha's stare was too intimidating, so he did not dare look at him again.

"Of course, I will make sure things like this won't happen again," Erdy replied seriously. "And one more thing, you are not allowed to go anywhere aside from your designated area. Disobeying that will cost you your life," he added with finality. Jared was so shocked again, but he didn't have any way to retaliate without angering the alpha more, so he just agreed and promised again that he would take back everything and even more. His mind was now filled with fury and thoughts of revenge.

"Everyone, we are done here now. You can now go back to your respective posts. And you…" he looked in the direction of Zerra, who was silently crying and continuously wiping her tears because of the misfortune that followed her family. "You, follow the maids. They will take you to your room and teach you the things you need to know in order to serve here in the palace the right way."

Zerra nodded and obediently followed the two ladies in front of her.

"You're still here?" Erdy asked Trisha – the wife of his right-hand man who was accidentally killed by Veronica. "Do you disagree with my verdict?" He asked gently. He rarely showed gentleness to anyone, only to those he trusted the most.

"It's not that I disagree, Alpha, I just want to know why?" she asked as her eyes started to water.

"Henry was my most trusted confidante. We grew up together, we learned martial arts together and we fought many battles side by side – watching each other's backs. So I thought killing those monsters would be too light of a punishment. I want to torment them and make them feel pain a thousand times more, but I doubt if it could really quench the fire in my heart!" Erdy answered honestly with a trace of frustration and rage in his eyes.

"You're right, Alpha. Now I understand things better. I couldn't agree more with what you have said. They really deserve more than just an instant death. They should feel tormented that they would wish they should just die but can't," she answered angrily.

"You should go now and take good care of your pups. I know it's been hard for you, so if there's anything I can do to help, never hesitate to ask. The palace will always be available for you and your twins' needs, " he told her with a concerned countenance.

"Don't worry too much about us, alpha. You have already helped us more than what we deserve, and I know you already have more things on your plate to think about, so we won't be a burden anymore," Trisha said, smiling.

"You will never be a burden to me, since I consider Henry as my soul brother," he assured her.

"Thank you again, Alpha. I will go now," she said, before bowing and heading to the exit part of the court.

It was already dark when Erdy left the court and proceeded to the room next to his personal chamber. It is an adjacent room to his own that also serves as his personal pleasure room. It was the only place where he took women to bed and discarded them afterward. Although he was known as heartless, what others don't know about him is that he was just looking for someone who would be able to capture his heart and would give meaning to his existence as part human. Everyone of his age had already found their mates, so he was getting more and more impatient to meet his, too. His pack's future Luna.

When he was about to open the door to the room, the head butler arrived to inform him that his father wanted to have a chat with him, so he postponed his plan of getting to know his new slave better.

Although Erdy is already the alpha of their pack, he doesn't want to be the king. Besides, the humans residing in all the lands owned by the palace do not know that werewolves and other unimaginable creatures co-exist with them in this world.

King Edgar Vermont has been the reigning king for almost a hundred years now. He is the father of Alpha Erdy and a direct descendant of the first werewolves' species that ever existed in the world. He is married to Celestine – she was a rogue queen before becoming the Luna of the then Alpha Edgar.

Erdy always considered himself very lucky for having very supportive and loving parents. When no one was around, at his age of twenty-five, he would lie on his mother's lap like a child in times of distress and conflict in maintaining their standing in the world. He only has one younger brother – Ken Vermont – who is now twenty-two years old and manages his own pack as an alpha, too.

"Father, what is it that you want to discuss with me?" Erdy asked his father, who was busy looking at some old photos. He looked at him and fixed his glasses.

"Take your seat son, you are so tall that I might break my neck looking at you for long," King Edgar joked. Erdy smiled and obeyed his father.

"Minister Albert just linked to me everything that took place in the court earlier today," he started saying. Erdy was listening intently. "Jared's father was my best comrade when he was still alive. And I honestly felt disappointed that his only son received such a harsh punishment. Although I understand that you ruled everything in the right way, you should at least be lenient to Jared's daughter," King Edgar's words were firm and full of concern at the same time. Erdy understood what he meant, but the thought of Henry being killed overpowers his capability to show mercy to Jared's family.

"I was honestly shocked, too, when he offered his daughter instead of punishing his second wife for her crime. I can't find any answer as to why," he replied, annoyed at that fact.

"That's true. If Peter were there, he wouldn't have allowed his only granddaughter to suffer like that. But the decision has already been made. Thus, all I want to ask is for you to be kinder to her and make her feel home at least," his father was serious in saying this.

"I can't promise to be so good to her after what her parents did to Henry, but I will try father," he said sincerely. His wolf was restless whenever that girl was mentioned.

"Just remember, son, the sin of the father has nothing to do with the child."

These were his father's words after dismissing him.