Chapter 3
1005 Words
Madame Ruby raised her brow, and Kataleya’s heart skipped softly. She knew whenever her brow raised, it always meant something was wrong.
But Kataleya did everything so smoothly, so she tried to calm her beating heart.
Relax, Kataleya. You did everything you could.
She did. What could go wrong this time?
“Kitchen?” Madame Ruby started, her lips pressed into a firm line as she stared down at Kataleya.
In her eyes, Kataleya is like a cockroach that had infested her palace. She would do anything to lure her into her trap.
“All done, Madame Ruby,” Kataleya answered, her voice soft yet certain.
“Hm.” Madame Ruby walked around the kitchen table, scanning the corners with her eagle-eyes as if she was hoping to see a speck of dust appear out of thin air.
“The master’s bedroom?”
Kataleya nodded, “Done,”
Madame Ruby whipped her head to Kataleya so fast she would have thought she sliced air.
“Done, Madame Ruby,” she corrected herself, cringing at the words.
All the people around her demanded that they be addressed by their title, yet no one respected her position as Alpha Tritan’s wife and luna.
Still, she sealed her lips shut.
Kataleya knew how special this night was for Alpha Tritan. He was going to have his first heir, after all. She was still his wife, and even though Alpha Tritan treated her so badly, there was a time they were both madly in love with each other. One couldn’t let the other go.
She was determined to fulfill her duty as his wife for the last time. Then, she would leave.
“And what about the attic?”
Kataleya’s head snapped up at the woman, her brows furrowed. She did not mention anything about the attic.
“I will go clean it now,” Kataleya murmured and moved to grab her cleaning tools when Madame hissed sharply.
“No need. You need to start with the preparations immediately.”
Kataleya nodded, but before she could move, Madame Ruby got in her way.
A wide grin appears on Madame Ruby’s face. One that Kataleya knew so well. Her gaze lowered to the cane in her hand. Her hands clenched tightly into fists, but she hid it behind her.
The persistent racing of Kataleya’s heart quickened the moment the older woman pulled out her long whip hidden within the cane. It was designed specifically for that purpose.
Madame Ruby shivered with excitement. The thought of her whip slicing against her delicate skin sent a pleasurable sensation through her. It gave her dominance and power that which was deprived of her since she was born. Goddess cursed her for being born omega, forced to marry a lowly werewolf and have an omega daughter. But all that would end soon, as soon as her daughter spits out the rightful heir for the Alpha.
But Kataleya… Madame Ruby stared down at her with disgust. She wanted her gone.
“Turn around.” She ordered.
Tears pricked Kataleya’s eyes, a lump forming in her throat.
But she did as she was told. Her small fingers traced the edge of the table before gripping it, knowing what was to come. Knowing clutching onto it for dear life was not enough to distract her from the pain that awaits her.
Madame Ruby took great pleasure in watching Kataleya tremble before her. To her, it was a life-long dream to have power over the people she loathed most. Lunas.
“Lower your dress, luna,” saying that planted a sinister smile on Madame Ruby’s face.
Kataleya shakily untied her dress, allowing the top to drop below her waist.
But it isn’t enough.
“Lower.” Madame Ruby demanded, and Kataleya closed her eyes.
Please, get it over with.
Kataleya silently hoped with her lips tightly sealed.
Madame Ruby smiled. “Perfect.”
Before Kataleya could take her next breath, a searing pain radiating from her back, managed to knock her breath away. She could feel the leather slice into her skin, cutting her back open. Not a second had passed before another came, and another, then another, until her legs went limp beneath her.
Her knees shook, her body dangerously close to convulsing. The pain grew more and more intense by the second. Her breath hitched at the overwhelming need to scream, but she didn’t. She did not make a sound.
Twenty-seven.
Twenty-seven was the number of lashes Madame Ruby gave her this time. She counted.
Madame Ruby grew tired herself. She had made sure each and every one of the lashes delivered the same intensity of pain she desired to make her feel.
“There. Now get back to work!” Madame Ruby snarled before she settled her gaze on Kataleya’s back.
A satisfied smile curled on her thin lips. Although the sight before her would have haunted any sane mind, it gave her more pleasure than the act itself.
Pain so immense washed over Kataleya. The whole time her eyes focused on the blood that dripped from her back onto the freshly-mopped floor.
“And clean this mess.” Madame Ruby barked. Her footsteps could be heard as she walked out of the kitchen and into the hallway.
In the first few seconds, Kataleya couldn’t move. Her back was arched in an awkward position, her legs shaking violently and refusing to budge.
Mustering enough willpower, she pushed herself off the table and leaned against the wall.
Suddenly, coldness seeped into her skin, making her hiss. Every part of her body throbbed.
She glanced at the clock, and pursed her lips.
She was running out of time.
It was almost three o’clock, and she had food to prepare for the guests as well as the entire pack. Closing her eyes, she pulled on her dress. Every move making her wince internally.
Just a little more, Kat. She tells herself.
Just a little more.
Tonight is the night.
She is finally going to set herself free.
- Writer
