Stranger Of The Night:His Wolfless Mistress

Chapter 4

"Then she is thereby subjected to hundred strokes of canes,"

These words rang in my head and I batted my lashes in surprise. A hundred strokes of canes for beating up someone who had spoken badly about my mother? That is so unfair on their part.

"But that sounds better than being killed," my subconscious mind said and I scoffed.

Though it sounded like a better way than being dead, it was a very difficult punishment that will cause me pain, break my bones or even lead to my death. And I will rather die a peaceful death than face such cruel punishment. I looked around to see if anyone was going to speak against it, but was met with silence. No one spoke up to support or go against the punishment and I thought that was all for me. That all I have to do is accept the punishment, even though I do not deserve it.

"Maybe my subconscious mind is right. It's better than being killed" I thought.

"Don't you think that punishment is too much for her age?" One of the elders asked and I breathed a sigh of relief.

The thought of being flogged a hundred strokes of canes for a crime I did not commit alone disturbed my mind. And having no one to speak on my behalf is what I fear the most. I saw a few of them nodding in agreement.

"I think he is right" another answered.

"Isn't she just nineteen?" The first elder asked. "That will be the same as killing her" he added.

There was murmuring in the crowd as some supported the elder while others kicked against it.

"And she just got discharged from the hospital where the doctor confirmed she was beaten up too. I think she should be released" he suggested and there was an uproar.

"She almost killed the Beta's daughter. She should be punished severely" a man yelled from the crowd.

"It was a two fighting, I think both parties should be punished," another said

"It's just a fight between youths. I don't think we should press further on that. We should be talking about her breaking the rule that governs her, by going closer to the stream without the Alpha's permission" an elder said.

"That is why a mild punishment should be given instead" the elder that had supported me said but was attacked by a few other elders.

He kept pressing further, giving reasons why I do not deserve to be flogged that much. But as much as he tried to persuade them, the louder the murmurings in the crowd until there was a thud and everyone kept quiet.

"The elders should meet and decide on what punishment should rightly be given to her before noon. If there is no punishment, I will be forced to release her" my dad spoke up and I smiled. "For the main time, she should be allowed to return to the cave where she lives to get more treatment"

**

By noon, the elders had met and agreed on the punishment they think I deserved, which was to be flogged, twenty strokes of canes instead. I was also banned from going anywhere close to the stream. I was banned from coming close to the pack territory or speaking to any pack members. I was also asked to stay indoors for a week as a sign of how remorseful I was. I was asked to apologize to Helen and Jane in public. I felt reluctant to do it, knowing I was accused falsely but I had no choice.

After apologizing to them, I was flogged in front of everyone. My dad did not show up and I knew he do not want to witness my punishment. When I first saw the cane, I knew the strokes were going to be painful. And they were painful just like I had predicted. I had to whine loudly at some point. After my punishment was served, I was allowed to follow Bella back to the cave. On our way back, I decided to take a stroll and clear up my head since I will be indoors for a week. I thought it would be nice to clear up my head from all the stress.

"Bella, you should head back to the cave alone. I want to take a stroll"

Bella furrowed her brows. "You want to do what?

"Just take a stroll. I will join you in the cave soon,"

"Of course, I heard you when you first spoke. But I am not allowing you out of my sight. Not for any reason. So let's go back to the cave so I can treat your wounds"

"It's just for an hour or two and I will be back"

She shook her head. "No. I can't let you out of my sight"

I sighed. I could tell she was worried about me. I knew she just want me to be safe.

"Bella, I know you're worried about me. But trust me I will be fine"

She stared at me. "You will be fine? I don't think so. What if you get into another fight with a pack member? I had barely been able to save you from death this time. What if there is no next time?"

I chuckled. "There will always be a next time for as long as I have you. Come on, Bella. I won't..."

"No, I am not changing my mind"

I moved closer to her and held her hand.

"Bell, I would be fine, I promise"

"Should you not be thinking about getting some rest after being flogged?" She asked and I shrugged.

I needed rest as she said but all I have in mind right now is to visit the tree I had tied up my horse five years ago for the last time. I needed to clear my head and make a decision on how to relate with the pack members from now on.

"Trust me this once. I only need some time alone to clear up my head. There has been a lot going on, in my mind lately, please"

She sighed. "Make sure you return to the cave before night, ok?"

I nodded. "I promise"

After waving at Bella, I headed towards the stream. I was soon standing in front of the tree and staring at it. I sat down beneath it brushing my hair backward and heaving a sigh. I thought about the kinds of trouble I might keep getting into if I keep getting involved with the pack members. I could remember how many times my dad had scolded me for leaving the cave and getting involved with some pack members. Bella had been angry so many times that I get bullied by them. But never had I been so close to the brink of death.

I thought this was the right time to obey them completely. I decided right in my heart not to get involved with anyone of them again. It would be better to stay indoors for a while until I can either lift my curse or be able to defend myself. With that in my mind, I stood up and headed back home. On my way to the cave, I took a different route and passed the road leading to the forest and I stopped to take a good look at it.

Five years ago, I passed through this road leading to the forest. And ever since I returned to the cave I haven't come anywhere close to it again. I decided it would not be a bad idea, to take a look at the forest for the last time.

"Maybe I might meet him," I thought.

I might even go as far as where the small house I saw the last time was. I wondered if those men still live there and if they will remember my face as the young girl who had intruded on their privacy. I doubted they would remember me. Then I was fifteen when I went there and now I am almost twenty and a lot has changed about me too. I entered the forest humming one of my favorite songs. The forest looked the same as it was five years ago. Except for some new plants that had grown, nothing else has changed. I could still see the plants that opens and those that closes suddenly.

I walked for a while until I got to the place the house was supposed to be located. The trees were still there, forming a circle and an opening at the top where the ray of light shines through but the house was missing. There was no sign of a house ever being built there. I looked around to be sure I was in the right place. I could still remember a few things that could make me remember the house. Nothing has changed except for the house missing. I wondered what had happened here within the space of five years. I also wondered if the one who had saved my life lives anywhere close.

I thought about going down to the place he had saved me but after walking down a bit, I decided it was best to return home. I also thought it was best to stop looking for him. If he had ever cared or worried about me or even had plans to take back his coat, he would have shown up. I have been visiting the tree for the past five years and that's enough.

"Maybe he doesn't want to have anything to do with me like the rest," I thought. "Maybe he doesn't even recognize me"

I also do not know what he looks like because he had a mask on. I decided I will stop looking for him and will only keep his coat in a safe place so that if we did get to meet each other in the future I will return it to him and appreciate him for saving me.

**

I dropped the book I was reading and stared at Bella who was busy writing down a list of things. She has been busy for the past few hours, seated on a spot and I was beginning to get worried she might hurt her back.

"Don't you think you have done enough for today?" I asked and she smiled.

"I want it to be perfect for you"

"There is nothing special about this one and you know that. Why are you spending such quality time on it?"

"It's your special day and I need to spend quality time preparing for it"

I placed the book on the table and stood up. "It will be just like the rest of the days. Boring and meaningless"

She stared at me. "It will be special"

I walked toward her and took the list of things from her. "Balloons? flowers? Cards? Cake? Drinks? Are you being serious right now? I don't need all this"

She took the list from me. "You need them. Every one of them, trust me"

"I don't even have a friend. What's the point of celebrating it?"

"You have me. You have your dad. The guards are here. Look at your mom looking at you and smiling. Are we not more than enough for you? And by the way, you are celebrating twenty years of your life on earth"

"You mean twenty years of my cursed life?"

She frowned. "How many times have I told you that you are not cursed?"

"Well, it seems I am. I don't even have a wolf and no one has claimed to be my mate. So tell me how else do I need to be cursed?"

She stood up. "Have you thought about you being special? Maybe you are mated to a powerful demon king or a Lycan king. Maybe your wolf is so strong, you will need to be older and stronger to be able to shift into it"

Bella had a serious look on and I busted into a series of laughter. "A powerful demon king? Really? Demons don't even exist. A Lycan king? Which sensible king will take a wolfless cursed girl like me as a mate? You talked about maybe I needed to be older and stronger to shift into a wolf. I am almost twenty for crying out loud. How old do I have to be to shift into a wolf? I can fight? I hunt real good. What strength are you talking about?"

She placed her hand on my cheek. "Inner strength, Val. And don't you ever call yourself a wolfless cursed human. You're beautiful. Your beauty melts the heart of so many young men. Even though they claimed you have no mate, they still can't resist you. So tell me, why a demon king or Lycan king won't fall for you when he sees you?". I shrugged. "And demons exist. Not among us but in a faraway land"

"Have you seen them before?" I asked in curiosity

"No" she replied and I sighed. "But my grandmother has. She told me they are one of the most beautiful creatures that have ever existed"

"Really?" I batted my lashes in excitement.

She nodded. "Yes,", She sat down and asked me to sit down too. "I was told they have red eyes that only glow when they meet their mate. But on, every other day, they've got the cutest emerald green eyes. Some have blue eyes too. Their skin glows and their hair color is red and maybe blue"

I rolled my eyes. "This doesn't sound real"

She smiled. "I thought that too and have always wanted to go over to the other side and find out but I couldn't"

"Why?"

"Because I had to serve your mom"

I sighed. "Sorry to hear that"

She touched my cheek. "I have never regretted serving your mom. Or I won't have met a beautiful gem like you"

I chuckled. "Do you still want to go find out? You know where they are. We can go see them together"

"No. Age is not by my side anymore. I can't go on a far journey like that"

"Does that mean I might not be able to find them too?"

She smiled. "Of course, you can. If you attempt, you might. I also heard they have a great sense of smell and can find someone who gets missing. There was a story about the first demon prince finding a young girl in an unconscious state. He picked her up and took her back to her family without asking for help from anyone. That was a hundred years ago"

I batted my lashes. "They do?"

She nodded. "Yes"

My eyes switched. The one that saved me five years ago took me to the place I tied up my horse without getting help from me. I was also sure he did not meet anyone on the way cause it was late. My body shivered in excitement.

"Could he be a demon?" I thought.

He had red hair and emerald green eyes. Though he had a mask on I could tell he is cute. I clutched my hands together. H-he can't be a demon right?

"I also heard that if a demon prince saves a girl, he ends up with her just like the first demon king"

I furrowed my brows. "What do you mean?"

"The demon prince who saved that girl ends up getting married to her. He became the first demon king"

I batted my lashes. "What if he is a demon prince? Does that mean he will get married to me?"

I imagined what it will look like to be married to him and smiled. I could see myself in a wedding dress, all dolled up for the d-day. I thought about standing in front of him, everyone staring at us.

"Now, you may kiss your bride"

I pushed my lips forward to kiss him. I closed my eyes as my lips gets closer to his. We were just a few inches away from each other's lips.

"Valerie?" Bella called and I flinched. I lost balance on the stool I was seated on and landed on my butt.