Discovering Me

The Punishment

***TRIGGER WARNING***

If triggered or affected by mention of abuse or behavior of a violent nature, please skip over this chapter.

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I was roughly dragged down three flights of stairs into the dungeon under the west wing of the pack house. This place is way different from the part I stayed in a few months ago. We’re just getting to the door and it's so dim and smells so awful. The first cell was empty but the next two had rogues chained up.

“Oh how nice of you young Beta to bring us a toy to play with,” one yells out as we pass his cell.

“There’s a thought.” Beta Brent whispers in my ear as he drags me further into the dungeon where a guard is standing with the door open for the cell they are going to place me in.

“I don’t like this place at all. I don't trust him. I hope he wont hurt us. We didn't do anything.” Sierra says, whimpering in my head.

“Me either. I wish I could comfort you but honestly don't know what will happen. I’ll just be happy if we can make it out of here alive.” I replied, beginning to worry the further we walked in.

The cell looks pretty bare. Just a silver chain with fetters on the wall a mat on the floor and a bucket in the corner. Beta Brent pins me up against the wall with his forearm to my collar bone as he instructs the guard to hold me still. The guard comes and does that as he goes and puts on gloves to apply the silver-laced fetters to my ankles. I can’t help but whimper from the sting of the cuffs.

“Enjoy your stay.” he says with a cynical smile. "If I have a chance, I definitely am going to enjoy watching Cliff over there have his fun with you." He then winks as he walks out, closing and locking the cell behind him.

I couldn’t help but crumple down to the ground and cry. This has got to be the worst day of my life. My boyfriend finds his mate, his mate attacks me and I'm the one that has to serve the punishment for defending myself.

I don’t know how long I was sitting on the cold cement ground crying and praying that I wouldn’t be executed for a crime I wasn’t guilty of. My head was hurting and I had cried until no more tears left to cry. There was a mat with a blanket on it in the corner but the fetters hurt my legs, so I didn’t know if I could walk to it.

Eventually, Alpha Ralph came opening up the cell with two guards and what looked like a doctor that had a medical bag.

“Lexi, we're going to check your pockets and make sure you don’t have anything sharp on you. This will feel intrusive but we need to be thorough. We will be checking everything down to your bra to see if it has wires in it that can be used for a weapon. Do you understand?” He said, projecting authority. I just nodded afraid to argue.

I was lifted off the ground and every crevice of my body was searched. I mean every crevice. In my mouth, my hair, he stuck his hands in my pants, between my legs and inside of me, they even took off my shoes and searched my toes. As uncomfortable I was, I kept beign told not to resist and allowe the search to continue until it was over.

I felt so violated. I couldn't do anything but cry. I didn't have anything none the less anythign sharp. My purse with keys and everything was with my friends. I even had on a sports bra so there were no wires there either.

Next, the guards held my arms out as the doctor walked up to me. “Hello, Lexi. I am Dr. Barns. I am going to inject you with a suppressant.” He says, checking my veins in my arm, then looks at the guards. “ We’re going to need to lay her down on the mat there. This is going to be painful so I’m going to need you two to hold her still until the whole vile is injected. She’s probably going to scream and possibly fight. So hold her tight. I don't know how strong she is or if she'll try to use any hybrid abilities.” The doctor instructs as he moves the mat to the middle of the small cell and the warriors lift me and carry me to the mat on the floor.

I’m so scared but I know I have to try my hardest not to move so they won’t hurt me. The doctor walks over with a large needle he sticks into a vial, pulling out all of the fluid, then injects it into my arm. I screamed but my mouth was instantly covered. It feels like my arm is being injected by acid and I feel it traveling slowly throughout my body. I’m being held still so I can’t move. I want to cry more than I already was.

My body's natural defenses tried to kick in. I felt a slight burst of energy possibly from a siphon then felt a strong slap arcoss my face. Enough to make the room blur. All I could do was whimper. Then the room started slowly spinning. My vision was blurred and I could see figures moving outside the cell. The pain got to the point that I tried to continue crying but there were no more tears left. Things kept getting worse until there was just darkness.

****

I don't know how long I was out but was awoken by ice-cold water being poured on me. “Wake up.” I hear but my vision is still blurry so I can’t see where the voice is coming from. “You soiled yourself while you’re out so you’re going to be changed.” I hear the diguest coming from the female guard. “Get up!” She orders and I try to do as she says but fail miserably.

She grabs my arm and yanks me up as someone holds me as they strip my clothes off of me. I'm cold and naked and feel a rough rag being rubbed on me then feel another bucket of cold water being poured on me. Not even being dried off I felt someone put me in a jumpsuit made of a scratchy material, then drop me back on my mat. If feels dry now but no blanket and my wet body is still cold.

“Sierra, are you okay?” I asked but didn’t hear a reply. I don’t feel her. I started to panic trying to sit up, but I am too dizzy. I just lay back down. Since that’s all I can do. It's so cold but eventually I am able to rock myself to sleep.

****

Some time later, I heard the door open and begin to stir, still too weak to sit up. I feel my head being pulled up by my hair. “You have a visitor”, possibly the same female guard says, and I open my eyes to see what looks like a blurry Luna Dianne.

“I can’t believe what I’m hearing.” She says, stooping down to look at me. “I’ve embraced you because of my history with your mother. I guess, I completely misjudged you. What caused you to try to kill my son's mate?” She asks with a disappointed look.

I try to talk but my mouth is too dry. All I can do is shake my head and even that makes me dizzy. I didn’t try to kill her. I wanted to plead but I had no energy.

“NO? You’re really trying to deny it when my son was there to witness you attacking her? He heard you say you would kill her.” she asks, slightly raising her voice.

“No” I managed to whimper out. I then felt my hair being pulled more lifting my head up higher and I received a series of smacks across my face, causing my vision to go back to a blurry state and it's a struggle to maintain conciousness.

“ I can’t believe this. I’m done here. Your mother is going to be so disappointed,” She says as I hear her walk out.

I think about my family as I’m laid back on the mat before the cell closes and locks again. How am I going to convince everyone that is not what was happening? Will anyone believe me? I wish I had Sierra here to talk to. She always gave me hope for the better in any situation. I feel so alone. I am so alone.

The next morning, I woke up with my cell being opened and two guards coming in with new cuffs that binded my hands and wrists together so they could remove the ones attached to the wall. I was yanked up and dragged back up the stairs, then buckled in the back of a van and transported out of Western Revier territory. I assume I’m being taken to be seen by the committee of elders for our district.

They have the right to exercise judgements reguarding small pack disputes and crimes against our kind. If the issues aren't resolved then or it is an interspecies issue it would then be brought to the counsil.

I don’t feel as dizzy or as weak anymore, but I have a bad headache probably because I haven’t eaten or drunk anything since before the party yesterday. I still haven’t heard anything from Sierra, although I can feel the suppressant is wearing off some.

I sit quietly in the back of the van with my head on my legs listening to the music they’re playing in the front. It feels like at least an hour maybe more before we stop and the guards open the back door for me to be escorted out.

I was taken into the building and down a flight of stairs and then placed in a new cell. This one is a lot better than the first one. It has an actual bed and an actual bathroom. I’m thrown on the bed and stay put until once the door is closed and the guards walk away. I then staggered over to the bathroom and turned on the sink to get a drink of water and wash my face. I didn’t realize how thirsty I was. and the dried tears are burning my face. I try reachig out to Sierra again with no answer from her. Everything is just quiet until I hear the cell open and a voice from the other part of the cell scaring me.

“What are you doing?” the new female guard asked me.

I instantly began to tear up hoping I wasn't about to get in any more trouble. “I-I-I’m sorry I-I- I was just thirsty.” I stuttered, praying that didn't cause anything else to happen to me. I really don't know what to expect here they think I'm a criminal.

She sighed, then asked “Well why didn’t you just ask for something to drink?” I felt her tone soften but still was afraid.

“I-II don’t know. I-I d-d-didn’t know I was allowed to.” I finally choked out between sobs as I walked out the bathroom.

“Sit down,” she instructs while shaking her head and pointing to the bed. I walk over and do what I’m told and she leaves. I hope she didn't go to report what I just did and I hope I didn't do anything to add on to my sentencing. I didnt' know if I could move so I just sat still.

A few minutes later, she comes back with two bottles of water and a protein bar. “You were picked up for transport very early, so I didn’t know if you got a chance to eat yet.” She says as she removes the cuffs and hands me the food and water. I hesitantly grab the items placed on the bed.

“Thank you.” I bit into the protein bar hoping this wasn’t my last meal. It tastes horrible but I'm hungry and I guess beggars can't be choosy.

“No problem,” She says, staring at me. “You look terrified. Looks like you’ve been through a lot. Don’t worry, you’re safe for a little while we won't do anything to you here. Your parents brought you some clothes to wear for the trial. I’m just here to get you dressed. Once you're done eating, get in the shower.” she says, pointing to the shower in the corner. It's a small corner shower in the small bathroom.

After I at the protien bar and drank the bottle of water I took a quick shower. In there I tried to finger detangle my hair the best I could. My hair tie came out at some point while I was getting pulled around and I'm sure my hair looks crazy. Once done I dried off with a towel provided and put on the dress I was given.

I was cuffed again and escorted to the main floor and placed in a waiting room. It was pure torture waiting for my sentencing for death with no one to talk to, not even my wolf. Just staring at the wall and watching the spider in the corner. "I hope you enjoy your freedom while you can, little friend." I said to it outloud.

I was surprised when the door finally opened, revealing Alpha Donnie, the alpha of my pack. He slowly came into the room. He looked stern then saddened as soon as he saw me. I know he's disappointed seeing me like this and it instantly make me want to cry.

“Hello, Lexi.” He said with a compassionate voice. “I’m sure you know why you are here, right?”

“Yes Alpha.” I answered, baring my neck to hide my face the best I could. I couldn't look him in the face.

“Good. You come from a good hardworking family and have never had any problems before with our pack. I’m just curious as to what happened. And I’m sorry I have to do this but TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED IN THE WESTERN REVIER PACK. NO LIES!” He says using his alpha command.

“Yes Alpha...” I began honestly, telling him my account of the events that happened as commanded.

“ I see. Do you often have trouble controlling the other parts of you?” he asked, concerned.

“Not normally. It’s only when I have extreme emotions that it becomes more challenging. I learned that it's like self preservation mode” I replied, explaining what I was taught both during the convention and by my parents.

“Well, that is concerning. Your abilities can be like a two-sided coin. I will advocate for you but there will be conditions. I think it will be beneficial for you to consider the extensive training at the hybrid training academy in Oklahoma. Also, I’m sure you will be banned from the Western Revier Pack due to this incident and I need you to accept that. Our pack will not lose this alliance, so I don’t want to see you near them or I will take care of you myself, understood?” He asks

“Yes Alpha '' I gratefully replied. To know he’s willing to believe me was everything I needed, I might have a chance.

I was escorted in front of the committee with Alpha Donnie and Beta Charlie on the left side of the table with my parents, as well as Tia and Janet sitting behind them in chairs, and to the right was Alpha Ralph and Beta Benard. Behind them is Alpha Rashawn and Beta Brent.

“Alexandra Collette, you are here as a result of you attacking Ms Candiace Newberry, mate of the future alpha of the Western Revier Pack. Looks like there are witnesses with statements submitted about the attack as well. We have noted that you have given your statement to your current Alpha and he is willing to plead your case. Do you give Alpha Donald Johnson permission to represent you?” The elder asked.

“Yes, elder” I replied.

Alpha Donnie explained the account as I described, then further provided statements from both Janet and Tia that I notified them I was leaving to be in a secluded area to control my emotions. I first left the party. They knew where I was and that I was alone. Then I was sought out by Candace. With that there was enough doubt about the motive of the attack, but the words heard were enough to deliver a punishment. I wasn't asked to clarify my words, but Alpha Donnie explained that I admitted to him it was a struggle to control my other traits when having extreme emotions and argued that's what I was attempting to make known to Candace. He declared he would be sending me for extra training and would be willing to send me there as soon as possible. It didn't take long for an agreement to be made. Alpha Ralph did not press the sentencing to be one of execution. Instead, he insisted on a ban from his pack territory and a restraining order preventing me from being in close proximity of both future Alpha Rashawn, future Luna Candiace and any children they are to conceive. It was also agreed that I would complete an anger management and safety course.

I get to live another day and for that I was extremely grateful and willing to do whatever training was necessary.