Chapter 0001

Dylan POV.

CRACK!

"Argh!" A small pain filled cry left my mouth as I ran in front of my brother, just in time to take the lashing that was originally meant for him.

"That boy, just completely disregarded the alpha of your districts pack, step aside." One of the packs warriors held a long thick whip in his hand while looking at me then glancing behind him to look upon my brother.

"He's six years old. He didn't mean to..." I was cut off by another load crack and a stinging sensation hit my cheek, my hand moved up to my face, as I inspected the wound, I looked at the fingers that had gently grazed my now stinging cheek and noticed a line of blood coated them. My face was bleeding.

"Do you wish to make this a public punishment? I can assure you that it will not end well for you if you don't move aside, human." I don't want to take another punishment, I had received my last one almost 2 months ago now, and it took me weeks to heal, my back is already scarred for life.

"He meant no disrespect, he was just playing, please. He's a child, would you really stoop so low as to..." another crack was heard as his whip slashed down on my arm. I winced before my eyes shot open seeing the lycans fist connect with my Jaw.

I stumbled backwards, spitting blood out of my mouth as I bent my head in submission, simply to save my brothers life. I felt my little brothers hands on the bottom of my top, as he clutched on to me, fear clouding his irises.

"To the court yard!" My head snapped up as my eyes grew.

"Run home and lock the doors! Stay with mom!" I whispered before I felt a pair of hands on each arm as I was suddenly dragged away by two wolves, I turned back slightly, to see my brothers fleeing form head towards our house in the human district, a smile graced my face knowing my bother was safe, shortly after fear clouded me as I was forced along. Many people began staring at me as I was dragged to the stupid stage in the courtyard, my wrists were then fastened to a post and a leather strap was placed in my mouth to bite on.

Humans were always forced to come out of their homes to watch the public floggings, much to our dismay. Even when it's not you receiving the punishment, it's almost just as hard to watch.

The minute the lycans thought they had enough of an audience, my punisher grew his claws, and tore my top to shreds, showing my already scarred back to the crowd. A leather strap was placed in my mouth for me to bite down on and I heard a few gasps from some of the humans that recognized me, as the first hit landed.

After the twentieth stroke I was shaking uncontrollably, the pain in my back was almost unbearable, and I knew without even looking that blood was pouring out of each cut. 15 was the usual amount given for punishments so I couldn't understand why I was receiving more.

After the twenty ninth stroke, I flopped over my arms. I was exhausted, in pain and physically drained. I had taken double the amount given in regular punishment, and was unable to comprehend why. The last stroke sounded through the air and a audible grunt left my mouth as I dropped the leather strap I was biting on, on to the floor.

My hands were released and my body instantly crashed to the ground, blood dropping slightly onto the little stage that was set up.

One thing I should explain, wolves don't care about nudity. They often wander around wearing nothing at all. When they shift, their clothes tear and they take the form of a wolf, fur, tails, the whole works. Naturally with their clothes destroyed, when they shift back they are always butt naked. so me having my entire naked torso on show was the norm now a days.

I lay on the stage, panting trying to cover my exposed front when I felt a foot dig into my now abused back.

"This is what happens when you forget your place, wolves were made to be the superior species, and you will show us respect at all times. AM I UNDERSTOOD!" A few mumbles of yes were heard before my hair was grabbed and I was thrown off the stage. My naked arms scraped on the floor and blood poured out of the wound.

Nobody moved to help until all the wolves were off the stage, out of fear of being next in line. I felt a warm coat being placed over my bloodied back and was helped to my feet, by two men.

"DYLAN!?" My tired head turned towards my best friend, Nick Kiwal. "What the hell did you do?" I was still being held up by the two men who helped me as I spoke to him.

"Freddie." I whispered out, I was too tired to even speak never mind anything else. He just looked at me and nodded his head.

Now all that is out of the way, allow me to introduce myself, my name is Dylan Riley and I'm 17 years old. My hair is a dark brunette almost black in color and my eyes are simple brown. My height is roughly 5"6 and I am a student at high school. My younger brother, Freddie, is 6 years old and I often find him in trouble, hence the reason I have to help him out.

My father was killed by THEIR kind, almost 5 years ago when they actually managed to take over. When the lycans managed to penetrate our town my father rose up with some people from the neighborhood, to defend our livelihood, it was futile to say the least. We lost many people and I watched as my dad was ripped apart by two fully shifted wolves, I ended up shooting him to stop his suffering before they dragged me to the courtyard, i was the person to receive the first lashing of the town when I was 12! The wolves have been pretty strict with me since that day.

Anyway, back to my story.

"Is Freddie ok?" I nodded my weak head at Nick before almost falling over. The men holding me, rushed me to the towns human nurse, Sheila, who quickly cleared her table while I was placed stomach down on it by the two men.

She gently took the coat of off me before gasping and rushing around gathering stuff. A few Torturous grunts left my mouth as the pain suddenly stopped being numb, I was shivering in shock by the time Julia came back.

"I'm going to administer some anesthetic." I felt a sharp stinging pain in my shoulder blade before my back went completely numb and the world became black.