Chapter 4: Twisted Torture

Tessa’s POV

The carriage tore down the path. I couldn’t even bear to look out the window. 

I felt as though my soul had left my body, like I was a puppet with its strings cut off as we sped towards Alpha Charles’ pack. 

I sat in stunned silence the entire way, trying to push aside the feeling of impending doom that threatened to swallow me whole.

After what felt like a lifetime, we finally arrived at Alpha Charles’ Pack, the Sliver Moon Pack. 

The carriage halted to a stop and the soldiers didn’t even bother to step out of the carriage. 

They simply opened the door and shoved me out with callous force before driving off, leaving me all alone in a strange and unsettling place. 

I took a cautious look around and swallowed hard. 

The buildings were painted in vibrant, almost garish colors. They gave off an unsettling, ominous sense of chaotic energy. 

My unease grew. 

I didn’t know what to do or where to go, so I just stood there, wringing my hands in front of me.

It wasn’t long before a man in a sharp black suit approached me. 

His face was blank, emotionless, like a machine designed to follow orders without question. He said nothing as he gestured for me to follow him. 

He led me into a spacious yet dimly lit room. One glance around I could see that the room reeked of menace. 

The walls were lined with shelves displaying various objects I didn’t recognize—but the whip hanging prominently on the wall across from me was unmistakable.

I couldn’t stop the shiver that tore down my spine. 

I hesitantly stepped into the room, but the further I ventured, the more oppressive it felt.

‘What is this place?’ I asked myself as I grappled to comprehend the true intent behind the room. But then I saw it: a massive bed that dominated the center of the room. 

I squinted to see more clearly in the dim light, and I was shocked to make out the figure of a man perched squarely on the bed. 

He was an overweight, white-haired man with a pasty complexion and a protruding belly. His leering eyes confirmed my worst fears—

this had to be Alpha Charles. 

Panic surged through me, overriding every rational thought. 

No! This wasn’t happening! I couldn’t stay there! 

Without thinking, I spun on my heels, desperate to escape. But the old man was faster than I expected. 

He quickly rose from the bed and grabbed me. With a firm grip, he flung me onto the bed with terrifying ease.

His weight bore down on me, stealing the breath from my lungs as I tried to squirm backwards on the bed, away from him. 

A grotesque smile spread across his face as he spoke in a sickly sweet tone.

“You are my new bride,” he smiled lasciviously as he moved to hover over me. “But before the wedding tomorrow, let’s play a little game.” 

He raised his eyebrow and licked his lips, his tongue dry and serpent-like. 

“No—” I gasped, struggling beneath him. 

“How about some hot wax?” he mused, completely ignoring my protests. His expression shifted and he shook his head. 

“No, on second thought, let’s save the hot wax for another time. Perhaps we should start with something better suited for a beginner. Oh, how about a whip?” 

His breath smelled like rotting meat and I turned my head, recoiling from the rancid stench. “I heard your family used to beat you often. This should feel familiar then, right?” 

He got off the bed, moving with disturbing efficiency. I watched in terror as he strode across the room and grabbed the whip off the wall. 

Before I could fully process what was happening, he spun around and lunged at me, striking me hard with the whip. 

The pain seared through me as he raised it to strike me again. I instinctively rolled onto my side to avoid the blows. 

“I’d advise you to stop moving,” he said, irritation flashing across his face. “If you keep squirming, I might hit somewhere more visible by accident, and we can’t have that before the big day.”

“Please ... .stop” I gasped, covering my head with my arms and curling my knees into my chest.

“Yes,” he smiled. “Beg you little whore. Nothing gets me more excited than a desperate plea to stop!” 

He chuckled and I watched through my arms as he tossed the whip aside. 

He picked up some robes. “This should stop your squirming,” he said, approaching me once again with ropes to bind me in hand.  

Just then, a knock at the door shattered the tension. 

“What do you want?” Alpha Charles hissed at the suited man who appeared at the door. 

He was obviously irritated by the intrusion. I, however, felt like the interruption had been an act from the very Moon Goddess herself.

“Alpha, the Lycan Prince has arrived earlier than expected,” the suited man reported in a calm tone. “He requests an audience with you. And he has also asked to stay here for the night.” 

Alpha Charles clicked his tongue in annoyance, glaring at me before tossing the ropes aside. 

“Lucky for you,” he sneered, rising from the bed. “No matter then. We’ll continue this after the wedding tomorrow.” 

With that, he smoothed his clothes and plastered on a sycophantic smile. 

He cast me one last leering look before he followed the suited man out the door, leaving me trembling and alone in the oppressive darkness.