Chapter 1: The Marking Day

EDDA'S POV

I thought all my loyalty and sacrifices for my packs will be paid off when my engagement day comes to Alpha Damien, the powerful Alpha of the South but it turns out to be my biggest nightmare after he rejected me to be his Luna and even accused me of hurting the girl whom he claimed his true mate. 

***

The onlookers were waiting for my final judgement to be given by the strongest Alpha of the Southern Pack, Damien. Among the crowd were my father who was also an Alpha under the jurisdiction of the Southern Pack itself and my packs who stood there in silence, avoiding my gaze and unwilling to intervene in every whip I received from the executioner. 

" My Lord, she won't talk! I'm waiting for your final order!", The executioner halted for a moment. 

Everyone were waiting for his answer and among them are my father and comrades. 

The heavy droplets of cold rain hitting my skin seems like a prick of a needle, thick and sharp. I was been sitting there cold, shivered and bound by a rough ropes cutting into my skin for almost an hour, being harshly whip over and over again but I won't let my guard down. I was been well-trained by my father since I was young and that is to not lose my composure and dignity even in the brink of death. 

With my weak legs, I stand tall wearing my confidence as I steady my gaze on Alpha Damien. 

***

Just hours ago...

The day has finally come. My  engagement day with the strongest Alpha of the South has arrived. It's time to exchange our vows as mates under the watchful eyes of the Goddess Luna , his packs and mine as well. 

" Alpha Damien, do you accept Lady Edda as your Luna?", Pack Elder announced. 

Since childhood, I know from the start that I will be going to be the future Luna of the strongest Alpha of the South. My father invested everything to me from rigorous trainings and how a Luna should behave in front of her Alpha and everyone that belongs to his ruler. Even it's not my dreams on becoming the Alpha's Luna, I obeyed all of his orders just to please him and for the sake of our packs. I done all of this against my will in behalf of my father and our people but when pack's Elder asked Damien, he stepped back and turned around leaving me speechless and confused. Everyone looks aghast when he made an exit going to the crowd and took a petite girl who he claimed to be his true mate. 

" I, Alpha Damien, rejected Edda to be the Luna of my packs and mate for I have found my true mate!", He said with his deep voice looking confident as he brought the girl next to me. 

I was speechless and surprised until I thought this end this abrupt twist but I was wrong. 

" You, Edda of the Silver Pack, you will face a great punishment for trying to kill my fated mate!", He roared pointing his finger on me. 

My eyes grew wide after hearing his false accusations. 

" What? No, why would I, my Alpha? I haven't seen her before! This is absurd!", I yelled defending myself while I began to search my father's presence among the crowd. 

I shifted my gaze to meet Damien's eyes and I saw no remorse at all. I know that I am innocent but why he was doing this to me.

" You tried to hurt her because you're jealous that she's my true mate, right Edda? You can't get away for this crime!", He continued accusing me which I find it inhumane. 

I grasped my chest as it turns heavy. I saw him facing the crowd. 

" Everyone, we all know that it's a great crime to hurt the Alpha's mate right? Now, I'll give her the punishment she deserve!". He continued to sabotage me in front of everyone. 

" Please, I didn't do anything wrong! I haven't even met her!", I keep fighting for my Luna rights but he insisted and even said those hurtful words which was intolerable. 

" We just bethrothed since childhood but that doesn't mean I will going to chose you as my Luna. I will never accept you as my mate and you're nothing but a vile that needs to be removed from my throat!", He yelled and humiliated me. 

That's when his soldiers captured me on the night of our engagement and ordered to torture me in the middle of a heavy cold rain in front of everyone.  

***

" Ahhh!", I cries out as the thick whip hit my back but I stayed reserved even the pain was unbearable. 

The massive body training I done for many years helped me a lot to suppressed this excruciating  pain I felt on my soft skin. The whipping continued and the pain was hard to resist anymore causing me to bit my lower lip until it bleeds. 

Waiting for Damien's mercy, I slowly lifted my gaze to find my father and my packs. My heart shattered in pieces to see how my father stood there, his lips sealed, ignoring my gaze, too afraid to make a move because he's too afraid to challenge the strongest Alpha. 

When I was young, just when mom died at my early age, my father invested all his attention  to molded me how to be an Alpha's perfect daughter. I endured everything he ordered me especially my childhood just to give his approval and to get the trust of my pack but why I feel alone and helpless? 

I still hold my tears to see how father avoided looking on me, still in silent like he doesn't know me that I am his daughter being beaten and tortured in front of everyone. My comrades whom I thought would save me all turned their backs on me and some bowed their heads facing the ground to avoid my pitiful gaze. 

Alone and almost losing my hope, I saw the executioner raised the whip again ready to marked another cuts on my bare back. As the final lash hit my skin, all the memories of my father and packs flashes back in my head lead me to break down. Feeling exhausted with all these miseries, my body gave up and I collapsed on the ground. 

" One last word, Edda? Just admit your crime and I can offer you a position in my pack!" Damien ambled closer looked down on me and gave me his cold gaze. 

He wanted me to submit after the torture and admit the crime I didn't commit. He thought that offering me a chance to live was his way to show me mercy but I won't give him that. 

" Was all my loyalty and sacrifices ended in vain? Did I waste my childhood days for nothing but cold treatment from those I truly love and cared for the most?", This was the bitter realization comes to my mind as Damien offered me another chance. 

" One last chance, Edda! Admit your crime and you will not get exiled from the pack!", Now he's roaring voice echoed the whole place. 

I was badly beaten in front of everyone. I was accused to the crime I didn't commit. I am innocent and I know in my heart that I did nothing wrong. I trained to be a strong Luna of my pack and I won't let this go in vain. 

With my limp legs and swollen back and arms, I gathered all my strength to steady my stance as I stood up to face Damien. My gaze sharpened meeting his eyes. 

" I, Edda of the Silver Pack rejected your offer Alpha Damien of the South

!", Everyone looked surprised after I refused the strongest Alpha's offer.