A Shifter's Curse, Raven Steele [the top 100 crime novels of all time .TXT] 📗

time my body would react as if my skin had been filleted open, no matter how I tried to fight it. It was embarrassing, his goal all along, no doubt.

My wolf snarled and fought to gain control. She didn’t want to take this sitting down. But I shoved her back. She would get her revenge soon enough, but not yet. For now, she had to remain hidden.

"It was difficult deciding how to punish you,” he said. The whip sailed through the air again. This one finally grazed my back, no more than a hot kiss across my flesh.

"First, you took the pack’s vehicle without permission.” Oops. Forgot about that. “This in and of itself is a violation. You also didn't obey your Alpha. Another insult."

The next blow came a little bit harder, striking the back of both my thighs. I bit the inside of my cheek.

"I decided to give you a lashing for every hour you had the pack’s vehicle, which is still missing by the way. I expect to have it back before the end of the day in one piece."

Ugh, I was so stupid.

"So, let's see…” He swirled the thick cord through the air. This one didn't touch me. "As of right now, it's been fourteen hours since you stole our vehicle. Since I don't like even numbers, I'm going to round up. Fifteen lashes will suffice. And I promise you, they will hurt.”

The lashing came so fast, I actually yelped when it cut through my back. I hadn't expected to cry out like that, but the pain struck me to my core. I held my breath and waited for the next lashing. This time I was prepared. I didn’t make a sound even when the whip sliced open my flesh a second time. I wouldn’t give him or Dominic the satisfaction.

By the seventh flogging, my body began to shake, betraying my wishes again. The pain was too intense, the cuts too deep. Even my wolf had retreated to the shadows in my mind where forgotten memories lay buried.

“Embrace the pain,” Silas’ raspy voice called out across the room. The whip whistled through the air and struck me. “Embrace the pain!” His voice was louder, commanding. He’d forgotten that Dominic was watching; he was in his own world. “It will hurt less, I promise.”

Warm, thick liquid ran down my bare ass and legs. I focused on it, watching as it puddled around my feet, trying to grit through the raw and mind-numbing pain.

After my family’s death, I had never let anyone hurt me again. I had worked hard to become strong, impenetrable, never doubting my strength. But Silas’ sneer brought me back to my youth, and I was a victim once again, a child at his mercy.

I growled, growing angry. I wasn’t going to let this happen. I wouldn’t let him abuse me like this.

In that moment, my mind shifted, giving me a different perspective of my predicament. I wasn’t his victim. I was choosing to let him whip me. I would withstand it, and I would be stronger for it. It was me showing him mercy, for I could kill him in a heartbeat. It was a mercy he didn’t deserve, and one he had no clue he was being given.

When the familiar crack of the whip screamed through the air, I spun around and caught the tip in my hand. Startled, Silas stumbled back a step.

I snarled and grinned the wickedest grin I could summon. “Do it again.”

If he was going to whip me, it would be because he knew I wanted it, and not the other way around. I would not let him have any more control. I turned around and slammed my palms against the wall, bracing for the remaining blows.

“Oh, you are one of a kind.” His voice was higher now, excited beyond anything I’d ever heard from him. I was certain he had a boner the size of Texas in those tweed pants of his.

The braided whip struck me again. Holding my breath, I counted each lashing. My legs shook, and every inch of my body felt as if it had been licked by lightning and hammered with thunder. But I was in charge now. I was commanding him to do it. I am in control. I said this in my mind over and over.

One more left.

I glanced over my shoulder when it didn’t come, growling. “What’s keeping you?”

"Brace yourself, she-wolf.” He licked his lips, and his voice was deep and gravelly. "This one's going to hurt the most.” He tilted his head to the side, giving me a view of the insanity in his eyes. “But I think it's the one you’ll also like the most. Believe me, it’ll bring you your greatest pleasure."

Turning back to the wall, I closed my eyes tight. When it struck, my whole body shook. I dropped to my knees, sucking in a breath between my teeth. The braided cord had to have gone partially through to my spine. My legs had gone numb.

"I wondered what it would take to bring you to your knees.” He walked closer to me and touched my shoulder softly from behind. “Wasn’t that delicious?”

Bending down, he ran his fingers down my arm, fingering my sweat and blood. “I know it hurts now, but you’ll grow to love it. I promise.”

Giving me no warning, he pressed his tongue to my back. Only a flash, but enough to know he was tasting my blood. “Mmm. Maybe we could do this every night.”

Repressing the vomit begging to come up my throat, I pressed my hand against the wall and pushed backwards. He caught me in his arms and held onto me tightly. I grabbed his shirt and tugged him down, closer to my mouth so he could hear me whisper. His eyes narrowed on my lips, and he smiled, leaning down.

“Screw.” I gripped him tighter, trying to steady the dizziness in my head. “You.”

His expression darkened. He shot up, making me fall to the floor with a thump.

“I think one more lashing is in order. Just so you remember the importance of obeying."

Closing my eyes, I braced myself for the pain that would surely make me pass out this time. One more. Just one more.

I heard him raise the whip, but the lashing never came.

Someone stopped him.