Chapter 80
Damon raised the whip , I flinched when it struck Liam’s back .
He didn’t even move , another followed , eachsh made my heart squeeze .
For his mistake … It’s for his mistake … I had to tell myself that , my heart thundering as eachsh struck
him , slicing through his skin and letting blood drip to the ground .
Not once did he even flinch , despite his breathing bing harder .
But eachsh was biting into me , the pain of watching him face this … Thirty … ” Raven … ” Uncle El
said and I realised I was shaking .
My heart was beating far too fast .
” Step outside . ” No.
” I said as I saw Tayloring over .
No doubt Uncle El had mind linked him .
” I’m staying .
” I stared at Liam as Damon continued .
The emotionless mask on Damon’s face was gone , pain and conflict on his face too as he frowned
deeply continuing the punishment .
” That’s enough now .
” I said suddenly , flinching as the silver cut into Liam’s back that was a mess ofshes , torn skin and
blood .
” Raven .
I told you , you can’t change this .
” Uncle El said softly .
” No I can , because he marked me , I have the right to .
” I said standing up , I saw Damon nce towards us but he continued his dealing .
Eachsh felt like I was the one being cut open .
My heart was screaming in pain .
The fear and anguish inside of me were messing m e up .
He made a terrifying mistake , and one that would take time to heal , but let him have the chance to
redeem himself ! Not d o something so painful like this ! ” Take her outside .
” Uncle El said quietly t o Taylor and Zack , ” Your emotions are clouding your judgement , Raven .
” ” 1 No , No … I love him …
Taylor wrapped his arm around my shoulders , leading me firmly towards the exit .
No ! I stared at Liam’s mutted back , his shoulders heaving , his head hanging yet not once did a
sound escape him .
‘ I’m fine , Raven .
Please leave .
‘ His voice came through the link .
No matter how much he tried to hide it … I could hear it .
My eyes stung with tears as I shook my head at his back .
How can I turn my back on him right now ? The darkness inside of him was feeding on all negative
emotions ; fear , loneliness and regret were part of that .
This was not the right way ! ” Fifty .
” Damon said , breathing hard as heshed him again .
I couldn’t breathe ….
My heart was ringing in my ear … The smell of blood … I spun around in a sh , but Zack was ready .
His arm was wrapped around my waist as I struggled against him .
” Stop it ! ” I cried out , my heart was breaking as if someone was ripping it apart inch by inch ” Raven ,
come on .
It’spulsory .
” Zack said quietly .
” Please stop it ! If this is for marking me , I was going to let him mark me anyway ! ” I sobbed , not caring
for once that I was crying out in the open .
Damon hesitated , turning to me .Our eyes met and I realised his eyes glistened with unshed tears .
This was hurting him too .
” That doesn’t make the way he did things right .
” Zack said quietly .
” I know ! And I won’t forgive him easily , but brutally whipping him like this ?! I don’t like it ! Two wrongs
do not make a right ! ” I shouted .
” Alpha Elijah ! As the victim , I demand that you let him go ! ” ” That cannot be done .
Take her away .
” Uncle El said , his eyes shing .
” Liam ! ”
RêAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only
‘ I’m fine love , please go .
” ” Let go of me ! ” I shouted as Zack carried , me out of the hall and into the corridor .
No.
I will do what I feel is right ! Twisting i n his hold I rammed my elbow in his face .
Sorry , Taylor .
His grip loosened as he grunted in pain , I took the chance to knock him back and ran back inside .
” I SAID STOP IT ! ” I cried out running onto the stage and wrapping my arms around Liam from behind ,
the strong sparks of the bond rushed through me as I tried to shield his back , but I didn’t even cover half
of it .
” Please stop it , this is only hurting me more .
” I whispered in the room that was nowpletely silent .
” This isn’t easy for anyone .
” Uncle El said softly .
” But a punishment is- ” ” He’s had over fiftyshes .
Please stop ! ” I shouted .
The pain in my chest was growing , my eyes zing as I stared at the Alpha .
” Raven , I’m fine .
” Liam said , his voice was hoarse despite trying to sound as normal as possible .
” I’m not ok with this .
” I said slowly letting go of him , flinching at how deep the wounds on his back were .
” Please … I love him ….
Please stop this … ” I joined my hands together in front of my face , unable to stop the tears that
streamed down my cheeks as I looked at Uncle El .
” Please … I beg you … This is causing me more pain than good .
” My voice broke as I stared up at our Alpha .
He stood there ; the conflict clear on his face .
” We make mistakes in life … and some may be unforgivable , but this is between Liam and I and we will
work on them …
We also know he has no memory of what he did … he wasn’t just fuelled by rage alone .
” I said quietly , the pain in my chest was overpowering everything .
” Give him one chance to redeem himself ! If he messes up again , then you can punish him .
Please .
” My hands were shaking as I pressed my joint fingers to my lips , closing my eyes a s sobs wracked my
body .
I heard the ng of the whip hitting the floor , opening my eyes to see Damon had dropped it .
He pulled me into his arms , stroking my back .
” I agree with her Alpha ….
I think it’s enough .
” He said quietly .
Uncle El sighed heavily .
Alpha … I’m with Raven and Damon … Liam regrets his actions and he will prove his worth .
” Zack said , quietly wiping blood from his nose .
A murmur of agreement passed through the people watching , and I hoped Liam saw that we were not
giving up on him .
W e would defeat the darkness , together .
LIAM ” Let him down ! ” Her voice made my heart clench , her words ringing in my head .
I don’t get how she could even consider forgiving me at a time when I couldn’t forgive myself … I had
almost killed her … I was unlocked and I staggered , holding my stance .
I turned to look at her .
Tears streamed down her beautiful face as Damon embraced her .
How many times would I make her cry ? Our eyes met and she pulled out of Damon’s hold as she looked
at me , stepping closer .
There were still bridges to build between us … She should have let me receive my punishment … ” Get
him cleaned up and then I expect him at my ce after being given a dose o f wolfsbane .
” Dad said , his eyes meeting mine .
I looked away , knowing I had disappointed him .
I had never wanted to ever cause him pain , but I had … I turned to Damon , I knew it hadn’t been easy
on him .
The first fewshes had held anger in them , but after that , each one had been hard for him too .
Raven’s words from earlier were still clear in my mind .
Fix the bonds I had destroyed .
For her and for me .
I had a lot of work to do , with myself ,Raven , Damon , Mom … My stomach twisted and I felt sick .
I knew , what her father had done and unknowingly , I had done the same thing .
I could only imagine what she was going through .
Everyone was leaving and I was led into a side room by Zack , who was supporting a bruised nose , I
had a feeling it was courtesy of Raven .
” I’m sorry , Taylor .
” Raven was saying as Damon pushed me down onto the bed .
I nced up at her as she pouted at Taylor , who looked as sad as Raven .
” I won’t hit him again .
” Raven pleaded quietly , ” Sorry Zack .
” I raised an eyebrow , ncing at Zack , who simply nodded .
” It’s fucking understandable , but don’t fuck the nose up next time .
” He said .
” There won’t be a next time ! ” Raven promised , ” Do you forgive me , Taylor ? ” ” Since it was for your
mate … ” He said giving her a hug .
” If I wasn’t in so much pain , I would have probably found their exchange a little amusing .
There was a lot Raven did that was just cute … a cuteness I didn’t fucking deserve to even witness … I
didn’t deserve having her in my life .
I looked at my Beta and Delta- not mine anymore … but … they were still here .
‘ Arms up .
” .
” Damon said , I held back the hiss of pain as he sshed something on my back .
” That burns .
” I muttered , making Raven turn to him .
Her face became serious , she came over .
Her scent enveloped my senses , and as much as I wish I could just wrap her up in my fucking arms
forever …
I no longer held hopes for that .
I didn’t deserve her … ” I’ll do it .
” She said , taking the bandage from Damon , who nodded .
We were halfway done , her fingers often grazing my skin , sending off a rush of pleasure as she
wrapped the bandage around me firmly when Damon swore , staring at Zack .
” What is it ? ” Raven asked , her heart thumping .
” There’s been another death .
” Damon said , frowning .
” The body was discovered ten minutes ago .
” 1 ” Fuck … ” I said .
” Who is it ? ” Raven asked with worry in her eyes .
” One of the elder wolves , Arnold .
” Zack muttered .
The room fell silent as the five of us stared at one another .
This needed to end .
” We have to do something … Maybe we need to search everyone’s houses , the teeth and eyeballs
have got to be stored somewhere .
” Raven said , reaching up and brushing my hair out of my eyes .
Our eyes met and my gaze dipped to her neck , my chest fucking squeezing as I looked at it … half –
hidden … She moved away , a sh of pain in her eyes before she turned away .
I agree … But isn’t that what Liam kind of wanted ? How do we do that without making the pack restless
? ” Zack asked .
We all fell into thought , how do we get the pack homes empty ? Taylor snapped his fingers .
” We party ! ” The rest of us frowned at the question , but Raven gasped as if understanding .
” A party for the entire pack … So the homes are empty ? ” She asked .
Taylor nodded , a small smile on his lips .
” Exactly , the Alpha can say it’s just due to everything going on , a party for everyone would be good … I
mean , I’d say his birthday would be ideal , but we can’t dy this until then .
When everyone is at the party , those at the top of our list of suspects , well … we search .
” He exined .
” You’re pretty smart .
” Zack said , wrapping his arms around Taylor’s neck , pulling him against him and kissing his forehead .
I sure missed a lot .
” You two together ? ” I asked .
” Mates actually .
” Zack said before looking away … ” I fucked up ..
So , it took a little .
11 time .
” We all mess up at times … We just got to work on it .
” Taylor said , looking at Zack and then at me .
I nodded .
Yeah .
” Well then , I think it’s time we started nning this party .
” Damon said , smacking his hands together .
” Can I help search ? ” I asked quietly .
” Sure .
” Damon said .
” We can use whatever help we can get .
” This killer had been on the loose for far too fucking long … Moonlight Muse