Fated To Three, Betrayed By All… Until She Rose novel Chapter 9

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**Healing Slowly But Surely By R. Joseph**

**Chapter 9: Who Needs Enemies With Mates Like Mine?**

Leilani.

“Arggghhh!” The sound erupted from the depths of my throat, a raw, primal scream that echoed in the air as the whip struck my bare skin for the seventy-fifth time. Yes, I was counting, each lash a cruel reminder of my torment.

Nearby, a group of young girls stood huddled together, their eyes wide with pity as they watched my suffering unfold. They counted along with me, their voices a haunting chorus of empathy that did nothing to alleviate my pain. They were powerless to help; their sympathy was a mere shadow of the support I desperately craved.

In stark contrast, my body convulsed with agony, each strike sending shockwaves through me. I thrashed helplessly, spittle flying from my lips, mingling with the hot tears that streamed down my face, blurring my vision. My back felt as if it were engulfed in flames, a searing pain that felt like raw pepper being poured over my lacerated flesh, followed by molten silver dripping down my spine.

I screamed again, each cry a desperate plea for mercy. But no one came to my aid; no one even glanced my way with concern. The crowd surrounding me was here for their own amusement, their laughter mingling with my cries. They giggled and winced, relishing the spectacle of my suffering. Some recorded the scene on their phones, their laughter echoing in the air, while others hurled insults at me—murderer, thief, traitor—each word a dagger to my heart.

You name it; they said it!

At the back of the crowd stood my family and mates, their presence a chilling reminder of my isolation. Despite the distance, I could feel their cold, satisfied gazes boring into me. Chalice, in particular, wore a wide grin, one that seemed to stretch across her face, almost splitting her cheeks in two.

They reveled in my anguish, watching as the guards mercilessly lashed my already torn flesh, tearing away more of my skin with each stroke. My blood pooled beneath me, a vivid crimson stain on the ground, and my cries, raw and anguished, clawed their way from the depths of my soul, making me feel as if I were teetering on the brink of death.

“Eighty!” the crowd suddenly shouted in distorted unison, and I collapsed to the ground, sobs wracking my body as a shudder coursed through me.

A wave of relief washed over me, knowing that at least this part of my torment had come to an end. But that fleeting moment of solace shattered when I heard heavy footsteps approaching. The polished shoes that came into view made it painfully clear who was now before me.

I tilted my head back, my heart racing as I met the cold, detached eyes of my family and mates. My breath caught in my throat.

Caelum leaned in closer, his eyes glinting with malicious intent. “Now that that’s been done, Martha, Agnes, and the rest of you, drag her to her feet!” he commanded, his voice sharp and unyielding.

A chill of fear shot through me at his words, but before I could react, four girls materialized beside me, their arms wrapping around mine with a vice-like grip.

My body trembled as I struggled to rise, my already bloodied back protesting fiercely with each movement. A pained moan escaped my lips as my knees buckled, crashing back to the ground. Yet the girls, eager to please the alphas, yanked me up again, bowing before Caelum as if I were nothing but a plaything.

“Alpha Caelum, what should we do with her now?” Agnes inquired, her voice laced with a mixture of respect for him and pity for me.

Agnes had once been my closest friend, but after enduring relentless bullying from Chalice and her cronies, she had distanced herself from me. Even now, she kept her gaze averted, torn between loyalty and sympathy.

As pain lanced through my back once more, I dropped my eyes in defeat. “Water, please,” I rasped, my voice hoarse and cracked. “I… I need water.”

My throat felt parched and tight, and when no one moved to help, I repeated my plea, desperation creeping into my voice. “Please.”

At my request, Chalice stepped forward, a plastic cup in her hand. Hope flickered within me, and despite the agony coursing through my body, I leaned closer. “Thank you,” I whispered, extending my trembling hand to receive the cup.

But in a cruel twist of fate, she let the cup slip from her fingers, and I gasped in horror as the contents splashed onto the ground. Chalice stepped back, a smile dancing on her lips, her eyes widening in mock surprise.