Chapter 69

When the maleripped my blouse from my body, I was shocked into immobility. I barely noted that he was slicing my jeans with his claws.

They don't matter, my wolf counseled.

She had been with me, so I didn't feel alone while on display.

"Call to Her. The Lady will give you comfort."

I began to pray. I knew my eyes were open, but I could not really see. Tears blurred my vision. I knew that Bredon was nearby. I could feel his anguish. As bad as this was going to be for me, my mate would suffer more.

Lady, Goddess, hear my prayer. Please, please comfort Bredon Redd. He works so hard to protect us and deeply feels every shortcoming.

"You may commence," Anton's voice sounded in the background.

The whistle of the strap sounded before the fiery pain shot through my body. "Fuck." The whip wrapped around my torso, ending around my knee.

I needed to continue my prayer. I'm being punished for using my gift to bring joy to the ruling couple. This is how the ungrateful Anton Redd repaid me. Please…

God, the lash hurt. It burned like when you touched something too cold. I felt my body convulse as I cried out.

I need…I need strength.

"Ouuwwlll," I cried as the lash sent me spinning. I squeezed my eyes closed as I tried to catch my breath.

With the next lash, I saw starbursts at the edges of my vision. I was going to pass out. Hopefully, the pain would stop.

I felt like I was floating. I wasn't in pain anymore. I think I heard the fuzzy voice of Anton calling for the strikes to be "harder."

Suddenly, scenes flashed in my mind. A blond teenager backhanded by a much older male. As she cried out, he yanked her arm and pulled her closer to an older male.

"Noooo. Please, no," the girl cried as she fought against the man, trying to pull free.

"Natalya, listen to me. I am your father," the male paused to slap her again.

The young Talia dug in her heels and forced the male to drag her. He tossed the girl toward the male who resembled Anton.

She fell at his feet, crying hysterically, "No. No. Please."

That male kicked at her ribs, sending her sliding a few feet away. "You give me an ungrateful bitch?" He roared with outrage. "She should be kneeling before me, honored that I have chosen to be her first."

Talia slid her feet under her and leaped toward the door on the far wall. There, she was stopped by guards.

"I do not want this," she screamed.

I could feel her terror.

The scene changed.

A much younger Sig stood close to Talia. They were outside, standing near a saddled horse. "Go, Nattie. It is your chance to escape," he urged.

She was young, and yet her face showed years of pain. She looked at the horse longingly and then to Sig. "You know I cannot. He will never let me go."

"I cannot watch him treat you that way," he told her gently. "You are not a toy to play with and share with friends."

Christ! I felt my stomach drop.

"He will kill you for this," she warned Sig.

"You will be safe. That is enough, Natalya." He pressed his palm against her cheek.

"Sigmund, I... I wish I could be with you. What you need." Her hand covered his.

"Shhh. I love you. I will always love you. You are my mate. I want you to be safe."

"I wish… I wish none of this happened. That I could have been with you and been happy." Talia's expression was filled with yearning.

"They did this to you, to us. Go. Live well. That is enough for me." He lifted her onto the horse's back and smacked the horse's flank.

She almost lost her seat but took control and set off into the darkness.

Sig watched her ride away.

The next scene was with a garden hedge backdrop. An older Talia was in a light blue gown with an elaborate hairstyle. "It is not fair to you to be tied to me." Her voice was a harsh whisper.

Sig towered over her seated figure. "Stop."

"You should look for a female to contract with. I will go before The Lady and explain…" Talia's eyes were shining with unshed tears.

"I am your mate. I do not want another. I will never want another." He spoke with conviction.

"You will grow to resent me. To hate me," she cried and dropped her face into her hands.

"I will never," he vowed.

Why was I seeing this?

I couldn't make my brain work right. My body felt heavy, and slowly, everything faded away.