Chapter 5 The Alpha's Punishment

Shilah was grabbed out of the room by the guards.

"Please...My daughter's sick. Please..." Mrs Walter cried as she watched them drag Pia roughly.

"Please, we haven't done anything wrong. Spare my household". Mr Walter pleaded on his knees, but the King didn't even blink an eye.

King Dakota was seated on his white horse, looking like an unshakable mountain. He was seated with such a rigid look, one that meant he could kill the entire house hold without feeling a thing.

King Dakota, seeing the lady he came for, climbed down from his horse immediately and marched towards her; his boots shaking the ground.

His sword sheath was in his left hand, while his right itched to hit someone.

The terrified Shilah couldn't take her eyes off him as he walked towards her and stood in front of her. And at that moment, she felt her heart stop beating.

This is exactly the lady in the woods. Dakota thought. The one who had seen him in his wolf form. But there was something about her.... when he'd been so close to her in the woods.

She seemed powerless, yet strong; seemed helpless, yet mighty; seemed innocent, yet deadly.

His wolf was very strong and sensitive and it had been able to dictate all these from her. Who was she? There was something that had limited him from killing her like he should.

Dakota narrowed her eyes and examined Shilah from head to foot, but he still couldn't see anything remarkable about her.

Dakota couldn't fathom why his wolf was so gentle with such a weak woman. If it were someone else, his wolf would have already torn him to pieces and devoured him.

The reason why he came today was because he was intrigued by her. Initially, he thought about how to deal with her. But after meeting her again, he still did not get the answer he wanted.

Terrified by his intense gaze, Shilah's her body trembled like a leaf swaying in the wind.

Meanwhile, fear gripped everyone in the room as they wait for the King to speak.

Dakota's usual cold demeanor was absent in his face. His wolf had been behaving strangely lately because of the curse. Since someone could calm his wolf down, he couldn't pass up such a great opportunity. As such, Dakota made up his mind to keep this young lady.

His voice was deep and hoarse; his deep blue eyes staring into hers. "YOU. and your family disobeyed me".

Shilah's family had turned to look at her, wondering what was going on.

The poor Shilah was soaked in fear, she'd suddenly lost her tongue. If this was a nightmare, she really wanted to escape it.

Sweats dripped from her forehead despite the cold weather.

The worst thing she's ever had to face was the cruelty from her family; But this... this man standing in front of her with the cruelest face she's ever seen...was worst than a nightmare.

With his right hand, King Dakota drew out his sword from his sheath and Vanessa gave a scream.

"Please....! We didn't do anything wrong!" Vanessa cried out and swiftly.

Dakota whipped his head to her direction.

Her breath became still as he left Shilah and walked towards her.

"You didn't do anything wrong?" He asked gruffly, marching towards her.

Vanessa could feel her heart in her throat and couldn't breathe anymore. No! What has she done? What did she say??

Before she could say a plea, Dakota lifted the sword and sliced her arm, creating a deep cut on it.

"Argh!!!!!!"

"Vanessa!!!"

Painful screams filled the air.

"Your family disobeyed my orders!!" Dakota roared. "I gave a simple instruction, requesting everyone to stay indoors. But your worthless family disobeyed me by stepping out! "

His eyes returned to Shilah and he marched towards her.

"You thought I was gonna forget?" He gritted. "I wasn't joking when I gave my orders. And I'm here to make you and your family pay!"

"Not us!" Mr Walter finally said in fear, making the King's direction turn towards him. "Please, My King; we didn't do anything wrong. We... we had no idea she left the house yesterday. She did even tell us any of this".

Shilah's heart skipped as her lips parted open in shock.

"She's the daughter of my late wife and has been very stubborn. Please, Great King, I'm not a fool to disobey your orders; and neither will I have any of my household do same. What this lady has done out there, we have no knowledge about it. I beg you, don't punish us for our own sins" he placed his palms together.

Shilah couldn't believe what was happening.

"Father ..."

"Don't get us into more trouble, Shilah" Mr Walter cut her off from speaking. "I've always warned you to be calm and avoid walking about, but you wouldn't listen. Now, see where it's landed us"

He turned to the King. "Please, My King, you can take her away and punish her because she's responsible for it. But spare my family. Please, I beg you."

A tear was already rolling down Shilah's cheek. She couldn't believe that her own father lied to the King and sacrificed her for their own safety. She did what them requested and risked her life to find the hem leaves. But now, this was what they gave her in return. No, it can't be happening! The King would kill her with no mercy!

Seeing that the King didn't say anything, Mrs. Walter assumed he was thinking about how to punish them. So, she knelt down and echoed, "Yes, My King. We all respect you, and none of us would ever defy your orders. But Shilah didn't take your words seriously. She deliberately broke the rule to make trouble for our family."

Next to her, Ina, who was also on her knees, nodded. "Please spare us and punish her, My King."

King Dakota frowned, which only made Shilah's heart beat faster. A sour grin broke on her face. She knew that no matter what she said, she couldn't prove her innocence. After all, they were all ganging up against her.

Raising his hand, King Dakota called the guards behind him, "Drag these three noisy people out of here and give them ten lashes."

The three of them were shocked by the King's words. "Please spare us, My King! We are innocent!" they pleaded.

However, King Dakota turned a deaf ear to their cries for mercy. Instead, he snapped impatiently, "Since you don't want to accept the punishment, I will double it!"

Upon hearing this, the three of them widened their eyes in utter disbelief but dared not say anything more. They shut their mouths tightly, fearing the King would punish them more. At the same time, the guards quickly grabbed and dragged them away, mercilessly starting to carry out the King's order.

Soon the sound of whips and miserable screams filled the place. Meanwhile, the others lowered their heads and avoided making eye contact with the King. They were obviously afraid that they would be the next ones to suffer.

Once Shilah saw what had happened to the three of them, she was horrified. She anticipated that it would soon be her turn to get punishment, which could be much more severe. The King reprimanded the three of them because they talked a lot. She, who disobeyed the King's order, would probably be put to death. At the thought of this, she started trembling even more.

King Dakota turned to look at her, his eyes dimming.

After a few seconds, he dropped to a crouch in front of her, so his face level becomes even with hers and he can stare into her eyes.

"M... My King..." Shilah's lips were shaking. She didn't even know what to say to defend herself.

"You know what?" King Dakota suddenly smirked; his eyes not leaving hers. "I'm not going to kill you; cause I have a better idea."

"What...What do you mean?" Shilah asked, her voice quavering with fear. She was so frightened that she almost couldn't breathe. She was like a suspect awaiting the King's verdict.

"I'm going to make sure you never have to enjoy companionship for the rest of your life. You - Shilah, for disobeying me; you're going to be my fourth wife."