Alpha’s Second Chance Mate (Sidonie & Carlyle)

AMELIA’S POV

“I’m sorry, Queen Mother.” I apologized quickly, knowing the gravity of what I had done. Under no condition was I to attack someone else or draw my weapon in her presence without her order. Not even when it was someone as important as Varef.

Doing that was tantamount to staging a rebellion and the punishment could be death sometimes. Right then, I knew that I had overstepped my bounds, succumbing to the heat of the moment and allowing my emotions to cloud my judgment.

However, in my case, I knew my punishment was not up to that given the cause if the situation.

“Ah, Da mn you Varef!” I cursed inwardly.

Canthra Minerva was silent as she exchanged glances between I and Varef. The only thing I could do to ease my nervousness right then was to say something appealing to her.

“I’m sorry, Queen Mother,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper as I bowed my head in shame. “I know that I have acted in defiance of the rules, and for that, I am truly sorry.”

The Queen Mother regarded me with a steady gaze, her expression unreadable as she weighed my words with careful consideration. I could feel the weight of her judgment bearing down upon me as each moment stretched out into eternity as I waited for her response.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she spoke, her voice grave but not unkind. © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“Your actions were reckless, Amanda,” she said. “But I understand that acting out of a desire to protect yourself.”

you were

I felt a surge of relief wash over me at her words, grateful for her understanding and forgiveness. But even as I breathed a sigh of relief, I knew that I could not afford to repeat my mistake in the future.

“I will accept whatever punishment you deem fit, Queen Mother,” I said. “I know that I must be held accountable for my actions, and I am prepared to face the

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consequences.”

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The Queen Mother nodded, her expression softening with compassion.

“That’s a good one, Amanda,” he said, her tone gentle but firm. “Your punishment will be decided in due time. Or, why don’t you go the punishment of seven

tak strikes.”

Wait, what? My eyes widened but I quickly composed myself. Who was I to say a word against her?

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“What do you think Varef?” She directed her gaze to him. Varef might not want me to have peace of mind, but he definitely didn’t want the punishment of seven strikes for me. Here I was thinking that I had being pardoned for my misdeed. Never in my wildest imagination did I ever think of Canthra Minerva suggesting that.

“Isn’t that a bit too much?” Varef responded with a shaky voice, his head lowered.

“Is it, Amanda?” Canthra Minerva asked and I knew I had no choice but to answer positively.

“No, Queen mother. It isn’t. Your decisions are worthy and right” I answered.

“Exactly! You see, Varef, I doubt if the punishment is really one. It should be a stepping stone for her to accomplish her mission. Don’t you think?”

Then, I raised my head to glance at her and so did Varef. What was she talking about? What did she mean?

“In life, there are two emotions that could easily get to a being, that could make them easily approachable and vulnerable. Fear and empathy. It now depends on how you use them.” She said and I nodded even though I wasn’t sure if her intent was whay I was thinking about.

“Fix the puzzles. Now, get ready for the punishment.” She ordered.

Oh, goddess! What have I gotten into? Why does it have to be me?

As I made my way to the punishment grounds, a sense of dread settled over me like a heavy cloak, weighing me down with its suffocating presence. The punishment of seven strikes was one of the most feared and dreaded punishments among the Canthrastras, reserved for only the most serious crimes.

“Though, we’re not on good terms, I never wished this for you. I never wanted to see you hurt this way. I’m sorry.” Varef uttered as he walked past me in a jiffy. That was the sincerest word I heard from him in a while.

As I arrived at the punishment area, I was met with a solemn silence that hung thick in the air, broken only by the sound of my own footsteps echoing off the stone walls. The punishment ground was a terrible place, with rows of wooden posts lining the perimeter, each one with different punishing instrument used to inflict pain specifically on our species.

I stood at the center of the grounds, my heart pounding in my chest as I awaited the arrival of the executioner. The punishment of seven strikes was a brutal and merciless ordeal, designed to inflict maximum pain and suffering upon the offender as a deterrent to future misconduct. I would be struck seven times with a metal chain made of special materials that could combat our tough spirit.

Soon, the executioner appeared, a grim-faced Canthrastra with a heavy metal chain in his hand. His eyes bore into mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine and his expression was devoid of mercy or compassion.

Without a word, he approached me. His footsteps echoed ominously in the silence as he raised the chain high above his head. And then, with a swift and brutal motion, he brought it down upon my exposed back, the force of the blow sending a searing jolt of pain coursing through my body.

I bit back a cry of agony as the first strike landed, my muscles tensing in anticipation of the next blow. Again and again, the chain descended upon me with unrelenting force, each strike sending waves of pain radiating through every fiber of my being.

By the time the seventh and final strike fell, I was gasping for breath, my body wracked with pain and exhaustion. I collapsed to the ground, my limbs trembling with the effort of holding myself upright as I

struggled to regain my composure.

As I lay there, battered, bloodied and bruised, I couldn’t help but wonder what the queen mother had in mind to punish me this way.

“Oh no! Amelia! This can’t be.” I heard Kyla’s voice before I succumbed to darkness. At least, I had someone that cared about me.