Luna Battle: The Game

Chapter 4 CAUGHT

It’s been three days since I submitted that application, and I can’t stop thinking about it. Every moment I’m wiping tables, cleaning rooms, or completing any of my usual chores, the thought gnaws at the back of my mind. Alpha Draven’s been away again, visiting Alpha Ethan and his pack, finalising the deal they’ve been working on. His absence has given me a rare reprieve. Three full days without being touched, without the constant demands to kneel or the usual cruelty. Beta Luca and the others have been too preoccupied with running Alpha Draven’s affairs to bother with me.

It’s given me time to think about what I’ve done, though. I lied in that application. To Alpha Prime Darius, the king. If he finds out—and he probably will—what will happen to me? Lying to a king has consequences. Grave ones. Would Alpha Draven enjoy revealing my lies to them if they ever find out? Would he take pleasure in watching me suffer for it?

I finish wiping down the last table and retreat to my cell, sitting on my mat, trying to relax. Draven is expected to return today, and I’ve made sure to keep everything in order, cleaned when I was supposed to, and ensured that I’d be right where he expects me if he decides to check in on me. Most people would find the boredom unbearable, but for me, this quiet moment of sitting alone in my cell is perfect. After days of endless cleaning and submission, I welcome the stillness.

But my peace doesn’t last long. I remember what day it was—Draven’s bed needed new linens. I stand and head to the laundry room. The maid smiles as I enter, and I begin gathering the items I’ll need to replace the sheets in Draven’s room. Everything has to be perfect for his return.

“They’ve started collecting the chosen women,” the maid says casually, making me stop and turn to her, confused.

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“The guards of Alpha Prime Darius have begun collecting the women who were selected for the Luna trials today,” she explains, folding some sheets.

The women who were selected… My heart races for a moment, but I force a smile. “Lucky them,” I reply, though I don’t feel lucky at all.

She steps closer, her voice lowering. “It could be lucky for you.”

My breath catches in my throat, and I glance at her in shock. She knows. “What?” I stammer, panic rising.

“Don’t worry, no one else knows,” she says softly. “I saw you filling out the application, but I won’t tell Alpha Draven. I have everything crossed for you.”

Her words are meant to be reassuring, but they only fill me with dread. How had I been so careless? What if Draven found out? I never considered the consequences when I filled out the form, but now they feel all too real. My mark—it’s impossible to hide if they ask to confirm whether I’ve been claimed. I could be exposed, humiliated, and worse. What have I done?

I nod to the maid, trying to remain calm as I finish gathering the sheets. After replacing the bedding in Draven’s room, I take the used sheets back to the maid, even though they’re barely dirty. As I leave the laundry room, I hear the door open at the front of the house. Draven must be back. I move quickly, hoping to reach my cell before anyone notices me, but luck isn’t on my side.

“Mutt.” His voice stops me in my tracks. I turn slowly, walking back toward him, and kneel at his feet as expected. “What is this?” Draven asks, holding something up. I squint, realising it’s one of the cleaning cloths I use.

“A cloth, Master,” I answer carefully, unsure where this is going. “It’s mine. I use it for cleaning.”

“And why was it next to the computer?” His voice grows cold, and my stomach drops. I remember now—three days ago, when I filled out the application, I’d had the cloth in my hand. I must’ve left it by the computer.

“I don’t know, Master,” I lie, my voice barely steady.

“That is a blatant lie,” he snaps, turning to Alpha Paul. “Prepare her punishment. Ensure the entire pack will be watching.”

Fear claws at my chest as Draven’s words sink in. He knows I used the computer. He knows I’ve broken his rules, and now I’ll pay the price.

“Master, it wasn’t me—”

“Lying will only make it worse,” he cuts me off sharply. He gestures to Alpha Luca. “Drag her out.”

Alpha Luca grips my arm, yanking me to my feet and shoving me outside. I stumble but manage to kneel as I’m thrown to the ground in front of the pack. Draven rarely punishes me in front of everyone, and the humiliation stings as much as the fear of what’s to come.

“If I give orders, I expect them to be followed, even when I am not here,” Draven declares, his voice booming. I feel the cold metal of cuffs being fastened around my wrists, but I can’t focus on anything except the rising panic inside me.

I scream as the chains are pulled, hoisting my body into the air, my toes barely grazing the ground. The cuffs dig into my skin, the spikes biting painfully into my wrists. I know what’s coming next, and I brace myself.

“Now,” Draven commands. The first crack of the whip slices through the air and connects with my back. Pain erupts, tearing a scream from my throat as my body jerks forward in the chains. I look up, catching a glimpse of Draven, his face cold and unfeeling.

“Again.”

The second strike hits harder, and my scream mixes with a sob, my body slumping as the pain radiates through me.

“Again.”

The third strike is worse than the others, and I feel my body go limp as I dangle from the chains, blood running down my back from the deep lacerations. My eyes flicker over the crowd, landing on Alex, the healer. His expression is filled with horror, but he doesn’t move. No one does.

“Again,” Draven shouts.

I scream, my voice hoarse, as the whip cuts into my flesh once more. I’m barely conscious, hanging there by the chains, when the sound of cars pulls my attention. I lift my head weakly and watch as the crowd starts to disperse.

“Take her inside,” Draven orders, and I feel the cuffs being removed. I collapse to the ground, too weak to stand. Alpha Luca grabs me by the arm, dragging me across the dirt and through the doors. Just when I think the worst is over, Draven’s voice echoes behind me.

“Stop!”

I’m dropped to the ground, kneeling again, waiting for more abuse, but Draven’s next words chill me to the bone.

"Apparently, Alpha Prime Darius has sent guards for you, Mutt!" s**t. I raise my head slowly to see him glaring and growling at me. Is this because they know I lied? I have a feeling tonight's punishment is only the start of it.

“Alpha Prime Darius has sent guards for you, Mutt.”

I look up slowly, my heart pounding. This isn’t over. This is just the beginning.