Shackled But Indomitable: The Queen I Refuse To Become

ac

t. I threw myself in front of my little brothe

is boy disrespected th

ready to bring it down again. His eyes moved fr

e didn't mean to do

ped across my cheek. My hand flew up without thinking. When I looked at my

ublic punishment? Keep getting i

threat meant. The last time it happened... it had taken me

He was only joking... he's j

hrough me and forced me to grimace. Before I cou

he taste of blood filling my mouth. Then I lowered my eyes and ga

trembling hands clutch

to the t

y heart seemed

Freddie and spoke i

with Mom. Don't open

my arms and pulled me away. I twisted just enough to catch one last glimpse of Freddie

r swallowe

. Most of them were humans who had no choice but to witness scenes like this. Some coul

bound to a wooden post, and someone shoved a le

w what was ab

ed until enough people

pped my shirt away in one quick motion. The scars covering my back were exposed for everyone to

rst strike

between my teeth, I couldn't ke

ing, one after anot

. Every lash brought back the pain with even greater force. I did

stopped aft

e, they

. My weight sagged against the restraints. Every bit of strength had

A low groan slipped from my throat, and the leat

was free, my legs gave way beneath me. I crumpled onto

nto their wolf forms, their clothes were destroyed, and when they turned human again, they came back with

e shame sti

e trying to cover myself. Before

ace. Wolves rule this land, and you will show

weak voices

e platform. My bare arms scraped across the g

person step

until the werewo

m blanket settled across my back, and

lan

pite how heavy my eyes felt.

you do t

ly force the

otecting

nything else. He simply

almost black. My eyes were brown too. I wasn't very tall. I was only ab

s old. Somehow, he always

fter they took over our town. He was one of the peop

hed hi

rt. I was the one who pulled the trigger and en

first time they chai

they never truly

gh about

to what ha

alright?"

hile my legs threatened

. Sheila was already there. The instant she saw me, she

lowered me on

she stopped for a brief moment. Then she

away. Now it all came crashing back at once. I

o sleep for a little wh

erced the area b

s swallowed

ng lying face down on a wooden table that felt as hard as stone. My back burned as though flames were still running ac

ning light slowly spread through the room. After taking a deep breath, I carefully lowered my fee

ong drink, as if I hadn't touched water in days. That was when it hit me. I needed to get to school.

Every step pulled painfully at my back. As soon as I arrived home