Rebellious

Romain

"This is completely unacceptable!" Alpha Denver yells. "I see no reason why this...this boy needed to put his hands on my son!"

The living room is filled with a shocked silence at what I did, but I couldn't care less. I shoot a glare at Soren's father, and then my gaze shifts to Soren himself, who's staring at me like he wants to strangle me. Nothing gives me more satisfaction than seeing his left eye swollen shut.

He deserved more, and I would've beaten him to a pulp if Cade hadn't succeeded in pulling me off him.

"This has to be punished!" Alpha Denver shouts, spittle flying from his mouth. "Who does that boy think he is!?"

"Alpha Denver," Father says, "I understand your anger, and I promise you that the situation will be dealt with immediately. I'll make sure this doesn't happen again."

"That's not good enough, Alpha Roger," Soren interjects in a calm voice. "I feel very disrespected, and as your guest and Emmalee's future husband, I demand immediate action."

My gaze intensifies, and at this moment, I could close the distance between us and punch him again in front of everyone. I don't care. I've never cared about any consequence.

I've only ever cared about things that concerned Emmalee. She's my only priority, and he risked her life. I have a problem with that.

"Romain," Father says to me. His eyes are hard as he studies me. "Perhaps you can tell Alpha Denver and Soren how sorry you are for what you've done, and maybe they'll accept your apology and allow this to be forgotten."

From the corner of my eye, I see Emmalee shifting uncomfortably in her seat. When my eyes land on her, I see that her own eyes are wide and pleading. She wants me to apologize to this asshole, but I know her. She just wants it to end. She doesn't believe that Soren deserves an apology. In fact, nobody here does. Father is doing the same thing because when I told him that Soren made Emmalee fall from the motorcycle, he became visibly upset.

They want me to cooperate. Because it's what people in my position do.

I take a deep breath, sigh, then say, "No, I can't do that."

A heavy silence falls upon the room. I keep my head straight and look right at Soren when I add, "From a young age, I've been taught to protect Emmalee and Cade because they're younger than me. I deemed him a threat, and I'm not going to turn back or apologize for doing my job as an...as an older brother."

Soren's teeth are clenched, and he's staring at me like he wants to kill me. I stare back at him calmly to let him know that I'm not intimidated by him.

I'm enjoying myself.

"Alpha Roger, this can't do!" his mother says, her voice shrill. "I understand that this boy is someone who you consider family, but the truth of the matter is that he doesn't share the same rank with Soren, so his act was very disrespectful indeed. We demand action, and this time, we'll have to insist."

Emmalee shifts uncomfortably in her seat, even though she doesn't look at me. I square my shoulders and stare at Father. I'm determined to take any punishment they send my way.

It wouldn't be the first time, anyway.

"If you insist, then perhaps you can tell us what you think a fitting punishment is," Father says to Alpha Denver.

"A whipping," Soren replies.

Emmalee gasps, but the sound is too low for anyone else to hear. Father starts to protest, but I'm tired of this back and forth that won't lead anywhere, so I interrupt them and say, "I'll take it. I'll take that as a punishment."

The room falls silent, and this time, Emmalee looks at me. My eyes are straight ahead at Soren, though. Let him have his punishment. It doesn't bother me.

The point is that I taught him a lesson he'll never forget.

Father sighs. "As you wish."

We head outside, and from the corner of my eye, I see Emmalee standing up. She turns to her father, but I don't see what happens.

Once outside, all eyes are on me. All the people who work on the estate are watching me as I head to the fountain. It's right in front of the house, so it's the only place I can think of.

Behind me, I hear Father giving orders to tie me up to the railings of the fountain. I don't look back at them as one of the employees, Justus, walks over to me with a length of rope. As I get on my knees, he asks me, "What did you get yourself into, kid?"

"Just tie me up," I retort.

When he's done, he steps back. I hear movement behind me, and my mind unfocuses until the first crack of the whip bites into my back. I clench my jaw and try not to move or make a sound. It hurts like a bitch, but I won't give the Cimmerians the pleasure of watching me break.

Especially Soren.