Free Web NovelChapter 26: The Punishment
The old priest, who was also a true healer, had gone to the mountains to pray and wouldn’t be back soon. Although someone had already been sent to fetch him, they wouldn’t return until the afternoon.
"How is she doing?" Kane asked the women for the sixth time. He didn’t want to interfere with their work, but anxiety was eating him alive.
"She is unconscious due to the pain and shock, but we will revive her. You don’t have to worry too much, Your Highness."
Kane sighed in relief. He didn’t want to leave her side in case she woke up; she would definitely be terrified, and he wanted to be the first thing she saw.
For the first time in his life, he actually prayed to the Moon Goddess, begging her to grant his prayers and make his wife better.
"I will wait outside," Kane told them before exiting the tent.
The moment he stepped out, his family came rushing toward him, desperate for news about Arianna.
"How is she doing, Father?" Ethan asked. Genuine worry was written all over his face. Kane was surprised to see him like this, especially since he had openly detested his wife earlier that day.
"Is she awake yet?" Aunt Freya asked, tears welling in her eyes.
Kane thought to himself for a moment. Maybe none of them truly hated his wife. They might have had their misunderstandings, but a situation like this called for humanity above all else.
"No, but the women assured me that she is going to be fine."
"How did she get hurt?" Aunt Freya asked, tears finally streaming down her cheeks. "What kind of monster would do something like this?"
Kane didn’t answer immediately. He just stared at their faces, wondering if any of them had something to do with the attack on his wife, or if he was simply overthinking out of paranoia.
"I want to know too," Ethan said, stepping closer.
"We all want to know," Samantha crossed her arms over her chest.
Kane looked at his son, his voice dropping to a cool, sharp register. "Is your mate not pregnant?"
"She is not my mate," Ethan answered immediately, leaving everyone shocked.
"So who is she then?" Samantha chuckled, looking directly at the girl standing beside her cousin.
Ethan had no words to answer. He had no idea what his relationship with Selena even was at the moment. He looked at her briefly, and the sheer fury in her eyes felt like it could pierce right through him. She was furious, but he couldn’t bring himself to care about anything right now except Arianna.
"She is carrying your child," Kane said, his steady gaze shifting to the girl. "It is not good for her to be out here in the cold."
"Go back inside then, Selena," Ethan turned and told her. He hoped she would read the tension in the air and simply obey, but she didn’t budge.
"I am no one to you, so why do you care?"
"I cannot believe we are dealing with a couple’s quarrel right now," Aunt Freya rolled her eyes in annoyance. She snapped her attention to the girl. "Think about your child, fool. Go inside and protect the both of you. Now!"
Even though Freya was only looking out for her own family’s interests, her tone carried the weight of a command, and Selena knew better than anyone not to refuse it.
"Fine," Selena muttered, holding herself back from saying anything more before she turned and walked away.
Samantha couldn’t help but laugh at the entire spectacle. "Did you find her in the West too?"
"What is it to you?" Ethan hissed.
"You never learn, even after living in the West for so long. Their women are not good enough, and I pray you actually marry someone from the North next time."
"Shut up, Samantha. Selena is miles better than you," Ethan snapped. "I prefer girls from the West because they are ten times better than you will ever be. Have you even looked at yourself in a mirror lately?"
"Are you mad?" Samantha gasped, her face flushing with anger.
"It’s not body shaming; it has to do with your soul. Ragnar once said it’s dirty, and I believe him now," Ethan shrugged. "Not my words, but your own brother said so."
"Watch the way you—" Samantha began, but her mother cut her off instantly.
"Keep quiet! Have you forgotten that Ethan is the prince? You do not talk to him in that manner, even if you are related," Aunt Freya snapped at her.
"Tell her, Aunt."
"And you?" Freya turned on Ethan. "Your father is standing right here and you are arguing like a fool. Do you even understand what it means to be a prince?"
Both of them suddenly realized that the King had been quietly watching their entire spectacle. They quickly lowered their heads in a mix of shame and dread for what was going to happen next.
"The both of them clearly have too much energy, and we will use it for the benefit of the tribe," the King said, his voice dropping to a dangerous calm.
"I agree with you," Aunt Freya nodded, trying to play along.
"Ethan, you will spend the entire week at the border as your punishment," Kane told him. He watched the sheer shock and horror wash over his son’s face.
The border was no joke. It was freezing, hostile, and unsafe. The food rations there were always dry and cold; Ethan would absolutely miserable.
"Please, Father..." Ethan immediately dropped to his knees to plead.
Samantha smiled, completely oblivious to what was coming for her next.
"You begin tomorrow afternoon," Kane said, refusing to look down at him. He had spoiled the boy for far too long. "As for you, Samantha, you will train with the Omegas from now on. I do not want to see you on the training grounds where the hybrids or the other warriors are."
"W-what?" She couldn’t believe her ears. He wasn’t serious, right?
"They will do as you say, Your Highness," Aunt Freya said, taking the King’s side without hesitation, leaving the two of them completely speechless.
"No, please reconsider this, Cousin," Samantha pleaded, tears already bubbling in her eyes.
"My wife is lying in there unconscious. The person who did that to her is walking around freely, and when I come out here, you two are busy bickering like children? Is that how much respect you have for me?"
Samantha shook her head frantically, while Ethan quietly answered, "No, Father."
"I guess it is. It seems both of you have forgotten your manners, and with this punishment, you will finally come to your senses."
"I fully agree with Your Highness’s decision," Aunt Freya supported smoothly. Samantha couldn’t believe her own mother would turn against her so quickly.
Just as she was about to beg for a lesser punishment, one of the medicine women came running outside. "Your Highness, you have to come immediately!"
His heart skipped a beat. Kane swallowed hard, trying desperately to push away the thought that anything bad had happened to his wife. She was going to be fine. She had to be.
