From Substitute To Queen novel Chapter 131

Chapter 131

The aircraft positioned itself over the churning black water. Rain had turned the normally calm lake into a frothing cauldron of

waves and foam…

Then they dropped me.

The cold water hit like a thousand needles. I went under completely, silver chains dragging me down as my lungs filled with lake water. Just as my vision started to tunnel from oxygen deprivation, the chains jerked upward, hauling me back to the surface.

“Cough! Cough! Cough!” I expelled water violently, gasping for air that burned my raw throat.

But they didn’t give me time to recover. Down I went again. And again.

Each submersion lasted longer. Each time I thought I might finally drown and escape this torment, they pulled me back up just in

time.

“Please… The word came out as barely a whisper between choking fits. “Kill me…

just kill me…”

Water filled my lungs faster now. My body had no strength left to fight. The cold was seeping into my bones, making everything numb except the silver burns around my wrists.

“Please… I’m begging you…”

But the torture continued. Dunk. Gasp. Dunk. Gasp. An endless cycle of near-drowning that pushed my sanity to its breaking point.

Sable’s POV

I stood frozen in place, my legs refusing to move. Horror paralyzed every muscle as I watched the primitive brutality unfolding

before me.

My hands had moved unconsciously to cover my mouth, as if I could somehow block out the sounds of Blair’s screams. But nothing could shut out the wet crack of whips against flesh, or the splash of her body hitting the lake water again and again.

My stomach churned violently. Bile rose in my throat, and I had to fight the urge to vomit right there in the mud.

This is barbaric. This is medieval torture disguised as justice.

But what terrified me more than the punishment itself was Caelan’s reaction to it. He watched the proceedings with the detached interest of someone observing a mildly interesting training exercise.

Is this really the man I’m going to marry? The man who claims to love me?

I remembered Blair’s crimes. The betrayal, the attempts on my life, the conspiracy with Lucian. She deserved punishment-1 understood that. But this level of cruelty made my skin crawl.

If this is how he treats family members who betray him, what would he do to me if I ever crossed him?

The thought hit me like a lightning bolt. I turned to look at Caelan, really look at him, and saw a complete stranger.

Gone was the gentle man who read me bedtime stories. Gone was the protective fiancé who worried about my smallest injuries. In his place stood a king whose capacity for cold-blooded vengeance knew no bounds.

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Chapter 131

“This is too cruel,” I whispered, not really meaning for him to hear.

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But werewolf hearing picked up even my softest words. Several nearby soldiers turned to stare at me with expressions of surprise and disapproval.

Oh God. Did I just criticize the Lycan King’s justice in front of his own warriors?

Fear crept up my throat. But Caelan seemed completely absorbed in supervising the punishment and didn’t react to my comment.

I looked around at the other faces watching this spectacle. Guards, servants, pack members-all of them observed Blair’s torture with the same calm acceptance they might show for a routine training drill.

This is normal to them. This is just another day in their world.

A chill that had nothing to do with the rain settled deep in my bones. For the first time, I truly understood what kind of world I was

entering.

Am I really ready for this? Can I live in a society where this kind of brutality is considered justice?

Dad’s words from our phone call earlier today suddenly echoed in my mind. I realized Dad had been trying to warn me about exactly

this.

My eyes found Caelan again. He raised his hand, and the helicopter immediately responded to his signal. The torture continued at his direct command.

What if I disappoint him someday? What if I make a mistake, or fail to live up to his expectations? Would I end up like Blair, suffering at his hands while he watches with that same cold expression?

Caelan turned his head and caught sight of the terror written across my face. Something in his expression shifted-the cold mask of authority cracking just enough to let warmth seep through.

“Sabi, you still okay?”

I wrapped my arms around myself, unable to meet his eyes. “She… she’s going to die, isn’t she?”

‘No.’

I forced myself to look at him directly, searching his face for truth. “But this is too… too cruel. I’ve never seen this kind of… punishment before,”

Caelan’s jaw tightened. The conflicted expression that crossed his features revealed both unwavering resolve and something that might have been regret. “This is our tradition. The punishment for traitors must be severe enough to deter others from following the same path.”

He paused before he continued. “As king, I must display absolute authority and decisive action. If I show mercy to traitors, the discipline of our entire people will collapse.”

Without warning, his free hand-the one not holding the umbrella-reached out and pulled me against his chest. “Sabi, this is my other side. The ruthless one. Don’t be afraid of me… I would never treat you this way.”

I relaxed slightly in his embrace, then managed a small nod. “I… I just felt sick for a moment. But I understand your responsibilities. Your position.”

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