THE SUBSTITUTE LUNA (IRIS and DRACO) novel Chapter 3

IRIS.

“Did you enjoy riding him the whole night?” Constantine roared as the belt landed on my back for the second time. I didn’t answer, and I refused to scream despite the pain.

I had learned that defending myself would only lead me to more punishment. So I swallowed it all and refused to scream. Tears fell from my eyes as I clutched the small fabric that covered my breasts, terrified that the continued whipping would eventually rip it.

My body jolted as he gave me another one. I kept swallowing the pain, but this time I couldn’t stop the sobs that escaped my throat. “Enough, please…”

Constantine had never whipped me with more than two lashes. He never punished me twice in a week to allow my body to recuperate. But this was already my second punishment in just four days.

“Enough? If you had followed my instructions, you wouldn’t be receiving this!” He said it with so much anger in his voice, and my body began to shake as I braced for the next hit.

I could barely hold myself. I was curled on the ground, trying to make myself smaller, hoping he’ll miss my frame and hit the floor instead.

His hand raised, and my hands flew to my head to cover my face as my body continued to tremble in fear. But the whipping didn’t come.

Instead, a loud voice ripped through the air and echoed around us. “If you hit her one more time, you will regret your actions!”

“Alpha Draco…” Constantine acknowledged him, and I slowly opened my eyes, peeking through my arms crossed over my face.

“Who gave you the right to hurt her?” He asked in a cold voice as he strode to where my husband was standing.

“She… disobeyed me.”

“And?”

“I don’t like it when she doesn’t do what I asked her to do…”

“I don’t fucking care! Apologize to her!”

Constantine shook his head as anger flashed on his face. “No! No!”

“I’m ordering you one more time, apologize to her!”

“Don’t treat her as if she’s anything special. I will never…”

He was not able to finish his statement because Alpha Draco’s hand had already moved and clutched the collar of his shirt. And before I could even let out a breath, he grabbed him and swung his body, hauling him until Constantine ended up flying, his body slamming against the wall at the far end of the corridor with a loud thud before he eventually fell onto the floor.

I gasped in shock and tried to move my body away, terrified his anger would fall on me. My movement made Alpha Draco’s attention shift back to me. He remained standing, towering over me as I lay on the ground. “What’s your name?”

“I…Iris.”

After I downed a pain reliever tablet, I walked out of my room with my head held high. I was trying to act brave. But I was aware that no matter what face I showed the people in this house, they already knew the truth. I was merely a slave to my own husband and his mistresses.

I headed to the kitchen, ready to start the day by helping out with breakfast, when I was met by one of the helpers, who also seemed entitled. No one in this house valued me as the legal wife. Because again, my own husband didn’t see me that way.

“You’re late. You’ve been sleeping so well while we are toiling hard here because we have a guest!” She snapped at me.

I swallowed but ignored her and walked past her.

“Hurry! Master Constantine wants this delivered to his office. He doesn’t like keeping the guest waiting.” I heard her say those words to someone.

I swiftly turned around and snatched the tray from her hands before she could give it to the woman she was talking to.

“I’ll take this,” I said with a firm voice.

She didn’t let go of the tray and glared at me. I returned the glare, which I had never done before, and kept my hold on the tray, making it tremble between us. She must have seen something in my eyes because she let go and stepped back.

Without any words, I turned, holding the tray, and walked out of the kitchen. I headed for Constantine’s office, continuing with my brave front.

I knew what could happen to me, but the urge to have a glimpse of Alpha Draco was stronger. I had nothing to lose. I’d been suffering all my life, but at least I could make all the pain worth it.