The Designated Mate novel Chapter 51

Not another word passed between us as we finished and exited the shower. He towel dried my body, making sure to caress my skin with his lips every once in a while, before ushering us towards the bedroom to get dressed. And by getting dressed, I meant Knox crawling into bed naked while I pulled on one of his t-shirts.

Once we were settled in bed in our normal position - both on our sides facing one another, my head resting on his bicep with one of his hands curled in my hair and the other pressed against the small of my back - he finally spoke up.

"Why?" He whispered simply. I could see the hurt and pain in his eyes clear as day. And it was all for me.

"My father...he's wasn't, still isn't, the best man. He acts impulsively and doesn't think twice about the consequences his actions have for those around him. It happened almost seven months ago. When all of my friends got to leave or take online college courses, he had flat out refused the opportunity for me. He told me I had no business pursuing a career because it would just be a waste of time and money. I didn't know at the time that he and my old Alpha had already basically sold me off to Alpha Williams, so, blindly, I fought back. I'd never spoken up to him in my entire life because I was too afraid, but I didn't care at that moment. I was just so angry that he wasn't even going to give me the chance to speak and tell him what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. It didn't matter to him. I screamed at him in front of our Alpha, amongst a few other high-ranking officials as well, and told him I hated him.

"The next thing I knew, I was being dragged by my hair to the whipping post. It was a ways out from the pack house, but still centrally-located so everyone could easily see what was going on. I can remember my mom sobbing as he chained me up, the feeling of vomit coming up my throat as I begged him not to do it. But I could see the feral look in his eyes. I thought he was going to kill me," I cried while hiding my face in his chest. "He ordered one of the pack members to uncover my back. I kicked and screamed so loud I lost my voice.

"I'll never forget the feeling of the first crack of that whip against my back. Everyone became so silent as my cries of pain got stuck in my throat. I remember hearing my mom's knees hit the ground behind me as I dug my nails into the post and prayed over and over again as the lashes seemed to just keep coming. After the fifth one, I couldn't keep my body upright anymore. He didn't get very many in after that before my Alpha took over and stopped him, but he sure made them count," I wept as my body shook.

"Knox, please don't. Not right now. We have bigger things to worry about - like finding your family. I don't want to mess with my past just yet. I'm still trying to cope with it as it is and I don't want something bad happening to you because you're avenging me. My father isn't The Councils favorite man, but they still have to keep law and order so going after my father unprovoked isn't a good idea," I begged, hoping he would see reason through his haze of anger.

"Unprovoked? Poppy, he's trying to wage a war over my mate. How the fuck would that be viewed as unprovoked?" He challenged. I could see his point, so I had to change tactics.