Chapter 22 Chapter 22 Who did this ? Enochs voice is low and guttural , barely above a growl , but it feels as though the words slice through the air and pierce me straight in the chest . My mind blanks for a second before it kicks into panic mode . I jerk back , shoving his hand away from my thigh , which sit stings under the bandage . My laugh comes out shaky , unnatural , and it sound as if Im auditioning for a comedy gig 1 have no hope of landing . There is no comedy in Enochs face though . Thats the difference . Oh , that ? I wave my hand , swatting at a nonexistent fly , Its nothing , Old scars , you know ? Battle wounds . Comes with the territory of being an omega and all . Enoch doesnt blink . Not once . His piercing emerald eyes are locked on mine , unyielding , intense , and I swear I see his nostrils flare , trying to scent the truth . Anyway ! I blurt , spinning on my heel to grab the camera off the desk . My hands fumble as Ive forgotten how to hold a simple object , and the weight of his silence behind me feels like a goddamn boulder . Lets talk about this beauty , huh ? No flash this time , I promise . I risk a glance over my shoulder . He hasnt moved . Did you know its got ten different filters ? Ten ! And I got it for dirt cheap . My voice rises as I barrel ahead , filling the suffocating quiet with every random fact about the camera I can think of . Oh , and I got you this bookmark too . Its leather . Fancy , right ? You can use it with that book youve been obsessed with . Not even a flicker of interest . His broad frame looms in the room like a goddamn immovable force , and the air between us grows thicker by the second . Shit , think , Taryn . I huff and turn around fully , gripping the camera as my lifeline . Enoch , seriously , you- Before I can finish , hes moving . Towards me at that . What the hell ! I yelp as he lifts me off my feet in one fluid motion . Bridal style . As though were in some twisted fairytale , and Im the clueless damsel who forgot to read the script . Enoch ! I hiss , squirming in his iron grip . His arms are unyielding , solid as stone , and I might as well be trying to wiggle out of a steel cage . He doesnt say a word . Just starts walking , his jaw set , his eyes focused straight ahead hes got a mission and nothing will stop him . Not even me . Put me down ! I slap his chest not that it makes a difference . The man doesnt even flinch . We make it into the hallway , and thats when the whispering starts . Is she showing him off again ? God , hes hot , though . Did you see the way shes clinging to him ? Oh , for fucks sake . I bury my face in my hands , wishing I could teleport out of existence . Or at least out of this hallway . 1/4 Sat , 15 Mar Chapter 22 Enoch , seriously , this isnt funny ! I snap , my voice muffled by my palms . People are staring Still nothing . He keeps walking , his strides long and purposeful , until we pass by the head maid sitting in her usual spot . My stomach twists when I see her . Shes polishing the leather whip as her prized possession , her beady eyes narrowing as she takes in the scene of me and my so called boyfriend , I feel her glare on me like a physical weight , and a sick sense of foreboding coils in my gut . Fucking old lady . But Enoch doesnt stop . His gaze flicks to her once , briefly , before he keeps moving like shes nothing more than a speck of dust in his way . Of course , shes already planning my next disciplinary session . I can see it in the way her lips curl into that sinister smirk . By the time we reach the infirmary , Im already bracing myself for more stares . Were not even through the door when Kallias appears out of nowhere , blocking our path like some overgrown guard dog . Whats wrong with her ? Kallias asks , his eyes darting between me and Enoch . Why is she going to the infirmary ? Im fine , I snap , glaring at him . Nothings wrong . Kallias isnt buying it though adding to another knucklehead to convince . Ugh , why are men so difficult ? Kallias gaze sharpens , and he opens his mouth to push further , but Enoch doesnt give him the chance . Without a word , Enoch steps forward and shoulder checks him hard . Really hard . Kallias stumbles back , his face contorting in disbelief . What the fuck , man ? Enoch ! I hiss , panic lacing my voice . Are you trying to get us both killed ? Enoch keeps walking , completely unfazed , while Kallias glares after us , his jaw ticking with barely concealed fury . And just like that , I know Im in deep , deep trouble . *** The infirmary is quiet except for the faint ticking of a clock that seems louder than it has any right to be . I really did not need to be here . Enoch places me on the examination bed Im made of glass , but the sheer tension radiating off him makes me feel as if Ive been dumped into a lions den . His arms linger at my sides , his jaw ticking , his gaze locked on mine , daring me to protest . Oh I will fucking protest , alright . Enoch , Im fine , I say , my voice wobbling slightly . He doesnt budge . Of course , he doesnt . Can you give us a minute , please ? Dr. Lisas bored tone cuts through the air as she swivels on her stool to face us . Her lab coat is crumpled , her glasses slightly crooked . Classic Dr. Lisa over it before the conversation even starts . Enoch narrows his eyes at her , clearly not thrilled about being dismissed , but he finally steps back . Lisa sighs , grabbing a clipboard . Lets see what were dealing with this time , shall we ? I wince as she lifts my skirt slightly to inspect the back of my leg . Her pen clatters to the floor . Her usual boredom vanishes , replaced by wide eyed shock with her jaw dropping . This is definitely a bit of an exaggerat over some scars . Oh my Goddess , Taryn . 2/4 Sat , 15 Mar Chapter 22 Her words are sharp enough to make Enoch straighten before he could even leave , his eyes narrows dangerously as he steps closer to the bed where Im in . Lisas fingers trace over the edges of the wounds , her lips pressed into a thin line . These arent fresh , but theyre not healing properly . If your woll cant keep up with them , it means- It means they keep happening . Enoch growls , low and guttural . Lisa flinches at the sound , and I reach out , grabbing his wrist to stop him from looming over her like some overprotective guard dog . Enoch , wait outside , I say firmly . His eyes snap to mine , darkening with something primal . Why ? Because I dont trust you not to lose your shit and murder someone , I snap , giving him my best glare . Lisa nods , clearly cager to back me up . Shes right . You should wait outside . For a moment , I think hes going to argue . His chest rises and falls heavily , his nostrils flaring , but then he points to my leg . Pain ? I falter . The question is so simple , yet it feels as if hes reaching into my soul and pulling out every hidden truth Ive been trying to bury . I really dont want to talk about it . Im fine , I lie , forcing a smile . He doesnt believe me . His eyes drop to my leg again , and then he turns to Lisa . What ? His voice is sharp , clipped almost . Lisa adjusts her glasses , her expression grim as he turns back to my leg . Whip burns , she says quietly . These are definitely whip burns . Enoch repeats the word under his breath , laced with something dark and dangerous . His jaw clenches , and I know Ive lost him . Enoch , I say softly , but hes already walking out , his shoulders tense , his hands curling into fists at his sides I almost spot his kunckles turning white until he disappeared out the hallways . The door slams shut behind him . Lisa exhales shakily , pulling her stool closer to the bed . Taryn , she says , her voice softer now , whats really going on ? I hesitate , biting my lip . I never had the nerve to tell anyone about this . Hell , even if I did , I wont be able to . But these scars arent even that big of a deal to me anymore . They come , they go . They heal , and some of them still hurts , but eventually , they leave anyway . Lisa knowing this wont really make a difference , right ? You cant tell anyone . I warn first , looking at her dead serious in the eyes . Taryn- Promise me , Lisa . My voice is firmer this time , and she nods reluctantly . I doubt she will , but Ill keep her words . And then it all comes pouring out . The head maid , the punishments , the way Ive been walking on eggshells since the moment I stepped into this pack . 3/4 * 77 % Chapter 22 By the time Im done , Lisas eyes are glistening with tears , and I immediately regret saying anything . Well fuck . Its fine , I say quickly , forcing a smile . Really , Im used to it Its not fine , she snaps , her voice cracking Before I can stop her , she pulls me into a hug . Its awkward and a little too tight , but I let her . When we finally pull back , Lisa wipes her eyes and gives me a watery smile . Youre stronger than you think , Taryn . I dont feel strong , I feel like a balloon stretched too thin , ready to pop at the slightest pressure . The door creaks open , and I look up to see Enoch standing there , his face unreadable . Lisa clears her throat , stepping back . Youre free to go , she says , her voice professional again . Days pass in a blur of whispers and sideways glances . And then , just when I think Ive caught my breath , the announcement comes . The Mating Ball Comment ? Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!