Chapter 7 Lena's POV Kendra let out a tortured sob. The cloth stuffed in her mouth fell out, and she cried out in despair, "Blake, save me, save our baby!" For a moment, Blake's words caught in his throat, and he closed his eyes. After a long pause, his voice was hoarse, "Kendra..." In that instant, all the strength in my body drained away. Landon's wild laughter echoed in the air, "Good!" He yanked my hair and threw me into the icy sea himself. Four times, five times, six times... until the tenth. Blake couldn't watch anymore. His eyes burned crimson with fury. "Are you trying to kill her?!" "Wasn't this your choice?" Landon taunted, watching Blake's dark expression with amusement. "The second punishment: ninety-nine lashes. Blake, make your choice-who will you save this time?" Blake's fists were clenched, blood seeping from the raw skin. His chest heaved with rapid breaths. I was still coughing painfully, the seawater seeping into my lungs, every cell in my body screaming in agony. The wounds on my body burned, stinging with the salt. I was thrown onto the ground, breath shallow. I was on the edge, but Blake's choice sent me spiraling deeper into despair. "Kendra." Beside me, Kendra sobbed with joy, her lips trembling as she timidly glanced at me. "Lena, I'm so sorry for what you're going through." I ignored her, staring in disbelief at Blake instead, my heart nearly numb with the pain. A silver-threaded whip struck me immediately. I gasped in pain, cold sweat pouring from my skin. The excruciating pain forced my fingers to dig into the rough ground, leaving deep bloody marks on the sharp stones. Once. Twice. Thrice... Fifty-five lashes! My back bled profusely, and I was on the verge of passing out. Blake watched helplessly, his heart nearly shattering. "Stop! I told you to stop!" he screamed in desperation, struggling to break free and rushing toward me. Just then, Kendra suddenly let out a shrill cry, clutching her belly. Her face turned ashen. "Blake, help me! I... I think I'm miscarrying." Blake froze, instinctively gripping her hands tighter. "What's wrong?" In that brief moment of hesitation, another lash struck me harshly. I coughed up blood. Blake's pupils dilated in horror. "Lena!" Landon laughed at the absurd scene, thoroughly entertained. "Alpha Blake, I just happen to have a pack doctor here, but you can only save one." He grinned maliciously, "Will you still choose Kendra?" The whip struck me again and again. My ears rang with the shrill sound, and I couldn't hear what Blake said. I forced my eyes open, and I saw Blake and Landon exchange words. Landon nodded in agreement. Blake rushed over, lifting Kendra into his arms, and quickly turned away. He walked away with the woman in his arms, heading in the opposite direction, not sparing me even a backward glance. I gave a dry laugh. I felt my blood run cold, laughing in despair and heartbreak. The ninety-nine lashes on my body couldn't compare to the heart-wrenching pain of the mate bond between Blake and me gradually breaking. My wolf let out a mournful whine, weak and unable to voice its pain. The setting sun was like blood on the horizon, and seagulls perched on my body, their white feathers soon stained red. Blake, your so-called a match made in heaven and a bond of life and death meant nothing. I struggled, clinging to the last breath in me. The world before me slowly blurred. Blake, if there was a next life, I'd never love you again.