Scars?

They are scars. Three as far as I can tell, but they're not that obvious.

Whip scars too...

They were brought up catholic and went to a catholic school, so presumably the author is depicting self flagellation, or that their priest used it as punishment.

I didn't think about it but that does make sense. I actually really want to know more about their back story.

Cant recall the chapter, but it showed Ivan in a chapel having to apologise to the priest and getting soaked in holy water. This is where the title comes in and the priest was saying how Ivan fell into the devils temptation. The back scars that Alessandro has seem to fit on with flagellation, so presumably the author is going to go for a darker plot using this religious topic.

I actually remember that chapter. But I ended up forgetting what the priest had said to Ivan at the time. It is interesting that Alessandro has scars, like the ones you mentioned, yet Ivan's back was normal. Also crazy how this was initially a really funny story, straight up comedy, but now it's becoming darker.

(Meant to put this reply here**)
I actually remember that chapter. But I ended up forgetting what the priest had said to Ivan at the time. It is interesting that Alessandro has scars, like the ones you mentioned, yet Ivan's back was normal. Also crazy how this was initially a really funny story, straight up comedy, but now it's becoming darker.

A secret relationship possibly; it could be that Alec and Ivan were in one as kids. When the time came that people found out, maybe Ivan in fear told people Alec forced him into it. The whipping being a part of the punishment in their overly strict Roman Catholic community for his ‘sin.’

Someone else stated that there's a possibility that Ivan and Alec may have liked the same boy instead. And that Ivan probably got outed, but instead of taking responsibility he ended up running away. And Alec was dealing with an unrequited love. To me that makes more sense, just doesn't seem like Ivan or Alec were ever in a relationship.

Indeed, that does make more sense. Rivals in love, they would've made an odd couple now that I think about it.

I wonder if there are people in the snake tribe who like to be more submissive than dominant, any thoughs?

I feel like if they really had a romantic past together, Ivan wouldn't act the way he does towards Alec. He's kind when he's not being a jerk lol. If he had feelings for Alec at some point, I feel like he would be more remorseful towards him. As for the sub/dom situation, it could honestly depend on the person. The snake tribe is considered dominant overall I think because the creature itself is a predator. And if we're going with the theory that Ivan and Alec loved the same boy, then whoever it was could've been submissive. And it would make sense that two dominants like them would fight for that love. But it seems like Ivan was the only one that actually made a move. Kinda like the situation with Hen, even though the marking was an accident. Although with Ivan it seems like he's genuinely serious about him now. While with Alec it's more of a, 'this time I'll be the one he chooses' type of scenario.