When morning finally came, I dressed methodically in the clothes fall out for me–a simple black dress that seemed painfully appropriate. My movements were mechanical, my mind focused on the single goal: Be ready for whatever might happen,
The execution ground was a circular clearing surrounded by stone benches where pack members had already gathered. The atmosphere was solemn yet charged with a morbid anticipation that made my skin crawl. These wolves had come to watch a woman die, and they were eager for the spectacle.
Alaric stood near the raised platform at the center, his hearing regal despite his cruelty. Two guards approached, half–dragging a hooded figure between them. My heart lurched painfully in my chest. Mow
I moved forward instinctively, but
at Kalus’s hand clamped around
“Don’t move,” he commanded quietly, his grip like iron-
The hooded figure was forced to kneel in the center of the platform, steeled myself, gathering every ounce of courage for what I planned to do. The moment they took her life, I would step forward and shatter Kaius’s world just as thoroughly as he was shattering mine.
Kaius moved to stand before the assembled pack, his voice carrying easily across the hushed clearing
“A traitor from this pack had been discovered,” he announced, his tone cold and uncompromising. “One of our very own; she had
broken our law, and she would pay.”
The hood was yanked from the kneeling figure’s head, and my breath caught in my throat.
It wasn’t my mother.
The woman blinking g in the sudden light was a stranger–young, terrified, her face streaked with tears. She couldn’t have been more than twenty, with dark hair and wide, pleading eyes.
“This should serve as a lesson to all,” Kalus continued, seemingly unaffected by the girl’s obvious terror. “To everyone who goes against our rules”
Alaric approached, studying the girl with obvious disappointment. This is not the woman I was promised.”
“She is from my pack, Kaius replied, his voice carrying just enough dige to remind everyone present of his authority. “I verified her identity personally. Note the wound on her arm–exactly where your guards reported. I promised you she would die, and so she will.”
Alaric stared at his son for a long moment before slightly nodding
My mind raced to catch up with what was happening. Who was this girl? Where was my mother? Had Kaius tricked his own father?
Before 1 could process these questions, a guard stepped forward with gleaming silver blade. The girl’s desperate pleas fell on deaf ears as the weapon was raised
I wanted to look away but forced myself to watch. If this innocent was dying in my mother’s place, I owed her that much at least.
The blade fell
I’d sein death before–my miscarriage had taught me the smell of blood, the finality of a life extinguished. But nothing had prepared me for the brutality of a public execution. The girl’s body cumpled, blood pooling around her as the crowd murmured their approval.
1/2
DB-36
Chapter 90
Bile rose in my throat. This gol–this stranger–had died in my mother’s place.
“Take care of this mess,” Kalus aidered the guards, his face expressionless,
TI like to have her body nailed to our front gates, just to remind others that we are not to be messed with, Alaric said, an eager glint in his eyes that turned my stomach.
“She has a family, and she would be buried, Kalus replied, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Alaric’s eyes narrowed. “You seem to forget who you speak to.”
“You seem to forget you are in my pack.”
Father and son stared at each other, two predators assessing the cost of battle. Finally, Alaric inclined his head slightly, acknowledging defeat in this small matter if not in the larger war between them.
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