3-THE VERDICT

   

AUTHOR’S P.O.V.

    Lila’s eyes flared open at the distant noise. It was in her dream at first, but being wide awake, she could see it was real. The noise was coming from the south side of the pack, enthusiastic praises for someone beloved or feared. The cell was dark and reeked of urine and blood. She heard shuffling and low murmurs from other prisoners as they all moved to the bars of their cells to find out what was happening in the pack.

    But Lila did not need to get up and look. She already knew her nemesis was here. There was no point acknowledging his arrival when he was her sender to the afterlife. Even Cassie was standing by the bars of the cell, looking out of the cell.

    The throng drew near, chanted past the dungeons and soon, their voices became distant again. Lila watched Cassie as she walked back to the cell.

     “Lila, are you awake?” her voice was hoarse from so much weeping.

    Cassie and Lila had come to love each other and were like sisters. They were both rogues, but Lila had been captured before Cassie. Like Lila, Cassie has no family and has taken Lila as an older sister. She had cried all night after hearing the news of the Alpha’s recovery and return to the pack. Lila had turned back and consoled her all night.

     “Yes. How can I sleep when it is my last day to breathe?”

   Cassie quickly sat by her side. “Do not say that. You will not die. All you have to do is ask for forgiveness. Appeal to their conscience.”

     “And keep living this miserable life in here? No, Cassie. I'd rather die and join my family beyond.”

   A tear rolled down Cassie’s cheek, but she quickly wiped it away. 

     “You have me who worry about you. You have Erick, who shares his meals with us. We are all here for you, but it seems you do not see us.” Cassie wiped her nose again and sniffed.

    Lila quickly sat up. “No, Cassie, do not speak like that. I care so much about you. It is just that I am tired of this life and would not be surprised if Alpha Blaise sentences me to death. The punishment for treason is beheading."

      "But you did not commit the crime."

     "But my family did. Cassie, do not worry; I know you will find happiness someday. You are a comely girl and very lovely. I strongly believe you will find your mate, and he will take you away from this life. Who knows, the Alpha might even be your mate."

     Cassie sighed and pushed Lila's hands away. "You are too young to die. Stop talking about death."

   That was when the cell gate clanged open, and the heavy footsteps of heartless warriors pounded on the floor. The other prisoners hurried back into the darkness of their cells. The footsteps came until they stopped in front of Lila's cell. She could see Patrick's silhouette in front of the cell. Cassie was already shaking and in tears as their cell bar was opened, and two warriors came in with lanterns. They spotted Lila in the darkest corner and went for her. Cassie started to weep profusely as they bound Lila in fetters and wrapped the chain around her neck.

     "Move your traitorous ass!" one of the guards ordered.

     "Take it easy; she is weak already from the whip," Erick said, trying to grab the chain from the other guard.

      "Get away from her, Erick; it is not your turn to take care of her," Patrick chided.

Erick stepped aside as the other warrior pulled Lila along with him. Cassie was wailing and clinging to Lila's rags, but a warrior shoved her aside.

      "This is what happens to anyone who defiles the court or Alpha!" Patrick bellowed, his chest swollen with pride as if he were the Alpha himself. “You will hear about her death soon, which will serve as a lesson to you all."

      The morning sun was up and vibrant and almost blinded Lila. She lowered her gaze and walked willingly with the warrior who still pulled her to show he was her superior. She did not have the time to think about the death she would face in a few minutes; she wanted to go beyond, meet Markus and make sure she whipped him for getting her into this mess. The pack lands were almost empty as all roads led to the gallows. Everyone was ready to see their nemesis gone forever.

     Lila could hear the loud chatter of the crowd even before they got to the gallows. The pack members were eager to stone her to death even if the Alpha did not pronounce her dead. Lila's eyes scanned the crowd, but the Alpha was not there. His throne was empty, but his cousin Agatha and her pawns sat beside the throne. Lila's eyes clashed with Agatha's, and Agatha's lips twitched in a smirk, telling Lila that she was not but a slain animal. Lila was led to the centre and was forced to kneel.

     Blaise weighed the sword, tossing it up and catching it by the handle as if it were not sharp enough for the purpose he wanted it for. He made sure the guard that polished it did so all night, but it was still not to his satisfaction. His eyes were bloodshot, and he was bloodthirsty, ready to vanquish. Jasper, his wolf, was a tad bit away from surfacing and tearing the culprit apart. Fury pumped in his veins, even as he stared at his sword, knowing it would be stained with the blood of the one who had murdered his Luna and pup. There was no mercy; there was no going back.

     "Everything is ready, my lord," Leo announced.

   Blaise spun, and the sword caught the light in the room and glistened. He sheathed it and limped away without saying a word to Leo, who mutely trailed behind him. His heart skipped as his driver opened his car door, and he stood there for a while, wondering why. He felt like nothing he did to the woman could surpass the pain in his heart.

     He would just kill her and forget about it all.

~~~

    A hush silence swept through the place as Alpha Blaise arrived with his entourage. He did not look at the woman kneeling at the centre but only limped towards his throne, ignoring the exotic, persistent lavender scent wriggling into his nostrils. It was the sweetest smell he had perceived. Lila refused to look at the man who would give his verdict. There was no point looking to see who her executioner would be. She fixed her eyes on the ground as her heart grew weary. It suddenly dawned on her that she would die in a few minutes. As much as she hated to admit it, she was scared but was ready for whatever would happen. There was no praying for the moon goddess to save her because she had long forsaken her by taking her brother and grandmother away. The only family she had.

    "We have gathered here today to witness the execution of a traitor by association," Leo began. "We all know who this rogue kneeling before us is. Her brother harassed our beloved Luna Aurora, and when she brought him to book, he killed her through an accident in which our beloved Alpha was involved. But before then, he went rogue with his family, and this maiden here will pay the price of her brother's sins. She has been doing so for two years. Now, I will leave the judgement to our Alpha, who survived the clutches of death."

    The crowd cheered as he stepped back into the shadows. Every eye turned to Alpha Blaise as he rose in all his glory, sword in hand, shimmering in the morning light. Lila decided to take a glimpse of who her executioner was. She would peep at him; she needed to see his face before she died. Blaise came closer, raising his sword with one hand and clutching his crutch firmly with the other. His eyes caught her eyes.

               Mate.

    His wolf whispered, and his hands quivered in the air. His orbs dilated, and his entire body went numb. He stared at the woman, looking back at him with those large, round emerald eyes. They were fiery, filled with resentment, making him furious, but he was too shocked to think straight. He stumbled back, prompting a confused murmur from the pack members.

      This cannot be. She cannot be his mate. The moon goddess cannot do this to him. He must avenge his Luna and pup's death. 

     "My Lord, should we change the sword?" Leo asked.

  The frown of confusion still etching the outlines of his brows, he brought down his hand, holding the sword and letting it fall to earth. The crowd murmured in disbelief.

      "Actually, I thought of a better punishment," he said, limping toward his set-up throne. All eyes traced him as he sat down, his eyes not leaving the woman on the floor. He did not know what had just come over him. He was reputable for his cruelty and always did what he wanted, but no science could explain why he was letting the woman with the arrogant eyes go, thinking of a punishment that was more beneficial to him. He continued when the crowd was quiet and calm.

      "Killing her would be such a waste when she can still be useful. She would be spared but provide me with as many heirs as I want to replace my dead heir."

      The crowd exploded in disbelief at the Alpha's verdict, but Lila's eyes shot daggers at the oddly attractive man whom she had come to hate and planned to hate forever.