CHAPTER NINE

“These brave, strong, men won’t die in vain,” Sebastian says. “That monster will die a slow, agonizing death. We will have revenge!”

The other wolves in the pack cheer for my demise and for Lance’s destruction. I’m surrounded by enemies here. I’m surrounded by people who hate me. And there’s no escape for me now.

The fury and need for vengeance shine bright in everyone’s eyes. They wanted Lance dead before because he was a rouge. That motivated them enough already.

Now he killed beloved members of the pack though… that’s something they will never forgive him for. It’s something they’ll never forgive me for.

They won’t stop. They want him to suffer in the worst way possible. They will destroy him. Because of me.

“We’ll send even more wolves this time,” Sebastian says. “That nasty rouge won’t get away with this. We will avenge their deaths. We’ll send even more and this time, they’ll be even hungrier for his demise. This time, he won’t get away from us.”

Men line up, pleading for a chance to go after him. Women stand beside them as well, this time desperate to join them. Everyone wants in on the hunt now. Everyone is out for Lance’s blood.

Especially those who were close to the wolves that were killed. Their mates dry their tears as fury takes over. They beg to be part of the hunt. This is how they deal with their grief. They are convinced they’ll only feel better once Lance is dead.

I’m terrified for him. There’s no way he’ll escape with his life this time. He’s proven himself to be a skilled fighter, but not against foes like these.

I’m terrified for me.

Fear freezes me to the spot. They’ll destroy me too because this is my fault.

Will they do it quickly? Or will they want me to suffer?

I’m going to die.

I’m going to die.

Sebastian chooses the next hunters carefully, causing disappointment among many.

“I’m sorry,” he says, and he sounds truly sorry. “I understand everyone’s need to go after this rouge, but we must keep people behind to defend the pack and conduct our daily lives. We can’t let everything go to ruin over this monster. We must maintain some semblance of normalcy, no matter how difficult that is right now.

“We will kill the rouge and we will all celebrate together once he’s dead. You’ll all have played a part in this, no matter which way you’ll have contributed.”

A snarl crosses his face as he looks down at me. “Even you, Rachel. You’ll have played the biggest part in his demise.”

It’s like he’s cut me with a knife because I know it’s true. I’ll be the reason why Lance is dead. I brought this upon my own mate.

“Despite all the trouble you’ve caused, we will get married,” Sebastian says.

Protests of disbelief join my silent shock. Married? How can he want us to get married still? He’s furious at me. They all are. It makes no sense.

“Enough!” he bellows. “Despite her flaws, Rachel is my mate. This marriage will bring her back to her senses. It will serve to bring peace and unity to both packs. We need that more than ever now.”

Most of the protests die down. Everyone listens to Sebastian. Even when they think he is making an awful decision, no one is about to say that to him. He is our alpha after all. The pack needs to trust him.

I don’t though. I realize that glaringly obvious fact in that moment. I don’t trust him. I can’t believe he’s doing this. I want to speak out but I can’t.

I need to get away from here. I don’t want to marry him. I want to run away with Lance.

“We’re going ahead with the wedding preparations,” Sebastian continues. “I want everyone to move forward quickly with the plans already put into motion. Rachel and I will help to move everything else along, make those last-minute decisions.

“There will be a wedding. Rachel is my mate. We will get married and we will lead this pack into greatness. We will move forward from this. We will grow and be even stronger as we rise from the pain, proving we are the best pack to ever have ruled these woods.”

His words inspire everyone enough to let out some cheers. They go forth with a renewed sense of motivation. Everyone is willing to pull together to make this right.

“Stand,” Sebastian orders.

I do so, even though I fear I’ll never have the strength to hold myself up.

He leads me out of earshot of the pack. He is careful to never undermine me in front of them. He wants them to accept me as their future leader, which lets me know he hasn’t quite given up on me. I have no idea how he hasn’t yet. Though I know it’s the only reason I’m alive right now, I kind of wish he would give up on me.

“Your indecision doesn’t matter anymore,” he tells me, as we stand under the protection of a tree far away from the rest of the pack.

“You will love me some day, if you don’t already,” he continues. “But you no longer have the choice to turn away from me. Especially not for him.

“This rouge has shed the blood of the members of our pack now. Mating with him is forbidden even if you even still have the thought of doing so. It would be betrayal of the highest order and I simply will not allow it to happen.

“Not that he’ll live long enough for you to see him again anyway. The assassins will kill him. I can assure you of that. None of us will ever have to deal with that rouge ever again.”

I know he’s right. That’s the worst part. I saw it in their eyes. They will kill him. They’ll destroy him. They’ll probably torture him in the process.

I tremble at the thought of it. Lance is out there on his own, facing a group of blood thirsty enemies and there’s nothing I can do to even warn him, let alone save him.

“Forget him,” Sebastian commands. “Things will be so much easier if you can cast him from your mind forever.

“I never want to hear you speak of him again. We will get married and we will move past this. Prepare for our wedding and stay out of trouble until then. I am devoted to you as my mate, but you’re really testing my patience.”

He walks away at that, leaving me no choice but to face my cruel fate.