Sentencing

“It’s about time you are here. Explain yourself? You’re here to plead your case.” 

The scowl on his face and impatient tone sent Jessie into what she called her survival mode.

She’d say anything he wanted to hear.

So, this would end with the least number of injuries.

“I’m not sure what they have accused me of? I’m sorry I don’t know what I can tell you.” She was struggling to keep on her feet because of the hour. She had that headache coming on from lack of sleep. Jessie had been awake for almost forty-eight hours. She’d helped

another female of breeding age with

the delivery of

her pup. That pup was Jessie’s nephew.

“You think I believe that? Your brother tried to kill me and mine. Most of your pack is now dead and you want me to believe you knew nothing about it? Even if you did nothing. You did nothing to stop it either. You are as guilty as your brother. Then you dared to take your time getting here.”

“I knew he wanted land and you would not give it to him. I told him he couldn’t expect you to just give up the land. My suggestion that he should ask how much you would accept for the land went unheeded. But he didn’t want to spend the money. I thought it was the beer talking. He never mentioned plans to attack. I couldn’t do anything about it. If I said anything, I’d find myself removed from whatever future social events.”

“You did nothing. You reported it to no one. People died because of that. Unnecessary deaths. Yet here you stand.

Knowing that your unhinged brother planned.

He’d control of a pack just as unhinged as he was. That makes you just as responsible. You will pay for your irresponsible and dishonourable lack of action.” He was screaming again.

Though she stood on the opposite side of the desk. She flinched at his words. Her eyes looked to the floor.

Jessie feared if he was yelling now. It wouldn’t be long before his fists would fly.

“I’m sorry. He did this while I was busy. He didn’t tell me of that part of his plan. Who was I supposed to betray my brother and Alpha to?” Jessie felt the pressure of trying to stand up for herself to this male. He was an authentic Alpha, and his stare was all it took for her to melt into submission. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know what you want me to say?”

Jessie flinched when she heard his growl

of frustration before his fist slammed into the desk and knocked

papers to the filthy carpet. “Did I say I wanted your apology?”

He didn’t wait for a response from her. He went on with his tirade and answered himself. “No. I didn’t. But you are going to learn that your inactions have

consequences.

It’s within

my right to kill you or punish you as I see fit.

Your pack’s dissolved as of tonight. As of now,

the Iron Hill

Pack is no longer. What’s

left of that pack is at my governance and my

mercy.

I will start with

you.

These will be my decisions and they are not open for debate.

I will measure everyone’s worth and they will have

one chance to fit in and earn their place within my pack. They can decline.

They can then go on their merry way

to search

for a different pack. Though I doubt many will find one willing to accept an ex-member of the Iron Hill Pack after what your brother did comes out.

But you? You don’t get the choice

because you need to face your punishment.

After that,

then you will have the chance to earn your way into my

pack.

If I deem

you are acceptable

material for consideration.”

Jessie could

see that nothing for her would change. She watched the last slim hope that life would get easier slipping away.

Her hopes died before her eyes. She assumed he would now insist on beating her and imprison her.

She could see him choosing to make her punishment a public affair as a warning for the others.

“What type of punishment Alpha?” It took her some time to say the word Alpha without it sounding rude. Or as an insult.

“I will announce my decision later.

Once, I’ve met with everyone, and I will let no one

push me into a rash decision. I have other things to do. Now get out.”

Jessie backed away from him. He’s not someone she’d dared turn her back on. He incited fear and obedience. But she feared now that he was not a fair man. If he was giving her people a choice

to join his pack or not. Why was he not giving her the same choice? That she wanted to know, but she wasn’t insane enough to anger him more by asking. She was leaving without a mark on her.

“Thank you, Alpha.” She’d just uttered the word Alpha before he rushed around the desk and forced her against the closed doors at her back. She’d had the wind knocked out of her.

Now she was seeing spots. His body plastered against hers and Jessie felt his body’s heat through their clothes. The smell of mahogany and sandalwood assailed her nose. Everything was too much.

“You don’t get the right to call me Alpha. You’ve got

a lot to atone for before you can earn the right to call me Alpha. Do I make myself clear?” He stared into her eyes with a hard glare. His glare took on a harder look when he drew in a slow, deep breath. Jessie noticed as she fought to stay conscious. She couldn’t breathe. His blue eyes swam in front and she fought to listen to him. 

“Yes… Sir.” It came out as a whisper.

He thrust his nose into the base of her neck and breathed in again. Oh, gods, she knew what he was doing. He was committing her scent to memory.

“Good, because you are going to learn your lesson and your place. I have your scent and I will hunt you down if you leave at any time. You will receive the punishment of my choice and you will learn your place. Have I made

myself clear to you, Jessica-Lyn Kilian?”

“Like crystal… Sir.”

Jessie’s words came out in a breathless rush.

He released her as fast

as he’d pinned her. 

With his back to her. He moved to the clouded window and looked out into the predawn darkness. Jessie stood there panting and

feeling overwhelmed by the sensory overload. The sudden assault on her senses and the person disappeared. Leaving her shaking.

Unable to understand her confusing reaction to him and his actions.

Jessie didn’t understand what had just happened.

It was like a revelation when she realized she enjoyed having him near like this. Yes, he threatened and restrained, but he hadn’t

hurt her.

“Leave.

When

I’m done. I will summon you back and inform you of your punishment. If I have time. Craig will take you to the others.” He never looked at her again.

So, she made her escape the way she had come.

Panting outside the doors, Jessie looked about wide-eyed and flinched away from a guard when he tried to touch her.

Around her, many enforcers stopped to look at her. Their faces were all hard and unforgiving. She didn’t recognize any of them.

Alrick shouted for Craig then, and Jessie responded by jumping like a frightened animal at the sound. She wasn’t acting like the wolf she was and, in her head, her mind became lost in a series of confusing thoughts and feelings.

Alrick could feel his insides burning at the results of this evening’s events. How could this pack exist? They’re so disconnected from the rest of the world? Their alpha attacked the Silver Ridge Pack without provocation.

Then he ended up dying to one of his own explosive traps. They didn’t have enough left of him to perform funeral rites with. His own sister didn’t ask how he died or if she could give him the funeral rites. What was he stuck with? Old wolves and broken females. Only a single newborn pup. Anyone would think

they’re a loose-knit group of rogues and not a pack. They divided the pack into two factions,

the old Iron Hill pack and Victor’s gang. Alrick

was sure he’d never seen such a thing. How could no one report the disgraceful state of this pack? 

Alrick needed to fix it fast and report it all. He wasn’t looking forward to the questions the enforcers would have. There’s no question. They would come to investigate this.