Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

Janita returned home to carry some of her mom's clothes, and Agnes ran to her breathing.

"What happened, are you okay?" Janita asked but Agnes kept quiet, holding her chest.

"You are making me scared, talk to me," Janita yelled.

"Ronald...he was..." Agnes paused.

"Please talk to me, what happened to Ronald?" Janita asked, already worried.

"He was taken by the Alpha and before that, he beat him up mercilessly and dragged him to the dungeon, he will be executed tomorrow, the Alpha found out it was him who stole the money from the daily income," Agnes explained and Janita’s heart skipped, she almost fell, thanks to the chair next to her.

"Oh no!" Janita exclaimed and started crying.

"Why will he do such a thing? How can he risk his life like this?" Janita said as hot tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Don't worry Janita; I'm sure he will be fine," Agnes replied.

"He won't be fine Agnes; I have to go see him," Janita said.

"Are you crazy? You can't do that, you may end up getting punished too," Agnes replied.

"Of course, I will, Agnes, Ronald stole that money for my sake and now you don't want me to go to him? He tried to save my mom's life because he doesn't want to see me worrying and now his life is in danger. I can't stay here," Janita cried, shaking her head.

"No, no I can't let you," Agnes said.

"You didn't ask him to steal the money, it's not your fault," She added.

"Are you saying this? I can't believe you can think like this, it's Ronald we are talking about, the one who loved me to the extent of committing a crime for the first or me, I don't need your permission, okay, all I know is that I'm going to meet my Ronald and know that too right now," Janita concluded in a loud voice and wiped her tears, she ran out of the house like someone being chased by a tiger.

*

Chad arrived at the dungeon with excitement, ready to see the person that tried to frame him, being the Alpha's manager, he was allowed to see the culprit.

As the door of the cell swung open by Chad, his heart almost beat twice. His eyes started turning blurry.

He squeezed his eyes to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

His eyes saw his son lying lifelessly with so many beaten marks and nails piercing his skin. He rushed to him.

"Ronald, my son… Ronald!" Chad screamed as he carried him on his body.

He placed him on his lap as Ronald struggled to open his eyes.

"Fa... father..." Ronald stammered.

"My son, Ronald what happened to you? Why are you here? This got to be some mistake, you can't be the one that stole the income money, no it can't be you, it must be a mistake." Chad said.

"No father...I.I was the one that stole the money," Ronald replied, breathing hard.

"Why will you do such a thing, why will you risk your life like this my son, I can't watch you get executed, no I can't, don't worry okay, I will go meet Ash and Alpha Jade and I will beg him not to kill you," Chad said and quickly left the cell. And almost immediately, Janita arrived crying.

She was heading to the cell when two hefty-looking guards blocked her.

She was in so many tears and her eyes were red, her hair was scattered and looking messy, and some strands of it fell over her wet face, gumming to her face.

"You can't go in." One of the guards said in a thick loud voice.

"No please, I have to see him, I have to please, I'm begging you," Janita replied.

"Don't you hear him? Leave!" The second guard shouted.

"Please I'm begging you, I have to see him, I have to meet him, please." Janita cried falling to her knees; the guards dragged her out of the place even after so much begging and pleading from Janita.

*

At the palace.

Chad barged into Ash's chamber and with the look on his face, Ash needed no explanation to read Chad's mind.

"Okay Chad, calm down okay," Ash said.

"Why didn't you tell me it's my son? Why!" Chad replied crying.

"I don't want you to feel sad," Ash said.

"That's not enough reason, if you didn't want me to feel sad you wouldn't have allowed me to visit the dungeon in the first place, you rejoiced with me knowing full well that my son took the money," Chad replied.

"I'm so sorry for that, I didn't know the best way to break the news to you, I know it's so heartbreaking to you to see your son getting hanged tomorrow but that's your fate, I'm sorry I wish we can do something about it," Ash said.

"Please, I don't want my son to die, he is not a thief, something must have made him do it, I'm pleading with you, please I will do anything, I will serve this pack all my life, please help me," Chad pleaded.

"Let's go meet the Alpha, maybe he can do something about it," Ash said.

"Thanks a lot, Ash," Chad replied and they left.

When they arrived at the chamber, Alpha Jade welcomed Chad with deadly glares.

"What brings you here?" He shouted.

"Your highness I..." Chad paused.

"Okay no more yelling, we are here to talk to you okay," Ash said.

He also glared at Ash before sitting down.

"I'm all set, what is this father of a betrayer doing here?" Alpha Jade asked.

"He is here to..."

"You are not his mouthpiece Ash, let him speak," Alpha Jade cut in.

"Your highness, I knew what my son did was so wrong and..."

"I'm sure you were the one that sent him to steal the money," Alpha Jade interrupted.

"I swear I had no idea, my son is not a thief, something must have made him do it which left him with no option, please Alpha, I'm begging you, I promise to bow to you every day and serve you all my life without getting a dime but please spare my son, I'm begging you," Chad pleaded.

"I can't forgive your son and I don't care why or who made him do it, all I know is that he has committed a crime and there is nothing in this universe that will make him live tomorrow, he will get punished just like others, leaving him means injustice to others, I'm a just Alpha and I offer justice to my people, unless if you will agree to be killed instead of him," Alpha Jade said and Chad stared at him.

"No your highness, but I'm still..."

"Leave!" Alpha Jade ordered.

"But Jade..."

"You too Ash, both of you, out, now!" Alpha Jade ordered and having no option, they stood up and left. Chad broke down in tears when they walked out of the Alpha's palace.

"Don't worry Chad, I believe a miracle can happen, just have faith in the Moon goddess that she will bring away. Alpha Jade has made up his mind and no one can change it," Ash said and tapped his back, he sighed and left.

*

*THE NEXT DAY*

The next day came fast, the sun rose and shone so bright, reflecting Ronald's face.

The guards poured cold water on him and he quickly stood up. His hands were handcuffed and then they dragged him out of the cell.

Today is the day he will be executed for stealing as the law demands; Ronald has made up his mind to give up his life for the sake of Janita, the girl he always loved. He decided not to cry as he didn't regret his decision; this is like a sacrifice for the love of his life.

*

Alpha Jade, Ash, Chad, and other citizens of the pack gathered to watch the whole hanging scenario.

Chad was praying for a miracle to happen but he lost hope already.

Ronald was dragged to the execution ground where a lot of gadgets for punishment and killing were made available.

Chad cried seeing his son taken to the hanging ground while Alpha Jade watched in anticipation with no sign of mercy.

Some pitied Ronald, and most of his friends as he was known to be a good person who is honest, brave, and hardworking.

"Dear citizens of this great pack, this is a warning to you all that if you try to steal anything in this pack, you will end up being just like this guy who will be hanged to death right now, this minute, so with all my permission, I want you to hang him now as the law permits," Alpha Jade announced.

Ronald closed his eyes as the guard placed the rope on his neck.

Chad screamed and cried as the guard touched the hanging button, giving up losing his son forever.