Chapter 40
Chapter 40
Chapter 40
Rhea
Hours go by. I beg to be heard and released, not to die.
89%
450
And for a while, there’s no sound or presence in here. It’s just me, completely alone and scared. Nighttime has set in and I can barely see within this dark place. I hold the cuff around my ankle, digging my fingers through it as I anxiously sit here. No one comes. No one at all.
The silence and the darkness terrifies me to my core. I don’t know what will happen or will not happen. I fear the worst. I’ve never heard of the punishments for a crime such as this because no one attempts to kill the alpha. Such punishment was never faced, written, or spoken of in regard to the pack’s law.
I curl up in the corner of the cellar, whimpering softly to myself, attempting to calm my nerves. No one is here to hear me. I wish someone would come.
Anyone at all.
The silence gives me a moment to think how all of this happened, how one day I’m the same, doing my work in the pack house, going on with my daily life, and the next, I’m put behind bars to await death.
I wish it never happened. None of it. I wish I had never seen Catelyn that day in the library. I wish I hadn’t gone up to Catelyn’s room to deliver her the wine Nyla was meant to. So many things could’ve gone better.
Suddenly, I hear a crack up above. My body snaps to attention, holding still. The dryness of the cobblestones scrapes my bones as I continue to lie there, waiting, thinking it may have been my mind playing a trick on me. A moment passes with silence.
And then I hear the sound of keys shuffling. A shiver travels down my spine as I remain motionless.
I’m scared.
Ezra seems to be coming down the steps with torches in his hand as I hide in the shadows behind the railing that edges the walls of this cellar.
The sight of him, alone, makes me shudder with anxiety. And behind him, there’s Catelyn. She’s wearing a white nightrobe that has a floral design over it. The floral print is in lavender and mint green with white fabric.
It has a belt tied to it. And a pair of dark, high–heeled pumps in red.
I quickly sit up straight as I see them coming down. I know what they are here for. What they want, of course.
“It’s been a few hours,” Catelyn whispers, narrowing her eyes on me. “How have you been doing?”
I don’t speak a word.
“Well, such a pity that you had to be caught like this,” Her eyes trail over my body before she kneels down and gets a closer look. “Must be hurting, right?”
Ezra stands behind her, his expression neutral as he holds the torch in his hand. He doesn’t say anything.
I struggle to find words, and when I do, I say them, “There–there’s going to be a trial. I’m going to tell them the–truth. I’ll tell everything.”
Catelyn raises an eyebrow at me, “Oh, really? Well, there was a trial, but not anymore. Not after I convinced Elias that you
1/3
1404 SAL 12 Ap
Chapter 40
89%)
don’t need a trial, that a run like doesn’t need to prove themselves. So you can stop dragging my name now and screaming that i forced you to do this because no one’s going to believe you?
“No, there has to be a mal? 1 sob. My face flushed, and my eyes wet with tears.
There isn’t one? Catelyn says, “Elias isn’t even taking any more arguments regarding your prosecution. He has decided that on the night of the full moon, you’ll be burned aliye?
“Yes, she nits her head and mocks me in my voice. “There’s nothing you can do about it.”
“Please, don’t do this” I beg her, “I didn’t do anything wrong. I won’t say anyone anything. Please, just let me have a trial. I don’t want to die?
“Oh, but what’s the point of you living? You’re nothing, and you’ll never be anything. Once a runt, always a runt. We’ll be doing a favor to you by killing you?
My lips shake and quiver with fear, “No-“I choke on the tightness in my throat as the tears begin to return. “N–no, no.”
“You can try all you want, Rhea, but that won’t change anything. You’re going to die come your time, so just accept it,” She moves her hand up, and her finger rises over my cheek. “And do you have any idea when the next full moon is? Oh, it’s tomorrow evening, surprisingly
A trembling chill runs through my spine, making me draw a shallow breath.
Tomorrow
“No”
Catelyn simply laughs at me.
I squeeze my hand tighter. “No–you’re–you’re lying. Why? Why? What did I ever do to you? I did what you wanted me to do. I did everything because you wanted it.”
She says nothing I can’t hear her thoughts, but I hear her laugh, and it’s tormenting me. I’m not supposed to be here. She’s supposed to be here, with him.
“Well, have a good night’s sleep because you won’t have another one again. Also, the cellar is secured. You can’t break out, There’s one guard out there, and he’s a very, very protective, well–trained wolf,” She leans close and whispers in my car. “Don’t try to run. You’ll be caught and killed. Best you can do is–well, keep your mouth shut and just die. It’s the only option left for you now.”
I gasp with emotions bursting out of me as she rises up from the ground.
“Please,” I scramble toward her, but I can’t make it far without the chains pulling onto me. “Don’t do this. I don’t want to-”
“Pity”
She begins to walk up the stairs with Ezra behind her this time. I beg in my low voice, hoping she’ll turn and stop all this from happening, but she doesn’t care.
They both leave the cellar and shut the door. There’s a click on the other side, telling me that the door is locked,
I’m trapped in here.
My breath gets stuck in my throat. Fear begins to gather at the back of my neck. There won’t be a trial, which means I can’t save myself. All hope seems lost.
2/3
14:03 Sat, 12 Apr
Chapter 40
30 20
+50)
1 breathe harder, sobbing against the darkness. My nails dig into my palms, tearing into my skin. How can they do this to me? 1 did nothing wrong. It’s not fair.
Bating my lower lip, I slump against the wall and drop my head between my knees. More tears burn out of my eyes. For a moment, I think if this all is a twisted punishment for me, for being a runt–or maybe for the rejecting the mate bond that I was so sure that it was going to ruin me, or kill me.
B
AD
Comment
Send gift
