Chapter 21: Chapter 21

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

RYKER

I had tried to dismiss Selina's account of Roxanne as a hallucination. My sister's fear could sometimes cloud her perception, but my beta's confirmation of her observations made it impossible to ignore. Roxanne's situation was far from normal — her nails were damaged, her body had marks like she had been tearing herself and she had scrawled the name ‘Lilith’ all over her cell, both on the walls and the floor.

It was a mystery that consumed my thoughts. Roxanne's health was failing and her condition was alarming. Yet despite all this, I still had to serve justice. The Weight of my duty as an Alpha pressed heavily on me.

As I wrestled with the situation, Selina entered my room. Her demeanour was serious, a stark contrast to her usual cheerful self.

“You know it's not so hard to knock at the door right?” I asked.

“I've been hearing rumours circulating among the pack,” She said, ignoring my statement.

I shrugged dismissively. “I'm not interested in hearsay, Selina.”

She ignored my response and pressed on, revealing that some members of the pack doubted my leadership. They were angry and accused me of protecting a murderer instead of serving justice. “They have plans of recruiting someone else to take over if you fail to take action. You don't want that, do you?”

I scoffed. Her words stung but I maintained my composure. “Who is the girl?” Selina asked, her eyes searching mine.

I knew I couldn't tell her the truth about Roxanne. Not after what she had witnessed days back. Instead, I revealed a carefully crafted lie. “There's a girl I like,” I said, hoping it would convince my sister I meant something romantic. “If I don't find my mate, she's someone I would consider pairing with.”

Selina's expression lit up with excitement. She had never heard me talk about a woman before. “Really? That's wonderful! So what's stopping you?”

I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. “She's accused of killing people, Selina. The pack is angry. I can't bring myself to end her life because… I care for her. I need your advice on what to do.”

“But red moon are warriors. Who did she kill exactly?”

“The guards. They are angry that a woman killed three guards but still justice needs to be served. It's a rule of the pack.”

Selina's enthusiasm waned, replaced by a thoughtful expression. She mulled over my words for a moment, and then leaned in, her eyes locking with mine. “I have a plan,” She whispered.

***

ROXANNE

I felt a sense of dread when the guards entered my cell and yanked me out with no regard for my condition.

Pull me apart like a rag doll you troupe of shit.

My legs wobbled beneath me, my body weakened from hunger and neglect. I barely had the strength to resist them, and my voice was too faint to call out for help. My mind was clouded with fear and confusion.

Where were they taking me?

As they dragged me through the corridors, the smell of decay assaulted my senses. I couldn't help but notice the guards’ bodies were in a state of putrefaction, covered in maggots. My stomach churned at the grotesque sight. But the most horrifying thought was the possibility that I might meet the same fate.

Before I knew it, I was thrust into the pack's courtyard, facing a sea of eager, twisted faces. The anticipation in their eyes made me sick, reminding me of White Moon’s mockery whenever I failed.

My gaze locked with Ryker's and I saw a cold, satisfied look in his eyes. It confirmed my worst fears — this was the day of my judgement, the day of my death.

I tried to take some solace in the thought that this would be the end of the haunting voices in my cell, the end of my suffering. But the crowd's demands quickly pulled me back to the present.

“Behead her! Behead her!” They chanted, their voices echoing through the courtyard.

But Ryker stepped forward, raising his hand in silence. “I have decided that her death will be slow and painful,” He announced, satisfaction in his voice. “We will not grant her the mercy of a swift end.”

Damn Alpha. You really intend on sending me to the goddess, hungry.

The crowd roared in agreement, eager to see my suffering drawn out. I cried out as they chained me to two poles, fear and despair overwhelming me.

The first lash of the whip tore through my flesh, drawing a cry of agony from my lips. More lashes followed, and the pain was unbearable. My vision blurred as I fought to stay conscious, the blood flowing freely from the wounds on my back.

The guards showed no mercy, their attacks relentless and brutal. My cries grew weaker as they continued to beat me, each lash sending searing pain through my body. Ryker watched the whole thing, unfazed by my suffering.

To him, I deserved it.

I tried to hold on but the pain was beyond my control. My body gave out and the world faded into darkness as I slipped into unconsciousness.

***

RYKER

"Justice has been served," I murmured to myself as I made my way back to my room. I tried to drown out the echoes of Roxanne's screams, but they lingered in my mind.

Though I had walked away from the gruesome scene, I couldn't shake the image of her suffering. The pain of seeing her in agony hurt me, despite the stoic facade I wore. My wolf judged me harshly, but it had to be done. I couldn't protect a murderer who deceived us all.

As I approached my quarters, Selina's voice called out my name, snapping me from my thoughts. I was growing accustomed to her unannounced invasions of my space, even though it always set my nerves on edge. Today was no different.

She stormed in, her eyes ablaze with fury. "That woman? The same woman from the dungeon?" she demanded, her voice rising.

"You know better than to raise your voice at me," I replied, my tone a cold warning.

"Why did you ask for my advice? I can't believe she's the one I was trying to save! How can you like her?”

I tried to ignore her outburst, but her anger was palpable, and it added to the turmoil already churning inside me.

"It was your plan, Selina," I shot back, my frustration bubbling to the surface. "I told you I like her and might choose her as my mate.”

My sister gasped, her shock evident. "You can't pair with that thing! As long as I'm alive, she will never be a Luna!”

"I'll wait till you're gone then," I retorted, my anger flaring.

She recoiled as if I'd struck her, a hurt expression crossing her face. "You're choosing someone else over family? She's an outcast, and you want to keep her safe? She's dangerous, Ryker!”

I walked to the window, trying to catch my breath in the cool breeze. My sister's threats were nothing new, but they grated on my nerves.

"I will tell the elders and the pack that you're protecting her. They should know you're failing in your duty," she threatened.

"Go ahead," I said, my voice icy. "Let them decide for themselves. I'll still protect Roxanne.”

"Why?" she demanded.

I turned to face her, my voice cutting through the silence. "Because she's my mate.”

The words hung in the air like a heavy curtain. Selina stared at me, her shock turning to disbelief.

"What?" she whispered.

"I said it. She's my mate, and nothing will change that," I said, my resolve firm. Let her see how serious I was.

***

SELINA

I had always awaited the day when my brother would tell me he had a woman in his life. One that he was obsessed with and wouldn't stop talking about. Indeed, I had always wanted him to have a mate with hair so long that I could braid, someone I could gossip with and show off to people. But now that I had gotten the news I just wanted to believe it was a joke.

How could the moon goddess pair my brother up with a possessed woman? Not only was she possessed, she was weak. And I hated her already.

Chloe had always talked about her mate's sister and I never knew she was this disappointing until today. I was mad at the moon goddess for making me wait so long for this just to shatter my hopes.

I sobbed into my pillow. There was no way I could snitch on my brother and tell everyone he had a mate. For him to have kept it from me, then he didn't want anyone to know.

I wondered how terrible he must be feeling, if I could feel this way but something about this woman made me have my guards up. She made me remember my mother. They were almost alike in every way except she was more of a shadow.

And it scared me.

If I told Ryker he would tell me I'm being too sensitive and I didn't want my past trauma to reflect on the future. I didn't want it to destroy the life I had worked hard to protect but this new woman had to be out of the way.

She was a threat.

And if Ryker wasn't willing to get her out of the picture, I would just have to do so myself.

But I needed his help.

The help of the man who had helped me get rid of my mother.