Chapter 18
With the stunt that Jared pulled at the festival, some of my pack members questioned my capacity to rule them as their
leader.
That was exactly what he wanted, he set the trap and I blindly fell into it. Only if I had listened to Klein, I could have averted that embarrassing scene.
The news of what happened to Marcus‘ family spread through the pack like wildfire. Some sympathized with him while others didn’t. They said that it was the moon goddess punishing him for his crime.
Only if they knew that their chief negotiator, Jared, was involved.
When would the moon goddess punish him too?
The full moon hung low in the night sky, casting an eerie glow over the forest clearing. Dozens of werewolves stood in a circle, their eyes gleaming with a mix of anger and sorrow. In the center, bound by silver chains that seared his flesh, knelt Marcus – once a respected Beta, now a disgraced murderer.
The chief judge spoke first, easing the tension in the air.
“All evidence gathered regarding our great Alpha’s death shows that he was murdered by Marcus as to that, we the elders. have no choice but to bring judgment heavily upon him.”
I looked at Jared, patiently waiting for what he would say after ruining Marcus‘ life and murdering his family.
He sure has no conscience.
The chief judge turned to Marcus,
“Marcus, you stand accused of the most heinous crime our pack has ever known. You murdered Corbyn, our Alpha, your ruler, in cold blood.” His voice rang out, it was filled with barely contained fury.
“I didn’t kill the Alpha on my own will, someone made me do it.” Marcus choked out, gasps escaping with every word he said.
Murmurs rippled through the gathered wolves. Marcus‘ head hung low, but his voice was defiant.
Jared immediately became uneasy, he stood up, his face masked with fear and anger.
“Shut up Marcus! How dare you try to fool this honorable court.” Jared fumed, his leg bounced restlessly, a telltale sign of
tention.
The court was immediately disorganized, the noise even grew further, Everyone had something to say.
“Silence!” I snarled, my form rippling as I fought to stay calm.
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“Marcus, continue with what you were saying,” I said seriously.
I know that Jared only wanted to silent Marcus, I saw all the signals but Marcus was determined to expose him. Besides he had already killed his family, what’s the worst he could do?
“It is true that I killed the Alpha,” he swallowed hard, tears streaming down his cheeks.
I looked at Jared, he was uncomfortable. He clenched his fists, battling the urge to flee.
but someone made me do it and he’s here with us.” His voice cracked as he spoke.
The moment his words registered, a wave of shocked whispers swept through the assembled werewolves:
“Gosh! I knew that there was more to this….
“Hes lying to save his skin?”
“I knew something was off!”
Everyone had something to say, the chief judge brought the court to order again and Marcus continued.
“It.. it was Jared that made me kill Alpha Corbyn. He threatened to kill my family!”
The murmurs grew in intensity, a mix of confusion, suspicion, and renewed anger. Wolves turned to one another, wide- eyed and questioning. The once united front of the pack began to fracture as doubt crept in, the revelation sending shockwaves through their tight–knit courtroom.
As the murmurs died down. The chief judge’s voice cut through the clearing, silencing the pack,
“Enough! These baseless accusations will not save you, Marcus. Jared has been a loyal member of this pack for years. Your attempt to evade accountability is as despicable as your original crime.”
As the judge dismissed Marcus‘ accusations about Jared’s involvement in my fathers death, a wave of relief washed over him. The tension that had knotted his muscles since his Marcus mentioned his involvement began to melt away. His shoulders sagged, not in defeat, but in genuine respite.
Jared exhaled slowly, careful not to let his relief show too plainly on his face. His heartbeat, which had been racing moments ago, began to steady.
A tense hush fell over the gathered werewolves. Some
with the judge. The judge continued, his voice hard and unyielding.
Changed uneasy glances, while others nodded in grim agreement
The evidence of your guilt is overwhelming. No amount of lies or misdirection will change that fact. This court will not entertain desperate fabrications at the eleventh hour.” His voice thundered.
“You betrayed not just Corbyn, but every one of us. The evidence is irrefutable. The pack has spoken. Do you have any last words before I pass a sentence?”
Marcus looked at me, but I immediately looked away. I don’t feel any pity for him, all I wanted was for Jared to be punished.
with him.
“I don’t have any last words.”
A collective howl rose from the assembled werewolves, sealing Marcus‘ fate. As the judge’s claws extended, preparing to deliver the killing blow, Marcus closed his eyes, accepting the punishment for his betrayal.
Despite the undercurrent of uncertainty, most of the pack stood firm, their faces set in grim determination.
The judge looked around, surveying the pack, his eyes glowing with authority.
“The sentence stands. Marcus, you are condemned to death for the murder of our beloved Alpha, Corbyn.”
The judge turned to me, as their Luna I had to agree with the court’s verdict. Seeing how much my pack wanted revenge. I
had no choice but to agree.
“By the power vested in me as your Luna, and with the full support of this pack, I sentence you, Marcus, to death. May the moon have mercy on your soul.”
I moved to carry out the sentence, the air grew heavy with the weight of finality, the accused’s last–ditch plea fading into the night like a distant howl.
For a while, I felt relieved. One weight was finally off my shoulders. My late father has gotten the justice he deserved but I haven’t.
