a's

ution felt longer than all the

w me inside. This time they did not even look at me. The door slam

ee

ys until dawn

thirst and my stomach hurt until the pain became dull an

ness became so bad that ev

ady close to dawn. No light reached the deep

three days that I no longer knew whether

nd, please do not let it hurt for long. And if I am innocent, then pl

y. You are not goi

too fragile against the weight of everyth

l something, she whispe

derstand wha

footsteps echoed dow

the cell so suddenly that my eyes burne

up," a gu

y dragged me up the stairs and outside. The cold morning air hit my

here they we

ck had gathered around it. In the center of the platform stood a heavy wo

illo

body we

sed. The sight of it stole what little breath I had left. There were rows of people standing around the

ad all come t

er. My knees threatened to

"Please, I am innocen

e ans

to one side. Talia was there too, wrapped in a cloak, looking weak enough to play the victim but not weak enough to miss m

more tha

led and almost fell but they jerked me upright again. My wrists w

nya Taylor, you were judged by this pack and foun

cent. I did not poison Talia. Someone framed

not r

on. "Leon, please. Please say something. Yo

le moment, I thought he might st

came behind me w

trying to pull a

the cloth over my eyes. Darkne

eneath my feet. I could hear my own breathing which was ragged and uneven. Hands grip

still," so

my head lower. My cheek brushed the cold wood beneath the bl

ed to

ered through tears. "Please forgive me for all

broke c

ner moved, a strong male v

to

ng went

d across the square. "Who dar

am the Beta of the Fireblood Pack. My Al

pers rushed th

ebl

Fireblood was one of the strongest pa

the Alpha of Fireblood interfere in a

nswer, another voice sp

id not wish to interfere in your internal matte

ice made the entire

is made from a rare plant that grows only within Fireblood land. That means someone from my pack has been in contact with her

, "She was judged by m

on came from my territory, then this matter also touches my pack. There may be traitors among my own people. There m

nt. I could hear my own hear

a great deal. Why should I hand over

n Fireblood. They may threaten Silvercrest too. If word of her death reaches them before we uncover the truth, they m

e hardened. "Thi

very development. If she is only a foolish girl who acted alone, then you lose nothing but a few

crowd and the low murmur of uneasy voices. The men h

uld not mistake Silvercrest f

packs are involved, I am better placed to draw them out and destroy them. Let me do this properly. I

hen he finally spoke, I heard his r

er turns toward Silvercrest, the cost will be on all our heads. I would pref

hat followed

custody of the girl for investigation. But this does not erase

lpha Jacob

h from my eyes. Light rushed in so suddenly that I blinke

a man standing a few ste

onde hair and blue eyes. He was tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in dark

face was cal

no open cruelty there. It should have comforted me but

cob, the Alpha

whispers before. He was supposed t

ath that gaze. My clothes were torn and dirty. My hair was t

at me as if I w

er down,

what was happening, Alpha Jacob himself reached out, grab

arly gave out. He tightened his grip an

once. Leon was

happening right in front of him. Our eyes met for the briefest second. There w

near the square. Several armed men stood nearby. More cars waited b

lked or rather as I was

spared? Or should I be afraid that some

t the punishments in his territory. About how he dealt

awkwardly against the seat. I was too weak to resist. A moment later he slid in b

es started one

y head and looked out the window. Sil

oat ti

as leaving death behind or

s gaze on me. I turned slowly

but then he gave me a small smile. It was not warm enough to erase my fear b

uietly. "I am going to ge

sts in his large hands. His grip was steady.

uffs in shock. He had broken them as if th

marks ringed my skin. I rubbed them

htly. His blue eyes

said in that calm voice

one strange an

a

had happened, the wo

me? Was this kindness? Or was it only

andsome Alpha with golden hair, blue eyes

sters were the ones who smiled g