The Binding Oath

Chapter 3: The Weight Of A Dilemma

Damon's POV

"The time to pay has finally come," Alanah said at my side. She wasn’t wrong. Yet, I gave no reply.

Mireya was my mate, and no one knew it. But she deserved this for her misdeeds. The safety of my pack came before everything else.

At least, that’s what I believed, until something strange happened that changed everything.

Just before the guard’s torch touched the pyre, the sky suddenly split open and a powerful bolt of lightning struck the wood. But nothing caught fire. Then, at once, thunder roared with such force that the ground shook like I had never heard before.

In that moment, everyone wanted to flee. Alanah, terrified, clung to me, but my eyes stayed fixed on the pyre. The least I can say is that Mireya was unshaken. She stared back with all her intensity, as if she already knew what was about to happen.

The guard dropped his torch.

Screams broke out. The crowd, seized by panic, ran to find shelter, while the guards tried in vain to contain the chaos.

But the sky was not finished. In an instant, clouds darkened, night falling too soon. A violent wind rose, and a torrent of rain poured down, extinguishing every flame, even the one that had burned in the hearts of my people calling for justice.

"Let’s go, Damon!" Alanah shouted as heavy drops hammered down on us.

"No. You, get to safety," I replied, handing her to a passing guard. "I'm the alpha, I'll be the last to leave here."

When I remained alone in the great courtyard, I stepped slowly toward the pyre, the gusts of wind and rain blurring my sight.

"Who are you?" I shouted once I was close enough, though my voice was nearly swallowed by the storm.

She was soaked, her black hair pasted to her delicate face. She trembled, but her eyes never left mine. There was something disarming in her gaze, something powerful and captivating, as if I were seeing her for the first time, in a new light.

"Who are you really?" I repeated, now standing before her.

"Nobody… I am nobody," she answered in a trembling voice. "A rogue, just a rogue lost in the middle of your war. Do you still doubt it?"

I stepped back. I couldn’t let her poison my thoughts, couldn’t allow her to plant doubt in my mind.

And yet, doubt was already there when I returned to the throne hall, my mind torn between anger and confusion. "Alpftan, untie the prisoner from the pyre and take her back to her cell," I ordered.

"But… why release her? Will the execution continue after the storm? Can you at least tell me what just happened out there? What are you planning to do now?" Alanah followed me, hysterical, bombarding me with questions as I made my way to my chambers.

"Right now, you’re not the only one looking for answers," I said, stopping in my tracks. "So give me some space, so I can think as well." I resumed walking. "And it would be wise for you to do the same."

The night dragged on and I barely slept. Not even the rain wich didn’t stop until dawn.

At daybreak, I watched from the window of my room overlooking the great courtyard, The square that was still full of people yesterday, was strangely empty. But slowly, the wolves began to gather.

"What really happened yesterday?"

"What was that thunder?"

"And that lightning? Not to mention the strength of the storm…"

"I’m telling you, it’s a sign from the Moon Goddess. A warning. We must not execute the girl."

"Absolutely not. What happened yesterday proves she is a curse, and she must be killed."

I could hear them whispering all around, torn between fear and anger.

Nevertheless, I had to present myself before them, before my pack, and for the first time since I became alpha, I admitted to myself I was really filled with doubt. Should I take yesterday’s incident as a divine warning and spare Mireya, risking my reputation before the pack? Or should I assert my authority and resume the execution where the thunder had interrupted it?

The pack had gathered once again. As I prepared to step forward, Alpftan approached and bowed respectfully.

"What do you intend to do, my Alpha?"

"Well! Finish what we started yesterday," Alanah replied, stepping forward with her usual confidence. "Damon, it only takes a word from you, and this rogue will be back on the pyre. She should have been there already."

"Know your place and your role and stay there," I told Alanah, my voice firm, my eyes fixed ahead. I couldn’t afford to show doubt before my men, or make a choice driven by emotion.

As I took a step forward crossing the exit, I was already visible to the entire crowd. Murmurs grew louder. That was when I saw an elder climb the platform, probably to address the pack. I stopped. It was Thavric, the oldest of the elders, slow in his movements, stroking his long white beard, a great wisdom emanating from him.

His shoulders shook, and his voice trembled as he spoke.

"The storm… it was foretold," he said, looking around at the gathered pack. "Here is an old prophecy:

"When the sky splits and the pyre fails, the marked one must not burn." She… she is protected. You must not harm her." A wave of murmurs spread again before he resumed.

"Heed this warning and spare her life. Or else eliminate her and hasten the downfall of this pack at the same time."

At these words he turned to leave the esplanade as slowly as he had come up to it.

Just a faint wave of murmurs, evidence of the pack's hesitation. Then, the courtyard fell silent. Every eye turned to me, waiting.

I felt a chill run through me. Mireya… could she really be part of something far larger than her crime? Something even connected to the Moon Goddess herself?

I clenched my fists. The responsibility of leadership weighed on me heavier than ever, and the final decision was mine. If I killed her, would I be defying a divine warning? But if I spared her, would my people see me as weak?

The wind howled, rattling the wooden beams of the hall, as if the storm itself demanded an answer. My pack looked to me for guidance.

I took a slow step forward. One wrong move, one word, and everything could collapse. With the elder words I realized this was a choice that could shape the future of my pack.

I took a deep breath. "Bring her here," I said finally, my voice calm and resolute.

The guards were quick to come with her and with a wave of my hand I signaled them to lead her to the esplanade. The same restless and effervescent crowd of the day before now looked at her with suspicion and fear.

"We all saw what happened last night," I began, raising my voice to the crowd. "The elder has spoken, and we listened. I will not risk the future of this pack. That is why I have decided…" I paused, letting the suspense weigh heavy in the air. "She will live. My decision is final."

Mireya’s gaze met mine. There was a flash of relief in her eyes.

“And what do we do with her if she stays alive?” Alanah burst out behind me, her voice full of anger and frustration.

"She will stay under guard… but she will live," I said, turning toward the hall. "Take her back to her cell," I ordered at last, walking past Alanah.

Murmurs rose from the pack, some angry, so

me fearful, but all watched me. My decision was made, and the consequences would come.