The Broken Beta’s Redemption

Chapter 10

Waking up wasn’t as hard as I expected. I thought the energy I burned crying, the shame of knowing everyone probably heard me break down, and the fear of facing them would keep me glued to the bed.

But the moment my eyes opened, I sat up.

What else could possibly happen that hadn’t already happened?

For all I knew, they might have taken my “leave me alone” outburst seriously.

I sat there quietly, lost in my thoughts, until a soft throat-clear made my head snap up. Raven stood there with a gentle smile. Even if I’d never admit it out loud, I was grateful for her kindness — whatever form it came in.

“How are you feeling?” she asked calmly.

“I’m… better than last night,” I replied, surprised at how steady my voice sounded. “Thanks for asking. And… I’m sorry for yesterday.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about,” she said warmly. “Emotions are something even the strongest of us struggle with. You had every right to let it out. Honestly? I’m glad you did.”

Of course, the peace didn’t last long.

“I thought you asked us to leave you alone.”

Damon’s voice cut through the air, already irritating me this early. Raven turned toward his cell. “Would’ve thought you ended it in your sleep, judging by those cries. Guess you were too much of a coward to go through with it, hmm?”

I almost rolled my eyes. Was he always this cynical? So blunt?

But who was I to judge? We were all criminals here. Good character meant nothing.

“I thought you wanted me to end it,” I shot back, keeping my voice just as steady. “Also, Damon — I’m talking to Raven, not you. So don’t worry about me tainting you with my cowardice.”

He had called me a coward, and I had accepted it. What was so wrong with being a little scared? I’d spent my whole life pretending to be strong. Maybe I deserved to rest a little in my fear.

“The kid’s got bite,” Lucian laughed as he stepped into view.

“I see you’ve got some guts back,” Damon added, smile fading as he watched me.

I ignored both of them and turned back to Raven, who promised she’d listen whenever I was ready. I was about to tell her I’d think about it, until Damon asked the one question that shattered the calm I’d been clinging to:

“So… you gonna tell us what you did to get thrown in here?” He asked and my heart dropped instantly.

My chest tightened.

The bloody images flashed before I could stop them.

I stumbled back, breathing fast as my vision blurred. Raven’s voice faded. Lucian’s too. All I could hear were the screams of the Elders… my pack… my family… Robin… everyone I failed as I was dragged here like the criminal I am.

My knees buckled. I hit the floor, gasping like the air was being stolen from my lungs.

Was I dying?

Was the prison finally letting this torment finish the job?

Was this how I’d leave — without saying goodbye to Rex and Aries… without ever seeing him again… without telling him how much he meant to me?

Fate was cruel if this was my end.

My body burned, but I couldn’t move. Why did I suddenly crave life now, when death had been all I prayed for since the moment I stepped in here? Why did I want one more day?

Why did I miss him even more now that I might never see him again?

If there’s a next life… please let us meet again, Robin. Maybe the moon goddess will be kind enough to make us mates in that one.

I exhaled what felt like my final breath.

Darkness swallowed me whole.

This is it, I whispered into the void. My end.

But the darkness stretched on, empty, endless—and no judgment came.

Was this what death felt like?

“You’re not dead, goddammit,” a muffled voice snapped, echoing all around me.

I turned, searching for the source, but there was nothing—only the sensation of floating, bodiless. My panic rose as my heartbeat grew louder and the voices sharpened.

“Tap into my energy source to keep your power steady,” Damon’s voice commanded.

“We can’t fully use our powers here!” Damon shouted again. “Tap into the little power I can spare and add it to yours!”

I could hear everything. I could see them. But my body… my body felt gone. Dead.

“What’s going on?” I whispered to myself. “What are they doing?”

We’re trying to save your ass, Lucian snapped, his presence suddenly blazing in the void. I’m trying to sort out your memories before they kill you, kid. So help me a little if you’re willing to live.

And just like that his presence vanished—

And in its place, the one memory I never wanted to face formed in front of me.

The moment I walked into this place.

The Elders.

The blood.

The crime.

I stepped back instinctively.

Were these my choices?

Either die…

Or relive the worst moment of my life?

If that was the case…

Wasn’t reliving this memory a kind of death already?