Not My Mate - Finished

Chapter Twenty Two - Death Penalty

“Nice to see you again, princess.” The same gruff voice said, entering the room. A buff mage with brown robes – a mid level mage – walked to me. “Priestess orders. Come with me.” He helped me off of the bed and put me in handcuffs.

My heart raced as he walked me through the halls of a mansion. I was terrified. They had promised me I would be okay, but I didn't know them enough to trust them.

I was led into a large room that looked like a lecture hall. A few seats were filled at the front, overlooking a line of kneeling figures. As we got closer, I recognized them.

Ben. Seth. Makayla. Dylan. All of them sat in a line to the side. The mage gently pushed me to kneel next to them. In another line, directly in front of the bystanders was Kayne, my father, and Tiffany.

“Bria!” He shouted to me.

“I'm okay.” I assured him. My heart was going wild. I thought about Luka. If we both died here, who would care for him? My mother and Lena would be devastated by the death of their mates. Would Fire Moon take him in? I sent a silent prayer that he would know how much I loved him.

“We're here today because we have found you guilty of disrupting fate. Alpha Marcus,” The high priestess addressed my father, “I understand you allowed your daughter, Bria, and Dylan, grandson of an Alpha, to be separated from their mates, Seth and Makayla, to marry Alpha Kayne and Alpha Tiffany in exchange for alliance?”

“Ma'am, that is correct. I was unaware that there was anything wrong with that on such a high level. Had I known, I would never have allowed it.” My father said.

“Ben. Were you aware of this as the pack's future Alpha?” Erika asked.

“I was.” He said.

“Did you approve?” She asked.

“I did not, ma'am. I am not yet Alpha and cannot make decisions. I told Seth and Bria I would reverse the decision when I became Alpha.” He said.

“Very well. You're free to go. He's telling the truth. Take him back to his pack.” She said. I breathed a sigh of relief. Someone would be able to care for Luka.

“Seth. How did you feel about this decision?” Erika asked.

“It was hard. It was heartbreaking at first. It felt wrong. It was unfair. After a while, I got used to it. I found Makayla. I've never been happier. We just got married and just found out we are expecting our first baby. I am shocked she is not my mate. She is perfect for me. I also believe having a relationship with Bria still has helped. Everything is in place.” Seth said.

“Ok. You can go. Take him back.” Erika said.

“No. I'm not going without Makayla.” He said.

“You may wait. Makayla, and you? How did this effect you? I understand you lost your baby with all of the stress.” Erika said.

“That is true. However, I echo everything Seth said. I wish I could see Dylan the way he does Bria. I don't get to.” She said.

“You all are okay with this arrangement? Sharing your partner?” A man spoke up. We all answered with a unanimous, “Yes.”

“Makayla. You can go, but I will have you wait in the corner with Seth. I assume you would prefer to go with Dylan.” Erika said,

Makayla agreed.

“Alpha Tiffany. Spirit Moon is the closest with the mages. How is it that you were unaware of how this effected fate? Did you not realize it would disrupt everything? That this could have catastrophic effects within the universe?” Erika asked her.

“I was aware. I was not assigned a mate. The risks were worth it.” Tiffany answered.

“You didn't warn the other involved Alphas?” Erika asked.

“I did not.” She admitted.

“Dylan? How has this been for you?” Erika questioned.

“It's been horrible. I haven't had contact with my mate or my pack. I'm a prisoner. She basically forced me to get her pregnant. Makayla miscarried our daughter without me because I was not allowed contact. I wouldn't mind, really, if I could have just seen Makayla from time to time. That was awful.” Dylan said.

“Alpha Tiffany, we find you guilty of disruption. The sentence is death. Jack, if you'll...” Erika said. Tiffany started crying loudly. Two mages moved to restrain her so one could perform the act.

“WAIT.” Dylan screamed. Everyone stopped to look at him. “Please. My son. You don't see her belly? He's days away from being born. You'll kill him. You can't, he's just a baby.”

“I apologize, Dylan. You are right. I would not harm your son. Jack, take her to the doctor for a c section now.” Erika spoke. The mages put her asleep and carried her to another room.

“In the mean time. Alpha Kayne, Alpha Marcus. I understand you weren't quite aware of the situation. However, this Counsel also finds you guilty of interfering with fate. You will also face the sentence of death.” Erika said.

“NO.” I screamed out. “Please. I can't live without them. Kayne might as well be my mate. Our son needs him. I need him.” I begged.

“You love him?” A man asked from in the seats.

“Very much. We all love each other. I love Kayne. I love Seth. Seth loves Makayla, and me. Makayla loves Seth and Dylan. We make it work. Other than Tiffany, no one has stopped anyone from also being with their mate. There was no wrong doing.” I said.

“Kayne, you allowed her to become pregnant by Seth?” Someone asked.

“I did.” He said.

“Seth, you would be willing to allow Makayla to also be with Dylan?”

“I would.” Seth said.

“Well... I don't really see anything majorly wrong. It seems that Alpha Tiffany was the problem by keeping Dylan and Makayla away from each other. I do not believe we can hold Alpha Kayne and Alpha Marcus responsible.” An Elder in the back said.

We were interrupted by a newborn's cries filling the room. A tiny baby, wrapped in a blanket, was carried in by Jack. I saw Dylan become emotional, getting the first glances at his infant son.

“Untie him.” Erika instructed. A mage stepped forward to release Dylan's hands. Dylan reached out and took the baby into his hands. He pulled him close to his chest, sobbing against the blanket.

Makayla ran to him. She wrapped him in her arms as he held his son close to him.

“Release them.” Erika commanded. Soon, all of us were untied. “We're going to deliberate.”

Kayne ran to me. “Are you alright?” We held each other.

“I'm alright.” I said.

We watched Dylan and Makayla. Dylan had not loved Tiffany, but he would not abandon his son. The baby cried. How scary it must be to be taken from your mom and have nothing familiar.

“I think he's hungry.” Makayla said.

“Here, I have plenty of milk.” I took the baby and began nursing him, he calmed.

Erika reentered the room.

“You may all go. However, this type of situation should always be avoided in the future. Unless all natural mates are still allowed interaction with each other, this cannot happen again.”

We all agreed and breathed a sigh of relief.