HUNTED BY THE PACKS

Chapter Two: Marked for Death

Sunlight streamed through the barred window above, but the warmth didn’t reach Aria. She sat against the wall, wrists burning from the silver-threaded restraints, heart pounding a sick rhythm against her ribs. She had spent the night in darkness, her thoughts a spiral of fear, betrayal, and confusion.

Footsteps echoed beyond the cell, measured and sharp. The door creaked open, revealing Beta Sienna in all her calculated cruelty, her blonde braid hanging over one shoulder like a serpent poised to strike.

“Sleep well, traitor?” Sienna sneered, stepping closer.

“I didn’t kill her,” Aria said flatly.

Sienna clicked her tongue. “Oh, sweetheart. It’s not about what you did. It’s about what they believe.”

She leaned closer, voice dropping to a hiss. “You had your moment in the sun. You should’ve known your place.”

Before Aria could speak, two warriors appeared and unlocked her chains. Rough hands gripped her arms and pulled her to her feet. Her legs wobbled beneath her, but she straightened, pride barely masking the pain.

They marched her into the sunlight where the pack had already gathered in a ring around the ceremonial Circle. Aria scanned the sea of faces — most stared with disgust, some with curiosity, and a rare few with pity. But no one stepped forward.

Alpha Garrick stood atop the dais, cloaked in red and black. Kade stood beside him, his face unreadable, arms crossed tightly over his chest. He refused to look at her.

“Bring forth the accused,” Garrick commanded.

The guards shoved her forward, and she stumbled into the Circle, barefoot and bruised.

“Aria Vale, you stand before your pack accused of the murder of Liana Thorn, daughter of your Alpha. The penalty for such a crime is death. Do you deny the charge?”

“I do,” she said, voice loud enough for all to hear. “I didn’t kill her. I found her body and was ambushed. I was set up.”

“By whom?” Garrick challenged.

She hesitated. If she named Sienna, they’d laugh. Or worse — kill her sooner.

“I don’t know who,” she said quietly.

“A convenient lie,” Garrick growled.

Aria turned to Kade. “You know me. You know I wouldn’t do this.”

He looked at her then. Just for a second. There was pain in his eyes — deep, and raw. But he said nothing.

His silence was a sentence all its own.

Garrick raised his hand. “By the laws of the Bloodfang Pack, and with the approval of the Alpha heir, you are hereby sentenced to death. You will meet your end at dusk under the light of the waning moon.”

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

“No trial? No evidence?” Aria demanded. “You’re going to kill me because I’m an Omega? Because I’m disposable?”

“You’re going to die,” Sienna whispered from behind her, “because you touched what wasn’t yours.”

They dragged her away as the pack began to disperse. Her eyes locked with Kade’s one last time.

He looked away.

And in that moment, something inside Aria Vale shattered into a thousand silent, burning pieces.

She would not beg. She would not scream.

But she would survive.

Even if it killed her.

Thanks for your patience, Fatima! You’re all set now with: