NO MERCY
964 Words
The Execution Bell’s sorrowful toll rolled through the Silver Moon Pack.
Dong...
Dong...
Dong...
Each echo pounded heavier—another nail in my coffin.
Iron chains dug into my wrists, rattling with each step as two warriors hauled me across the stone courtyard. Cold metal scraped raw at my skin, but honestly, I barely noticed anymore.
My heart hurt worse than anything.
Behind me, silence hung thick and brutal. These were the same wolves who’d greeted me yesterday with easy smiles. Now they watched like I was already gone.
Not a single protest.
Not one voice raised.
Not even my name whispered.
I stumbled when my shoe caught on a cracked stone.
The warrior jerked the chain hard.
“Move.”
I toppled to my knees. The stone tore right through the threadbare cloth on my legs.
Stinging pain shot up, but it didn’t matter. People started laughing anyway.
“Look at her.”
“Even the ground rejects her.”
“I always knew she’d bring disaster.”
Someone spat, spit landing just inches from my feet.
From the edge of the crowd, a voice rang out, loud and clear.
“Kill the cursed wolf!”
It caught fire.
“Kill her!”
“Kill her!”
“Kill her!”
The chanting swelled, thundering in my ears.
Lifting my head felt impossible, but I did it.
So many faces met my eyes—faces I’d known my whole life.
The old baker who used to sneak me leftover bread.
The woman whose sick child I’d nursed through fevers.
The hunters I’d always greeted on chilly mornings.
Now, every one of them stared, eyes shining with fear—or pure hatred.
Ever since my Moon Mark disappeared, it was as if every good thing I’d ever done never mattered at all.
My chest squeezed so tight, I could barely breathe.
Is that all it takes?
Just one strange thing, one harsh accusation, and a whole lifetime is wiped away?
The warriors yanked my chains again.
Shaking, I forced myself up. My legs nearly buckled.
We got closer to the scaffold, and then something hit me—hard. I gasped. A small stone skittered across the ground by my feet.
A teenager glared at me, sneering. “Cursed monster.”
Another rock flew and hit my forehead. Vision swam. I felt warm blood trickle down my cheek.
Laughter burst out.
A third, then a fourth stone. Before I knew it, hands everywhere were grabbing whatever they could—pebbles, brick shards, rotted fruit—and hurling it at me.
Every insult dug just as deep.
“You should’ve died years ago!”
“You shame the Moon Goddess!”
“You tricked our future Alpha!”
I lifted my chained hands to shield my face. The chains crashed together when a stone caught my wrist.
Tears burned at my eyes. Not from pain. From betrayal.
These people—they were mine. This was my home.
At least, I thought it was.
The warriors just pushed me onward, not caring. One of them even grinned.
I scanned the crowd. Searching. Needing—
There. Damian. Silent beside Alpha Rowan. He stood so still—expression frozen.
Our eyes locked for a moment. Golden eyes.
Help me. Please.
I couldn’t speak the words, but my lips moved anyway. Please do something. Tell them this is wrong.
For a heartbeat, I thought he might.
Instead, he turned away.
That was it. All hope snapped inside me.
I wasn’t scared of dying. The truth was, I’d already lost everything.
The execution platform loomed in the square’s center. I’d walked past it my whole life. Never thought I’d stand here.
The warriors forced me up. One shoved me—my knees cracked hard against the wood. Pain flared.
The executioner strode forward. A giant of a man—broad-shouldered, eyes weary. He wouldn’t meet my gaze.
His fists gripped the huge blade’s hilt tight.
He looked almost ashamed.
I swallowed. My voice shook. “Please…”
It barely came out.
“I didn’t do anything.”
He closed his eyes. Whispered, “I’m sorry.”
That hurt more than all the stones. Even he thought I deserved this.
I stared at the floor.
Maybe this was it.
At the edge of my vision, I caught movement.
Elder Varek. Right up front, murmuring to Luna Selene.
He looked at me. Our eyes met—cold, knowing.
He smiled.
Not kindness. Not pity.
Triumphant. Satisfied.
Like every piece fell right where he wanted.
A shiver crept up my spine.
Why? Why smile now?
Unless…
No. I forced the thought down.
The executioner moved behind me. Heavy footsteps thudded. The crowd’s shouts died away. Even the night wind stilled.
He raised the massive blade above me, silver catching the moon’s light.
My eyes squeezed shut.
Heart racing hard enough to hurt.
Is this destiny? To die alone, with no one believing me—never knowing why?
A tear slid down my face.
“I’m scared…” The words slipped out, ragged.
No one cared.
The blade started down.
Then—a pressure suddenly crashed over the square. Not wind. Not magic. But an Alpha’s aura, roaring and palpable, making the platform tremble under me.
The executioner froze, blade in midair.
The warriors staggered back.
Several wolves dropped to one knee, clutching for breath.
The crowd erupted in panic.
“What is that?”
“I can’t breathe!”
“That’s… impossible!”
Even Alpha Rowan went pale. Elder Varek’s victory melted away.
Everyone’s head turned toward the edge of the ceremonial grounds.
Footsteps echoed through the silence.
Deliberate. Sure.
Whoever it was—they feared nothing here.
The footsteps stopped, powerful and quiet.
A voice like thunder split the night: “Stop.”
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