CHAPTER 99
1360 Words
Thea didn’t wait for permission.
She slammed the door to Kai’s office so hard that even the guards outside flinched.
Kai looked up from behind his desk, his eyes bloodshot, the papers in front of him scattered and unread.
“What the hell are you doing?” he snapped, voice low but dangerous.
“What am I doing?” Thea threw back, her voice trembling. “What are you doing, Kai? You’re letting them destroy her!”
Kai’s chair scraped against the floor as he stood. “Watch your tone.”
“Don’t tell me to watch my tone!” she shot back, stepping closer. “You think I care about rank right now? She’s rotting in a cell while you sit here pretending this is justice!”
His jaw clenched, eyes darkening. “Justice is what she deserves.”
“She doesn’t deserve this,” Thea said, shaking her head. “You saw her eyes, Kai. She didn’t betray you.”
Kai’s breath came heavier. He turned away, running a hand through his hair like he was trying to calm himself, but his voice broke through tight. “Don’t start, Thea. Not again.”
“Then what do you want me to say?” she demanded. “That you’re right? That your mate deserves to die because of rumors and lies? You don’t even have proof!”
He turned back to her, eyes burning with something between anger and grief. “You think I didn’t look for proof? You think I want to believe this?” His voice cracked, and for a moment, Thea saw the pain beneath the fury. “She stood by my side for years, Thea. She looked me in the eye and swore loyalty—then everything fell apart because of her.”
Thea’s chest rose and fell sharply. “You’re wrong.”
“Enough!” he snapped, slamming his hand against the desk. The sound echoed through the room. “I can’t keep defending someone who might’ve cost lives!”
“She didn’t!” Thea’s voice cracked with desperation. “She’s paying for something she didn’t do—and deep down, you know it.”
Kai froze.
The silence between them stretched, thick and suffocating.
He looked away, jaw tight, breathing uneven. “You weren’t there, Thea. You didn’t see what I saw.”
“I saw the way she looked at you,” Thea said softly now, her voice dropping. “The way she loved you. That’s not the face of a liar.”
Kai said nothing. His eyes glistened briefly, then hardened again. “I can’t—”
“Can’t what?” she interrupted. “Forgive her? Or admit that you’re scared to find out you were wrong?”
He turned sharply. “You don’t understand what it’s like.”
“I understand enough,” Thea replied quietly. “You’re too proud to admit you’re breaking without her.”
Kai’s fists clenched. His wolf stirred, restless, clawing beneath his skin. “Stop talking.”
“No,” she said, defiant. “You think punishing her will fix what’s broken inside you, but it won’t. You’ll regret this for the rest of your life, Kai. You’ll regret the day you let Becky and the council turn you into this.”
Kai’s eyes flickered. “Becky’s doing her duty.”
Thea let out a bitter laugh. “Her duty? You really can’t see it, can you? She’s manipulating everything while you drown in guilt. She wants this. She wants Elise gone.”
Kai’s voice dropped, rough and low. “Enough, Thea.”
“Fine,” she said, stepping closer until she was right in front of him. “But when it’s over—when they execute her—you remember this moment. Remember that I tried to stop you.”
Kai didn’t reply. His chest rose and fell, every breath sounding like it cost him.
Thea stared at him a moment longer, then turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
The sound echoed down the hall, and for a long while, Kai didn’t move. He just stood there, staring at nothing, jaw tight, chest heaving.
He ran his hands over his face, pressing his palms against his eyes. His wolf was pacing, growling in his mind. Mate. Ours. Wrong.
Kai gritted his teeth. “No. She lied.”
But even saying it out loud didn’t make it feel true anymore.
Meanwhile, in the council chamber, Becky was smiling.
The room was filled with murmurs — elders whispering, advisors debating. Scrolls and documents lay open on the table, but all eyes eventually drifted to her.
“Lady Rebecca,” one elder began cautiously, “the Alpha still hasn’t issued a final decree.”
Becky tilted her head slightly, lips curving. “And yet, he hasn’t refused the council’s recommendation either.”
A few of them exchanged uncertain glances.
She stood gracefully, her voice smooth, measured. “You’ve all seen what happens when traitors are left alive. Doubt spreads. Loyalty weakens. The pack’s unity depends on strength — not sympathy.”
There were nods around the table.
She stepped closer, hands folded. “The Luna’s betrayal—” she paused, letting the word sink in, “—has damaged the Alpha’s authority. If we allow her to live, it sends a message that anyone can defy him.”
One of the councilmen shifted uncomfortably. “But the Alpha seemed… hesitant.”
Becky smiled thinly. “That’s why he needs guidance. Emotional ties can cloud judgment. We, however, must protect the pack.”
Her voice was honey, but her eyes were sharp.
Another elder cleared his throat. “So… what do you propose?”
She set a document on the table. “The High Council and Lycan Alpha clause.”
The words made the room go quiet.
“It states that if a Luna or bonded mate endangers the Alpha’s leadership or the safety of the pack, she can be tried under the Lycan code,” Becky explained smoothly. “Which allows execution to restore order.”
Silence. Then slow, reluctant agreement spread around the table.
“It’s extreme,” one murmured.
“It’s necessary,” Becky replied firmly. “We’ve all seen the unrest growing. This will end it.”
Finally, the head of the council exhaled. “Very well. We’ll move forward.”
Becky smiled faintly. “I’ll see to it personally.”
As she gathered the signed documents, a quiet satisfaction curled in her chest.
Everything was falling into place.
Kai’s silence had sealed Elise’s fate.
Later that night, Kai stood alone on the balcony overlooking the forest. The wind howled through the trees, but he barely felt it. He could still hear Thea’s words echoing in his head — You’ll regret this forever.
He gripped the railing, knuckles white. His chest ached, a dull, suffocating pain.
His wolf whispered again. She’s ours.
Kai squeezed his eyes shut. “Stop.”
But the whisper didn’t stop. It grew louder, angrier. You’re letting them kill her.
He pressed his hands over his ears, shaking his head. “She betrayed me. She—”
But even now, the image of her face haunted him — the pain in her eyes when he turned away from her cell.
He wanted to believe she was guilty. It would be easier that way. But deep down, something didn’t fit.
Still, pride was a heavy chain, and his heart was already bleeding.
When his beta entered the room quietly, Kai didn’t turn around.
“Alpha,” the man said softly. “The council has finalized the decision. Execution… three days from now.”
Kai didn’t respond.
The beta hesitated. “Do you want me to announce it?”
Kai’s hand gripped the railing tighter. His voice came out hollow. “Do what they expect.”
The beta nodded, bowing slightly before leaving.
The door closed. Silence settled again.
Kai stood there, frozen, the moonlight casting shadows across his face.
He didn’t move for a long time. Didn’t breathe. Didn’t speak.
Because deep down — he already knew Thea was right.
And it was too late to turn back.
- Writer
