To Pay The Price
1226 Words
“How is that deal?”
Nobody could utter a single word. No one could blink or bat an eyelash. Arnos remained standing before his brother, jaw slack in disbelief.
“I’m not sure how to react, brother,” he admitted. “I mean, yes—it is quite better than before.”
“How is that for you, Christian?” Kieran asked the older man.
“How am I supposed to believe that my daughter will receive justice?” Christian demanded. “You explicitly stated that if this woman fails, you’ll execute her. But what if she succeeds? How does that give my daughter justice?! Nothing makes sense!”
Kieran rolled his eyes and sighed. “As I said, only if she succeeds. She doesn’t even know what it means to be a Luna. She will fail.”
“I won’t,” I whispered.
They turned to me.
“I won’t fail. Three hundred sixty-five days. I can do it. I will be your Luna’s replacement.”
The room erupted into whispers.
“That’s good to hear from a woman like you,” Kieran mused. “Very determined. Well said.”
I looked at Christian and bowed slightly. “If I succeed, I will do whatever it takes to earn your forgiveness. Please, sir. Give me a chance.”
Christian shook his head and stormed out, shoving people aside as he left. I stood there, frozen. Kieran raised a single finger, and moments later, a group of tall men surrounded me. My breath caught in my throat.
“Take her to the chambers and treat her well,” Kieran ordered. “Anyone who disobeys will be banished the moment their unwelcome scent lingers upon her. Aphur,” he addressed one of the men, “manage your subordinates properly. Provide her with the necessities a human requires. Have the maids tend to her.”
Aphur, a broad-shouldered man clad in the same dark suit as my abductor, barked orders. Rough hands grabbed my arms, their grips tightening as they pulled me toward an unfamiliar place.
I darted my eyes around, searching for any possible escape route. Nothing. Every corridor was lined with these creatures.
Some glared at me with pure hatred. Others regarded me with pity.
After a long descent, we reached a spiraling staircase that plunged into the depths of their stronghold. The guards unlocked a cell door and shoved me inside like a discarded doll.
I hit the filthy, dust-covered floor and sucked in a sharp breath.
Endure the pain. You can do this.
“Listen up, human,” a guard growled, yanking me up by the collar. His breath was hot against my face. “We don’t want you whining around here. You eat what we offer, got it?”
I nodded. “Not like I have a choice, do I?”
“Good. Don’t upset us.”
With that, he and the others left, locking the heavy door behind them.
Alone, I curled into a corner, arms wrapped around my scraped knees. My entire body trembled. My clothes were stained with blood and sweat. Hunger gnawed at my stomach. My eyelids grew heavy.
You can’t sleep. Stay awake.
I forced my eyes open.
The chamber was eerily silent. A few empty cells lined the opposite wall, but they held no occupants. The only source of light came from the flickering torches mounted on the damp stone walls.
Water dripped in the distance, the sound oddly soothing. Perhaps the only comfort in this wretched place.
How long will I survive? My father must be worried sick. I hope they find me soon. Please, someone find me.
I have to stay strong. I have to stay positive.
A year. I only have a year to fulfill my duty as his mate. If I succeed, I will live.
I must.
Because if I fail, he will kill me.
KIERAN DUSKBANE
When I heard of my wife’s death, I expected to feel remorse. Guilt, perhaps. But I felt nothing.
Loraine Stein-Duskbane was a woman I once thought was my mate.
When I first met her, I felt nothing. Even after our wedding night, nothing changed.
She arrived in our village years ago, her father an old acquaintance of mine. One moment, I was shaking his hand, and the next, I was bound to his daughter in an arranged marriage.
She wasn’t terrible, I suppose.
She was kind, intelligent, nurturing. And yet, my heart never beat for her.
Am I numb?
People often told me an alpha like me needed no one. And yet, I was expected to produce an heir, to ensure the survival of my pack. That meant I needed a mate.
That woman. I don’t even know her name. But she will suffice.
After all, I have my plans.
But for some reason—why does she seem so familiar?
Arnos grasped my shoulder and pulled me aside, concern written across his face.
“Brother.”
“Give me a moment, Arnos,” I muttered, rubbing my temple. “I still haven’t recovered from the shock of Loraine Duskbane’s death.”
“I will—after you answer me.”
I sighed, sinking into a chair. “What is it?”
“There must be a reason you refused to kill that woman. What is it, brother? You can tell me.”
Arnos wasn’t one to give up. I avoided his gaze, lighting a cigar.
“Brother, I know you noticed something off about her. Tell me the truth. Why did you bring her here?”
“I’ve told you already. Must I repeat myself?”
Arnos scowled, snatching the cigar from my fingers and stomping it out. “How many times have people accused you of being a lackadaisical alpha? Speak with us! Stop leaving us in the dark! The pack will lose faith in you if you continue like this!”
My brother is a relentless man. Where I lack a heart, he overflows with one.
“Let them believe what they want,” I said coolly. “I do not care.”
“But brother—”
“That woman stays,” I declared. “I have plans for her. Do not interfere.”
Arnos narrowed his eyes. “At least tell me why you refused the elder’s request.”
I sighed. There was no hiding it from him anymore.
“The elder is a traitor.”
Silence. Arnos stared at me in disbelief.
Indeed, my wife’s father, Christian Stein, is a traitor.
“What do you mean?!” Arnos hissed.
“Christian is a traitor. That’s all I will say.”
“But he has been under Father’s care for years! He trained us, educated us! How could you say this?!”
I chuckled bitterly, tapping my fingers against the table. “Why else would I refuse him?”
Arnos paled.
“For now, keep an eye on him,” I ordered. “And keep the human safe. She may have seen something that night. She might hold the key to unraveling everything.”
Arnos nodded grimly.
I exhaled deeply. Someone dared to challenge me.
By the end, they will be seen as fools.
And as for the human…
What am I supposed to do with her?
The answer was simple.
“Perhaps their deaths will suffice my satisfaction.”
- Writer
